Model 407 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD) - proposes to require replacing certain cockpit warning horns. This proposal is prompted by reports that pilots have had difficulty in distinguishing between the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and the Low Rotor RPM horn. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to assist the pilot in properly identifying a specific cockpit warning horn and prevent an inappropriate pilot response to a horn, which could cause an engine overspeed and subsequent uncommanded reduction to flight-idle engine power.
Used retail jet and turboprop deliveries inside and outside North America for February 2001 (see related graphs on Pages 153 and 154 of the hard copy of this issue.) Used Retail Deliveries Feb. 1998 Feb. 1999 Feb. 2000 Feb. 2001 L M H L M H L M H L M H Jet North 43 33 18 50 34 10 56 32 34 39 14 13 America
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS are closely monitoring their customer base because of concerns about the possible effects of recent unfavorable economic news and falling stock prices. "We are all concerned about the economic cycles," said Gulfstream President Bill Boisture Friday, but he said the diversity of Gulfstream's customer base gives officials confidence they will be able to ride out any downturn without serious problems.
Models LTS101-600A-2 and LTS101-600A-3 turboshaft engines; and LTP101-600A-1A and LTP101-700A-1A turboprop engines (Docket No. 99-NE-17-AD) - proposes to require replacing certain fuel controls that have beryllium-copper bellows with improved fuel controls that incorporate Inconel 718 stainless steel welded bellows. This proposal is prompted by a report of an uncommanded power loss on a Textron Lycoming LTS101 engine due to a corrosion-damaged fuel control bellows.
Sino-Swearingen Aircraft Friday laid off 100 contract personnel in response to "evolving business conditions." A company spokesman said the action was necessary "to preserve the integrity of the company and the SJ30-2 development program." The layoffs announced Friday affect "almost none" of the company's regular work force of approximately 275 in San Antonio, Texas. The spokesman said work on the SJ30-2 program "will continue at a somewhat reduced level until sufficient long-term funding is accumulated to complete the project."
General Dynamics Friday officially launched its General Dynamics Aviation Services organization, which incorporates the former regional maintenance centers acquired from Signature Flight Support (BA, Feb. 19/88).
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. AIRPORT (SDL) now has U.S. Customs service available on a fee basis for aircraft arriving from outside the U.S. The service operates Thursday through Monday from 0900 to 1700 and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, but after-hours service is available by appointment. Fees are as follows: single/light twin, $45 per use; heavy twin/turboprop, $200; light jet (under 35,000 pounds), $275; heavy jet (35,000-75,000 pounds), $350. Fees double for after-hours service. For more information, contact the U.S.
SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT (SFS) said 100 percent of the senior notes of Aircraft Service International Group had been tendered as of March 19, but its proposed acquisition of Ranger Aerospace Corp. - the parent company of ASIG - is in limbo. Signature notified Ranger last week "that it is no longer obligated to close the merger" because certain conditions "relating to the representation and warranties of Ranger contained in the merger agreement can no longer be satisfied." Signature extended the tender offer until 5 p.m.
HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE signed an exclusive service agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to support USCG's fleet of 96 Eurocopter/Dauphin 2 search and rescue helicopters, the continuation of a long-standing support program between the parties. Hawker Pacific will overhaul and repair landing gears, servo control actuators, hydraulic actuators and hydraulic pumps. The latest agreement is for one year, with four one-year options, with an estimated revenue value of approximately $19 million.
FAIRCHILD DORNIER named Lufthansa Group as an authorized provider for pilot, flight crew and maintenance training on the 728JET family of airliners Fairchild Dornier is developing. Lufthansa CityLine is the launch customer for the 728JET with an order for 60 airplanes and options for 60 more. Lufthansa CityLine and Lufthansa's training subsidiaries (CityLine Simulator and Training, Lufthansa Flight Training and Lufthansa Technical Training) are joining forces to develop the new training system. The multi-company project team will be headed by Capt. Raimund F.
LTP 101 series turboprop and LTS101 series turboshaft engines (Docket No. 99-NE-16-AD) - proposes to require a new life limitation and removal of rigid tube fuel manifold assemblies and replacement with serviceable assemblies. This proposal is prompted by reports of cracking and fuel leakage of rigid tube fuel manifolds. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent engine fuel leakage due to low-cycle fatigue (LCF) cracking of the rigid tube fuel manifold, which could result in an in-flight fire.
BR700-710A1-10 and BR700-710A2-20 turbofan engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-48-AD; Amendment 39-12142; AD 2001-05-06) - requires, on BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH Models BR700-710A1-10 turbofan engines with fan disk part numbers (P/N's) BRR18803, BRR19248, or BRR20791 installed, and BR700-710A2-20 turbofan engines with fan disks P/Ns BRR19248 or BRR20791 installed, initial and repetitive inspections of these fan disks for cracks, and if necessary replacement with serviceable parts. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in several fan disks in the dovetail area.
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP. named Copterline Oy of Finland an authorized S-76 maintenance center to provide repairs, spare parts and other services for S-76 operators throughout Europe. Copterline, based at Helsinki's Malmi Airport, is Finland's largest privately held helicopter operator. It began regularly scheduled S-76 passenger service in May between Helsinki and Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Pratt&Whitney Canada (P&WC) parent United Technologies bought small-engine component specialist Turbotech Repairs, Inc. from Sabreliner Corp. in a deal that company executives say will strengthen P&WC's aftermarket services. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. "This acquisition is an important step in our efforts to expand our global aftermarket services focused on offering customers reduced operating costs for aerospace, APU and industrial market segments," said Gilbert Gaudette, vice president of P&WC Service Centers.
BOMBARDIER won reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, European Joint Aviation Authorities and Transport Canada for the Global Express. The approval permits the Global Express to operate in RVSM airspace, which currently is limited to certain tracks over the North Atlantic and Pacific but will eventually extend above the U.S. Aircraft can maintain as little as 1,000-foot vertical separations in RVSM airspace, but must demonstrate that they meet stringent equipment and certification standards.
JET AVIATION WEST PALM BEACH completed two Sikorsky Black Hawk S-70A helicopters with VIP interiors. The completion required removal of the rotors and 100 cowlings and fairings, hand sanding of 10,000 rivets and reshaping of the helicopter doors before the interior could be installed. The interior included double-club seating and a divan for four. Once completed, the helicopters went through a test inspection program that covered weight and balance, acoustics and water tightness.
SENATE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE Chair Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is expected to introduce legislation shortly to tackle airport capacity constraint issues. That legislation is said to contain language providing for peak-hour pricing, addressing airline scheduling practices and streamlining the environmental review process for airport expansion projects.
Model S-76B and S-76C helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-12134; AD 2001-03-51) - publishes an AD that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Model S-76B and S-76C helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, for certain main rotor shafts, initial and recurring fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs). Replacing each affected main rotor shaft on or before reaching 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) is also required. This amendment is prompted by four reports of shaft cracks.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE sold a second Global Express aircraft to Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for flight checks of navigation aids. The price was about $52.1 million, including an Aerodata flight check system. The aircraft is to be delivered before December 2002.
Model TBM 700 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-61-AD; Amendment 39-12139; AD 2001-05-03) - requires the application of Loctite on attaching bolt/screw threads of inboard, central, and outboard carriages; increasing the tightening torques of associated hardware; and replacement of central carriage attaching bolts. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
MARK KNIGHT was promoted to director of operations for Premier Turbines. Knight, who has 20 years of turbine engine overhaul and repair experience, joined Premier Turbines eight years ago and most recently was manager of technical services.
DOUGLAS N. KOBAYASHI joined Nova Advisory Group International (NAGI) as senior vice president-maintenance and engineering. Kobayashi most recently had been president and chief executive officer of Dee Howard Aircraft Maintenance, L.P. Before joining Dee Howard, Kobayashi held several management posts with Conair in Abbotsford, British Columbia. A graduate of the Cranfield Institute of Technology in England, Kobayashi spent 20 years with the Canadian Defense Forces before joining private industry.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL SIMULATION in Tulsa, Okla. is building two more Beech 1900D full flight simulators with delivery slated in the first and second quarters of 2002. The simulators will be based at locations "most convenient to the growing number of operators of the versatile Raytheon aircraft," with at least one of them slated for Europe. FSI said it will have six 1900D simulators in service next year.
FAA OFFICIALS have nearly finished a benchmark study of air traffic congestion at 31 major U.S. airports and hopes to have the results "by the end of the month or thereabouts," according to FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. She told BA last week the agency is conducting one final round of talks with the airports.
NEW WORLD AVIATION added two more Gulfstream business jets to its executive fleet. The addition of its first Gulfstream IV and third G-IIB brings New World's fleet of charter aircraft to five. Besides the Gulfstreams, the company operates a Model 35 Learjet and has a Model 355 Twin Star helicopter based within five minutes of Manhattan. In addition to charter services, which the company markets to corporate flight departments, entertainers and business executives, New World is an FAA approved Gulfstream II III and IV certified repair station.
