DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0641; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-105-AD; Amendment 39-15573; AD 2008-13-10] – Requires replacement of all secondary power distribution boxes (SPDB) with upgraded units in accordance with the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-064 (dated April 16, 2008). Until the SPDB units are replaced, operators should implement temporary Airplane Flight Manual procedures and Master Minimum Equipment List restrictions.
CHRIS SHAFFER was promoted to service manager for Elliott Aviation ’s headquarters facility at Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) in Moline, Ill. Shaffer, formerly Hawker team leader for the Moline facility, will oversee maintenance and service programs for all aircraft types. Shaffer, who has 14 years of aviation maintenance and management experience, served as assistant facility manager at Raytheon Aircraft Services in Denver for six years before joining Elliott in 2006. He has also held maintenance and service posts for Air Wisconsin and Gulfstream Aerospace.
ASSOCIATED AIR CENTER (AAC) is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The company, which specializes in conversions and modifications of large business jets and airliners for VIP use, began business in Dallas in 1948 installing surplus radio equipment in former military aircraft that were being operated by individuals and corporations.
AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT COMPANY and Texas Sport Aircraft Company received certification for use of a new 72-inch Sensenich propeller for the Legend Cub light-sport aircraft and Texas Sport kit aircraft. The composite propeller increases speed by up to 10 miles per hour and is ground adjustable. The propeller is offered as an upgrade from the Legend Cub’s standard wood Sensenich propeller for $1,895, or for $2,556 for Legend Cubs equipped with the Continental O-200 propeller. The Legend Cub is similar to the design of the Piper J-3 and PA-11 Cubs.
DAVID DAVENPORT was promoted to regional operations manager for FlightSafety International. Davenport also will continue as manager of FlightSafety’s learning center in Savannah, Ga. In his new position, he will oversee operations in Savannah; Daleville, Ala.; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Long Beach, Calif.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and a new center in Lafayette, La. scheduled to open by the end of 2008. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Davenport served in the Air Training Command.
CHOICE AVIATION recently opened a new fuel and maintenance facility at Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, Wyo. (COD). An Avfuel-branded dealer, Choice participates in the AVTRIP pilot refueling incentive program and Avfuel Contract Fuel purchasing program. Choice also has a newly renovated customer terminal and on-site flight training. Choice is one of the oldest family-owned, Avfuel-branded dealers, founded at the end of World War II by Glenn Nielson. The facility is now run by Jay Nielson and his father Jim Nielson.
Eclipse Aviation said FAA granted flight-into-known-icing certification for the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet. The Albuquerque, N.M. manufacturer also said it is working with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop and certify an upgrade to the aircraft’s FADEC software designed to prevent recurrence of an engine control problem. FAA issued an emergency AD earlier this month after an Eclipse 500 flightcrew experienced loss of control of both engines while on approach to Chicago’s Midway Airport (BA, June 16/271)
EMBRAER EMB-135, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0642; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-039-AD] – This proposed AD would apply an existing directive (AD 2007-12-17, amendment 39-15095) to more airplanes. The AD requires replacing the metallic tubes enclosing the vent and pilot valve wires in the left- and right-hand wing fuel tanks with nonconductive hoses.
PAUL CLARK was named an instructor for Century CRM. Clark flew F-16s for the U.S. Air Force and served as flight lead, an instructor pilot, and flight examiner. Since leaving the service, he has become a captain flying MD-88 aircraft. Based in Peachtree City, Ga., Century CRM provides human factors and crew resource management training for charter and corporate flight crews as well as individual pilots.
JULIE LOWRANCE was appointed advertising and public relations manager for Mid-Continent Instruments. Lowrance will be responsible for product awareness efforts as well as increased communications with customers, vendors and employees. She has 13 years of industry experience, previously holding posts with Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and McCauley Propeller Systems, Inc.
AN AERO COMMANDER 500S was destroyed and both pilots were killed June 24 when the 1971 model aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances near Tonganoxie, Kan., which is just west of Kansas City. The aircraft, N411JT, is registered to Central Airlines, Inc. of Fairway, Kan. The accident occurred about 4 p.m. CDT on what FAA said was a training flight.
BAE SYSTEMS LIMITED Jetstream 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0275; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-335-AD; Amendment 39-15565; AD 2008-13-02] – Requires replacement of the existing “Propeller Limitations” placard in the cockpit with a new placard, per the instructions of BAE Systems Service Bulletin J41-11-027 (dated March 29, 2007).
A PARACHUTE JUMPER was killed June 22 when his body hit the wing of a Beech 99 as he was exiting the aircraft. The accident happened near Bowling Green, Mo. FAA records say the 1968 model aircraft is registered to Skydive Factory, Inc. of East Rochester, N.H.
The scrutiny on the Federal Aviation Administration’s airline oversight is being ratcheted up with the Transportation Department’s Inspector General saying Friday that it is launching another investigation into a number of FAA’s inspection programs as well as the risk-based Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS).
JAMIE LUSTER joined Elliott Aviation as regional sales manager for the Southwest Region. Based in Dallas, Luster will work with aircraft owners in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. She joins Elliott with more than 12 years of aviation industry experience, most recently as director of U.S. aftermarket sales for Avidyne Corp. She also held marketing and sales positions for East Coast Aviation, Mooney Aircraft Corporation and Commander Aircraft Company.
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CESSNA AIRCRAFT received an order from Execaire in Canada for nine Citations valued at $87 million. Execaire signed a contract for four Mustangs, Citation Sovereigns, and two XLS+ aircraft. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010. Execaire, which has managed, maintained and operated aircraft for more than 40 years, is an authorized Cessna sales representative, parts distributor and Citation Service Center at its facilities at Toronto Lester Pearson International Airport.
Two of the three people aboard a Cessna 172S owned by a San Diego flight training company were killed June 22 when the pilot was unable to recover from an intentional spin and the aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
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BBA AVIATION said its engine repair and overhaul companies – Dallas Airmotive, Premier Turbines and International Turbine Service – have been granted Importer Self Assessment (ISA) certification by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ISA certification means that the companies “have met and maintain high standards of Customs compliance,” BBA said. Benefits of winning ISA certification include being removed from the focused assessment pool, less CBP oversight, faster cargo release and expanded prior disclosure benefits.
SHARP DETAILS, the Dulles, Va. provider of aircraft cleaning and support services, is now offering its full line of washing, polishing, waxing and interior cleaning services at the Landmark Aviation and TAC Air fixed-base facilities at the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. International Airport (RDU). Eric Pulling will serve as on-site manager. Sharp Details now offers its personalized services at 15 airports along the I-95 corridor from Raleigh, N.C. to Bridgeport, Conn.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0643; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-094-AD] – This proposed AD, which supersedes an earlier directive (AD 2008-06-02, Amendment 39-15414), would reduce the initial compliance times for performance of certain maintenance tasks related to the aircraft’s fuel system. This proposed directive, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by a Bombardier Aerospace safety review of the aircraft’s fuel system.
CUTTER AVIATION was designated as the Preferred FBO by Bombardier Flexjet at Cutter’s bases at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT), Albuquerque (ABQ), El Paso (ELP), Dallas Executive (RBD) and McKinney/Collin County Regional (TKI).
Daniel Elwell, the Federal Aviation Administration’s assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment since August 2006, is leaving the agency to become vice president of civil aviation for the Aerospace Industries Association. Elwell has been responsible for FAA’s strategic policy and planning, national aviation policies and aviation environment and energy strategies. Elwell also was in charge of organizing FAA’s annual forecast conference.
