Aircraft Focus

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to adopt a new AD for 328 Support Services GmbH Dornier Model 328–100 and 300 airplanes that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

* * * A number of rudder spring tab lever assemblies [of the rudder] were found cracked.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the rudder flight control system and consequent loss of control of the aircraft.

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Air cargo transportation provider Air Transport Services Group Inc
(ATSG) (NASDAQ: ATSG) said on Tuesday that it is commencing new
wide-body freighter service for Qantas Freight between Australia and
New Zealand and for DHL between Europe and Africa.

Under a two-year agreement ATSG’s subsidiary Air Transport
International (ATI) will provide Qantas Freight with wide-body ACMI
(Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) services between Australia
and New Zealand, effective from 15 June 2009.

ATI will use its Boeing 767-200SF aircraft to operate overnight
wide-body freight service and capacity between Sydney, Auckland and
Christchurch for Qantas Freight on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays. ATI’s aircraft will also be available for charter work and
weekend rotations as required.

- Airline Industry Information

Airlines are reducing the size of spoons and dropping in-flight magazines to make planes lighter and save fuel during the recession, according to the International Air Transport Association.

In the United States, Northwest Airlines has excluded spoons from its cutlery pack if the in-flight meal does not require one.

It is not alone, according to Paul Steele, director of the environment at IATA.

Another carrier, JAL of Japan, took everything it loaded from a 747 and put it on the floor of a school gym to see what it really needed.

As a result it shaved a fraction of a centimetre off all its cutlery to cut weight.

“When you are talking about a jumbo jet with 400 people on board, being served two to three meals, this can save a few kilos,” he said.

“You work out how much fuel that consumes over a year, and you can be talking about a considerable amount of money”.

Other carriers have come up with all sorts of ingenious initiatives to shift the flab off their aircraft.

In-flight magazines are going and carriers are even putting their duty-free catalogues onto the seat-back televisions.

“Airlines are going through what they put on a plane. They are now saying that if we are only carrying 100 passengers, then only load what they need,” said Mr Steele.

Catering trolleys are becoming lighter and less water – both bottled and in the tank – is being loaded.

The next generation of aircraft seats are likely to be up to 30 per cent lighter than the current generation, with composite replacing aluminium.

Reinforced carbon fibre is used for the shields for the in-flight televisions, cutting the weight by as much as half.

Many of the initiatives were triggered by the soaring cost of aviation fuel. But are now becoming important for airlines who are coming under pressure to cut their carbon emissions.

In Kuala Lumpur 226 leading airlines pledged that they would achieve “carbon-neutral growth” by 2020, meaning that their emissions would be capped – even if the number of planes in the sky increased.

At the same time the industry is looking to step up the use of alternative carbon-free bio-fuels, which should account for up to six per cent of the industry total by 2020.

A number of carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, Continental and Air New Zealand, have carried out trials of alternative sources of energy such as algae.

It is anticipated that such fuels, which have appear to have performed as well -if not better – than conventional kerosene, will get safety approval as early as next year.

But, given the high initial cost, they are unlikely to be in widespread commercial use before the middle of the next decade.

-Telegraph

The Federal Aviation Administration adopts a new AD for British Aerospace Model HS 748 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

Resulting from the assessment of fuel tank wiring installations required by SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation) and equivalent JAA/EASA (Joint Aviation Authorities/European Aviation Safety Agency) policy, BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has revised the HS.748 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), now at Revision 19, to introduce Chapter 05-10-00 “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)–Fuel System”. The CDCCLs provide instructions to retain critical ignition source prevention features during configuration changes that may be caused by modification, repair or

maintenance actions.

The CDCCLs have been identified as requirements for continued airworthiness to address the risk of fuel vapour ignition sources remaining undetected. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the aircraft.

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The Federal Aviation Administration adopts a new AD for Airbus Model A330–202, –223, –243, –301, –322, and –342 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

During the A330 and A340 aircraft fatigue test, cracks appeared on the right and left sides between the crossing area of the keel angle fitting and the front spar of the Centre Wing Box (CWB). Several modifications have been introduced in the fleet in the area of frame [FR] 40 keel angle assembly in order to prevent these cracks. However the new design has caused interference between one fastener and the keel angle which was corrected by further local reprofiling of the keel angle horizontal flange. Analysis shows that without an inspection of this reprofiled area, the structural integrity of the area is impacted, which constitutes an unsafe condition.

* * * * *

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The Federal Aviation Administration adopts a new AD for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters. This airworthiness directive (AD) results from a report of abnormal main rotor blade vibrations on a Eurocopter Model EC135 helicopter. This AD also results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states that:

An operator reported unusual vibrations during the start phase of the main rotor blade on one helicopter. The vibrations stopped after the application of torque. Subsequent maintenance personnel found that six of the eight attachment screws of the lower hub-shaft bearing support were loose. This condition was discovered in two additional helicopters. Loose screws in the bearing support, if not detected and corrected, could result in abnormal main rotor blade vibrations and subsequent damage to the main transmission.

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Aviall Services, Inc. announced that its new customer service center in Dubai Airport Free Zone officially opened on June 25, 2009.

Conveniently located in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, and approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority, Avialls new facility in Dubai will initially serve the commercial airline industry along with military customers and business aviation in the Middle East and later in Northern Africa. “We are delighted and proud to have Aviall Services Inc. on board adding value to the list of multinational companies operating in the Free Zone. Aviall is and shall remain one of our top clienteles in the aerospace industry, which represents a major portion of our investors portfolio. The Free Zone management shall provide full support and assistance to Aviall Services Inc to facilitate smooth operation and success in their business,”[pogs]said Nasser Al Madani, Assistant Director General, Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Patterned after the Aviall warehouse at its headquarters in Dallas, the Dubai addition will provide supply chain services including order processing, stocking and fulfillment systems. The new facility will provide local stocking to support sales, marketing and distribution for more than 230 manufacturers of original aviation parts and equipment. Avialls value-added services have proven to be attractive to its customers and the leading manufacturers in the aviation industry.

“To do the best job for both the manufacturers and the aviation operators we serve, we want to be local and take full advantage of our world-class systems and infrastructure. Were expanding our operations around the world to better serve our customers. Aviall is moving ahead aggressively as an industry-leading provider of aerospace and defense aftermarket parts and related support services,” said Dan Komnenovich, President and COO of Aviall Services, Inc.

Aviall is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, a unit of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, which is a unit of The Boeing Company.

Paul Kinscherff, President, Boeing Middle East, said, “With the start of Aviall operations, Boeing is expanding its supply chain services to the Middle East. We are pleased to be providing Aviall’s superior offerings and convenience to customers while growing Boeing’s local presence.”

About Dubai Airport Free Zone: Dubai Airport Free Zone established in 1996 offers companies operating at the Free Zone 100% foreign ownership, Free Zone companies will benefit from 100% repatriation of capital.100% Corporate, import/ export, personal income, and commercial levies tax exemption. The Dubai Free Zone facilities offered to companies include ‘one stop shop’ administration services and investors oriented management.

Companies can operate 24 hours and enjoy security around the clock, as well as make use of the excellent cargo handling facilities (1.6 million tonnes handled in 2007), 24-hour Customs services, Dedicated Logistics Center (DNATA /FLC), and a range of ready-built and custom-made facilities close to the airport apron.

Trade through Dubai Airport FZ represents approximately seven per cent of total Dubai Trade in 2007. It contributed five per cent to Dubais GDP. Businesses at Dubai Airport Free Zone resulted in a 75% increase in DNATAs cargo handling facilities at Dubai Airport Free Zone since its establishment. The Free Zone has contributed a 100% increase in the handling capacity of DNATA at the Free Zone in the period 2005-2007. (Current capacity 200,000 tonnes per annum).

The Dubai Free zone has received the following awards in the last couple of years:

ISO 1800-/1999 Health & Safety Certificate. Dubai Government Excellence Award-2005 FDI Award-fastest growing Free Zone in the Middle East-2006 Middle East Logistic Award-The best Airport Free Zone in MENA-twice 2007 and 2008

About Aviall: Aviall, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, a unit of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, which is a unit of The Boeing Company. Aviall is a leading solutions provider of aftermarket supply-chain management services for the aerospace, defense and marine industries.

Aviall, which has headquarters in Dallas, is one of the worlds largest providers of new aviation parts and related aftermarket operations. Aviall markets and distributes products for more than 225 manufacturers and offers approximately 1,000,000 catalog items from 39 customer service centers in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Aviall also provides maintenance for aviation batteries and wheels and brakes, as well as hose assembly, kitting and paint-mixing services. The company offers a complete set of supply chain and logistics services, including order processing, stocking and fulfillment, automated inventory management and reverse logistics to OEMs and customers.

- AME Info

- ME Company Newswire

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to adopt a new AD for DORNIER LUFTAHRT GmbH Models 228–100, 228–101, 228–200, 228–201, and 228–202 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

A stub axle failure of the main landing gear on a Dornier 228-200 aeroplane was reported to RUAG Aerospace. Investigations revealed that the fracture of the axle–manufacturer Part Number (P/N) A-511000B28B was due to fatigue. Already in the year 1993 two failures of P/N A-511000B28B axles occurred. Those events led in 1994 the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt–Germany’s National Aviation Authority–to publish Airworthiness Directive (AD) D-1994-042 to mandate the replacement of A-511000B28B axles by improved-design axle with P/N A-511000C28B (Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH Service bulletin 228-214).

It is believed that a misinterpretation of the Dornier 228 repair/maintenance documentation caused inadvertent installation of A-511000B28B axle on the accident aeroplane’s main landing gear with P/N A-511000C00F. This configuration was not approved for installation and was therefore not addressed by LBA AD D-1994-042 or Dornier SB-228-214.

The actions specified in this Airworthiness Directive are intended to prevent main landing gear failure, which could result in loss of control of the aeroplane during landing operations.

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This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) results from reports of scribe lines found at lap joints and butt joints, around external doublers, and at locations where external decals had been cut, in Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require actions intended to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin. Undetected fatigue cracks can grow and cause sudden decompression of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to adopt a new AD for all Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspections for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

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The Federal Aviation Administration corrects airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-04-18, published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to PW models JT9D-7, -7A, -7AH, -7H, -7F, and -7J turbofan engines. The two references to the engine manual in paragraph (h) and in Table 1, are incomplete. This action corrects those references. In all other respects, the original action remains the same.

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