ROCKWELL COLLINS will provide CDC Systems U.K. Ltd. with handheld military Global Positioning System units for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense BOWMAN program. The contract is valued at $86 million for 37,000 GPS receivers and accessories. Deliveries of Rockwell Collins Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR)-III and Miniature PLGR engine products will start in early 2002 and continue for five years.
Aerospace Products International, a subsidiary of First Aviation Services, Inc. completed the acquisition of five Superior Air Parts Inc. regional distribution centers for $4.6 million in cash. API earlier was appointed a worldwide distributor for Superior's line of FAA approved replacement parts for Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines (BA, Aug. 6/60). "This acquisition enables API to expand its customer base as well as its product and service offerings. As part of the transaction, we acquired $3.5 million of inventory.
HONEYWELL scored two firsts this month with the flight of its AS907 turbofans on the Bombardier Continental and the flight of its new Primus Epic avionics suite on the Raytheon Hawker Horizon. See articles below.
HONEYWELL AND THALES delivered the first MCS0-7000 satellite communications (SATCOM) system to Gulfstream's Appleton, Wis., completion center for installation on a Phillips Petroleum Gulfstream IV-SP. The seven-channel MCS-7000 SATCOM, which won FAA approval last month, will replace the Honeywell six-channel MCS-6000. The MCS-7000 uses the INMARSAT satellite constellation and can interface with future alternative satellite systems.
JOHN KONRAD was named vice president commercial marketing and sales for Boeing Satellite Systems. Konrad will be responsible for commercial business development, maintaining and expanding market share. Konrad has worked at BSS since the beginning of his career in 1976, and he was most recently the director of the Americas region for fixed and broadcast services.
WOODY CONTRACTING's Kaman K-MAX helicopter surpassed 10,000 airframe flight hours. The Summerville, Ore. company bought the K-MAX external lift helicopter in May 1996 for heli-logging operations in Idaho, Montana and Oregon. The aircraft is designed for medium- to heavy-lift duties with a narrow profile to allow the pilot a view of the external load, Kaman said.
TRANSCONTINENTAL AVIONICS CORPORATION acquired Xtreme Aviation, an online pilot shop in Ocala, Fla. The Xtreme website, which marketed more than 600 items of aviation equipment, has been moved and incorporated into TCA's website.
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-12367; AD 2001-15-32) - requires installation of a filler plate and a doubler to reinforce the area under the top antenna for the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). This action is necessary to prevent cracking due to fatigue in the area under the antenna for the TCAS, which could result in reduced structural capability of the airplane. None of the Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. Registry. Currently, non-U.S.
The National Transportation Safety Board Friday wrapped up its on-scene investigation of the Aug. 10 crash of a Eurocopter AS 350 B2S helicopter, Serial Number N169PA, near the Grand Canyon that killed the pilot and five passengers. The helicopter, operated by Papillon Helicopters, was returning from a sightseeing tour of the Grand Canyon when it crashed near Boulder City, Nev. between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Pacific Time. The helicopter had stopped for fuel at Grand Canyon West Airport shortly before the crash.
HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL last week appealed to its members to help in the battle to fight wildfires in the western states. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho told HAI it immediately needs Type II helicopters capable of carrying 300 - 699 gallons of fire retardant, the association said. "We face a critical wildfire season in the western states right now," said HAI President Roy Resavage.
SEVERAL INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS have hired economic forecaster DRI-WEFA to conduct a new study on the overall impact of the aviation industry on the U.S. economy and how air traffic congestion could damage commerce. The organizations, including the Air Transport Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Business Aviation Association, Boeing and Aerospace Industries Association, hope to use the results of the study to impress upon national leaders the importance of relieving airspace congestion.
HARTZELL PROPELLER completed supplemental type certificate testing of the three-blade propeller for the Piper Cherokee 235. The 78-inch-diameter constant-speed propeller offers increased ground clearance and a longer time between overhaul, Hartzell said. FAA certification is expected soon.
LOCKHEED MARTIN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT opened an office in Moscow to help Russia and other CIS states to modernize their civil aviation infrastructures. LMATM President Don Antonucci told a Moscow news conference the improvements "can open airspace, generate revenues via overflight and landing fees and thus contribute to economic development and progress in the region." The company proposed deploying new air traffic control technology for major segments of Russian airspace now uncontrolled by radar.
Raytheon Aircraft's new super mid-size Hawker Horizon business jet completed its first flight Aug.11 in Wichita, Kan. The 2.5-hour first flight tested the aircraft's flying qualities, engine operation, low-speed handling and climb performance, Raytheon said. The aircraft flew to 10,500 feet and operated at speeds of up to 225 knots. The flight was also a first for the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite that outfitted the Horizon.
A FLORIDA JURY rendered a $480 million verdict against Cessna Aircraft Company for an accident that the plaintiffs claim was caused by defects in the seat latching system of a Cessna 185. The 1989 accident left three people severely burned when the aircraft seats rocked out of place during a go around maneuver, said aviation attorney, Arthur Alan Wolk. Wolk's law firm, Wolk&Genter, won $80 million in compensatory damages and $400 million in punitive damages for its clients. Cessna is expected to appeal the verdict.
DAVID CAMPBELL was appointed Rolls-Royce Model 250/P&WC PT6T regional engine manager for Dallas Airmotive. Campbell will be responsible for engine service support for helicopter operators in 10 states. He most recently worked in his family's helicopter repair business.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS-365N3 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-03-AD; Amendment 39-12354; AD 2001-15-19) - requires modifying the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) software within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. This amendment is prompted by a design problem in the FADEC "power loss printed circuit board'' software found during laboratory testing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the FADEC one-engine-inoperative power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
INSPECTECH AERO SERVICES last week completed installation of new "smart" windows that use suspended particle device (SPD) shading technology on a Learjet 25C. The installation is the first use of the SPD light-control window technology on a business jet. The technology, developed by Research Frontiers Inc., allows window shading to be controlled centrally in the cabin or from the cockpit. The passenger additionally will be able to control individual windows. "The installation marks the baseline for many future certifications," said James Lang, InspecTech president.
INTERNET AUCTIONEER eBAY set a record for the highest known sale price for a single item on the Internet with its sale of a Gulfstream II business jet. The aircraft was one of several items listed for sale in eBay's new aviation category launched in July. Owned by Texas-based business jet dealer Tyler Jet, the plane was sold to an African charter company for $4.9 million.
PAM ARCHIBALD was named quality assurance manager at DPI Labs in LaVerne, Calif. Archibald has more than 15 years of experience in quality assurance management with steel, plastics, aircraft avionics and data configuration control.
TAG AVIATION USA is basing its first charter aircraft, a Falcon 50, in Palm Springs, Calif. "The amount of business we draw from this area makes it a strategic location for the Falcon," said Paul Class, vice president of charter sales at TAG Aviation.
AIR METHODS CORP. expanded its Air Medical Services operations in Iowa with the Mercy Health Network. Under the new agreement, Air Methods will operate a Eurocopter BK-117 in Sioux City in addition to the Bell 222 in Des Moines and Bell 206 in Mason City.
EMBRAER reported an increase in sales to US$1.4 billion for the first half of fiscal 2001 with a net profit of $222.8 million. The company said it benefited from a 15.6 percent depreciation of Brazilian currency against the dollar in the first half of the year.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL received FAA Level D certification for the -300 configuration of its Bombardier Dash 8 simulator based at its Atlanta learning center. The simulator, which already won approval for training for the Dash 8-100, will receive certification later this year for a Flight Dynamics head-up guidance system that will be used in the Dash 8-300 configuration. FlightSafety also operates Dash 8 and Q series simulators at its facilities in Toronto, Seattle and Paris/Le Bourget.
JET AVIATION is increasing hangar space at its maintenance facility in Geneva, Switzerland, to 54,465 square feet. Jet Aviation Geneva cited a surge in demand for services for the expansion. The additional space will provide sufficient capacity for large business jets including Gulfstream Vs and Boeing Business Jets. The facility earlier this year was named a factory authorized service center for the BBJ along with Jet Aviation Basel. Founded in 1969, Jet Aviation Geneva provides full fixed-base operator services, including maintenance and avionics support.
