Rockwell Collins completed military and commercial flight tests of its SE-Vision flight deck technology, which integrates synthetic vision with real-time enhanced vision imagery. Rockwell Collins is developing the technology in collaboration with Max-Viz, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Air Force Research Lab and NASA Langley Research Center. The flight tests demonstrated concepts for sensor and synthetic imagery for the U.S. Air Force's mobility operations in a low-altitude tactical environment. The flights were conducted on the FAA William J.
Despite concerns in Washington, D.C. about a new Internal Revenue Service rules interpretation that severely limits deductions for aircraft expenses when aircraft are used for "entertainment," the IRS provision is not hurting Cessna's sales. Although Pelton calls the requirements of the IRS ruling "an undue burden" on aircraft operators, he said most big public companies that are used to complying with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation should have no problem meeting the new IRS requirements.
EMTEQ is consolidating its Aerospace and Cabin and Lighting companies into a new 57,000-square-foot building near Milwaukee, Wis. The space will allow EMTEQ to increase its employee base from 150 to more than 350 over the next three to five years. EMTEQ Aerospace provides design and certification engineering and produces coaxial cable assemblies, avionics installation kits and ARINC mounting trays. EMTEQ Cabin and Lighting Systems produces interior LED lighting products for the commercial, general aviation and military markets. Beginning Nov.
CESSNA Models 208 and 208B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21275; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-28-AD] - proposes to require installation of a pilot assist handle, Cessna Part Number SK208-146-2, for all affected airplanes, installation of deicing boots on landing gear struts and cargo pods on certain Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes, and changes to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
CHARLIE JOHNSON NAMED PRESIDENT OF ATG - Charlie Johnson, the former president of Cessna Aircraft, has taken over as president and chief operating officer of Aviation Technology Group, the Denver, Colo. firm developing the Javelin high-performance fighter-look-alike aircraft.
VETERAN GULFSTREAM COMPANY PILOT JOINS ADAM AIRCRAFT - Bill Waters, chief demonstration pilot at Gulfstream Aerospace for the past seven years, joined Adam Aircraft last week as vice president of flight operations.
Business aviation advocates were happy a provision expanding aircraft deduction limitations was dropped from the comprehensive highway reauthorization bill last week, but were troubled that another provision to protect against fuel fraud could amount to a tax increase on business jets yet result in a decline in tax revenue going into the aviation trust fund (BA, May 30/243). By a 412-8 margin the House Friday adopted H.R.3 the Transportation Equity Act, which reauthorizes highway and transit programs.
National Air Transportation Association was disappointed that the conference agreement on H.R.3 failed to provide relief from environmental regulations calling for secondary containment protection for airport mobile refuelers. The association, joining airline and airport groups, had been working with key legislators to receive relief from the Environmental Protection Agency mandate, which could cost airports and fuel providers millions of dollars.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association will hold its 2005 Expo Nov. 3-5 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. The Expo will include three interactive general sessions, exhibits from more than 530 exhibitors and more than 70 aircraft on static display at Peter Knight Airport. AOPA also has scheduled 70-plus hours of seminars covering a range of topics such as technology, aircraft ownership, medical concerns and safety.
ARINC Direct's facility at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona was awarded FAA repair station certification. The approval clears the way for ARINC Scottsdale to provide aircraft modifications, integration services, instrument repairs, maintenance and static system testing. The ARINC regional maintenance facility can service and repair more than 50 types of aircraft. The certification is the second for ARINC, which also operates an approved repair station at Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20512; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-35-AD; Amendment 39-14160; AD 2005-13-23] - supersedes an existing AD that requires inspecting the hydraulic brake hose for crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks at the torque link hinge and replacing the hose, if necessary. That AD also requires inspecting the hose and the emergency flotation gear pipe to ensure adequate clearance, and adjusting the landing gear leg, if necessary.
ROBINSON Model R22 series helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-21679; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-33-AD] - proposes to require replacing each main rotor blade droop and teeter stop and teeter stop bracket and associated hardware with redesigned and improved airworthy parts. This proposal is prompted by an in-flight breakup of a helicopter on which both brackets failed. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the stops and brackets, blade contact with the airframe, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Cessna's Pelton said his company is in the midst of a record year, having booked orders for 753 single-engine aircraft and 158 Citation business jets so far in 2005. As a result, Cessna has a record backlog of some $6 billion. The company has firm orders for about 250 Citation business jets that will be delivered in 2006. Parent company Textron has told analysts its Wichita, Kan. unit will probably deliver between 270 and 290 business jets next year.
SUSAN THOMPSON was promoted to operations manager for Sabreliner Corporation's Independence, Kan. facility. Thompson has served with Sabreliner for nine years and most recently was manager, quality assurance and engineering. In her new role, she will be responsible for day-to-day operations at the facility.
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21683; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-021-AD] - proposes to require a general visual inspection of the rotary knobs for the fuel tank isolation valves to determine if the seal wire has been installed correctly, and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by investigation of a recent accident, which found that the rotary knobs controlling the fuel tank isolating valves had been in the shut position.
GROB AEROSPACE MAKES FIRST FLIGHT WITH NEW JET - GROB Aerospace, which announced a new business jet program just a month ago (BA, June 20/276), said the aircraft made its first flight July 20.
MODEL 35 LEARJET DAMAGED DURING OVERRUN AT EGE - A Model 35 Gates Learjet was substantially damaged July 15 when it left the runway as the crew was attempting to land at Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) in Eagle, Colo. The tower operator told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that the airplane, N620JM, touched down normally on Runway 29 about 0845 local time. The tower operator said the pilot said something over the radio that caused the operator to look in the direction of the airplane. He saw the Learjet veer off the runway and catch on fire.
TURBOMECA Artouste III series turboshaft engines [Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly removing the engine from service. That action also requires inspection of central labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and replacement if necessary. That action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower life limit.
MAJOR HELICOPTER RFP COULD BE ISSUED THIS WEEK - The U.S. Army could release a Request For Proposals for the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program as early as this Tuesday (July 26). The service plans to buy 322 LUH aircraft for homeland security and other missions. In addition, the Army is expected within the next few weeks to pick a contractor for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program, where the Bell 407 is pitted against Boeing's Armed Reconnaissance Little Bird.
July 25-31 - Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 426-4800 August 9-11 - Asian Business Aviation Convention and Exposition ABACE2005, Shanghai, China, (202) 783-9000 September 15 - NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum, Denver, Colo., www.nbaa.org September 18-21 - Airports Council International-North America, 16th Annual Conference & Exhibition, Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, Ontario, (202) 293-8500, e-mail [email protected]
