Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0215; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-216-AD; Amendment 39-15407; AD 2008-05-13] - Requires operators to conduct a general visual inspection of AC bus contactors 1K4XD and 2K4XD and the bus contactor K4XA to determine which contactors have an Ultem 2200 (black molded plastic) terminal base plate. Apply RTV sealant to such terminal base plates and, before further flight, accomplish all the tasks listed in Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-123, Revision B (dated Feb.16, 2007).
SAS will buy 27 Bombardier regional jets and turboprops as part of a settlement between the airline and aircraft maker over landing gear problems that occurred last year with the carrier's fleet of Q400s (BA, Nov. 12/222).
Hired as APU regional engine manager for the central U.S. by Dallas Airmotive, the aviation engine repair and overhaul company owned by BBA Aviation. Koehler will represent Dallas Airmotive's repair and overhaul services for Honeywell 36 series APUs, which are widely used on business and general aviation aircraft. His territory includes all central states east of Colorado and west of Ohio. He will be based in Missouri. Before joining Dallas Airmotive, Koehler worked for CD Aviation in Neosho, Mo. as sales manager for TFE731 and APU products.
Model SF340A and 340B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29248; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-155-AD] - This revised proposed rule would require operators to update the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems in order to prevent possible fuel tank explosions. This amended NPRM expands the scope of the earlier proposal, which was prompted by an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, and sets a new compliance date of December 16, 2008.
GULFSTREAM'S new G650 business jet got positive reviews from JPMorgan analyst Joseph B. Nadol III, who said the new airplane "looks to us like a low-risk way to take market share and improve pricing power, and we believe it will generate strong financial returns." Noting the "healthy competition" that has existed over the past decade between Bombardier's Global Express and the Gulfstream GV/G550 family of aircraft, Nadol predicts "the G650 will be in a class of its own, and we do not see a significant competitive threat on the horizon." See article below.
Fractional aircraft operator NetJets announced a huge expansion of its operations and training facility in Columbus, Ohio, an effort that will result in the creation of 810 new jobs and a doubling of the FlightSafety International simulator training facility there.
GA GROUPS last week praised the FAA's decision to exempt aircraft flown under Parts 91 and 135 from new cockpit voice recorder (CVR) retrofit requirements. "We are quite pleased that the FAA heeded our comments - specifically on the issue of a two-hour recording time and the burden that would have imposed," said Jacqueline Rosser, director of regulatory affairs for the National Air Transportation Association.
Model Fan Jet Falcon, Falcon 20C, D, E, F and G; Falcon 200; and Falcon 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5 and 20-F5 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0182; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-138-AD; Amendment 39-15401; AD 2008-05-07] - This AD requires operators to verify the correct assembly of the elevator bellcrank at Frame 26, as instructed in either Dassault Service Bulletin F20-768 or F200-122 (both dated May 23, 2006). If the bellcrank is found to be installed upside down, reinstall the part correctly prior to the next flight and label it as instructed in the relevant service bulletin.
Model ERJ-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0338; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-139-AD; Amendment 39-15396; AD 2008-05-02] - This new AD supersedes an existing directive (AD 2005-25-04), retaining all its provisions, but requiring that the mandated repetitive inspections of the rudder system be done with new service information.
CESSNA won an order valued at $40 million from Lufthansa for four more Citation business jets - two CJ3 jets and two XLS+ aircraft. Cessna previously announced orders from Lufthansa for four Citation CJ1+ aircraft. Deliveries of the eight aircraft are scheduled through mid-2009. The newest aircraft on order will be operated in the Lufthansa Private Jet fleet, which provides point-to-point flights in Europe and Russia.
THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT continues to demonstrate its concern about the potential for charter brokers to engage in deceptive practices. The agency this month issued a consent order for the "unlawful holding out of air transportation" by the charter broker Jet One Jets (JOJ).
The National Transportation Safety Board plans to probe the safety of the growing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a three-day forum. The conference, to be held April 29-May 1 in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, will discuss the implications of the integration of a growing population of UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). The forum will cover regulatory standards; integration with the NAS; perspectives of UAS operators and other NAS users; design, certification and airworthiness; human factors; and future UAS applications.
Component maker Ametek will open a 1,700 square meter (18,000 sq. ft.) maintenance facility in Singapore by the end of this month to cut turnaround times for Asian customers. The facility's initial work will include maintenance and repair of pneumatic and hydraulic parts.
Joined the Regional Airline Association in Washington, D.C. as manager of industry and regulatory affairs, including security, environmental and communications issues. Connolly began his career in Washington as a legislative assistant to Rep. Peter G. Torkildsen (R-Mass.), specializing in defense and aerospace issues. He later served as director of aerospace and defense government affairs for SmithBucklin Corp. Most recently Connolly was national accounts manager for Blackboard, Inc., which focuses on sales to the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
The continued introduction of Very Light Jets coupled with a strong market for business jets will drive general aviation growth over the next 18 years, the Federal Aviation Administration said last week. During the agency's annual Aviation Forecast Conference last week, FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell declared, "The pulse is strong and healthy" as commercial aviation is on track to carry one billion passengers by 2016.
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0262; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-021-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to revise the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to include Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations data in order to preserve critical fuel-tank system ignition source prevention features during maintenance, modification or repair.
Model GMBH 228-200, -201, -202 and -212 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0249; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-012-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain rudder control cables, following the instructions of Dornier 228 Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-269 (dated March 23, 2007). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Germany, is intended to remove from service cables whose mechanical properties may degrade. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 17 aircraft on the U.S.
AVIDYNE CORPORATION'S Envision integrated flight deck was awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate for installation on the Cessna 400 series of piston twin-engine airplanes. Southern Star Avionics, LLC in Mobile, Ala. worked with Avidyne on the retrofit, which initially was installed on a Cessna Model 414A. The STC also covers the Cessna 401(A, B), 402 (A, B, C), 414(A) and 421(A, B, C) twin-piston airplanes. Avidyne and Southern Star originally teamed on an STC for the installation of the Envision EXP5000 PFD on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 airplanes.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT conducted a successful one hour first flight of its SkyCatcher trainer March 8. The aircraft, the first of three airframes being built in Wichita, took off from Cessna's facility and landed at Mid-Continent Airport.
CLIFFORD DEVELOPMENT struck an agreement with Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. (IS&S) to provide a certified Air Data Integration Unit (ADIU) that will meet new FAA safety and reliability certification requirements for all Williams International FJ44-3A engine installations. The ADIU system supplies critical temperature readings to the engine's Full Authority Digital Engine Control system for automatic engine power management, as well as other required airframe parameters.
AMETEK, Inc., acquired Tulsa, Okla. heat-transfer repair specialist Drake Air. Drake, which was privately held, has annual sales of approximately $15 million. Ametek said the purchase will provide it with maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the thermal management segment of the aerospace market and complement the company's line of Hughes-Treitler heat exchangers and thermal management.
