NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION named Al Ueltschi, founder, chairman and CEO of FlightSafety International, as the recipient of the 2001 NBAA American Spirit Award. Ueltschi started FSI in 1951 while still an active pilot with Pan American World Airways. Since then FSI has trained thousands of pilots and revolutionized business aircraft training programs through the use of full-motion flight simulators and visual systems. Ueltschi also has been an adviser and consultant to Project Orbis, an international non-profit aircraft-based teaching eye care hospital.
Raytheon relocated the production and service of FIRSTplus, its expanded air traffic control simulator product line, from its United Kingdom facility to its Richmond, British Columbia, Canada facility, making it now a part of the Air Traffic Control business unit, headquartered in Marlboro, Mass. FIRSTplus supports radar, visual and procedural air traffic control training for area, approach, tower and ground environments.
Boeing Business Jets delivered a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to the South African Air Force last week. The jet, purchased by the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, Ltd. on behalf of the military, will be used for intercontinental VIP transport in the South African Air Force fleet.
A LEARJET OPERATOR won a significant ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals, which upheld an earlier Tax Court decision that the company had correctly accounted for personal use of the company aircraft using the Standard Industry Fare Level. The Internal Revenue Service had attempted to collect additional taxes from the firm, charging that it had claimed excessive deductions. See article below.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9442 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Greenwood Aviation to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, 06/12/2001, Exemption No. 7541
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9353 (previously Docket No. 25052) Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.203(a)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit certain certificate holders conducting operations under Part 135 to operate seaplanes inside the Ketchikan, Alaska, Class E airspace under Special Visual Flight Rules below 500 feet above the surface. Grant, May 24, 2001, Exemption No. 4760I
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8944 (previously Docket No. 29481) Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit RHI to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, May 29, 2001, Exemption No. 6912A
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9679 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.785(j) Description of Relief Sought: To provide relief from that portion of 14 CFR 25.785(j) which requires a firm handhold along each aisle to enable persons to steady themselves while using the aisles in moderately rough air. The petitioner requests this exemption for the Boeing Model 737-700IGW, equipped with an executive interior, to be used in a private, not for hire, operation.
CHICAGO MAYOR Richard Daley, who has gotten heat from aviation users for his plans to close Meigs Field, the city's downtown lakefront airport, is getting the same message from the state's business community (BA, June 18/281).The Illinois Chamber of Commerce issued a Policy Position on Air Service Capacity, which states that the Chamber "opposes the closing of Meigs Field in February 2002." The Chamber said "Meigs provides a unique travel option for business travelers needing to reach the Chicago Loop area.
A BOMBARDIER CRJ900 regional airliner, powered by GE's CF34-8C5 engines, is continuing a 15-month flight test program that started May 23. The two CF34-8C5 engines have since logged about 75 cumulative flight hours. The CRJ900 is an 86-passenger derivative of Bombardier's 70-passenger CRJ regional airliner, which entered service in January. The CRJ900 is scheduled for FAA certification by the third quarter of 2002, with entry into service with launch customer Mesa Airlines scheduled for 2003.
VOUGHT AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES recently delivered the 150th shipset of integrated wings for the Gulfstream V ultra-long range business jet. Under a 1993 revenue-sharing agreement with Gulfstream, Vought designed and produces the wings for the Gulfstream V, including integration of the electrical, hydraulic and fuel systems.
AEROMECH signed an agreement with Piaggio America to provide warranty support, maintenance and service for Piaggio Avanti aircraft to operators in the U.S. from its FBO at the Lakeland, Fla. Regional Airport (LAL). Aeromech joins Stevens Aviation (Greenville, S.C. and Denver, Colo.) and Jetworks (Dallas, Texas) as service centers partnering with Piaggio America in providing Avanti maintenance and support in the U.S.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS involving business operators of jet and turboprop aircraft was up sharply in the first six months of the year, compared with the same period in 2000. See article below.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9772 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit LEASI to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, 06/12/2001, Exemption No. 7545
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA Model 407 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-12282; AD 2001-13-02) - requires replacing certain cockpit warning horns. This amendment is prompted by reports that pilots have had difficulty distinguishing between the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and the Low Rotor RPM horn.
DAVID BOGGESS was appointed managing director, client support at SimuFlite Training International Inc. Boggess will oversee the management of the client services department, account executives, program coordinators and the aviation library. Boggess was most recently director, training support.
CFM INTERNATIONAL named Pierre Fabre president and CEO. Fabre is replacing Gerard Laviec, who is retiring Aug. 30. Fabre will be responsible for the overall results of the CFM56 engine programs, profitability, and development of the worldwide market. Fabre was most recently the executive vice president of the Aircraft Braking Division of Messier-Bugatti.
Model EC 155B helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-08-AD; Amendment 39-12284; AD 2001-13-04) - requires, before each takeoff with a cabin sliding door in the open position, visually checking each sliding door to ensure that each door roller is inside its rail. If a roller is outside its rail, before further flight, each roller on each door must be replaced inside its rail. This AD also revises the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by prohibiting the opening and closing of a cabin sliding door in flight.
Model EMB-120 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-190-AD; Amendment 39-12295; AD 2001-13-14) - requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual, installing a placard on the main instrument panel, and removing the "LIGHT-HEAVY" inflation switch of the leading edge deicing boots. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The rule is effective July 12, but FAA will accept comments for inclusion in the docket until July 27.
Model 328-300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-339-AD; Amendment 39-12288; AD 2001-13-08) - requires replacing the brake assemblies with modified brake assemblies. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent overheating of the brakes, which could result in cracked pistons and consequent leakage and burning of the hydraulic fluid. FAA estimates that this AD will affect eight airplanes on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $4,320, or $540 per airplane. The AD is effective Aug. 1.
Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-23-AD) - proposes to require a one-time eddy current inspection for cracks of the fuselage butt joint which is forward of the emergency exits on the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane at the level of stringers 27/48. This proposal would also require repair of any cracks detected. This action is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign airworthiness authority.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY, VA., REGIONAL AIRPORT and Walker Field, in Grand Junction, Colo., Airport Authority (GJT) have become the newest members of Regional Aviation Partners. RAP acts as a lobbying group for the regional aviation and support industries.
WALTER SLAZYK was named director-technical operations at SimuFlite Training International Inc. Slazyk will be responsible for maintenance and engineering for the simulator fleet. Slazyk was previously senior manager, technical operations.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8723 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 119.21(a)(3) Description of Relief Sought: To permit Skyway to conduct supplemental operations under domestic operating rules, within the territory of the United States and within certain limits outside the United States.
In a partial victory for aerospace exporters, the House Appropriations Committee's foreign operations subcommittee June 27 approved a smaller funding cut for the U.S. Export-Import Bank than the Bush Administration requested. The panel approved $805 million for Eximbank in fiscal 2002, a $118 million reduction from fiscal 2001, but a $107 million increase over the request by President Bush. The funding, which is contained in the subcommittee's annual spending bill, now goes to the full Appropriations Committee.
