NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION says it is working on creation of "a carbon offset program for members that conduct ground and air operations." The offset program is expected to be a major topic during the first meeting of the association's new Environmental Committee this month in Savannah, Ga.
ENGINE MAKER ROLLS-ROYCE, which announced plans late last year to build new plants in Virginia and Singapore (BA, Nov. 26/241), also plans to move its North American headquarters and consolidate its U.S. purchasing organization. Chantilly, Va., a Washington, D.C. suburb situated near Dulles International Airport, is currently home to Rolls-Royce North American headquarters, where about 130 people are employed. Beginning in mid-year, the headquarters group will move to a new building in nearby Reston, Va.
EMB-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] - This proposed AD would add requirements to an existing directive that currently mandates review of the airplane maintenance records for recent reports of vibration from the tail section or rudder pedals, and repetitive inspection of the skin, attachment fittings and control rods of rudder II to detect cracking, loose parts, wear or damage.
NEXT SUNDAY will mark four months since Marion Blakey stepped down as FAA Administrator and it's unclear how long it will be until a permanent successor is in place. Deputy Administrator Bobby Sturgell took over as acting administrator in mid-September (BA, Sept. 17/115) and President Bush nominated him for a five-year term as administrator in late October (BA, Oct. 29/194). But a scheduled Dec. 20 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee never happened, and a new hearing date has not been set.
THE JOINT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE is holding a conference Feb. 12-13 on the integration of weather technologies into the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The conference will discuss assimilating weather information into decision-making tools and processes. The conference will include four working groups covering network-enabled weather information, airport operation improvement, tactical and strategic trajectory-based operations, and super density operations. The conference will be held at the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT last month handed over the 8,000th single-engine aircraft produced at the company's assembly facility in Independence, Kan. The aircraft, a Cessna 182, was delivered Dec. 18 during a ceremony in Independence honoring the new owner, the Civil Air Patrol. The CAP operates 519 Cessna aircraft, including 178 aircraft built in Independence. The CAP uses Cessna 182s for missions requiring satellite-transmitted digital imaging. An auxiliary of the U.S.
P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0294; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-087-AD] - Requires modification of the fuselage emergency doorframe in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin 80-0057 Revision 1 (dated May 31, 2007). This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent the fuselage frame of the emergency exit door from developing cracks in its corners due to pressurization loads. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 31 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
A veteran computer systems specialist who has worked for a number of aviation manufacturers, joined M7 Aerospace in San Antonio, Texas as director of information technology. Boyle will be responsible for the company's computerized networks and information systems, which support the company's six primary business units. Boyle has an extensive background in implementing enterprise resource planning programs and integrating new software systems in major corporations.
DC AVIATION is providing executive jet services for Lufthansa until the airline has built up its own fleet of corporate jets later this year. The agreement with DC Aviation was worked out after NetJets discontinued its Lufthansa Private Jets flights last month. Lufthansa had to scramble for alternative operators on short notice in order to be able to operate flights already booked by customers. NetJets decided to discontinue its Lufthansa operation in August after Lufthansa Private Jets was perceived as a potential NetJets competitor.
ALSO awaiting action are two National Transportation Safety Board nominations that President Bush sent to the Senate in late October, just a few days after the Sturgell nomination. Bush nominated Steven Chealander to a term as an NTSB member that extends through 2012. Chealander, who has a 34-year background in aviation, was sworn in as a member a year ago to fulfill the remaining term of former member Ellen Engleman Connors, who resigned earlier in 2006 (BA, Jan. 8, 2007/20). That term expired at the end of 2007.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION COUNCIL (IBAC) is presenting an International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) workshop next week in Richmond, Va. The IS-BAO safety standard, introduced in 2002, is an industry code of practice designed to raise the safety bar by codifying safety best practices. The Jan. 17 event in Richmond, which will be hosted by Katherine Perfetti, IBAC's standards manager, is designed to assist operators who are implementing or contemplating adoption of the IS-BAO standard.
ARINC ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC entered into a business relationship with Cessna Aircraft Company under which ARINC will perform design, engineering and modification work to equip Cessna-built airplanes for special mission operations. A Cessna spokesman described the agreement as "an approved vendor contract," adding that while Cessna expects to win special-mission aircraft orders, there is no guarantee that such orders will be forthcoming. Any modification work performed would be done at ARINC's new Aircraft Modification Operations Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Was named avionics systems integrator for Western Aircraft. Blanton will create and update avionics structural drawings for aircraft modifications and repairs. He has more than 18 years experience working with avionics on commercial, corporate and general aviation aircraft. Blanton has been with Western Aircraft for eight years as an avionics technician and team lead. He previously served as an avionics lead and quality assurance inspector for the U.S. Air Force.
FAA is offering a new pay proposal to its controllers in an attempt to resolve a long-running contract dispute, but it appears unlikely that the controllers' union will accept the deal.
EADS SOCATA has sold 150 TBM 850s since launching the aircraft in late December 2005, and the French plane-maker said that 2008 is shaping up as a record year. EADS Socata began accepting orders for 2008 deliveries in September and since has taken orders for 60 aircraft to be built this year. "Never in the TBM program's history has a year's order capacity been filled up so fast," said Nicolas Chabbert, vice president, sales and marketing for EADS Socata. "This is a spectacular achievement by our sales team and distributors." U.S.
AVFUEL added the Aviation Center at Page Field General Aviation Airport (FMY) in Fort Myers, Fla. to its network of branded dealers. The Aviation Center will participate in Avfuel's Contract Fuel and AVTRIP programs. Owned an operated by the Lee County Port Authority, the Aviation Center provides a range of amenities and offers onsite car rental. Catering also is available. FMY has an ILS-equipped, 6,406-foot runway.
Despite an engine failure in mountainous terrain shortly after takeoff, the pilot of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu single-engine aircraft made a successful emergency landing at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in Aspen, Colo. the day after Christmas.
ATR received a contract from Philippines-based Cebu Pacific for four ATR 72-500s. The order converts four of eight options that Cebu placed in early 2007 into firm orders. Cebu has placed a total of 10 firm orders for the ATR 72-500. The aircraft will be delivered in 2008 and 2009.
Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3( )(L) and HC-E5B-5( ) propellers [Docket No. FAA-2007-28656; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-15280; AD 2007-24-14] - Using Hartzell Service Bulletin HC-SB-61-295, Revision 2 (dated Aug. 1, 2007), this AD requires operators to conduct a one time eddy-current inspection of the propeller hub mounting bolt holes, replace the propeller hub if cracked and conduct periodic inspections thereafter.
Falcon 50 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0369; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-258-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to verify that all life rafts are stowed correctly (with deployment straps outboard) and that they have been repacked to specified dimensions, using the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F50-480 (dated Dec. 5, 2006).
NORDAM named Meredith Siegfried vice president, global sales and North American operations. Siegfried will lead Nordam's repair facility in Tulsa as well as continue to direct aftermarket sales and corporate marketing. The daughter of the late Nordam Chairman Ray Siegfried, Meredith Siegfried has served with Nordam for nine years. Nordam also promoted Steve McLarty and Dave Whitten to vice presidents within the sales and marketing group. McLarty is vice president of sales for North America and Latin America and will add the military sales group to his responsibilities.
The aviation community has become increasingly concerned that the FAA could be without a permanent leader for an extended period following the indefinite postponement last month of a confirmation hearing for Bobby Sturgell before the Senate Commerce Committee. President Bush formally nominated Sturgell to a five-year term as administrator in October. Sturgell, the deputy administrator, has been serving as acting administrator since Marion Blakey left the agency in September (BA, Sept. 17/115).
