Eclipse Aviation, aiming at certification of its Eclipse Very Light Jet next year, moved another step closer to that objective last week as FAA issued the Albuquerque, N.M. company its first Type Inspection Authorization. The TIA authorizes FAA personnel to begin test flights to achieve specific certification goals.
Cessna Aircraft Company selected the AirCell Axxess satcom system as a factory option on Citation X, Sovereign and XLS business jets. AirCell describes Axxess as an all-new "multi-channel, wireless and broadbase-ready satcom system designed for medium to large business aircraft." The standard system includes two Iridium satellite communications channels for voice and data services. The Axxess system is scheduled to be available on the three Citation business jet models by the third quarter of 2006.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR 42-200, ATR 42-300, and ATR 42-320 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22454; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-108-AD; Amendment 39-14395; AD 2005-25-02] - supersedes an existing AD, which currently requires inspections to determine the proper installation of rivets in certain key holes and to detect cracks in the area of the key holes where rivets are missing; and correction of discrepancies.
The heads of four general aviation associations met with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and White House officials this month to discuss their concerns about the agency's campaign to overhaul the agency's current financing mechanism and move toward a cost-based system.
Summary: This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR, dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Business jet deliveries by Cessna Aircraft are expected to increase nearly 60 percent by the end of 2009, largely reflecting the addition of the Citation Mustang to the product line, according to a report last week by Ronald J. Epstein, a research analyst at Merrill Lynch. From an estimated 240 business jet deliveries this year, Epstein expects healthy increases in deliveries of Cessna's lower-end models (the CJ1, CJ2, Bravo, CJ3 and Encore) next year, pushing the 2006 total to 291 units.
Eurocopter won a contract to provide the Japanese coast guard with two EC 225 Super Puma helicopters for search and rescue and transport missions. The deal follows the sale of an EC 225 in VIP configuration to Japan's army. That helicopter will transport the Japanese emperor and official guests. The twin-engine, mid-range EC 225 is equipped with a new main rotor system and new Turbomeca Makila 2A turbine engines with full-authority digital engine control.
January 8-12, 2006 - American Association of Airport Executives Aviation Issues Conference, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kona, Hawaii, (703) 824-0504, www.airportnet.org January 25-2 - National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, San Antonio, Texas, (202) 783-9000 February 26-28 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2006 Annual Convention and Exposition, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646
Dane Jenning, who led Cessna's used aircraft business for 14 years, formed his own consultancy, Tandava Aviation, to help clients through the aircraft acquisition process. Jenning, who has 20 years of business aviation experience, has performed some 6,500 aircraft evaluations for prospective buyers. He has served on the executive committee of the National Aircraft Resale Association and chaired the association's Industry Trends and Government Affairs committees.
Dubai has outlined its next step in an aggressive plan to turn the region into a major international air transport center, launching a multibillion-dollar airport project that will ease capacity constraints for the near future.
Sentient Jet signed an agreement with Pebble Beach Resorts making Sentient "the official supplier of private jet travel to the Pebble Beach Resorts," Sentient said. In addition to providing transportation for its jet card members to Pebble Beach, Sentient said it plans to participate in events at the famous California golf course such as the Concours d' Elegance, a classic car exhibition, and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am.
The National Air Transportation Association is pleased the Environmental Protection Agency moved to provide some relief from the agency's controversial Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule - including providing some relief from secondary containment requirements and extending compliance dates - but NATA said the changes still leave some unanswered questions.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-23159; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-10-AD] - proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that currently applies to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA 365N, N1, and AS 365N2 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) suspension diagonal cross-member for cracks and replacing it with an airworthy part if any crack is found.
FAA hopes to enhance its new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) testing with a new Striker ARFF vehicle it bought from Oshkosh Truck Corp. The $650,000 truck, to be based at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey, will be used to test ARFF capability on the new generation of large and complex aircraft. The Striker holds 2,500 gallons of water, compared with just 800 gallons for the agency's current research vehicle. The ARFF is equipped with an electronic foam proportioning system, which mixes foam concentrate with water at proper ratios.
JOHN JUMPER was elected to the board of directors of Goodrich Corp. Jumper, recently retired chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, will serve on the board's Audit Review and Financial Policy committees. Jumper had a 39-year military career, holding a range of posts from deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, for the Joint Staff in Washington to commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
Nearly one year after the former U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization stepped down, sources say the Bush Administration is finally close to nominating Washington attorney Don Bliss for the job. Bliss is of counsel to the firm of O'Melveny & Myers, where he heads the Transportation/Aviation practice group. Bliss was deputy general counsel and acting general counsel at the Department of Transportation in 1975-1977, when he worked for DOT Secretary William T. Coleman, Jr.
E-A-R SPECIALTY COMPOSITES was picked to supply the thermal/acoustic system for the Gulfstream G150. E-A-R will supply the integrated system as well as design, logistical and technical support. E-A-R, which has provided aircraft interior noise control systems for more than 20 years, also supplies the thermal/acoustic system for the G200.
WESTERN AERO, the Denver-based aviation parts and maintenance provider, received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, enabling the company to accept aircraft repair work from European aviation facilities. The two-month certification process included an on-site FAA inspection of Western Aero's repair facility and an EASA review.
January 8-12, 2006 - American Association of Airport Executives Aviation Issues Conference, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kona, Hawaii, (703) 824-0504, www.airportnet.org January 25-27, 2006 - National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, San Antonio, Texas, (202) 783-9000 February 26-28, 2006 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2006 Annual Convention and Exposition, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646
AGUSTAWESTLAND EXPANDS U.S. PRESENcE, TAKES OVER AB139 PROGRAM - Italian helicopter maker AgustaWestland last week broke ground on a $27 million project to expand its manufacturing plant in Philadelphia, Pa., to make room for the production of the AB139. Construction on the 110,000-square-foot facility is slated to be completed by the end of 2006.
FRANK BELLOCCHIO was appointed to the sales team of Columbia Aircraft Sales. Bellocchio will be based in White Plains, N.Y. A 1,400-hour instrument-rated pilot, Bellocchio has some 30 years of sales experience, most recently as vice president of sales for Black Dragon Software. He also was a network security consultant to Wall Street Mortgage Bankers New York and senior director of sales at Fortinet Inc. and SonicWall Inc.
