Model ATR 42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-08-AD) -- proposes to require modifying the wiring of the starting rotary switch. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of electrical power supply to the DC emergency and standby buses, which could result in the loss of some electrical loads and the consequent display of erroneous information to the flight crew. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. FAA estimates that 60 airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected at a cost of $14,400, or $240 per airplane.
JOHN W. (JACK) OLCOTT was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame&Museum of New Jersey during ceremonies Thursday night. Olcott, a New Jersey native and Princeton University graduate, is the president of the National Business Aviation Association. He was a flight test engineer early in his career and later was an editor at Flying magazine and served as editor and publisher of Business&Commercial Aviation magazine.
Models PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600), PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601), PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P), PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P), and PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P) airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-12187; AD 2001-08-10) -- requires replacement of both of the existing main landing gear lower side brace assemblies with improved parts. This AD is the result of several reports of cracking of the main landing gear lower side brace at the upper bolt lug discovered on preflight inspection.
DASSAULT FALCON JET is expected to announce an agreement this week with United Airlines to supply as many as 100 Falcon business jets for the carrier's new fractional aircraft program. See article on Page 216.
TRANSDIGM signed an agreement to buy Champion Aviation Products from Federal-Mogul Ignition Company, TransDigm announced last week. The acquisition is slated for completion this quarter, subject to the normal regulatory review. Terms were not disclosed. Liberty, S.C.-based Champion produces igniters for turbine engines and spark plugs and oil filters for piston engines. With sales of $70 million in 2000, Champion will increase TransDigm's annual sales by almost 50 percent.
ANTHONY HULSEBUS joined Dassault Falcon Jet as a field service representative based in Springfield, Ill. Hulsebus has 19 years of aircraft maintenance experience including 13 years with Midcoast Aviation where he served as quality control inspector and lead supervisor in the service department. He also was a senior mechanic with AlliedSignal Aerospace and an aircraft maintenance specialist with the U.S. Air Force.
Model Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 900, and Falcon 900EX series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-10-AD) - proposes to require revising the Emergency Procedures and Abnormal Procedures sections of the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew to immediately don oxygen masks in the event of significant pressurization or oxygen level changes. This action is necessary to prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew due to lack of oxygen, which could result in their inability to continue to control the airplane.
AIRWOLF OIL FILTERS won a supplemental type certificate for a remote-mounted Gorilla oil filter system for Pratt&Whitney radial engines found on bush pilot, agricultural and warbird aircraft. The filter processes 20 gallons per minute and captures 80 percent of particles that are 20 microns or larger. It also extends the oil change interval from 25 flight hours to 50.
Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., are using electron beam technology on the sub-molecular scale to create microscopic sensors for spacecraft and aircraft of the future. Their work on JPL's new electron beam lithography system-one of only three in the world - could lead someday to significant reductions in mass and cost of flight vehicles, BA affiliate AviationNow.com reported.
TRIUMPH GROUP, INC., Wayne, Pa., reported higher sales and net income for the 12 months of fiscal 2001, which ended March 31. Net income was up 13 percent to $39.2 million, or $3.11 per common share, on sales of $560.6 million. That compares with net income of $34.2 million, or $2.79 per share, on sales of $441.7 million in fiscal 2000.
The National Transportation Safety Board cited a string of coincidental pilot and controller errors that caused air traffic controllers to lose basic aircraft and altitude radar information on a Beech C90 King Air turboprop in the Oct. 17 midair collision between a Beech C90 King Air and Gulfstream III . The bottom left flap of a Gulfstream owned by actor Jim Carrey struck the wing and top of the King Air C90 while both aircraft were on a four-mile approach to Runway 16R at the Van Nuys, Calif., Airport.
UNITED AIRLINES' DECISION to become the first airline to get into the fractional aircraft ownership business is generating a lot of interest, but United isn't the only airline eying the business jet industry for new revenues. Sources say at least two other carriers are considering entering the fractional business, with Delta the most likely to step up next.
A weak economy combined with a softening in the piston-aircraft market led U.S. general aviation manufacturers to report their first slide in first quarter aircraft deliveries since 1993, despite record billings of $2.1 billion, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported last week. U.S. manufacturers delivered 568 general aviation aircraft in the first quarter of 2001, a 7.3 percent drop from first quarter 2000 deliveries of 613.
Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday released its capacity study of the top 31 airports, disclosing that eight airports experience "significant passenger delays." FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told the House aviation subcommittee that FAA is attacking the problem on a "multiple front" and was working on tactical initiatives such as its choke points program, which addreses airspace congestion in terminal and en route environment and free flight technologies. At the same time, FAA is developing longer-term strategic initiatives, such as airspace redesign.
REP. JOHN MICA (R-Fla.), the new chair of the House aviation subcommittee, called last week's release of airport capacity benchmarks "an important starting point to begin reducing delays," but acknowledged that many are concerned about how they will be used. Many general aviation groups fear that the benchmarks - which determine capacity at the nation's 31 busiest airports - could lead to peak-hour pricing.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION was disappointed that the Internal Revenue Service determined in a recent "Technical Advice Memorandum" (TAM) that charter operators must impose the transportation segment fee on every passenger they carry rather than per aircraft chartered. The TAM also determined that if a charter operator has not been collecting the segment fee, then it must do so retroactively.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES placed a follow-on order for two Learjet 45 business jets for use in the carrier's training program. When delivered, the latest order will boost Singapore's Model 45 fleet to six aircraft. "Singapore Airlines is continuing expansion of its mainline fleet with over 15 widebody aircraft to be delivered in the coming year," airline officials said, requiring that the carrier increase its ab initio training to more than 150 pilots in the coming 12 months, according to Capt. Maurice de Vaz, senior vice president of flight operations for the airline.
Model 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 35, 36, and 55 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-76-AD; Amendment 39-12177; AD 2001-07-11) - requires an inspection to determine if tires on the main landing gear have a certain part number and certain serial numbers, and replacement with a tire having a part number that does not contain those certain serial numbers, if necessary.
THE SHOOTING DOWN of a general aviation aircraft April 20 by Peruvian military aircraft was condemned last week by The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations. "Nothing justifies a no-questions-asked destruction of civilian aircraft," said Phil Boyer, IAOPA president and president of the U.S.-based AOPA.
STELLEX TECHNOLOGIES, a supplier of engineered subsystems and components for the aerospace and defense industries, said an agreement to sell substantially all of its aerostructures business was terminated. The sale was being conducted pursuant to an order of a Delaware bankruptcy court. The company said it will propose a "stand alone" plan of reorganization to the bankruptcy court with the support of its senior lenders. Under the plan, Stellex will be reorganized and owned by its creditors.
DPI LABS, INC., LaVerne, Calif., is offering a 600-watt, multi-configurable audio amplifier for use in multi-cabin aircraft or helicopters. The MS3006 audio amplifier, which has interchangeable I/O connectors and six independent audio channels of 100 watts each, can take the place of up to three high-end amplifiers, the company said, conserving space and fuel in the aircraft. For more information, contact DPI Labs at (909) 392-5777 or visit www.dpilabs.com.
Devices 14D11 and 23D04 series fuel regulator and shutoff valves (Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-12178; AD 2001-08-01) - requires a visual inspection and pressure test for leaks, and, if leaks are found, replacement of the fuel regulator and shutoff valve used with JanAero combustion heaters. This AD is the result of numerous reports of fuel regulator and shutoff valves leaking fuel. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel leakage in airplanes with these combustion heaters with a consequent fire.
