The Weekly of Business Aviation

A new FAA rule would permit an “informal conference” to occur before the agency takes certain actions against certificate holders and/or other parties

All six civil unmanned aircraft test sites selected by the FAA in December are now operational, and the agency is soliciting proposals from university

While business jet deliveries have strengthened this year, recent indications show a still-lukewarm market for light aircraft. Morgan Stanley analysts

Trine Aerospace & Defense received approval to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services on rotor-wing aircraft. The helicopter certification

Avic rotorcraft specialist Avicopter completed the first flight of its AC311A light helicopter, an upgrade of the aircraft offered for the key 2-ton

FAA has deemed two relatively new web-based ridesharing programs as commercial activities, saying participants in such programs would require a Part

Gulfstream Aerospace, which continues to participate in the investigation of the May 31 crash of a Gulfstream IV at Hanscom Field, has issued a second

Lawmakers and industry leaders are pressing Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to move quickly on a proposal to exempt recreational pilots from

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is transitioning its flight planning services back to Jeppesen as it begins to exit the electronic

Bombardier has replaced its head of marketing for commercial aircraft, including the slow-selling and still-grounded CSeries airliner, as it continues

Airspace closures should be an action of last resort in the event of volcanic ash contamination. according to new advice issued by the European

Air Partner has seen a significant pick up in its brokerage business this year, particularly with its U.K. JetCard. The company sold more than £5

Beechcraft Corp. delivered two T-6C+ military trainers and a second King Air 350ER to the Mexican Navy. The T-6C+ single-turboprop aircraft were

The slow market has taken its toll on Eclipse Aerospace’s efforts to ramp up production of the new 550 very-light jet. The company re-entered the

Cessna Aircraft’s M2 entry-level jet was granted approval from the civil aviation authorities of Brazil and Argentina, clearing the way for deliveries to those countries. The approvals follow U.S. FAA certification in December and European Aviation Safety Agency validation in June. In a little more than six months since FAA certification, Cessna had delivered 31 of the model. Cessna’s Sovereign+, which gained FAA certification in December, is also on pace for delivery to Brazil shortly.

BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 variant airplanes) [Docket No. FAA-2014-0488; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-17919; AD 2014-15-17] – requires revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate temporary revisions that introduce additional limitations for operation of taxi and landing lights. This AD was prompted by a determination that there is a potential for fuel leakage from auxiliary power unit (APU) boost pump component installations in the right-hand landing lights compartment.

FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES Models FA-200-160, FA-200-180, and FA-200-180AO [Docket No. FAA-2014-0311; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-014-AD; Amendment 39-17927; AD 2014-16-03] – requires repetitive replacement of any O-ring of the brake master cylinders. This AD stems from cites reports of deterioration of brake performance due to seal defects caused by deterioration due to age of the O-rings of the brake master cylinder on the affected airplanes.

Sept. 7-10—2014 ACI-NA Annual Conference & Exhibition, Atlanta, Ga., http://annual.aci-na.org/ Sept. 15—SpeedNews 2nd Annual European Aerospace Raw Materials & Manufacturers Supply Chain Conference, Hôtel Palladia, Toulouse, France, www.speednews.com/all/conferences Sept. 15-17—SpeedNews 15th Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference in Toulouse, Hotel Palladia, Toulouse, France, speednews.com/all/conference

SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0056; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-17906; AD 2014-15-04] – requires deactivating the potable water system, or alternatively filling and activating the potable water system. This AD was prompted by a report of rudder pedal restriction which was the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing of an in-line heater in the lower part of the forward fuselage.

Jeppesen recently unveiled the latest version 2.6 of its Mobile FliteDeck, with new feature and functions that are designed to enhance situational awareness and ease flight information access. The iPad-based Mobile FliteDeck has an updated iOS 7 design that improves ability to integrate flight planning data. Pilots can render SID and STAR departure and arrival runway information and crease user-defined waypoints on the en route map. Database search capability was also improved.

Bell Helicopter received orders from the first two customers to take delivery of Bell 429s in Poland. The orders were taken through JB Investments, Bell’s independent representative in Poland. Bell previously had sold three Bell 407GX to customers in Poland. The 429s are slated for delivery in the first half of 2015.

Blackhawk Modifications is developing a new engine upgrade for the Cessna 208A Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan that will replace the standard 600-hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114 or 675-hp PT6A-114A-hp turboprop engine with the 867-hp PT6A-140 engine. The upgrade will improve climb performance, cruise speeds, takeoff distances and operation in icing conditions. Blackhawk is certifying the upgrade and expects to begin deliveries in early 2015. The upgrade is an alternative to Blackhawk’s current 850-hp PT6-42A modification for the Caravan 208A/208B.

SIKORSKY Model S-92A helicopter [Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD; Amendment 39-17872; AD 2014-12-11] – requires revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to include the appropriate operating limitations for performing Class D external load-combination operations. This AD was prompted by an inaccurate RFM provision, which was approved without appropriate limitations for this model helicopter for carrying Class D external rotorcraft-load combinations, including human external cargo (HEC).

BRAD KLUTH was named a technical representative for Gulfstream and Embraer customers for Duncan Aviation. Kluth will support Duncan’s customers who operate large-cabin Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft, including providing troubleshooting and other technical information. He will also act as a liaison between Duncan and the manufacturers. Kluth has held a number of roles for Duncan Aviation, working with airframe maintenance teams. Most recently he led and trained a newly formed 15-member Gulfstream team.

BARBIE PATTERSON PEEK was named director of business development for the Port of Huntsville in Alabama, including Huntsville International Airport, The International Intermodal Center, and Jetplex Industrial Park. Peek had previously had spent 20 years as director of marketing for the Port of Huntsville. In that role, she has overseen marketing and public relations, building strategic alliances and maintaining the regional partnership program. Peek joined the organization in 1989 as public relations manager.