GAMA: 2004 a 'turnaround year' for GA
General aviation manufacturers made a strong recovery in 2004, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) officials said in mid-February at the association's annual industry review and outlook.
GAMA Chairman James E. Schuster, chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon Aircraft, said there were 2,963 airplanes shipped in 2004 — a 10.3-percent increase over 2003's shipments. New piston aircraft racked up the most sales, with 2,051 units in 2004 — an 8.2-percent increase over the previous year's totals. Turboprop aircraft experienced an 18-percent increase, and business jets a 14.1-percent increase. Student pilot certificate issuances were up by 0.7 percent, but private pilot certificate issuances were down by 2.1 percent.
The industry also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA), which reduced the number of frivolous lawsuits against aircraft manufacturers and is widely credited with reinvigorating the industry. AOPA had helped champion the law (see " Pilot Counsel: GA Tort Reform Illustrated," page 52). "GARA has proven to be a tort reform law that benefits defendants, plaintiffs, and society as a whole," said a GAMA spokesman. — Thomas A. Horne
Robinson hits sales records, looks at new model
Frank Robinson, founder and president of the helicopter company bearing his name, announced in February at the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California, that his company sold 63 percent more helicopters in 2004 compared to the previous year.
Total production for the year was 690 helicopters — 234 two-place R22s and 456 four-place R44s. In response to a strong order backlog — the R44 order book is filled through September — Robinson plans to increase production from 15 to 20 helicopters per week. Robinson said that an air-conditioning system will be an option on R44s beginning near the end of 2005. The cost is estimated to be $18,000. The unit will weigh 33 pounds but will not be available for retrofit in earlier R44s. Robinson said his company is researching the feasibility of a five-place model he called the R66, but he would not give further details. For more Heli-Expo news, see AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/hai05.html). — Steven W. Ells
Notice of annual meeting of members
The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will be held at noon on Saturday, May 14, 2005, at Wings Field, Ambler, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including the election of trustees. — John S. Yodice, secretary
GA market watch
Values for light piston single-engine airplanes have remained stable on the used-aircraft market. The Vref Light Single Index compiles prices for the American General AA-5B Tiger, Beechcraft C23 Sundowner, Cessna 172P Skyhawk and 177B Cardinal, and Piper Warrior and Archer. The group of aircraft fetched an average price of $61,417 in the first quarter of 2005, up from a low of $49,500 in the first quarter of 1995. Perform your own aircraft valuations using AOPA's free members-only service on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/vref/). Also, see Vref's Web site ( www.vrefpub.com).
Jury orders Lycoming to pay $96 million in crankshaft case
Textron Lycoming took a big hit on February 18 after a jury found the company liable for a fraudulent investigation and ordered it to pay $96 million to a Texas company over failed engine crankshafts.
Following a seven-week trial, the jury awarded nearly $10 million in actual damages and another $86 million in punitive damages to Interstate Southwest Ltd., the company that had supplied Lycoming with crankshaft forgings. Attorneys for Interstate say the jury's finding also precludes Lycoming from pursuing a $173 million indemnity claim that it previously filed against Interstate in a Pennsylvania court.
Lycoming had accused Interstate of overheating the forgings, weakening the steel. Attorneys for Interstate argued that Lycoming's crankshaft design couldn't handle 300-horsepower engines. Interstate attorneys also found that Lycoming added vanadium to the steel to cut manufacturing costs just before the failures began. From 2000 through 2004, there were 24 engine failures and 12 deaths in airplanes powered by Lycoming engines, said Interstate attorneys. The failures led to the replacement of crankshafts in more than 1,500 Lycoming engines.
"We're going to fight this vigorously," said Textron spokeswoman Karen Gordon. She added that her company strongly disagrees with statements made by Interstate attorneys.
Coming up in the April issue of AOPA Flight Training
- Your first airplane. Tips to make your first aircraft purchase a happy experience.
- Rescue me! A persuasive look at why you should file a flight plan on every cross-country flight.
- Spin time. General aviation's premier spinmeister Bill Kershner explains what a good spin session can do for your piloting ability.
The April issue was scheduled to mail March 2. Current AOPA members can add a subscription to AOPA Flight Training for $18 per year. For more information, call 800/872-2672.
Unique sailplane event to highlight silent past
It's only happened twice before. This summer get a glimpse of some rare and beautiful gliders as they descend on (when not circling in thermals, that is) Elmira, New York, the American capital of soaring where Schweizer once built gliders and still builds helicopters. The International Vintage Sailplane Meet 2005 will take place on Harris Hill. Previous meets in 1995 and 2000 drew more than 50 sailplanes and thousands of spectators. Gliders that were built before 1958 are considered vintage while classics have to be at least 30 years old. The 2005 event will be a combination of rally and show with short cross-country flights over safe terrain. There will be awards for best restoration, best-looking glider, longest flight (duration or distance), cross-country champion, and best Schweizer. The event takes place from August 20 through 27. For more information, see the Web site ( www.soaringmuseum.org).
ePILOT HEADLINERS
Recent news from AOPA's weekly e-mail newsletter
Safe laser warning system?
The U.S. Air Force has begun aiming what it terms "safe" lasers at a test aircraft to develop a laser light system to warn pilots who stray into the Washington-Baltimore airspace. AOPA has requested a preview and demonstration.
Liberty adds sales offices
Liberty Aerospace announced the opening of its West Coast sales office at Santa Monica Municipal Airport in Southern California. The company plans to set up more facilities in Addison, Texas; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Indianapolis.
Lancair ramps up production
The Lancair Company will be hiring an additional 130 employees at its Bend, Oregon, facility this year to help out with a production ramp-up. Lancair currently has 400 employees.
Company revives Taylor Cub
Taylorcraft fans and light-sport pilots will soon have more aircraft to choose from. Taylorcraft Aviation, based in La Grange, Texas, has announced that it will revive the Taylor Cub and introduce the Taylor Sport, a derivative of the Cub, for the light-sport aircraft market.
Commander enters Chapter 7
Two years after Commander Aircraft Company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Delaware judge gave permission for the sale of its assets under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy laws.
Helicopter pilots reach South Pole
Quentin Smith and Steve Brooks have conquered two extreme points on Earth — the North and South poles — in a Robinson R44. The British pilots successfully landed at the South Pole on January 18 after waiting out weather delays and even spending one night in self-made igloos.
Now you can receive a customized version of the free AOPA ePilot e-mail newsletter tailored to your interests. To customize your weekly newsletter, see AOPA Online ( https://www.aopa.org/apps/epilot/).
FAA moves forward on sport pilot
Piece by piece the FAA has been getting its paperwork in order so that the Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft initiative can officially get off the ground.
While creating a new class of aircraft and new level of pilot certificate is never easy, here's a quick rundown of the big developments to keep you up to date.
The FAA on February 16 accepted the first set of industry-developed consensus standards. These are the technical standards manufacturers will be using to produce ready-to-fly and kitbuilt light-sport aircraft. Of the nine standards that are required for each category, six have been approved for airplanes and powered parachutes. Other standards were approved for gyroplanes and lighter-than-air aircraft. Work on the rest of the standards is continuing.
On February 17, the FAA appointed the nation's first light-sport aircraft designated airworthiness representative (LSA DAR). LSA DARs are needed to issue airworthiness certificates for the new aircraft being manufactured in the Experimental and ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft categories.
The first batch of sport-pilot examiners has been trained. The eight examiners completed initial sport-pilot and sport-pilot flight-instructor evaluations and reviewed sport-pilot regulations, practical test standards, and the examiner handbook. The next group was to start the training on March 21 in Sebring, Florida.
And the practical test standards for sport-pilot airplane, gyroplane, glider, airship, balloon, weight-shift control, powered parachute, and flight instructor have been released.
To keep up with the latest, see AOPA's sport-pilot page on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/sportpilot/).
Eclipse expands flight envelope
Eclipse Aviation announced in mid-February that its Eclipse 500 very light jet expanded its flight envelope to span from 72 to 230 knots, up to 3 Gs, and to altitudes of 17,500 feet. Pilots also have tested systems including flight controls, fuel, electrical, and pressurization. The aircraft's electrically actuated landing gear and emergency gear extension have been tested at speeds ranging from 88 to 200 knots. The electrically actuated flap system has been tested at 72 to 200 knots. Two more Eclipse 500 jets are expected to enter flight testing soon. For more updates, visit the Web site ( www.eclipseaviation.com). — Alyssa J. Miller
Squawk sheet
The FAA on February 20 issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for Cessna 402C and 414A airplanes. The AD calls for visual inspection of the forward, aft, and auxiliary wing spars for cracks before the next flight. It also includes a provision for a repositioning flight prior to the inspection and exempts aircraft that have a spar-strap modification following Cessna Service Bulletin MEB02-5, dated June 24, 2002, and Cessna Service Kit SK402-47, dated June 24, 2002. The AD, which supersedes AD 2000-23-01, Amendment 39-11971 (65 FR 70645), follows the discovery of severe fatigue cracks and, in one case, total spar-cap failure, on two 402C aircraft. AOPA is continuing to work closely with the FAA and Cessna owner groups to address fatigue cracking in wing spars on Cessna 400-series aircraft.
Alaska cruise set to benefit Seattle museum
Take advantage of a rare opportunity to meet the last astronaut to leave his footprints on the moon and see landscapes that are simply out of this world. For the third consecutive year, the Museum of Flight in Seattle is offering a cruise to Alaska for museum members and aviation enthusiasts. The featured guest is astronaut Eugene Cernan, who made two trips to the moon during the Apollo space program. The seven-day Holland America cruise departs Seattle on August 28 and sails to the Alaska ports of Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. People on the cruise will get to see the Hubbard Glacier and Queen Charlotte Islands as well as attend activities with Cernan. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the museum. To sign up, call the cruise center at 800/659-3360.
Members in the news
Gunter Voltz, AOPA 224569, has been inducted into the Soaring Society of America's (SSA's) Soaring Hall of Fame. Voltz has been flying gliders for 75 years and has soloed more than 400 students. The inductees were honored at the SSA National Convention in Ontario, California, from February 9 through 12.
Dan Pierce, AOPA 1064177, has been elected to the board of directors of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) Aviation Section. The NFPA works to reduce fires and other hazards throughout the world. Pierce works as a firefighter for Los Angeles World Airports at Ontario Airport in California.
John J. Nance, AOPA 1265436, has published his latest thriller. In Saving Cascadia, Nance combines earthquakes and aviation to whip up a menacing brew. The story takes place on the idyllic Cascadia Island off the coast of Washington State where a developer plans to reap millions off a new resort. During the resort's grand opening, the Earth fissures, and the military is caught with too few resources to assist the islanders. General aviation comes to the rescue in the form of helicopters provided by Nightingale Aviation. But then, more earthquakes bring threats of a tsunami. Published by Simon & Schuster, the hardcover book sells for $25 and is available in bookstores.
Mike Goulian, AOPA 1058365, one of the nation's top airshow performers, taught Ann Curry of NBC's Today show some basic aerobatic maneuvers and had her perform a routine for a segment that ran on the show February 22. Curry was shown performing loops, half Cuban eights, and hammerhead maneuvers.
Lowell Thomas Jr., AOPA 95782, and Lowell Thomas have captured 16 dramatic adventures in the realm of flight in a book aptly titled Famous First Flights That Changed History. The book covers the exploits of Louis Blériot, Adm. Richard E. Byrd, Jimmy Doolittle, John Alcock, and Charles A. Lindbergh, among others. Thomas and Thomas Jr., who are experienced Alaskan bush pilots, actually had active roles in three of the 16 history-making flights. Published by The Lyons Press, the soft-cover book sells for $16.95.
2004 GA accidents lowest on record
General aviation has never been safer, and accident statistics for 2004 prove it. Last year saw the fewest GA accidents since recordkeeping began in 1938 and the lowest number of fatal accidents since 1945, according to preliminary data from the NTSB. The total number of GA accidents dropped 8.4 percent compared to 2003, while the number of fatal accidents declined 11.4 percent. The numbers also improved for instructional flying, with total accidents down 11.7 percent and fatal instructional accidents down 50 percent. (There are very few fatal instructional accidents in any year. Last year there were 17.)
Parachute groups want to repack FAA regulation
Parachute and aviation industry groups are pushing the FAA to have the repacking period for parachutes extended by 60 days. The Parachute Industry Association and the United States Parachute Association have started an initiative that would require parachutes to be repacked every 180 days instead of the current 120 days, according to the Soaring Society of America, whose members are required to wear parachutes in sanctioned soaring competitions. The groups say that modern parachutes are constructed with materials that are more sensitive to repetitive handling and will hold up better if they are handled less often. The consortium believes that there would likely be at least a three-year trial period before a formal petition for a permanent change in the regulations is submitted to the FAA.
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