Docket No.: 29975 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.434(c)(1)(ii) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Express to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying pilot-in-command who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in Sec. 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing. Grant, April 12, 2001, Exemption No. 7504
CESSNA began delivery of its enhanced Skylane 182T and the Turbo Skylane T182T. Both aircraft incorporate modifications to improve speed and are fitted with an upgraded Bendix King avionics suite, which includes the new KMD 550 multifunction display. The new Skylane 182T has an improved cowling design and streamlined wheel fairings that boost cruise speed to 144 knots. The Skylane 182T is offered at a base price of $242,000, including a basic IFR package, Nav/Com with glideslope, audio panel with marker beacon, a two-axis autopilot and altitude reporting transponder.
Cirrus Design Corp., the startup single-engine aircraft manufacturer that was forced to lay off workers and revamp its production process early this year, has managed to sharply reduce the time needed to build new aircraft. As a result, officials expect the Duluth, Minn. company to show a profit later this year, a spokesman told BA Thursday.
Model CL-600-2B16 (including CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R) series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-397-AD) - proposes to require modification of the wiring for the internal fuel/defuel panel. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of engine and fuel indications essential for safe flight and landing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. FAA estimates that 18 airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this proposed AD, but the manufacturer has indicated that it would cover the costs of labor and replacement parts.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Thursday will hold a meeting to update industry leaders on its progress toward implementing domestic reduced vertical separation minimums (DRVSM) by 2004 (BA, Jan. 15/27). The agency hopes to formally commit to a concrete implementation schedule by late next month or early July. FAA in February discussed its early plans to cut required separation minimums to 1,000 feet vertically initially for aircraft flying between 35,000 feet and 39,000 feet in domestic airspace.
VERMONT SEN. JAMES JEFFORDS's decision to leave the Republican Party and serve as an independent in the Senate, will result in committee chairmanships moving from Republicans to Democrats. On the Senate Commerce Committee, that means Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will be replaced as chairman by Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.). See details and other changes below.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8877 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.857(c), and 25.858, 121.314(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit two Boeing Model 737-200 airplanes to operate until Sept. 15, 2001, without being fitted with fire suppression equipment. Denial, March 13, 2001, Exemption No. 7457
Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, D1 and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-47-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting certain versions of the tail rotor pitch change spider assembly for the proper rotational torque, axial play, and any brinelling of the bearing. This action would require identifying the spider assembly with index marks to detect bearing spacer rotation, visually checking to ensure that the index marks are aligned before the first flight of each day, and subsequently modifying the bearing spider assembly.
KC 225 automatic flight control systems (Docket No. 2001-CE-08-AD; Amendment 39-12235; AD 2001-10-09) - requires inspection of the KC 225 AFCS to determine the computer modifications that are incorporated, deactivation of any units with only Mods 1 and/or 2 incorporated, and fabrication and installation of an appropriate placard if the unit is deactivated/inoperative. The AD would provide, as an alternative method of compliance, the option of installing a unit that incorporated MOD 3 or higher.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION appointed John H. Ratcliff, director of aviation and chief pilot for Ford Motor Company in North America, to fill the remaining term of Kenneth Peartree of Hewlett Packard on NBAA's board of directors. Ratcliff will stand for election for a three-year term in September. Ratcliff joined Ford in 1973 and previously held the titles of pilot, supervisor of flight operations and chief pilot. He also has served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Michigan Air National Guard through 1982.
UAL Corp. continues to make strides toward forming a fractional ownership business jet operation, winning board approval this month, putting a number of key executives in place and moving to turn letters of intent for fleet orders into definitive agreements, UAL executive Stuart I. Oran told BA last week. Following board approval for launch (BA, May 21/237), Oran said the "next major piece" to establishing the organization is finalizing the first round of aircraft orders.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8787 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Flight Alaska to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, April 16, 2001, Exemption No. 7505
CF34 series turbofan engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-42-AD; Amendment 39-12229; AD 2001-10-03) - requires a one-time inspection, and if necessary replacement of certain fan disks for electrical arc-out indications, and assigns a reduction in the life limit of certain fan disks. This amendment is prompted by a report of a crack that was found during a visual inspection as part of routine engine maintenance.
TRANSCONTINENTAL AVIONICS CORP. added three dealers to its new national chain of independently-owned and operated avionics shops. The new dealers are Steiner Aviation International of Akron, Ohio, Airtronics of Reno, Ohio, and Quality Airplanes of Thomson, Ga. The dealers will operate under the common Transcontinental Avionics service mark. Other participants are East Kansas City Avionics of Grain Valley, Mo., Royal Avionics Systems of Mesa, Ariz., and Houston Gulf Coast Avionics of League City, Texas.
Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords's decision to leave the Republican Party, and thereby shift control of the Senate to the Democrats, will wrest the helm of the Commerce Committee from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and return it to Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.).
BAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA signed an agreement with Boeing to be an in-country partner in the program to supply the Royal Australian Air Force with an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. Under the $200 million (U.S.) agreement, BAE Systems Australia will be responsible for developing, supplying and supporting the electronic support function, electronic warfare self protecting systems, operational mission simulator and related equipment.
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE THURSDAY cleared the nomination of Donna McLean to be assistant secretary for budget and programs/chief financial officer for the Department of Transportation. McLean, former House aviation subcommittee staff member and currently chief financial officer for the Federal Aviation Administration, is credited with leading the effort behind FAA's cost accounting system (BA, March 12/121). The committee also approved the nomination of Sean B. O'Hollaren to be assistant secretary of transportation for governmental affairs.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT acquisition officials moved all production decisions regarding the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft from the Navy's senior acquisition executive to the Defense Department's under secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics (AT&L). The V-22 was redesignated as a DOD ACAT-1 D, which means the acquisition category now comes under DOD authority and any production decisions fall to Edward C. (Pete) Aldridge, the new undersecretary of defense for AT&L.
DAVID DIETERLE was named vice president of business development for BAA USA. Dieterle joined BAA in 1999 as vice president of Retail Operations, overseeing the $12 million redevelopment project at Newark International Airport. He also has 10 years of retail real estate management experience where he has been involved in development, leasing, construction, management, budgeting, tenant coordination and marketing activities for retail facilities.
RENO/TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT'S "B" Concourse will be renamed in honor of William and Moya Lear. The renaming of the 11-gate "B" Concourse in honor of inventor and aviation icon Bill Lear and his wife, Moya, "is a fitting tribute for two aviation pioneers whose contributions to the Reno community have had a long and lasting impact," said Thomas J. Gribbin, chairman of the Airport Authority of Washoe County (AAWC), Nev.
LONA BANKS was appointed rotables coordinator for the Lear and Falcon divisions of Professional Aviation Associates. Banks previously spent 18 years with AAR in a variety of positions including general aviation and airline sales, customer support and purchasing agent.
Mesa Airlines and Bombardier Aerospace have worked out the details of an agreement announced earlier for the carrier to acquire up to 80 regional jets (BA, March 26/145). Mesa will buy 20 70-seat CRJ700 RJs and 20 86-seat CRJ900s, and will take options on 40 additional aircraft. The firm aircraft portion of the transaction is valued at approximately $1.2 billion (U.S.). Deliveries of the firm orders will begin in the first quarter of 2002 for the CRJ700 and during the first quarter of 2003 for the CRJ900.
JET AVIATION is performing a major avionics upgrade on a corporate Boeing 727-100 aircraft. The upgrade includes installation of dual Universal UNS-1D flight management systems, a Honeywell Primus 880 radar system and a Honeywell lightning sensor system, along with a five-tube electronic flight instrument system (EFIS). Other elements of the upgrade include a SATCOM system for voice and data transmission, an Argus 5000 moving map display and an Aircell telephone. Jet Aviation's West Palm Beach, Fla. facility also is refurbishing the cabin interior.
Cessna Aircraft, reacting to softening light aircraft sales and a buildup of inventory, told employees at its Independence, Kan. manufacturing facility that about 250 of the plant's 1,000 workers will be laid off. The cutbacks will be "across the board" and "in every department," according to spokeswoman Marilyn Richwine, affecting administrative and support personnel in addition to production workers.
