EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0129; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-099-AD] - This proposed rule would require operators to conduct a general visual inspection for the presence of cotton adhesive tape (Part Number FMM 1121-5) in the passenger cabin, following the instructions contained in Embraer Service Bulletin 145LEG-25-0080 (dated Oct. 10, 2006). If any such cotton tape were found, operators would need to replace it, before further flight, with new adhesive tape (part number KB42/75).
Appointed general manager of Jet Aviation Singapore. Groeger formerly was vice president and chief financial officer of MTU Maintenance in Berlin-Brandenburg. He has more than 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing with MTU Maintenance Hanover and Daimler Chrysler Aerospace in Japan.
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
THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION board of directors elected Cirrus Chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier as the chairman of GAMA's board for 2008. Klapmeier has been serving as GAMA vice chairman and chairman of the security issues committee. Jeppesen President Mark Van Tine was named the new vice chairman. Van Tine has chaired the international affairs committee and will continue in that role in the upcoming year. GAMA also added two new members - Aero Mach Labs in Wichita, Kan. and Jet Aviation in Zurich, Switzerland.
(formerly Eagle Aircraft Malaysia) Eagle 150B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28957 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-069-AD; Amendment 39-15252; AD 2007-23-06] - Visually inspecting the flap hinges and flap hinge support brackets for any corrosion, following the instructions contained in CTRM Aviation Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1126 (dated July 19, 2007). If any corrosion is found, take corrective actions before further flight.
PILATUS AIRCRAFT Model PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0116; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-082-AD] - Following the instructions contained in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 32-020 (dated July 24, 2007), operators would have to replace the bolts that attach the main landing gear retraction actuators, as well as replace the bolts that attach the shock absorbers to the main landing gear assemblies. This proposed AD resulted from an MCAI issued by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority for Switzerland.
Joined the architectural firm of HDR as director of aviation. He will be responsible for expanding HDR's business in aviation planning design and construction services. Bielek, who has 38 years experience as a design engineering and project manager, formerly was deputy director for the Broward County Aviation Department in Florida. He previously was assistant manager for the Federal Aviation Administration Airports District Office covering Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE Thursday evening agreed to extend the Federal Aviation Administration's current authorization and existing aviation taxes until Dec. 14. The extension was included in a "continuing resolution" (CR) that will fund most government agencies through Dec. 14 until Congress can finish work on separate appropriations bills. The CR was attached to the Department of Defense fiscal 2008 appropriations bill. The aviation taxes and FAA's current authorization were due to expire Nov. 16 under a CR that cleared Congress in late September (BA, Oct. 8/162).
Named general manager and vice president of the systems support group for Northrop Grumman Corporation's Technical Services sector. Most recently vice president and controller for Technical Services, Carty has 29 years of finance and business management experience. He joined Northrop Grumman in 1987.
EUROCOPTER acquired full control of U.K.-based McAlpine Helicopters as part of a move to expand its network of wholly owned sales and service facilities. Eurocopter already had a 10 percent stake in McAlpine, which supports a fleet of 200 rotorcraft and has nearly 170 employees.
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS delivered $15 billion in new general aviation aircraft during the first nine months of 2007, spurred by growing shipments of business jets and VIP-configured airliners. See article and BA's compilation of third quarter shipments by manufacturer below.
HOUSE AND SENATE negotiators also on Thursday agreed to a conference report for the fiscal 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Congress is expected to consider the transportation appropriations bill this week. The bill would provide FAA additional funding to hire more aviation safety inspectors and calls for $65 million more than the Bush Administration requested to expedite deployment of next generation air traffic control equipment.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week issued a series of recommendations seeking increased surveillance of air tour operators after faulting the pilot's "disregard of safe flying procedures" in the Sept. 20, 2003 crash of a Sundance Helicopters Aerospatiale AS350BA. The helicopter, N270SH, crashed into a canyon wall while maneuvering through Descent Canyon near Grand Canyon West Airport in Arizona. The pilot and six passengers were killed in the accident. The helicopter was operated for an air tour under Part 135.
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD sent a representative to assist Brazilian officials in their investigation of the fatal crash of a Model 35 Learjet Nov. 4 in Sao Paula shortly after takeoff from Tampo de Marte Airport. Both persons on board were killed.
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28923; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-133-AD; Amendment 39-15242; AD 2007-22-06] - Replace each main landing gear wheel axle-nut and spacer with an integrated axle-nut/spacer assembly in accordance with the instructions of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-72, Revision 1 (dated March 5, 2007).
Aerion has begun taking letters of intent for a limited number of delivery positions for the company's planned supersonic business jet. Aerion named Zurich, Switzerland-based ExecuJet Aviation Group its exclusive sales representative for all areas outside the Americas. ExecuJet will offer 40 delivery positions for customers outside the Americas. Those positions would be secured by refundable deposits of $250,000.
Model 172 and 182 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29317; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-079-AD] - This proposed rule would require operators to remove and replace the pick-up collar support and two retaining screws for aircraft equipped with BRS-172 or BRS-182 parachute systems. This proposal resulted from notification by Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., maker of the parachute systems, that the pick-up collar assembly may prematurely move off the launch tube and adversely affect rocket trajectory during parachute deployment.
General aviation billings topped $15 billion for the first nine months of the year, a 14 percent increase driven by strong business jet deliveries, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported last week. The business jet gains offset a softening piston aircraft market.
