July 28-Aug. 3 – Experimental Aircraft Association, 56th AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wis. Contact Karen Fenner at (920) 426-4800; fax, (920) 232-7772 September 10 – National Business Aviation Association, Regional Forum, Hanscom Field (BED), Bedford, Mass. For more information, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9000 September 15-18 – Flight Simulator Engineering and Maintenance Conference, Hilton Salt Lake Center, Salt Lake, Utah. For more information call 410-266-2008
Frederick W. Reid, who has held senior executive posts at several major airlines for nearly 30 years, will become the new president next month of Bombardier’s fractional aircraft provider Flexjet and Skyjet, the company’s charter reservation and Jetcard operation. He will officially assume his new duties Aug. 25.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT continues to ramp up production and delivery of its Citation Mustang. The Wichita manufacturer delivered 45 Mustangs in 2007, expects to hand over the 100th aircraft to a customer in August and anticipates delivering approximately 100 of the Very Light Jets this year alone. Total orders for the Mustang, which has a B&CA-equipped price of $2.76 million, exceed 500 units, and Cessna plans to boost production to 150 aircraft next year.
Pratt & Whitney launched its PurePower engine range, which so far consists of two engines already under development – including a re-branded Geared Turbofan. First to enter service will be the PW1000G, until now referred to simply as the Geared Turbofan. Close behind will be the PW800, aimed at large business jets. Both engines have already been selected to power major aircraft programs.
RICHARD HODKINSON joined FirstFlight, Inc. as president of the company’s newly formed West Coast Division, which will be headquartered in a new facility in Van Nuys, Calif. In 1994, Hodkinson formed Elite Aviation in Van Nuys, and grew the business to a fleet of 24 jets before selling the company in 2004. He then remained with Elite for two more years as president and chief operating officer. FirstFlight is a charter management and aviation services company headed by President and CEO John Dow and headquartered in Elmira and Corning, N.Y.
A newly installed solar panel system is expected to provide 40 percent of the electrical power needed to operate the Fresno, Calif. Yosemite International Airport (FYI), officials said last week.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders took steps last week to require FAA to adopt certain personnel changes and workplace rules regarding how the agency enforces safety regulations on air carriers and other certificate holders, a bill that the legislators say addresses issues raised by agency whistleblowers.
THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, which this month cleared a $15.5 billion budget for FAA in fiscal 2009, said efforts to remove the committee’s ability to set funding levels for FAA should be “strenuously resisted.” FAA has urged Congress to overhaul the agency’s funding by adopting a user fee system that would allow the agency to bypass aspects of the traditional appropriations process.
VIKING AIR LIMITED DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200 and DHC-6-300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0367 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-089-AD; Amendment 39-15574; AD 2008-13-11] – Requires developing a schedule for doing the initial and repetitive corrosion tasks specified in Bombardier’s DHC-6 Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, which identifies specific areas that must be inspected to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, will affect 162 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
DASSAULT Falcon 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0272; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-275-AD; Amendment 39-15594; AD 2008-13-31] – Requires modifying the existing engine cowl locking system in accordance with the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-298, Rev. 3 (dated Sept. 26, 2007). The AD also requires modifying the engine cowling attachments, per the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-166, Rev. 1 (dated Oct. 24, 2001).
DEBI CUNNINGHAM was appointed director of marketing for West Star Aviation, Inc., East Alton, Ill. Cunningham began her aviation career in 1985 with Garrett Aviation, beginning as a hangar office clerk and working her way up through the positions of contracts assistant, warranty administrator, regional sales and modification sales manager. She joined West Star six years ago and for the past two years has been the company’s national sales director.
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HEROUX-DEVTEK, INC. signed a letter of agreement with Bell Helicopter Textron to manufacture primary structural components for the new Model 429 helicopter, including cabin, cockpit and aft fuselage components and sub-assemblies. The letter of agreement extends to 2015 and has an estimated value of $57 million. The latest agreement, between Bell and Heroux-Devtek’s Aerostructures Division, follows an earlier agreement with the Landing Gear Division to provide $8 million in landing gear components for the 429 through 2011.
SANTA MONICA AIRPORT (SMO) in California has become one of the first general aviation airports to jump into the carbon offset fray. Santa Monica added a new feature on its Web site that allows operators to calculate their carbon footprint and purchase carbon offsets. The calculator will measure carbon produced by specific flight distances and number of passengers. Santa Monica said the purchases will be channeled to nonprofit organizations involved in reforestation and alternative energy projects.
MICHAEL BASHLOR was named president of Texas Aviation Services (T.A.S.), of Fort Worth, Texas. Bashlor was previously vice president-operations and director of maintenance for Rotorcraft Leasing LLC of Broussard, La., a large helicopter fleet operator with a substantial technical support, MRO and completions business that Bashlor oversaw.
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DUNCAN AVIATION is launching a “Straight Talk Live Tour” this month to provide first-hand demonstrations of the most common aircraft communications system available today and to help operators select the best Satcom and high-speed data options for their aircraft. Sponsors of the tour include: Aircell, International Communications Group, Thrane & Thrane, True North Avionics, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, SatCom Direct and EMS Technologies. The sponsors will have equipment in a modified van that will be traveling the country over the next 18 months.
THE NATION’S 12 LARGEST AIRLINES sent e-mails to their frequent flyer customers last week appealing for their help in urging the government to curb speculation in oil futures, which the carriers claim is helping to drive up the price of Jet A and other fuels. However, many analysts believe the principal reason for higher oil prices is galloping demand from China, India and other developing countries. See articles on Pages 17 and 20.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE plans to work closely with SAFRAN Group and Thales Avionics SA to develop new technologies under agreements signed recently between the Canadian airframe maker and the French companies. The accords were an outgrowth of the recent selection of SAFRAN subsidiaries Messier Bugatti and Aircelle as suppliers for the new, all-composite Learjet 85. Messier Bugatti will be providing wheels and brakes, the brake control system, steering system and landing extension and retraction system, while Aircelle is to provide the engine nacelles and thrust reversers.
RYAN MALUTINOK was named interior/paint manager for West Star Aviation’s facility in East Alton, Ill., where he will be responsible for all aspects of paint, upholstery, wood and finish for aircraft being repaired, completed or refurbished there.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0178; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-366-AD; Amendment 39-15571; AD 2008-13-08] – Requires revising the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which could result in a fuel tank explosion. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 38 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
RONALD KING was named vice president and general manager of the Hawker Beechcraft Corp. completion center in Little Rock, Ark. King has experience in both the automotive and aviation industries. He previously was plant manager of Eaton Heavy Duty Truck’s facility in Shenandoah, Iowa.
The International Energy Agency reiterated its position that tight supplies and ever-increasing demand – not speculation in the oil markets – are responsible for high oil prices, a stance that contradicts current thinking on Capitol Hill and within the airline industry.
