CESSNA AIRCRAFT has joined efforts with Dallas Airmotive to offer an EngiNEWity Citation Engine Program for Citation business jets powered by Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines. The program is designed to control costs and provide 45-day turn time guarantees for JT15D overhauls. The program includes a Total Price Guarantee option, which involves a set price quoted at the engine prequalification inspection. The price covers replacement parts, brackets and harnesses.
Eclipse Aviation won two key international approvals that will help clear the way for the company to begin production in Russia, the company announced last week during EBACE. The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security granted permission for the Albuquerque, N.M.-based Very Light Jet manufacturer to export the Eclipse 500 jet and its components to Russia.
TRANSPORT CANADA and FAA apparently resolved an issue recently that was threatening to disrupt air freight operations between the U.S. and Canada. The problem arose recently when a Canadian operator of an aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds was ramp checked after landing in the U.S. and told by an FAA inspector that the aircraft was supposed to be equipped with a Ground Proximity Warning System. When Canadian officials learned of the incident, they threatened to reciprocate against U.S. Part 135 operators carrying freight into that country.
THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION last week recognized several operators as the initial recipients of the European Safety of Flight Awards, given to operators who meet a minimum number of accident-free hours or years. The Platinum awards, recognizing 100,000 hours or 50 years accident-free flight, was awarded to PrivatAir (125,857 hours with 11 aircraft), Shell Aircraft (more than 50 years and 90,000 hours with three aircraft), and Eurofly Service S.P.A. (more than 150,000 hours and 39 years with 11 aircraft).
PACIFIC AEROSPACE Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0175; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-105-AD; Amendment 39-15455; AD 2008-08-03] – Requires adding and replacing certain pitot-heat sensor circuit breakers and adding a cooling-fan circuit in accordance with Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/008. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, is designed to prevent electrical malfunctions from damaging wiring and causing arcing or fires.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE delivered the first of four Q400 regional turboprops to Croatia Airlines. The Zagreb, Croatia-based carrier placed a contract for the aircraft in June 2007. The contract also included options for two more Q400s.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT secured its first order from a European customer for the Beechcraft Baron G58. Hawker Beechcraft expects to hand over the G58 to a customer in Poland in October following validation from the European Aviation Safety Agency. Hawker Beechcraft said it has received an uptick in interest from the European market for G1000 equipped Baron G58s and Bonanza G36s. The Baron includes an GWX 68 color weather radar and offers optional Jeppesen chart coverage for Europe and other worldwide regions.
BAE SYSTEMS Jetstream 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0541; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-063-AD] –This proposed AD would require operators to inspect existing fuel-system bonding leads, replace any defective leads found and examine all fuel-system pipe runs in the wings to ensure appropriate clearances are maintained. Procedures for accomplishing these tasks are found in BAE Systems Service Bulletin J41-28-013, Rev. 1 (dated Jan. 10, 2008).
GREG IRMEN was named vice president and general manager of Rockwell Collins Business and Regional Systems. Irmen succeeds Denny Helgeson, who is retiring after a 33-year career with Rockwell Collins. Irmen joined Rockwell Collins 11 years ago and most recently was senior director, Boeing programs. Irmen has a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of California and a master’s of business administration from Maryville University.
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL was selected to provide a new optional integrated flight deck for the Cirrus SR22-G3. Garmin, a long-time avionics provider for Cirrus beginning with the GNS 430 on the SR20, will supply the Cirrus Perspective all-glass cockpit. The avionics will integrate and digitally depict all information, including attitude and air data, engine instrumentation, real-time weather data link, and traffic and terrain, on a 12-inch primary flight display and multi-function display.
ALPHA AVIATION (formerly Apex Aircraft and Avions Pierre Robin) Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26490; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-075-AD; Amendment 39-15481; AD 2008-09-01] – Requires disassembling the wings and inspecting the wing structure and assembly components for corrosion and fatigue, using the instructions of Robin Aviation Service Bulletin No. 123, Rev. 3 (dated Dec. 23, 1999). If any defects are found, the AD requires repairing them.
European regulation has tended to “neglect” business and general aviation, but the European Commission plans to make a concerted effort to reverse that trend, Daniel Calleja, director for air transport for the European Commission, told attendees of the opening general session of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition last week.
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Emergency air medical services provider Air Methods Corp. reported a sharp drop in net income for the quarter ended March 31, despite a 45 percent increase in revenues during the period. The Denver, Colo.-based company said revenues rose from $81.5 million in the year-ago quarter to $118.1 million in the period just ended. The revenue jump was attributed primarily to the acquisition of CJ Systems Aviation Group, Inc. on Oct. 1, 2007. Net income was $2.3 million, compared with $3.7 million in the first quarter of last year.
HONEYWELL Primus II RNZ-850 and -851 Integrated Navigation Units [Docket No. FAA-2008-0556; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-028-AD] – Proposes to extend the compliance times and expand the applicability of an existing directive (AD 2006-22-05) that requires a one-time inspection to determine whether a certain modification has been installed in the Honeywell Primus II NV-850 navigation receiver module (NRM), which is part of the integrated navigation unit (INU).
AGUSTAWESTLAND has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Moscow-based Oboronprom Corp. that could lead to the European helicopter manufacturer setting up a production line in Russia. The first step in the collaboration involves a deal by AgustaWestland, Oboronprom and Lloyd’s Investment to sell 10 helicopters for use in Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States countries in a deal that could be worth up to €450 million through 2012. The second phase would be the establishment of a number of maintenance centers for AgustaWestland helicopters in Russia.
MICROTURBO, a Safran Group Company, has selected Triumph Gear Systems to provide the gearbox for its new e-APU, which is being specially designed for business aircraft. Triumph Gear Systems has more than 60 years of expertise in APU power drive and actuation systems. Microturbo’s e-APU is expected to run on a test bed for the first time by the end of this year and achieve certification in 2011.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700 and 701) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0555; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-074-AD] – This proposed AD would clarify the requirements of an earlier directive (AD 2005-13-02), which requires revising the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.” The new AD would mandate new, repetitive inspections for cracks in the aft pressure bulkhead web around the feed-through holes for hydraulic lines.
CAE AND BOMBARDIER have begun offering Global Express pilot and technical training at CAE’s Burgess Hill facility in the United Kingdom, the first operational milestone of a 20-year authorized training provider agreement that Bombardier and CAE signed in June 2007. The original agreement designated CAE as the authorized provider for Global Express, Global 5000, Global Express and Challenger 300. Bombardier has since expanded the agreement to include Learjet 40/40 XR and Learjet 45/45 XR aircraft.
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., formally launched European sales of its HondaJet light jet at EBACE last week and announced that British Formula One racecar driver Jenson Button, who is forming a new aviation charter business, has placed orders for two HondaJets that are to be delivered in late 2012. Honda also detailed plans to develop a new in-flight entertainment system for the aircraft, and to rely on FlightSafety International to provide its European customers with flight training.
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT has won a contract from the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate to develop a new, integrated product for enhanced helicopter-rotor durability and capability. Under the $11.4 million, 42-month program, Sikorsky will research and provide a product that increases rotor-blade life in erosive environments, provides a reliable and maintainable ice-protection system and includes an improved methodology for assessing and repairing battle damage to rotors. According to Sikorsky, the program could yield significant cost savings as well.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 and 702) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0540; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-031-AD] – Following the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-28-011, Rev. B (dated July 4, 2007), this proposed AD would mandate modification of the fuel-tank climb vent loop by installing shrouding boots that direct leaked fuel safely overboard.
MICHAEL RUECKER was named senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s maintenance and fixed-base operation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ruecker rejoined Jet Aviation in October 2007, working on special projects for the company’s EMEA & Asia organization, including a reorganization plan for Dubai. He also was interim director of maintenance in Basel, Switzerland. Ruecker first joined Jet Aviation Basel in 1980 and has held a number of positions within the company, including chief financial officer for Basel, Zurich and Geneva.
The Air Transport Association and Regional Airline Association last week joined the Consumer Energy Alliance in urging a “balanced and comprehensive U.S. energy policy” that increases energy independence and creates a more stable supply with predictable costs. “Unless serious bipartisan attention is focused on this problem, the consequences on our nation’s air transportation system will be long lasting,” said ATA president and CEO James C. May. Jet fuel prices last week reached $173 per barrel, more than double the cost of a year ago.
CURTISS WRIGHT ACCESSORIES SERVICES has been acquired by GA Telesis. The Miami-based facility – which repairs Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer components – will operate under the new name of GA Telesis Component Repair Group Southeast, but it will continue to specialize in working on servo controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel systems, and hydromechanical, electronic and power-generation units. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based GA Telesis specializes in commercial aircraft and jet engine leasing and maintains a large inventory of replacement aerospace components.
