Runways are urgently needed to handle relentless aviation growth, and environmental reviews that slow airport development must be accelerated, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, in his first major policy address since taking office, told an "Aviation Summit" at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week. Reiterating themes voiced during his confirmation hearing last month (BA, Jan. 29/41), Mineta said Friday afternoon he wants to pursue the idea of having state and federal environmental reviews conducted simultaneously.
Cessna Aircraft last week handed over the 3,000th single-engine aircraft, a 182T Skylane, made at its Independence, Kan. plant to Lincoln Park Aviation, based in New Jersey. Delivery of the aircraft comes four and one-half years after Cessna dedicated the Independence facility to resume production of three of its venerable single-piston aircraft - the 172 Skyhawk, the 182 Skylane and the 206 Stationair.
BOMBARDIER last week unveiled a new diagnostic tool that will be standard equipment on its super mid-size Continental business jet. The SmartFix troubleshooting system will "accelerate fault isolation routines, reduce aircraft downtime and spare parts requirements, thus reducing costs for operators," Bombardier said. Bombardier will incorporate the system in the flight test program, expected to begin this year.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8180 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 61.3(a) and (c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit the establishment of special procedures that enable an operator to issue to its flight crewmembers, on a temporary basis, confirmation of any required crewmember certificate based on information contained in the operator's approved record system for RAA member carriers and similarly situated 14 CFR Part 135 air carriers. Grant, Nov. 28, 2000, Exemption No. 5560C
Miami-Dade County is assembling a list of other possibilities for relieving the increasing strain on its current airport system in the wake of a U.S. Air Force decision last month that barred aeronautical use of 700 acres of surplus land at the former Homestead Air Force Base (BA, Jan. 22/41). Miami-Dade officials last month met with the Board of County Commissioners to assess the Air Force decision and decided to hold an aviation workshop Feb. 8 to formulate alternative plans.
JOHNSON CONTROLS won a contract from the Federal Aviation Administration valued at more than $50 million to provide security system integration for the Facility Security Risk Management Program at 925 sites nationwide. The five-year contract includes design, installation and commissioning of security systems with Salt Lake City, Utah slated for the first commissioning.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8215 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit PIE to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, Dec. 5, 2000, Exemption No. 7391
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS plan to introduce legislation to streamline the approval process for new airports and runways and limit the time that can be spent debating such infrastructure improvements (BA, Jan. 29/52), but FAA already is working the problem. A provision of AIR-21 requires DOT to study federal environmental requirements related to planning and approving AIP projects to determine if the process can be streamlined. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told BA Friday that project has been under way at FAA for some time.
Two unions have asked the Federal Aviation Administration to take its Capstone demonstration program off line in Alaska until the agency resolves software glitches that cropped up last month.
AIG Aviation, a member of international insurer American International Group, has tailored an insurance program for fractional aircraft owners. The program, AIG said, "offers aircraft owners a broad coverage package, providing greater risk management flexibility." The customized program allows fractional owners to specify coverage for liability in excess of the primary policy for aircraft liability, non-owned aircraft liability, contingent aircraft physical damages and liability, and diminution of value.
DPI LABS, the La Verne, Calif. designer of aircraft cabin management systems, was recognized for meeting the D1-9000 Advanced Quality Systems quality assurance standards developed by Boeing to assess process monitoring, controlling and variability reduction characteristics.
Docket No.: 30151 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 25.785(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit relief from the general occupant protection requirements for multiple-place, side-facing seats on a Boeing Model 777-2AN airplane, serial number 29953. Grant, Dec. 11, 2000, Exemption No. 7392
Model 412 helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-27-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that applies to certain serial-numbered Bell Model 412 helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 helicopters. That AD requires a temporary reduction of the never-exceed velocity (Vne) limitation until completion of an inspection of the tail rotor yoke assembly for fatigue damage and installation of a redesigned yoke flapping stop are accomplished.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION appealed to President Bush last week to reconsider Office of Management and Budget recommendations that would cut more than $300 million from funding authorized by Congress for the Federal Aviation Administration's budget in fiscal 2002. "Such an action would erode flight safety and delay much needed upgrades in our national aviation system," AOPA President Phil Boyer said in a letter to Bush. "We can't imagine a more shortsighted decision."
Model CN-235 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-263-AD) - proposes to require installing a second electrical connector in the electrical master central unit. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of electrical power, other than that provided by the emergency system, in the event of disconnection of the single electrical connector within the electrical master central unit. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. Send comments in triplicate by Feb. 21 to FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No.
BBA AVIATION named Matthew Huff president of its Signature Combs Aircraft Sales subsidiary. He replaces Dean Rush, who recently joined Fairchild Dornier as president of the manufacturer's new Corporate Aircraft Division (BA, Jan. 15/27). Huff joined Signature Combs in July as vice president of sales and marketing after 10 years with Tyler Jet. Signature Combs also announced appointment of Fred Ahles as vice president of its New Piper Aircraft sales program. Ahles, who has more than 25 years of aviation experience, previously was a regional sales manager.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8491 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Secs. 25.562 and 25.785(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit certification of medical stretchers for transport of persons whose medical condition dictates such accommodation. The exemption is for an installation on a Learjet Model 45 airplane. Grant, Dec. 7, 2000, Exemption No. 7393
Model DHC-8-200, and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-03-AD; Amendment 39-12086; AD 2001-02-02) - requires repetitive inspections to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cable/wire and fuel tube assemblies on the right hand side of each engine, and replacement with new components, if necessary. This action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the cable/wire bundles against the fuel line, which could result in arcing and a consequent fire or explosion.
Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-67-AD; Amendment 39-12056; AD 2000-26-06) - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires, before further flight, creating a component log card or equivalent record and determining the calendar age and number of flights on each tension-torsion (TT) strap. This amendment establishes a life limit for certain main rotor TT straps. This amendment is prompted by an accident in which a main rotor blade separated from an ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopter due to fatigue failure of a TT strap.
TODD McGAHEY was named vice president/general manager of Garrett Aviation Services in Springfield, Ill. McGahey previously was director of operations at Garrett-Springfield, and, before that, he spent 10 years with GE Aircraft Services in Rutland, Vt.
ELECSYS CORP. said its Airport Systems International subsidiary acquired a tactical air navigation (TACAN) product line from Instrument Services Ltd. of the United Kingdom. The purchase includes one TACAN transmitter and all design rights, software and technical manuals.
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Norman Mineta selected his former congressional chief of staff to serve as his chief of staff at DOT. John Flaherty was chief of staff and district director for Mineta between 1988 and 1992, and later served as chief of staff for Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). He also served a stint with the Washington public affairs firm Winner/Wagner & Associates. At DOT, he will manage Mineta's immediate staff and help support policy, program and managerial functions in the Office of the Secretary.
THE BOEING COMPANY named John Dern, 40, director of media relations, responsible for all external communications for the aerospace company. Dern, who has been with Boeing for 10 years, was previously director of media relations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Dern reports to Larry McCracken, vice president of public relations.
AIR BOTNIA, a subsidiary of SAS that operates primarily in Finland, signed a memorandum of understanding with Saab Aircraft Leasing to acquire five Saab 2000 aircraft. The 47-seat, high-speed twin-turboprops will be delivered in March to replace 32-seat Saab 340s.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8188 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Direct Air to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, Dec. 8, 2000, Exemption No. 7399
