Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-06-AD) - proposes to require identifying the discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, and replacing them with new parts if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent the installation of incorrect pressurization discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe fatigue life. FAA estimates that 20 airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this proposed AD at a compliance cost of $3,600.
Model CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines (Docket No. 99-NE-39-AD) - proposes to revise an existing AD that requires a one-time visual inspection of Stage 2 high-pressure turbine (HPT) aft cooling plates for nicks, dents, raised metal, and scratches, and if necessary, repair of the cooling plates or replacement with serviceable parts. This proposal is prompted by an updated Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) that reduces the number of Stage 2 HPT aft cooling plates affected by this AD and identifies the applicable engines by engine serial numbers (SNs).
Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-144-AD; Amendment 39-12253; AD 2001-11-10) - requires revising the Normal and Abnormal Sections of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to include procedures that enable the flightcrew to determine if the main landing gear (MLG) is extended before landing and to take appropriate actions, if necessary.
Raytheon Aircraft last week announced another round of layoffs and a decision to slow production of the Beechjet and King Air aircraft lines. The decision to reduce 470 hourly positions follows an announcement in April that Raytheon Aircraft would eliminate 450 administrative and managerial positions to cut costs (BA, April 9/169). It also follows by one week the replacement of Raytheon Aircraft Chairman and Chief Executive Hansel Tookes by James Schuster, who formerly ran Raytheon's Aircraft Integration Systems unit (BA, June 4/261).
SABRELINER CORPORATION'S Midcoast Aviation facility at the St. Louis Downtown Airport is planning a special rollout ceremony this Friday featuring a "slightly used" Gulfstream IV business jet. The aircraft, which is owned by the U.S. Marine Corps, was seriously damaged by a tornado three years ago in Miami. Instead of declaring the aircraft a total loss and ordering a $40 million replacement, the U.S. Navy and Marines recommended that it be repaired by Sabreliner for $11 million.
DUNCAN AVIATION received JAA authorization for its avionics satellite shop in Teterboro, N.J. The authorization enables Duncan to provide authorized avionics work on European-registered aircraft. Duncan's Teterboro satellite shop is based at the Jet Aviation facility on the airport.
JEFFCO AIRPORT near Denver, Colo. temporarily closed crosswind Runway 2/20 until an access control program can be implemented. Officials said the airport "continues to experience high numbers of unauthorized personnel crossing Taxiway Charlie and Runway 2/20. To prevent a tragedy and the loss of federal funding, the runway is closed until further notice."
REP. WILLIAM LIPINSKI (D-Ill.) introduced a bill Thursday that would give the federal government authority to approve runway projects, pre-empting state laws that slow down or block such approvals. Lipinski, the ranking Democrat on the House aviation subcommittee, said the law would apply to Chicago O'Hare "and other critical airports around the country," provided that federal safety and environmental safety standards are met.
FAA's Management Advisory Council is drafting its recommendations on the agency's rulemaking process but is unsure whether they will be shared only with the FAA Administrator and Congress or publicly, said Ed Bolen, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and chairman of the MAC.Bolen said that once the MAC completes work on the rulemaking process it likely would turn its attention to the Operational Evolution Plan that FAA formally unveiled last week. FAA announced the OEP as Boeing unveiled its own vision of air traffic management.
New Jersey's Teterboro Airport continued to come under fire last week as some 1,500 demonstrators protested airport noise, pollution and growth. A 13-town coalition called the Committee for Health and Safety staged the demonstration, its second at the airport, and asked Bergen County officials to place a referendum question on the ballot in the next election to close the airport.
BOEING and federal aviation and law enforcement officials were investigating possible sabotage last week to 737 aircraft on the production line at Renton, Wash. The company reported finding a number of unexplained instances of cut wires on the aircraft.
The Boeing Company Thursday sketched its vision of a new global air traffic control system that uses a "revolutionary" technology involving a new constellation of communication, navigation and surveillance satellites to make air travel more efficient and safe.
AT-400, AT-500, and AT-800 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-72-AD; Amendment 39-12247; AD 2001-10-04 R1) - revises AD 2001-10-04, which lowers the safe life for the wing lower spar cap on these airplanes. The AD was the result of numerous reports of cracks in the 3/8-inch bolt hole of the wing lower spar cap on the affected airplanes. FAA inadvertently included certain AT-800 series airplanes in the applicability of this AD.
ALVIE BARRON was appointed director of sales, maintenance and avionics in West Palm Beach, Fla., for Jet Aviation. Barron has nearly 20 years of aerospace and aviation experience, most recently as avionics manager for General Dynamics. He also has held positions with Raytheon Aircraft and AMR Combs.
LEBANON, N.H. MUNICIPAL AIRPORT joined the newly formed Regional Aviation Partners (RAP). The organization was formed to serve as an independent voice representing issues confronting the regional aviation industry (BA, May 14/228).
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) plans to upgrade a number of domestic airports into international facilities. By December, CAAC hopes to identify 15 major airports for a major upgrading and expansion project that would start in mid-2003 and be completed over five years, in time for the Olympic Games, according to BA affiliate Airports. China is making a strong bid to host the 2008 Games and plans to invest at least US$3.15 billion in the airport expansion project.
HONG KONG AIRPORT AUTHORITY is seeking expressions of interest through July 6 for the design, financing, construction and operation of a permanent aviation fuel facility at Hong Kong International Airport. Interested parties should contact Amin Ebrahim, Commercial Division, Airport Authority of Hong Kong, 1 Cheong Yip Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong; fax: 852 2824 2786.
The Federal Aviation Administration formally unveiled a 10-year, $11 billion program Wednesday designed to implement a wide range of technology upgrades and procedural changes the air traffic control system and boost the system's capacity by up to 30 percent (BA, May 14/227).
DUCOMMUN INC. completed the acquisition of Composite Structures LLC, a leading provider of composite and metal bonded structural assemblies for commercial and military aerospace applications. The acquisition of Composite Structures, which had sales of $60 million last year, "is a great strategic fit for us as it fills out our array of capabilities in aerostructures, as well as vaulting us into the top tier of aerostructures subcontractors," said Joseph C. Berenato, president and CEO of Ducommun.
JOSEPH HADDOCK was named vice president of government business development for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Based in Washington, D.C., Haddock will oversee marketing directed toward U.S. military and government customers and work in coordination with the United Technologies Corporation Washington office. He joined Sikorsky in March 1998 as director of international sales.
Model DH.125, HS.125, BH.125, and BAe 125 (U-125 and C-29A) series airplanes, and Hawker 800, Hawker 800 (U-125A), Hawker 800XP, and Hawker 1000 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-373-AD) - proposes to require an inspection for cracking or corrosion of the cylinder head lugs of the main landing gear (MLG) actuator and follow-on/corrective actions. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of attachment lugs cracking at the actuator cylinder head.
General Dynamics completed its $353 million cash acquisition of Galaxy Aerospace last week and GD officials began moving swiftly to integrate the Fort Worth, Texas facility into the company's other aerospace operations (BA, April 23/191). Most of the Galaxy executive team left the company last week, including President Brian Barents, although he has signed a limited consulting agreement with GD and plans to attend this week's Paris Air Show on behalf of the new owners.
THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET finally received FAA's proposal last Monday to establish regulations for fractional ownership operations. OMB will review the notice of proposed rulemaking, which creates a new Subpart K of Part 91, before it is published in the Federal Register. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta told the General Aviation Manufacturers Association board early last month that DOT had signed off on the proposal and that he expected it to go through without problems (BA, May 7/213).
PRATT&WHITNEY joined forces with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Power Systems "to explore development of a new generation of mid-size gas turbines to meet the world's electric power needs," P&W said last week.
CORPORATE JETS, INC. began operating seven new EC-135 helicopters it ordered for its STAT MedEvac program in Pittsburgh and MedStar in Washington, D.C. Corporate Jets is expanding its STAT MedEvac fleet from eight to 13 helicopters. MedStar, one of the original air medical services programs to use a BK-117 helicopter, is upgrading its program with the EC-135s. The two new helicopters double the service's fleet. Corporate Jets, based in West Mifflin, Pa., provides air medical, charter and aircraft management services as well as helicopter completion and support.
