Model 600N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-29342; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-08-AD] - This proposed AD would require interim repetitive inspections of tailboom parts, installing six inspection holes in the aft fuselage skin panels, installing tailboom attachment bolt washers, modifying both access covers and replacing broken attachment bolts. As a terminating action, operators would have to modify the fuselage aft section within the next 24 months to strengthen the tailboom attachment fittings and upper longerons.
THE HAWKER 800 is slated to get an automatic throttle system. Safe Flight Instrument Corporation and West Star Aviation are working together to win FAA supplemental type certification of Safe Flight's AutoPower system in the twin-engine business jet by late 2008. West Star Aviation, the full-service FBO located in Grand Junction, Colo., plans to offer to install the system on all types of Hawker 800s.
Eclipse Aviation cut a number of temporary positions along with a few permanent posts, a move the Albuquerque, N.M. manufacturer said was necessary to realign the work force with production rates. Eclipse President and CEO Vern Raburn on Oct.
SCHUBACH AVIATION, based in San Diego, Calif., added a Cessna Citation SII and a Hawker 800 aircraft to its charter aircraft fleet. The Citation SII, which has a range of between 1,400 and 1,800 nautical miles, is configured for nine passenger seats. The Hawker is equipped with blended winglets and a newly designed interior that accommodates up to eight passengers.
Gulfstream Aerospace earnings grew 37 percent to $226 million on revenues that exceeded $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2007, Gulfstream parent General Dynamics reported last week. Gulfstream posted an operating margin of 17.2 percent in the third quarter, up from 15.2 percent in the third quarter of 2006. "They continue to perform beautifully," said GD Chairman and CEO Nicholas Chabraja, adding that Gulfstream experienced "volume growth across all of our models, including the G150, which is gaining considerable traction in the marketplace."
THE MAX-VIZ Enhanced Vision EVS-1000 won FAA supplemental type certification for installation on Cessna Citation 500 through 560XL aircraft. The EVS is available through Cessna service centers. Max-Viz said its EVS products are flying on more than 200 aircraft.
The White House decision to nominate FAA acting Administrator Robert A. Sturgell to a full five-year term as FAA Administrator drew wide industry praise last week. But the fate of that nomination remained unclear since several Washington insiders believe the Senate is not inclined to move on the nomination.
Model EA500 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29316; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-078-AD] - This proposal would lift restrictions on operation of the aircraft in IFR conditions once a manufacturer-developed modification is installed to eliminate the possibility of freezing condensation occurring within the pitot/angle-of-attack system. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 64 airplanes on the U.S. Registry and would cost U.S. operators a total of $601,600, or $9,400 per aircraft. Comments on this proposal, which are due Dec.
One of the three NASA Gulfstream Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) was grounded following an Oct. 19 incident in which the left wingtip of an STA flying a normal aircraft landing approach to the shuttle runway at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., struck the upper branches of a tree during its final approach.
Tapped to head the aviation insurance division for Kemmons Wilson Companies, parent company of Wilson Air Center. Buchanan joined the Kemmons Wilson Insurance Group in March with 20 years of aviation broker experience.
WHILE the National Transportation Safety Board frequently urges the Federal Aviation Administration to make various voluntary safety measures mandatory, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker last week noted, "Regulation is not the only way to improve safety." Rosenker, who was a speaker during the 2007 Bombardier Safety Standdown in Wichita, said, "Personal discipline, combined with skill and knowledge-based training, can make a stronger impact on safety than any written regulation." See article below.
LG INTERNATIONAL CORP., the South Korean conglomerate, recently took delivery of a Sikorsky S-76 C++ helicopter. The aircraft, which is being used for VIP transport, is the second S-76C++ helicopter purchased by LG, as well as the second delivered to Korea.
Promoted to manager of FlightSafety International's learning center in San Antonio, Texas. Viera joined FlightSafety in August 2002 as a C-12 King Air instructor at the Daleville/Dothan, Ala. center. Viera had a 22-year career with the U.S. Navy before joining FlightSafety.
October 28-November 1 - Aviation Distributors & Manufacturers Association Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz. Contact Michael J. Mitkus at (215) 364-3484 November 8 - National Business Aviation Association Regional Forum, Oakland, Calif. International Airport (OAK). For more information, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9000 November 28 - FAA 4th Annual International Aviation Safety Forum, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Va. (202) 267-3883.
EUROCOPTER and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint venture (JV) company to export the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH), an eight-metric-ton class military and utility transport helicopter currently under development. The JV, which is to be established by 2010 and would be 51 percent owned by KAI and 49 percent owned by Eurocopter, would be responsible for marketing the KUH outside of Korea. Eurocopter and KAI officials believe that they may be able to sell up to 300 KUHs throughout the rest of the world.
Hawker Beechcraft last week formally opened a new plant in Chihuahua, Mexico for light sheet metal assembly. The facility is slated to employ 250 workers initially, but that number could grow to up to 650 within the next five years, the company said. The plane maker said the addition of a Chihuahua facility would "enhance its competitive position in the world market" and develop a reliable supply for its main manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kan. The facility also will help ease space constraints at Hawker Beechcraft's U.S. facility, the company said.
SIKORSKY is increasing its presence in Asia through a new customer support center that is being erected at Korea's Gimpo Aerospace industrial complex. In addition, the helicopter manufacturer recently recorded its first sale to the Royal Thai Air Force, which is slated to take delivery of three S-92 VIP aircraft in 2010. The 200,000-square-foot maintenance facility, which will be operated in association with Times Aerospace Korea, will provide technical support, spare parts, avionics and general maintenance for rotary wing aircraft.
EC130B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-0056; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-06-AD] - This proposal would require operators to inspect for cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail-rotor drive center section shaft and inspect the perpendicularity of bearing No. 1 in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 65A002 (dated Nov. 16, 2005). If a crack or loosened rivet were found, operators would need to replace the tail-rotor drive center section shaft before further flight.
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0047; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-197-AD] - This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada Civil Aviation, would mandate a series of actions designed to help operators deal with flap failures, which can cause a substantial increase in required landing distances and higher fuel consumption than planned during a diversion.
Promoted to general manager of Landmark Aviation's fixed-base operation in White Plains, N.Y. (HPN). Faulkner joined the HPN facility in 2004 as operations manager/client services manager when the FBO was known as Skyport. Landmark acquired Skyport in December 2005 and promoted Faulkner to director of operations. Before joining Landmark, he was a customer service representative and a line service technician with Signature Flight Support at LaGuardia International Airport in New York.
ERA CORPORATION established a new Air Traffic Management business unit that will concentrate on selling the company's ATM technologies worldwide. Russell Hulstrom, previously Era vice president of worldwide sales, will head the new ATM Solutions unit as vice president and general manager. Era also named Bernard Asare as sales director for ATM Solutions in the Americas.
