NETJETS, which rolled out a major multifaceted “green” initiative in September (BA, Sept. 24/129), has moved ahead with a carbon offset program that allows aircraft shareholders to voluntarily participate in a program to offset emissions from their flights. The program tailors participation fees to correspond with class of aircraft and share size. NetJets is working with 3Degrees in the U.S. and Eco-Securities in Europe to contribute to projects that include reducing methane emissions at coal mines and dairy farms and expanding wind farm use, among others.
Guy C. Hachey, a veteran of three decades in the automotive industry, was named president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace Friday, as the Canadian manufacturer announced a series of changes in the top echelon of its aircraft business. Hachey will assume his new duties May 12. In November, Bombardier’s board of directors approved the appointment of Pierre Beaudoin as president and chief executive. The younger Beaudoin (his father, Laurent Beaudoin, continues as chairman) has headed the Aerospace unit for the past six years.
BOMBARDIER RJ100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0047; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-295-AD; Amendment 39-15461; AD 2008-08-09] – Requires revising the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual by incorporating revised procedures for repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the pitch feel simulator (PFS) units. The AD also requires conducting new repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever and taking corrective actions, if necessary.
Jet Aviation and China’s Deer Air signed a joint-venture agreement last week to operate an FBO and line-maintenance facility at Beijing’s Capital International Airport (PEK), with the goal of offering aircraft handling and limited line-maintenance services by the time the Olympic Games begin on August 8.
A TEAM of JetBlue Airways’ founding executives is expected to unveil a new charter operation today that will feature an extensive fleet of new Embraer Phenom aircraft. Initial service is targeted to begin early next year from bases in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
AAI ACQUISITION Tuesday completed the acquisition of the assets of the former Adam Aircraft. AAI Acquisition was the winning bidder for the Adam Aircraft assets with a $10 million minimum bid (BA, April 14/163). “We have returned to the factory to go about the business of restoring order,” said Jan D’Angelo, a former director of international and fleet sales for Adam who helped spearhead the formation of AAI Acquisition. AAI executives expect to announce more information about the new company’s plans in the next month.
Engine maker Pratt & Whitney Canada will consolidate powerplant flight test operations at a new facility to be built at Montreal’s Mirabel International Airport. The consolidation effort represents an investment of approximately $90 million, the company said.
AVIONS DE TRANSPORT REGIONAL ATR42 and ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211 and -212 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0409; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-265-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators to inspect the aileron tab bellcrank retainer to ensure that it has the proper hole diameter, following the instructions of ATR Service Bulletins ATR42-27-0098 or ATR72-27-1060 (both dated Dec. 19, 2006), as applicable. If the retainer does not meet specifications, it would need to be replaced.
ATR received an order for two ATR 72-500s that will be operated by Bangkok Airways of Thailand. Irish-based leasing company AIR Ltd. placed the order and will lease the aircraft to the Thai airline. ATR valued the contract at $37 million. The newest aircraft will increase the Bangkok Airways ATR 72-500 fleet to 10 aircraft. The latest aircraft on order are slated for delivery in late 2008 and early 2009.
EMBRAER ERJ 170 and 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27785; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-267-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a functional check to determine the ability of the Flight Guidance Control System (FGCS) channels to engage, using the procedures outlined in Embraer Service Bulletin 170-22-0003, Rev. 01 or Service Bulletin 190-22-0002, Rev. 01 (both dated Nov. 5, 2007), as applicable. In addition, operators would be required to install Primus Epic field-loadable software version 19.3 or higher.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE EC130 B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-28229; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-23-AD; Amendment 39-15434; AD 2008-06-22] – Requires inspecting the pilot and co-pilot collective levers for proper bonding between the twist-grip drive tubes and the control pinions. If debonding is present, replacement of the collective levers is required before further flight. This AD was issued to prevent loss of cockpit throttle control of the engine and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 73 helicopters on the U.S.
A Cessna Citation X business jet was substantially damaged this month when it ran off the side of a runway after landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
April 23-26 – Aircraft Electronics Association, 51st Annual Convention & Trade Show, Washington, D.C. Contact Debbie McFarland at (816) 373-6565. April 24 – National Business Aviation Association Regional Forum, Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9000
HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL upgraded the association’s Maintenance Malfunction Information Report (MMIR) system to provide the option for users to receive e-mail alerts of MMIR reports on aircraft that are similar to models flown by the user. MMIR allows operators to research part failure reports, submit Service Difficulty Reports, complete warranty claim forms, and track part malfunctions for internal company use. The service is free for the aviation maintenance community.
LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENT came just three years after Embraer announced plans to become a major player in the business jet market (BA, May 9,2005/207) and introduced the Phenom 100 Very Light Jet and Phenom 300 Light Jet. Since then the company has logged orders for hundreds of Phenoms. The manufacturer expects to win certification of the smaller Phenom 100 in the second half of this year and deliver 10 to 15 of those aircraft to customers before yearend.
BRAZILIAN MANUFACTURER EMBRAER detailed its new MSJ and MLJ business jets last week, and said it has received letters of intent from customers for a combined total of more than 100 of the new models. The company plans to announce prices and begin seeking contract commitments for the MSJ and MLJ at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) next month in Geneva.
THE CONTINUING CONTROVERSY over FAA’s handling of its airline oversight is beginning to take a toll on the agency’s ranks (BA, April 7/154). The entire management team of the Southwest Airlines Certificate Management Office has turned over in the last year, a key principal maintenance inspector is under investigation and the agency acknowledged last week that it had “reassigned” Thomas Stuckey, manager of the Southwest Region’s Flight Standards Division.
The National Business Aviation Association, which began representing the nation’s largest corporate flight departments more than 60 years ago, announced Wednesday that it plans to begin holding an annual three-day event next year focused on the association’s members who operate light jet, turboprop and piston-powered aircraft. NBAA President Ed Bolen announced plans for the Light Airplane Conference & Exhibition (LAC&E) during last week’s Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver, Colo. on Wednesday approved the sale of the assets of Adam Aircraft to AAI Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation that was formed by a team of former senior level Adam executives and a Russian private equity asset management company, Industrial Investors. AAI Acquisition emerged as the winning – and only – bidder for the assets of Adam Aircraft on April 4 with a $10 million minimum bid (BA, April 7/160). The sale is scheduled to close Tuesday (April 15) and AAI Acquisition executives expect to restart the company immediately.
The city of Santa Monica last week filed a 40-page response trying to ward off a “headlong assault” from the Federal Aviation Administration, following the agency’s recent issuance to city officials of an “Order to Show Cause” warning of possible enforcement action because of the city’s ban on larger business jets at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO).
TWO IMPORTANT environmental meetings are scheduled in coming weeks. Five groups, including the Airports Council International, the International Air Transport Association and Air Transport Action Group, are holding the 2008 Aviation & Environment Summit April 22-23 in Geneva. That session will include a broad cross-section of senior executives from engine and airframe manufacturers, airports and government.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5AR, -5BR and -5R series engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-0264; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-07-AD] – This proposal would require operators to replace currently installed interstage turbine transition (ITT) ducts with a serviceable and redesigned ITT duct.
OMNI AVIACAO took delivery of a Learjet 40 that was configured for Emergency Medical Services conversion. The aircraft was modified to allow easy access for a stretcher. Lifeport supplied a medical kit for the aircraft, which can transport one patient on a stretcher and a four-person medical team on flights of up to 1,800 nautical miles. The Model 40 joins Omni’s fleet of three Learjet 45 business jets and one Learjet 31. Based in Portugal, Omni Aviacao provides a range of fixed-wing and helicopter services in Europe.
MOONEY AIRPLANE COMPANY delivered the first of its new Acclaim Type S single-engine piston aircraft to a customer in Illinois. Billing the aircraft as “the fastest single-engine production piston airplane in the world,” Mooney unveiled the aircraft in October 2007. The Acclaim Type S is powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors IO 550-G engine and equipped with dual Kelly Aerospace turbochargers that will provide a maximum speed of 242 knots at Flight Level 250. Priced at $599,500, the aircraft is five knots faster than the original Acclaim.
