Model BO 105 LS A-3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-24632; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-31-AD; Amendment 39-14695; AD 2006-15-14] - Requires replacing certain fixed bolts and nuts, re-identifying certain main rotor nuts, and revising the Airworthiness Limitations - Time Change Items (TCI) list to reflect the new life limits and new part numbers.
Models C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25157; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-34-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the flight controls for improper assembly or damage, and if any improperly assembled or damaged flight controls are found, taking corrective action. This proposed AD results from a report of inspections of several affected airplanes with improperly assembled or damaged flight controls.
The Senate Appropriations Committee called for a boost in FAA's certification safety inspector funding. The committee recommended giving the agency $16 million more than the Administration requested to allow the agency to hire new inspectors.
Sacramento International Jet Center was awarded a lease and development agreement to manage a fixed-base operation at Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Sacramento International Jet Center's affiliate Patterson Aviation, doing business as SACjet, took over FBO operations from the Sacramento County Airport System Aug. 1. SACjet also provides FBO services at Executive Airport in Sacramento County. SACjet plans to build a new GA terminal and hangar as well as improve the GA public ramp to accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 757.
A maintenance error that inadvertently reversed the roll control system of the Spectrum 33 prototype resulted in the aircraft's fatal crash July 25 during an attempted takeoff from the Spanish Fork-Springville, Utah airport, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Pratt & Whitney Canada received Transport Canada certification for the PW610F engine, which powers the Eclipse 500 very light jet. The engine, rated at 900 pounds of thrust, is one of three models in the PW600 family powering very light jets. P&WC is supplying the PW615F for the Cessna Mustang. The Canadian engine-maker secured Transport Canada certification for that engine at the end of 2005. The PW617F was selected for the Embraer Phenom and is slated for certification later this year.
Named general manager of TAC Air's Chattanooga fixed-base operation. Black joins TAC Air with more than 40 years of aviation experience, most recently as president and co-owner of Stuart Jet Center in Stuart, Fla. Before that, he was an aviation manager for Post Properties in Atlanta, Executive Flight in Chattanooga and the Gillett Group in Nashville. He also was president and co-founder of Vail/Beaver Creek Jet Center in Eagle, Colo. He is the recipient of the National Business Aviation Association's 20,000-Hour Pilot Safety Award.
Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2004-18850; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-19-AD; Amendment 39-14694; AD 2004-16-15 R1] - Revises an existing AD that currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) base plate for a crack and replacing the MGB if a crack is found. This amendment increases the time intervals for inspecting the MGB base plate and includes minor editorial changes throughout the AD.
The Joint Planning and Development Office will finally have a new chief when Marine Corps veteran Charles Leader steps in today (Aug. 7) as the new director. Robert Pearce, who had been acting director since Charles Keegan left JPDO at the end of January to join Raytheon Company (BA, Jan. 2/5), will continue as deputy director. Leader, who has a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University, has a background in aviation and aerospace research management, technology development and systems integration.
General aviation manufacturers reported a record $8.8 billion in billings for new aircraft in the first half of 2006, a nearly 35 percent jump from billings in the first six months of last year, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said Friday. First- half GA deliveries increased 19.1 percent to 1,843 aircraft. The upward trend crossed all aircraft segments - piston shipments jumped 17.4 percent to 1,270; turboprop deliveries increased 12.1 percent to 158; and business jet deliveries swelled 27.7 percent to 415 in the first half of the year.
Models MU-2B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23645; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-04-AD; Amendment 39-14687; AD 2006-15-07] - Requires incorporating text from the service information into the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation.
Models B5JFR36C1101/ 114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0 [Docket No. FAA-2006-25173; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-24-AD; Amendment 39-14693; AD 2006-15-13] - Requires a one-time fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and eddy current inspection (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks, and if any crack indications are found, removing the blade from service. This AD results from a report of two propeller blades on the same propeller assembly, found cracked during propeller overhaul.
Appointed vice president of human resources for Flight Options. She will be responsible for human resources, labor relations, corporate communications and safety and security. She formerly was vice president of human resources and labor relations for America West Airlines, where she was chief negotiator on a number of labor contracts. She also served as senior director of legal affairs for America West and was a partner at Brown and Bain law firm in Phoenix.
Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD; Amendment 39-14681; AD 2006-15-01] - Requires inspecting, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks and replacing any cracked support structure. This AD requires reinforcing the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings.
Japanese manufacturer Honda, which has spent two decades researching the business aviation market and developing a new business jet while publicly saying little about its intentions, announced plans Tuesday to seek type and production certificates from FAA to build the HondaJet aircraft in the U.S. Honda and Piper Aircraft (formerly New Piper Aircraft) officials also announced formation of a business alliance under which Piper's existing sales and support network will facilitate Honda's entry into the business jet market.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey Thursday formally handed a provisional type certificate for the Eclipse 500 to Eclipse President and CEO Vern Raburn, marking the first such approval for the new breed of very light jets. Eclipse hopes to win full type certification, covering day/night, instrument flight rules, single pilot and reduced vertical separation minimums, by the end of August.
Airnet signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its Jetride passenger charter business to Pinnacle Air for $41 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter. Under the agreement, AirNet expects to repay $29 million of debt secured by the Jetride aircraft. Columbus, Ohio-based Jetride operates a fleet of Learjets for charter.
Garmin has begun to offer the G1000 integrated avionics suite for retrofit on the Beechcraft King Air C90. The Olathe, Kan. manufacturer hopes to secure a supplemental type certificate in spring 2007. The system will be available for aircraft with a factory-installed APS-65 automatic flight control system. The G1000 integrates primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, and Engine Instrumentation and Crew Alerting System on high-definition LCDs.
Raytheon Aircraft Company, struggling to achieve FAA certification of its Hawker 4000 and still producing puny profit margins despite a strong market for business aircraft, was put on the auction block by Raytheon Company Thursday. Last week's announcement marks the second attempt in six years by the parent firm to get rid of its Wichita, Kan. aircraft manufacturing unit.
Iridium Satellite reported that the aviation sector is its fastest growing market with its customer base more than doubling in the past year. The number of Iridium aeronautical terminals grew to more than 7,500 in June, and the company has been commissioning an average of 300 new units a month, Iridium said. The market is expanding beyond the core general aviation and business-jet business with growth in the helicopter sector, particularly air ambulance and rescue services.
Raytheon Aircraft Services secured FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install Rockwell Collins' Integrated Flight Information System, or IFIS, on the Pro Line 21-equipped Premier I. The IFIS is standard equipment on all new Premier IA jets, providing electronic charts, graphical weather and enhanced map display capabilities. The electronic charting function includes approaches, procedures, airport diagrams and Notices to Airmen. The IFIS also allows operators to receive real-time data link weather images.
The Air Traffic Control Association named another new president last week, and former ATCA head Paul (Bo) Bollinger began his duties in a civilian slot for the U.S. Air Force. Peter Dumont, a vice president of Serco who has served as that company's acting chief operating officer, will take over as ATCA president in mid-August. An Embry-Riddle graduate, Dumont was an air traffic controller and manager for the U.S. Navy. At Serco, his responsibilities have included FAA's contract tower program.
Joined the sales team of Hillsboro Aviation. Johnson will market new and used Bell helicopters in Hillsboro's 16-state Bell territory in the West. Johnson has 15 years of marketing and sales management experience, including 10 years of turbine helicopter sales. He previously worked at Austin Jets, HAS Corp. and Africair. He also was president of Helicopter Research and Marketing, where he provided consulting to prospective aircraft buyers and sellers.
