EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GmbH Model EC135 helicopters [Docket No. 2001-SW-64-AD; Amendment 39-12604; AD 2001-26-52] - publishes an amendment adopting AD 2001-26-52, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further Instrument Flight Rule flight, inserting a copy of the AD into the Limitations Section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual and replacing each affected Smart Multifunction Display (SMD45H) as specified.
BELL HELICOPTER Model 430 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-21-AD; Amendment 39-12598; AD 2002-01-07) - requires changes to the electrical power distribution system. This amendment is prompted by design deficiencies in the electrical systems. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of both generators, loss of primary electrical power, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 33 helicopters on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $95,040. The AD is effective Feb. 21.
HAMILTON SUNSTRAND picked up a $120 million contract with CargoLifter Development of Brand, Germany to provide the electrical power generation and distribution system for the CL160 airship. The CL160 is a "lighter-than-air cargo airship" that will transport large and heavy equipment. It is scheduled for first test flights in 2004.
Russ Meyer, who stepped down as chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft two years ago, was named president of Textron's Aircraft Sector this month with oversight over Cessna, Bell Helicopter, engine manufacturer Textron Lycoming and aircraft finance operations.
Officials at three Washington, D.C.-based general aviation airports were waiting for word last week that they could finally open for business after the federal government closed them Sept. 11. Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey told the Aero Club of Washington, D.C. Tuesday that the Secret Service had signed off on a plan to allow air traffic to resume at Maryland's College Park, Potomac Airfield and Washington Executive/Hyde Field, the last airports to remain closed in the wake of Sept. 11. "Our goal is to get them open in the next couple of days," she said.
EUROCOPTER Model AS332L2 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-11-AD; Amendment 39-12597; AD 2002-01-06) - requires inspecting the main frame for a crack and repairing any unairworthy frame before further flight. This amendment is prompted by a report of cracks on the right-hand (RH) side of a main frame. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the main frame and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. None of the helicopters affected by this action are on the U.S. Registry. The cost of this AD for any future U.S.
NTSB BAR ASSOCIATION will host a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Transportation May 7 at the NTSB Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The discussion will focus on aviation safety enforcement proceedings at NTSB and DOT. For more information or to register for the meeting, contact Karen Griggs at (301) 972-7700 no later than April 20.
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-7, PC-12, and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-33-AD; Amendment 39-12600; AD 2002-01-09) - requires inspection of the joints between the engine-driven pump housing, relief valve housing, and the relief-valve cover for signs of fuel leakage or extruding gasket material; replacement of any engine-driven pump with signs of fuel leakage or extruding gasket material; and inspection to ensure that the relief valve attachment screws are adequately torqued and retorqued as necessary.
A NEW JERSEY legislator, Loretta Weinberg (D), reintroduced two bills designed to curtail operations at Teterboro Airport, which has become a political hotbed for anti-noise activists. The first, AR30, calls for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to ban flights out of the airport between midnight and 6 a.m. The second bill, AR31, directs the Port Authority to continue its ban on aircraft that weigh more than 100,000 pounds from operating into Teterboro and calls on the FAA to refrain from granting waivers.
THE AVIATION COMMUNITY continues to wrestle with many of the requirements included in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act adopted in November. National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne appealed to the Department of Transportation to expedite the process for the criminal history record checks required under the security act. "To meet the deadline of Dec. 31, 2002, with the resources currently available, will be a challenge to airports, airlines, aviation services businesses and the Federal Aviation Administration itself," Coyne said.
THE DEPARTURE of Garvey threatens to leave a severe leadership void at FAA during a particularly difficult juncture in the agency's history. Officials are still searching for a chief operating officer to head a new Air Traffic Services organization, most of FAA's security functions will be absorbed by a new Transportation Security Administration and many of FAA's headquarters employees are scheduled to be relocated to other quarters over the next year (BA, Jan. 14/23).
AVOLAR "is open and doing business" a spokesman said Friday, adding that the company's plans to attract outside investors "is continuing on schedule." An article in Friday's USA Today headlined "United willing to fold business-jet venture," caused a stir about prospects for the start-up fractional ownership program. The article was based on comments from union leaders who attended recent meetings with John Creighton, CEO of United Airlines, and its parent, UAL Corp.
HARLEY D. KYSOR, JR., 84, a pioneer corporate aviation consultant, died Jan. 22 in Ridgefield, Conn. Kysor, a pilot for Eastern Airlines in the 1950s and 1960s, later formed his own aviation consulting business. A former contributor to Business&Commercial Aviation magazine, Kysor was one of the first to do aircraft feasibility studies for major corporations and also performed safety audits of charter operators.
Soft sales and a drop in deliveries of its more lucrative turbine products drove Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) to operating losses in excess of three-quarters of a billion dollars last year - and the company predicts that revenues will continue to slide this year. RAC, headquartered in Wichita, Kan., posted net sales of $2.57 billion in 2001, 20 percent below the $3.22 billion brought in a year earlier.
FAA issued a record of decision approving construction of a new cargo hub for FedEx at Piedmont Triad International Airport, a project that includes creation of a large sorting facility and a 9,000-foot runway to which some groups remain bitterly opposed. A number of permits still must be secured before the way is clear, and anti-hub groups say they will keep fighting.
NIMBUS GROUP, a start-up jet taxi service, named General Charles Horner (ret.) vice chairman of its board of directors. Horner retired after 36 years with the Air Force, having served as commander-in-chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Space Command and commander of Air Force Space Command. He also served as the commander-in-chief of all allied air forces during the Gulf War.
DORNIER Model 328-300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-174-AD; Amendment 39-12584; AD 2001-26-18) - requires, for certain airplanes, a one-time torque test (inspection) of the attachment bolts of the forward engine mount vibration isolators to determine if the bolts are adequately torqued, and corrective action, if necessary. For all airplanes, this amendment prohibits installation of an attachment bolt on the forward engine mount vibration isolators, unless the attachment bolt is torqued within certain limits.
TURBOMECA S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2001-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-12593; AD 2002-01-02) - requires replacement of the 10 main fuel injectors in Arrius 1A engines with new or overhauled injectors. This amendment is prompted by routine inspections conducted in the repair workshop demonstrating that some main fuel injectors were partially or totally blocked.
Two years after she stepped into the position of FAA's acting associate administrator for airports, Woodie Woodward finally was given the job on a permanent basis. FAA last week formally announced the appointment of Woodward as associate administrator for airports with responsibility for the airport grant program and national airport planning.
GKN Westland, an Anglo-Italian helicopter joint venture, announced it will lay off 950 of its 5,250 workers and close its Weston Super-Mare factory. The cutbacks come even though the company has a $6.5 billion order backlog and got recent contracts for 26 EH101s from Denmark and Portugal and eight Super Lynx anti-submarine warfare helicopters from Malaysia and Thailand.
VOUGHT AIRCRAFT appointed Tom Risley president and chief executive officer as well as a director of the corporation. Risley succeeds Gordon Williams, who will take over as chairman for Allan Holt, a managing director of The Carlyle Group. A 33-year Vought veteran, Risley most recently was chief operating officer. Williams said the move is part of a planned succession.
GREELEY-WELD COUNTY, COLO. AIRPORT (GXY) said fuel sales were up for 2001, despite the effect of national airspace restrictions on general aviation in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Fuel volume rose 14.6 percent last year to nearly 585,000 gallons, compared with just under 500,000 gallons in 2000 and just under 350,000 gallons in 1997. The airport estimates that post-9/11 restrictions cost it about 25,000 gallons of lost fuel volume sales.
Federal Aviation Administration is setting up a 45-nautical-mile "Olympic ring" around Salt Lake City, Utah during the Winter Olympic Games next month that will essentially close all but six airports, block off airspace corridors, and require approved Part 91 operators to funnel through one of four gateway airports outside the area to undergo detailed security checks.
HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE hired an AAR executive to run the company. Richard Fortner was named president and chief executive officer of Hawker Pacific, succeeding Dave Lokken, who is leaving to pursue other business interests. Fortner had been president of AAR Landing Gear Services. "We are very excited about Dick joining Hawker," said August Henningsen, chairman of the Hawker Pacific board. "His vast experience in the aerospace industry will clearly have a positive impact on Hawker's growth opportunities."
Used Retail Deliveries Dec. 1998 Dec. 1999 Dec. 2000 Dec. 2001 L M H L M H L M H L M H Jet North 72 54 21 56 51 26 38 41 25 48 34 20 America Jet Outside 12 1 1 11 3 4 3 1 2 8 4 2 N. America Prop North 3 102 2 2 105 2 2 98 1 4 72 0 America
