Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) had sharply lower sales and reported an operating loss for the first quarter of 2001, parent Raytheon Company said Wednesday. Wichita-based RAC had sales of $637 million, down 21.8 percent from the $815 million reported during the first quarter of 2000. RAC shipped 92 aircraft in the quarter, compared with 137 a year ago and had a first quarter operating loss of $4 million, compared with operating income of $30 million in the same period a year ago.
PETER BUDD was named director of safety for Flight Services Group. Budd has more than 28 years of aviation experience and 12,800 hours of flight time. He formerly was a captain on the Boeing 737-300/400 for a Part 121 operation in Seattle, Wash.
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -301 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-328-AD) - proposes to require repair of the flight deck angle. This action is necessary to prevent the flight deck angle from interfering with the clevis of the roll control disconnect cable, which could lead to an uncommanded disconnection of the roll control, reducing controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. FAA estimates that 42 airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this proposed AD at a cost of $10,080, or $240 per airplane.
Model 328-300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-07-AD) - withdraws a proposal for replacement of the hydraulic line tube assemblies with improved tube assemblies and flexible hose assemblies. Since the issuance of the proposal, FAA has received information from Fairchild Dornier indicating that the replacement already has been carried out on all of the affected airplanes. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn. For further information, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Ave. S.W., Renton, Wash.
PILOTS who use cell phones may be interested in the latest offering from Elite Solutions of Scottsdale, Ariz., the SafetyCell device that enables pilots to connect any cell phone to any standard aircraft headset. When in use, the pilot can hear cell phone conversations and radio transmissions taking place at the same time. The unit, priced at $99, weighs less than eight ounces and has inputs for the pilot's headset and two cables that plug into the cell phone and instrument panel. For more information, contact the manufacturer at (800) 765-7667.
Gulfstream Aerospace officials, who have long wanted to add smaller and more moderately priced aircraft to their stable of upper-end, long-range transports, are engaged in serious negotiations to buy Galaxy Aerospace, sources told BA last week.
Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 series airplanes and Model ATR72 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-379-AD) - proposes to require revision of the Airplane Flight Manual to modify procedures for takeoff when Type II or IV de-icing fluids have been used. This proposal is prompted by reports that use of these de-icing fluids is associated with an increase in the pitch forces necessary to rotate the airplane during takeoff and with other changes in performance. These changes could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
The slowing economy and softening sales have prompted Raytheon to consider cutting the production rates of its aircraft lines in Wichita, Raytheon Company executives said Thursday. Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) posted an operating loss in the first quarter of this year, and Dan Burnham, chairman and chief executive of Raytheon Company, said the Wichita plane-maker "will remain a key area of focus" for the year.
JET AVIATION added five aircraft to its charter fleet: a Gulfstream IV based in West Palm Beach, Fla.; a Challenger 604 based at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.; a Westwind II 1124A and a King Air 100, both based in Dallas, Texas; and, a Beechjet 400A that will be based at Midway Airport in Chicago.
Two key members of the House of Representatives wrote to FAA Administrator Jane Garvey Monday, demanding a quick answer as to why she has ignored congressional mandates to implement quiet technology provisions in rules governing air tour operators at Grand Canyon National Park (BA, April 16/179).
Model CN-235 Series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-273-AD) - proposes to require installation of fuselage skin reinforcements in the right and left zones of the fuselage between stations 11232 and 11740 and stringers P7 and P9. This action is necessary to prevent premature fatigue cracking of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. Send comments in triplicate by May 10 to FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT rolled out the first of its long-awaited Hawker Horizon business jets last week, and officials said they expect flight tests to begin this summer, possibly as soon as July, according to one pilot who will be involved in the flight test program. The $16.9 million aircraft is the second of Raytheon's new line of business jets that are designed to reduce weight by using carbon fiber composite material in the fuselage.
Executive Jet Inc. ordered up to 50 new Dassault Falcon Jet 2000EX aircraft valued at more than $1.2 billion, providing the French manufacturer a significant boost for the new aircraft program. The Executive Jet contract included 25 firm orders and 25 options with deliveries beginning in 2004. The contract also included orders for six more of the "EX" predecessor- the Falcon 2000 - with deliveries of those aircraft slated for 2003.
Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-43-AD) - proposes superseding an existing AD for Sikorsky requiring a nondestructive inspection for a crack in the main rotor shaft and replacement of any cracked shaft. This action would require establishing and defining new life limits and removing certain shafts from service. This proposal is prompted by the final results of fatigue tests indicating the need to establish life limits for certain shafts.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT received a contract from Air New Zealand for 16 new Beech 1900D airliners. The definitive agreement formalizes a letter of intent signed earlier, and deliveries are slated to begin in mid-2001 and continue at a rate of one per month. Air New Zealand's regional carrier Eagle Airways will operate the aircraft throughout New Zealand. Raytheon Aircraft Chairman and CEO Hansel Tookes called the order a vote of confidence for the 19-seat regional aircraft.
DIETMAR LOOSE was named director of business applications for Fairchild Dornier. Loose will manage the business applications competence center, coordinating development of information technology systems. He formerly held IT management positions for Hilti Germany.
THE FIRST FATAL CRASH of a Piper Meridian turboprop was the subject of a National Transportation Safety Board investigation last week. The aircraft crashed on a golf course while attempting to return to the Vero Beach, Fla. Airport. See article below.
The Garrett Aviation division of General Electric and Honeywell are offering an engine upgrade for the Hawker 700 business jet to boost thrust by about 10 percent and improve performance under hot and high conditions.
Y-Shank series propellers (Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-12168; AD 2001-07-03) - requires maintenance actions amounting to an overhaul of affected propellers. This amendment is prompted by reports of propellers returned to service by BASCO as overhauled that had numerous unsafe conditions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the propellers returned to service by BASCO, and possible loss of airplane control. FAA estimates that 77 propellers installed on airplanes on the U.S.
FOR THE LONG TERM, NASM Director Jack Dailey is working on ways to make sure visitors will have easy access to the new museum. Dailey told reporters last week that museum leaders are negotiating with officials of Washington, D.C.'s Metro subway system to use part of the museum's 176-acre tract at the airport as a terminal and storage yard for Metro subway cars. "We are actively working with the Dulles Corridor folks and trying to pull this off," Dailey said.
ORENDA won an order to provide its 600-horsepower V8 engine to power the SM-92 FINIST single-engine utility aircraft that Czech Republic manufacturer Moravan Aeroplanes is developing in coordination with Bohemian/Canadian Aircraft Products of Calgary, Canada. Originally designed in Russia by Technoavia, the high-wing aircraft will be equipped with a large sliding cargo door and will be offered with optional skis or floats. Positioned to replace the de Havilland Beaver and Otter, the FINIST will be marketed for passenger, cargo, special mission, and other roles.
BILL LADIGO was appointed manager of customer service for general aviation maintenance and avionics for Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation. Ladigo has 19 years of aviation experience, formerly serving as avionics sales coordinator for Piedmont Hawthorne's Winston-Salem Division and avionics department manager at the company's Monroe, N.C. facility. He also has served with TAC Air and Stevens Aviation.
Cessna Aircraft named Jack J. Pelton senior vice president of engineering, succeeding Milt Sills who is retiring from the company after 35 years of service. Sills oversaw engineering for a number of Cessna programs, including the high-performance Citation X business jet, the fastest aircraft in the business jet fleet with a cruise speed in excess of Mach .90.
Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-15-AD; Amendment 39-12160; AD 2001-06-13) - requires inspecting the endcaps of the main landing gear selector valve for leaks of hydraulic oil and, if leaks are detected, replacing the leaking endcaps or the entire selector valve. This amendment also requires eventual replacement or rework of certain selector valves, which will terminate the repetitive inspections.
