FAA has made another attempt at crafting a new aging-aircraft inspection regulation, one that could prove especially burdensome to regional and charter carriers. FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) April 2 that would require all aircraft operating under FAR Parts 121, 129 and 135 to undergo stringent record reviews and structural inspections after 14 years' service or face grounding. In addition, the proposal only would approve aircraft operating ``damage tolerance-based'' inspection regimes.
Former Northwest Airlines and AAR executive Harry Gregory now is vice president and general manager of Rockwell Collins' newly reorganized, and more recently re-named, customer support operation, Collins Aviation Services (CAS). Recently, Gregory talked with O&M Editor-in-Chief Frank Jackman about the changes he's overseen at the avionics OEM and where the industry is going. Edited for length and clarity. O&M: What type of changes has the Rockwell Collins support organization gone through in the past year and why the name change?
FlightSafetyBoeing has identified maintenance training as a major future growth market and is developing new courses and scheduling additional worldwide training sessions to accommodate a forecast leap in demand.
Securaplane Technologies, maker of aircraft security systems, smoke detection and fire control systems and emergency battery and charger systems, has established a web site at www.securaplane.com.
AirTran's newly created apprentice maintenance technician program graduated its first class. Twelve to 24-month program places priority on on-the-job training and work assignments over classroom learning.
China Airlines completed its 100th MD-11 B check for FedEx. CAL is the primary maintenance agent in Asia for cargo airlines UPS, Atlas and World Airways.
AAROTEC Education Foundation named Ronald Baltzer executive director. He previously was with an international management consulting and training company.
Ergodyne introduced its new ThermalWear vest, which maintains a constant temperature of 55 deg. F to cool workers' bodies and reduce the risk of heat-stress in-juries. Vest has been tested and approved by U.S. government agencies, Ergodyne says, as effective in maintaining healthy core body temperature, blood pressure and pulse and diminishing adrenaline stress associated with heat stress. Vest is constructed of cotton duck and is treated with Banox FR3 flame retardant. It is filled with CTF565, a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic cooling substance.
Photograph: The first of 54 Turkish Air Force F-4E Phantoms was recently delivered after undergoing major upgrades by Israel Aircraft Industries' Lahav division. The first of two prototype McDonnell Douglas DC F-4Es, upgraded by Israel Aircraft Industries to Phantom 2000 standards from a $632.5 million Turkish air force (THK) contract received in 1996, made its first flight from IAI's Lahav facility on Feb. 11, followed by its formal acceptance on March 1.
Rockwell Collins has begun delivery of a new digital interphone system for more than 600 USAF KC-135 tankers. System allows the pilot and crew to communicate with each other and with other aircraft and ground personnel.
Fairchild Aerospace named Daniel Kirkpatrick vice president of technical support. He previously was director of engineering and quality control at TWA.
Alsalam Aircraft will perform heavy maintenance and modification on six Boeing 747s operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines. Work will be done at Alsalam's facilities at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.
Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems and Aerostructures Sector received a contract potentially worth $1.2 billion from the USAF for upgrade work on the Joint STARS surveillance aircraft. Also, company won a $5.9 million U.S. Navy contract to continue an integrated modification program on the F-14 fighter.
Sikorsky Aircraft has teamed up with Israel's Elbit Systems for a joint submission of an armed reconnaissance version of the S-70, known as the Battle Hawk, for the Australian Army Aviation's $1.25 billion Project Air 87 requirement for up to 30 replacements for the AAA's 80 Bell 206 Kiowa light scout and Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopters.
U.S. Marine Corps maintenance planners and mechanics this winter got their first look at how the new Bell Boeing V-22 tilt-rotor transport operates in its primary environment -- at sea aboard ship.
FAA issued four emergency airworthiness directives (ADs) April 22 aimed at preventing possible wiring-related smoke and fires in Boeing/McDonnell Douglas MD-11 trijets. The first order involves the aft main avionics rack on certain MD-11s. The second AD was prompted by an incident in which sparks and smoke came out of the center accessory compartment during a function test due to a wire bundle that had chafed against a support bracket.
BFGoodrich Ice Protection Systems Division's FASTBoot line of pneumatic de-icers received FAA approval for use on de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100/200/300 and on Embraer 120 turboprop transports.
Aviation Sales Company ``We are seeing a dramatic shift on the part of airlines here and abroad to enter into long-term agreements with parties capable of providing a total service,'' Aviation Sales Co. President Dale Baker said. ``To do this, an MRO company has to be able to do both airframe maintenance and component overhaul and repair and still be able to provide parts support.''
PPG Industries is expanding production of plastic aircraft transparencies at the Casaletto Vaprio, Italy, plant of its Ampaspace subsidiary near Milan. Products in production include cockpit windows for the Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27 transport, Alenia G222 transport and Fokker 27 regional airliner.
Primex Aerospace's in-seat power supply system, EmPower Plus, will be installed in aircraft operated by Aer Lingus and Air Canada. System lets passengers plug in laptops, personal stereos or video players into their seat outlets during flight.
Bedek Aviation won a contract to perform D checks on two Omni International Douglas DC-10s. Company also will do heavy maintenance on eight Polar Air Cargo Boeing 747s, with work valued at $8 million. Also, company is converting two Triton 747s from passenger to freighter configuration.
