Leading Aviation Industry Experts to Provide Guidance on Issues
Surrounding Recalls
Textron has announced the formation of an Independent Advisory
Panel to advise on safety, quality and compliance systems and
processes at its Lycoming business unit. The panel of aviation
experts will be led by Michael J. Dreikorn, a former Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) official and aerospace industry
executive. The creation of the Panel is part of a broad-based
program to address component reliability issues and recalls that
affected certain Lycoming engines. (Lycoming is the leading
manufacturer of piston engines for general aviation aircraft.)
"Safety is paramount, and we want experienced, world-class
experts to bring an objective and critical perspective to our
ongoing efforts to further ensure the integrity of our product and
processes," said Textron Chief Operating Officer Steve
Loranger.
Strong Bona Fides
Dreikorn is president of The IPL Group, LLC, a
consulting firm with expertise in aerospace management systems, and
was formerly vice president of quality assurance and product
integrity at engine maker Pratt & Whitney. He is the former
deputy division manager of the Production and Airworthiness
Division of the FAA, with multiple FAA certificates and author of
"ISO 9000 and the Federal Aviation Regulations." Other members of
the panel will be announced shortly.
Ongoing Oversight
The panel will review and advise Textron and Lycoming on the
long-term plan to address Lycoming's systems and processes relating
to quality, safety and compliance. At key milestones in the plan,
the panel will assess Lycoming's progress and make recommendations
for improvement.
"Lycoming has a broad-based continuous improvement plan in
place. We are implementing industry-leading quality and safety
systems which will further enhance the strong reputation of
Lycoming engines," said Richard Millman, executive-in-charge of
Lycoming.
Piper Perspective
New
Piper Aircraft, which of course receives a large number of those
Lycoming engines, has been in a bind since the ADs were announced,
with its production slowed, its deliveries (of certain models) all
but stopped, and with its dealers' having to floor plan a lot of
airplanes they can't sell, until the engines are taken care of.
Piper's dealers, especially, are hard-hit -- they can't sell the
planes; but they have to keep paying for them -- and their
customers will wait just so long, before turning to another
choice.
Cessna's dealers face similar troubles, though their product
line is somewhat broader -- and Cessna is part of Textron (not that
the parent's relationship would necessarily translate into
preferential distribution...)
The damage extends far beyond the direct costs of repair and
loss of use.
Mark Miller, Piper spokesman, told ANN, "While
this appears to be a step in the right direction, the jury is still
out on whether Textron Lycoming plans to address, fully, the
significant financial damage that its engine recalls have inflicted
on New Piper, our dealer network, and our customers. We sincerely
hope that Textron-Lycoming steps up to the plate and repairs the
damage to all concerned."
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