Model 560 (Citation V) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0190; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-234-AD; Amendment 39-15259; AD 2007-23-13] - Requires installation of new minimum-airspeed placards to notify the pilots of the proper airspeeds for operating in both normal and icing conditions. This directive also requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide limitations and procedures for operating in icing conditions, for operating with anti-ice systems selected "on" independent of icing conditions, and for recognizing and recovering from an inadvertent stall.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT could lay claim to a new family of single-engine aircraft this week if its bid for Columbia Aircraft in federal bankruptcy court is successful, and the Wichita airplane manufacturer's chances improved last week when Cirrus Design Corp. decided not to bid. Cirrus officials had indicated earlier they would make a run at buying Columbia - which filed for bankruptcy two months ago (BA, Oct. 1/143) - but ultimately decided to focus on developing their own aircraft models and not get into a bidding war with Cessna, which is owned by Textron.
MILLENNIUM CONCEPTS, based in Wichita, Kan., was retained by Gore Design Completions to provide engineering, design and fabrication services for a Boeing Business Jet VIP interior. The project is the second aircraft completion collaboration between Millennium Concepts and Gore. Millennium Concepts has provided engineering and designs for VIP interiors on aircraft that range from Cessna Caravans to Boeing 747s.
Signature Flight Support added two more fixed-base operations to its chain with the acquisition of Regent Aviation. Regent operates facilities at St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP) in St. Paul, Minn. and Rochester International Airport (RST) in Rochester, Minn. The latest acquisition increases the Signature FBO network to 49 bases in the U.S. and 85 worldwide, not including the Executive Beech and ASIG-branded facilities also owned by Signature parent BBA.
ATR Model ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29332; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-172-AD] - FAA has determined that the public was not provided adequate opportunity to submit comments on a proposed rule that would revise the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new limitations on fuel tank systems. Therefore, the agency has decided to reopen the comment period for 30 days to receive additional comments.
Named to the additional post of senior vice president of Business and General Aviation for Jeppesen, the Englewood, Colo. provider of charts, maps and related products and services. Bowlin, who also serves as senior vice president of Rail, Logistics and Terminals for Jeppesen, replaces Kevin Collins, a 22-year veteran of the company, in the aviation post. Collins has left Jeppesen.
November 28 - FAA 4th Annual International Aviation Safety Forum, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Va. (202) 267-3883. December 10 - American Association of Airport Executives, Seventh Annual Aviation Security Summit, Arlington, Va., Contact Carter Morris at (703) 824-0500 or e-mail [email protected] December 10-13 - National Agricultural Aviation Association, Annual Conference and Expo, Reno, Nev., Contact NAAA at (202) 546-5722
Model DHC-6 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27192; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-008-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to incorporate into their aircraft's maintenance program the inspections, modifications or component retirement schedules specified in Bombardier Inc. (formerly de Havilland) DHC-6 Twin Otter Product Support Manual 1-6-11, Revision 6 (dated March 28, 2007).
Model 222, 222B and 222U helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-0178; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-20-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to adjust the rigging of the tail-rotor pitch-change mechanism in accordance with the instructions of either Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 222-07-104 or 222U-07-75 (both dated January 9, 2007).
THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION warned the Federal Aviation Administration that a possible requirement for a certified mechanic to clear every Extended Operations (ETOPS) flight would prevent most Part 135 operators from flying the longer routes. NATA and other GA groups appealed to FAA to provide more time and make changes before implementing ETOPS requirements. See article below.
Responding to requests by a variety of aviation associations, the FAA has decided to extend by 60 days the comment period for its proposed rule regarding the performance requirements for Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) avionics. Groups requesting extension of the deadline to March 3 ranged from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to various air carrier organizations, including the Regional Airline Association (RAA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA).
DASSAULT this month handed over the 400th Falcon 900 - a Falcon 900DX - to CITIC, China's largest state-owned financial services holding company. The aircraft was delivered Nov. 12 in Beijing. The Falcon 900 was unveiled during the Paris Air Show in 1983 and the first aircraft flew in September 1984. The three-engine Model 900 aircraft was designed to provide transatlantic range and a larger cabin than most business jets then offered for the business traveler.
Named senior vice president and chief operating officer of Jeppesen, where he will have overall responsibility for operating Jeppesen's service units, including those charged with developing and delivering navigational data, technology, human resources, quality and business operations and training services. Thomann had been serving both as senior vice president of training for Jeppesen and chief operating officer for Alteon, which like Jeppesen is a subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services.
Eclipse Aviation made its first sale in the ab initio flight training market with a contract for 12 Eclipse 500 jets to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Flight Academy (DAEFA). The contract calls for Eclipse to deliver the aircraft beginning in 2008.
EMIRATES-CAE FLIGHT TRAINING (ECFT) received a contract from Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Jet for Hawker and Gulfstream business jet training. The agreement calls for ECFT to provide classroom and simulator training in Hawker 800/800XP and Gulfstream full-flight simulators. ECFT also will provide crew resource management and safety and emergency procedures training.
Named general manager of TAC Air's fixed-base operation at the Eppley Airfield Airport in Omaha, Neb. Wilwerding has served with TAC Air since 1993, beginning as a mechanic. He most recently was assistant manager of TAC Air - Omaha. He also has worked in the automotive industry.
THE ISSUE of lead emissions from aviation gasoline-powered aircraft "has been blown out of proportion to the actual scale of the problem," the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association told the Environmental Protection Agency. In comments to a Friends of the Earth petition seeking a study and/or curbs on avgas use (BA, Nov. 19/231), RACCA noted that current and proposed solutions are not practicable for phasing out 100LL avgas, adding that market conditions will not support the modification of the older reciprocating engine aircraft.
Makila 1A and 1A1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-0157; Directorate Identifier 2001-NE-23-AD] - This proposed AD would require replacement of the selector-comparator board in the electronic control unit (ECU) with a board incorporating Turbomeca modification TU 250. This proposal was issued in response to several recent unexplained reversions of the ECU to the 65% N1 back-up mode. The FAA has proposed this AD to prevent dual-engine reversion of the ECU to the 65% N1 back-up mode, which could lead to the inability of the pilots to continue safe flight.
Joined the executive management team of RTI International Metals, Inc. as senior vice president - strategic planning and finance. Strome, 52, will be responsible for strategic planning and business development, treasury, and investor relations. He will report to Dawne S. Hickton, vice chairman and chief executive officer of RTI, which is headquartered in Niles, Ohio. Strome was previously a principal at Laurel Mountain Partners, L.L.C., a private equity firm.
Model 430 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-0177; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-19-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to adjust the rigging of the tail-rotor pitch-change mechanism in accordance with the instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 430-07-39 (dated January 9, 2007). Also, if either at full-left pedal position or full-right pedal position a gap were discovered between the tail-rotor yoke and the flapping stop, operators would have to replace the tail-rotor yoke with an airworthy one.
The Macquarie Group plans to extend its reach into the aviation services business with a deal between two of its investment groups to buy a 45 percent financial interest in Universal Weather and Aviation. A consortium comprising Macquarie Capital Alliance Group and Macquarie Global Opportunities Partners signed a "strategic partnership" agreement with Houston-based Universal. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close within 60 days, were not disclosed.
CONGRESS appears poised to pass yet another extension of aviation excise taxes and FAA reauthorization since little progress has been made on a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Congress earlier this month passed a measure extending the current authorization and existing aviation taxes through Dec. 14 (BA, Nov. 12/215). That followed the earlier extension passed in late September (BA, Oct. 8/162). Congressional leaders are said to be preparing the third extension, which would carry the authorization into 2008.
British engine maker Rolls-Royce will build a new plant in Virginia to manufacture the new RB282 engine for Dassault Falcon's new super midsize jet, and a plant in Singapore to assemble and test the manufacturer's large airliner powerplants, the company said Tuesday. The company said it expects to make a total investment of some $300 million over the next five years to build the new plants and bring them into full operation.
