AD: 2004-SW-09-AD. Applicability: Model 234 helicopters, with aft vertical shaft assembly, part number (P/N) 234D3300, serial number -181 or lower with a prefix of A, installed, certificated in any category. Compliance: Required as indicated. The FAA has issued an Emergency AD on Boeing Defense And Space Group Model 234 Helicopters. The Emergency AD was "prompted by the discovery of a crack in the upper shaft extension of an aft vertical shaft assembly (assembly)."

Sikorsky was bragging a bunch as HAI's Heli-Expo wrapped up this week. Sikorsky Aircraft has sold more than 20 S-92 aircraft worth in excess of $340 million, which the company says makes this the most successful new commercial product launch in the company's history. In addition to the confirmed sales, Sikorsky also has 17 options and four deposit agreements for the S-92.

Over Ten New 427IFR Light Twins, First 210 Sold

Las Vegas proved to be a moneymaking trip for one company, but gambling had nothing to do with it. HAI Heli-Expo 2004 has resulted in the largest number of sales orders for Bell Helicopter at a show in recent memory. Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh announced the receipt of signed sales orders and purchase agreements for new Bell helicopters totaling more than $150 million dollars for delivery over the next several years.

'Not About The Money'? Carnahan Family Seeks Damage Trial Here we go again. After a limited victory in a bizarre lawsuit seeking damages for a product found to have NOT contributed to the fatal crash of former Governor Mel Carnahan and his son Randy, the family has asked for a new trial on the issue of punitive damages. Last January, to the surprise of much of the aerospace industry; Jackson County (MO) jurors awarded the family $4 million in actual damages, significantly less than $100 million they requested in the suit filed over the crash. Despite the award, jurors apparently found no grounds for punitive damages against Parker-Hannifin Corp. Carnahan, as well as his son Randy and a longtime aide perished in the accident

Resavage Points Out GA's Important Role

Helicopter Association International (HAI) President Roy Resavage submitted testimony to the House Aviation Subcommittee for the record concerning the re-opening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to general aviation, including private and corporate aircraft. On Tuesday, Chairman John Mica (R-FL) held a field hearing at DCA's Signature Flight Support Services (general aviation terminal hangar 7). As ANN reported on Thursday, several industry groups offered their respective testimony on the subject.

Agency Says GA Vulnerable To Terrorist Attacks

On March 5, 2004, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report to the Department of Homeland Security entitled Aviation Security: Factors Could Limit the Effectiveness of the Transportation Security Administration's Efforts to Secure Aerial Advertising Operations, identifying possible issues should the ban on such flights be lifted by Congress. Beginning in December 2001, the FAA and the TSA implemented processes to allow certain pilots and aircraft to operate over stadium events by waiving flight restrictions. However, in February 2003, Congress passed legislation that prevented aerial advertising pilots from flying near stadium airspace during certain sporting events by suspending the waiver process for one ye

Group Requests Comment Period Extension

In comments submitted this week to the FAA, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) called on the agency to postpone further action on proposed restrictions on long-range aircraft operations until the industry is able to fully evaluate the proposal. In a separate letter, NATA also requested that the FAA reopen the comment period for an additional 90 days. The FAA proposal seeks to impose Extended Operations (ETOPS) regulations on Part 135 flights, requiring operators to remain within 180 minutes of an "adequate airport" on all flights outside the continental United States. If an operator meets additional ETOPS operational and equipment requirements, flights up to a maximum limitation of 240 minutes would be possible. 

Black Box Not Thought To Be From Rwanda   

Initial tests indicate that the flight recorder recently discovered at the United Nations is not linked to a 1994 plane crash that triggered Rwanda's genocide, a U.N. spokesman said Wednesday. In a major embarrassment for the world organization, the recorder was discovered a week ago in a filing cabinet in the U.N.'s Air Safety Unit where it apparently languished for a decade after its arrival by diplomatic pouch from the U.N. Mission in Rwanda. On Tuesday, U.N. officials took the "black box" to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington where it was opened in the presence of experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. agency based in Montreal, said U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard.

In briefings conducted this week, Honeywell opines, via its sixth annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, that deliveries of approximately 2,350 new civil use helicopters during the five-year period 2004 - 2008, driven in part by increased demand for light single and intermediate twin-engine models offering newer technology. Corporate, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement helicopters combined are expected to account for almost two thirds of all new civil rotorcraft sales during the five-year forecast period.