The House Appropriations Committee June 14 approved a cut in V-22 production funding while adding money for Osprey research and development. The committee cut $590 million in previously approved V-22 production money, $115 million more than the Bush Administration's requested cut, to scale back V-22 production until problems identified by a Defense Department-appointed review panel are fixed. Committee sources told BA affiliate Aerospace Daily that the remaining money would be enough for the military to buy 11 aircraft.
Concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration might be trying to go too far too soon, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is opposing a proposal to reduce separation minimums between flight levels 290 and 390 by 2004. FAA is weighing options for implementing reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet in domestic airspace by the end of 2004. The initial plan, which won tentative support from many general aviation groups, called for RVSM between FL350-390 initially with expansion into other flight levels later (BA, Jan.
Two Canadian Snowbird CT-114 Tutor Aircraft collided Thursday afternoon during a media familiarization flight forcing the occupants of one of the aircraft to parachute into Lake Erie. The pilot and passenger ejected safely and were rescued by helicopter. The pilot, Maj. Bob Painchaud, was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. The passenger, Sgt. David Wilson of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Center, was treated and reported to be in good condition.
TOLGA ERDOGUS was appointed vice president, engineering at eBizJets. Erdogus was formerly a vice president at Fleet Bank. Erdogus will establish an internal Technology Group.
Model 55 series airplanes and Model 60 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-128-AD; Amendment 39-12257; AD 2001-12-02) - requires replacement of the brake valve adjustment screw with a new improved screw, and for certain airplanes, it would also require installation of a new brake valve lever stop. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent bottoming of the valve components before contact of the brake valve lever with the stop, which could result in loss of all hydraulic fluid and consequent loss of normal braking.
A 42-year-old military trainer broke up in flight and crashed June 16 near La Crosse, Wis., killing the pilot and a newly wed woman whose husband was watching from the ground while taping the flight with a video camera.
HONEYWELL won a contract from aircraft manufacturer Socata, a subsidiary of European Aeronautics Defense&Space Co. (EADS), to provide the hybrid vapor cycle system/environmental control system (VCS/ECS) for the TBM 700 turboprop. The hybrid system, which Honeywell said is a proprietary concept for small aircraft, comprises both a vapor cycle system and an air cycle system to provide air conditioning (heating/cooling) in the cabin. The new technology switches from bleed air from the engine while in flight to closed-loop refrigerant.
Model 328-300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-386-AD; Amendment 39-12259; AD 2001-12-04) - requires replacement of the hydraulic line between the main hydraulic pump and the pulsation damper in hydraulic system "B" with a new hydraulic flex hose. This action is necessary to prevent cracking in the hydraulic line (due to a production defect), leading to heavy leakage in hydraulic system "B," which could impair the functioning of the airplane's flaps, roll spoilers, inner ground spoilers, and nose wheel steering.
GOODRICH CORPORATION won a contract to supply its flight observer seat for Gulfstream's GV-SP long-range business jet. Goodrich will begin delivery of the first seats for the GV-SP in mid-2002.
KENNETH DANDY was named vice president and general manager of Pacific Avionics and Instruments Ltd. in Vancouver, B.C. Dandy has 36 years of experience at Innotech, managing its Vancouver and Calgary operations.
AOG AIR SUPPORT received FAA approval for its new 5370 Upgross Kit. The kit allows operators of de Havilland Beaver aircraft to increase the operating weight by 270 pounds to 5,370 pounds for additional fuel or cargo without the need for a wing tip fuel tank.
CAE appointed John Lenyo president of CAE USA, responsible for the company's military simulation and training business in the U.S. Lenyo replaces John Pitts, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Lenyo has more than 20 years of experience in the simulation and training industry, most recently as vice president of marketing and business development for Reflectone. He also has served with Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace, Link and Boeing.
WAYNE J. LOVETT was appointed executive vice president of Mercury Air Group. Lovett was previously the presiding judge of Lakeway Municipal Court in Lakeway, Texas. As part of the senior management team, Lovett will be responsible for administration as well as the legal, risk, and information technology departments.
ELLIOTT AVIATION received an FAA supplemental type certificate approving the installation of Honeywell's Mark VII Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) in Cessna 500 Series Citation aircraft. The display of EGPWS on EFIS-MFD and EFIS-EHSI will allow simultaneous viewing of weather radar and terrain.
PRIESTER AVIATION is opening a brake and accessory shop for testing, inspection, and overhauls at Palwaukee Municipal Airport in Wheeling, Ill. The shop will focus on complete overhauls for wheels, brakes, and generators.
AVIATION SALES, INC. opened a new facility at French Valley Airport in Southern California to serve as an authorized distributor for the Pilatus PC-12 single-turboprop. The company tapped veteran PC-12 and Piper marketer Larry Bardon to head the new facility. Bardon will oversee development and daily operations. "Our initial focus is establishing the Pilatus PC-12 center," he said.
CT58 series and former military T58 series turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2001-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-12262; AD 2001-12-07) - requires the removal from service of certain fuel flow divider assemblies, and replacement with serviceable parts. Reports of large volumes of fuel leakage from end caps on fuel flow divider assemblies prompted this amendment. The rule is effective July 2, but FAA will accept comments for inclusion in the docket until Aug. 14. Send comments in triplicate to the FAA New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
THE ROLLOUT of the last existing 307 Stratoliner airplane following a six-year restoration process was scheduled June 23 in Seattle. The aircraft, first delivered to Pan American Airways in 1940 as the Clipper Flying Cloud, was restored by a group of 30 Boeing retirees, who used parts and structures built from original drawings by Boeing and its suppliers.
RAYTHEON COMPANY received a contract valued at more than $20 million to supply the Very Advanced Air Traffic Control Automation System (VATCAS) to Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) GmbH of Germany. Raytheon will develop the system over 20 months, creating the system architecture and platform for DFS's Very Advanced Flight Data Processing Operational Requirements Implementation (VAFORIT) program, encompassing a flight data processing system and displays.
CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-22-AD; Amendment 39-12261; AD 2001-12-06) - requires initial and repetitive checks of the magnetic chip detector indicators, which are located in the lubrication system for the engine bearings, and installation of an improved No. 5 bearing rotating air seal as a terminating action. A report of the failure of a No.
Bombardier is market-testing the viability of an Asian business charter network that would make access to Asia-based business jets easier and expand the company's worldwide network. "We are currently in discussions with potential launch and operating partners and are excited about this opportunity," said Pierre Beaudoin, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Business aviation is growing in Asia, and customers in the region and those visiting from abroad have a strong desire for efficient and convenient travel solutions."
T5311A, T5311B, T5313B, T5317A, T5317B, T53-L-11, T53-L-11A, T53-L-11B, T53-L-11C, T53-L-11D, T53-L-11A S/SA, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, and T53-L-703 turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-34-AD) - proposes to require initial and repetitive special vibration tests of the engine, and if necessary replacement with a serviceable reduction gearbox assembly, or a serviceable engine before further flight.
Development of the super midsize Bombardier Continental business jet is progressing on schedule, officials said last week in Paris. Ground runs began in early June and low-speed taxi testing is expected to start later this month, with first flight to follow. "Four aircraft are now in advanced stages of preparation at our Wichita facility and we plan on flying all of them this year," said John Holding, Bombardier group executive vice president, engineering and product development.
Lee Monson, a veteran business aviation sales executive who was one of the first three sales people to join the Boeing Business Jet program in 1996, was named last week to succeed Borge Boeskov as head of the BBJ program when Boeskov retires early next year.
LORD CORPORATION developed engine isolation technology to help reduce vibration and noise on Dassault's new Falcon 2000EX aircraft. Pratt&Whitney Canada is providing an integrated PW308C propulsion system for the aircraft, and Lord is developing the vibration engine isolation system for mounting the engine to the airframe. The isolator is going through the testing and approval process, and the first engine nacelles are in fabrication. The 2000EX is slated for certification in 2002 with initial deliveries in 2003.
