BOMBARDIER Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0705; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-052-AD; Amendment 39-17742; AD 2014-03-05] – requires modification of the air data probes and sensors. This AD was prompted by a report that the manufacturer has determined that some completion centers used the heater/brake monitoring unit (HBMU) logic circuit to control the line voltage of the drain mast heaters.
SLINGSBY AVIATION Model T67M260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0997; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-044-AD; Amendment 39-17759; AD 2014-04-01] – requires repetitive inspections for cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets and confirms that replacement with titanium brackets would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The AD is prompted by several reports of cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets on Slingsby T67 airplanes.
Mar. 3, 2014—SpeedNews 28th Annual Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Beverly Hills, Calif., speednews.com/all/conference Mar. 4-5, 2014—Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2014 Air Charter Safety Symposium, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, Va., www.acsf.aero Mar. 4-5, 2014—Defense Technology & Affordability Requirements, Washington, D.C., www.aviationweek.com/events Mar. 6, 2014—57th Annual Laureates Awards, National Building Museum, Washington, D.C., www.aviationweek.com/events
A government watchdog believes FAA will need to work with the industry to find ways to attract new pilots in light of evidence that the supply pipeline is changing. In a Feb. 28 report, the Government Accountability Office finds “mixed evidence” on whether the industry is facing a pilot shortage. Some believe a sufficient supply exists if wages are adequate and job opportunities arise, GAO found. Others, however, express fear that the future supply will be insufficient given the rising costs of pilot training and new first officer requirements.
FlightSafety International has increased its helicopter training capabilities with the installation of two new simulators – an Airbus EC135 trainer in Dallas and a Sikorsky S-92 trainer in Sao Paulo, Brazil. FlightSafety expects to begin training on the EC135 simulator in April following Level D qualification. The EC135 simulator is equipped with a Garmin avionics panel with a Garmin GMX 200 multi-function display and WAAS certified Garmin GNS 430W and GNS 530W. It also includes the SFIM 2-Axis Autopilot.
Signature Flight Support is adding a fourth London-area fixed-base operation (FBO) with the acquisition of the FBO assets of the JETS facility at London Biggin Hill. Signature announced that acquisition as it was preparing to break ground in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 28 on what will become one of its largest FBO complexes.
BRIAN OSZAKIEWSKI was appointed director of government affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Oszakiewski formerly served as legislative director for Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), advising on aviation, rail, highway, water and freight issues. He also supported Lipinski’s work on the House General Aviation Caucus.
BARNARD RATSIRA was appointed director of fixed-base operation client relations for Jet Aviation. In that role, Ratsira will develop client relations and promote customer service quality in the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia regions. He formerly managed Jet Aviation’s Geneva FBO.
DAVE CHAIMSON was named vice president of business development for the Experimental Aircraft Association. Chaimson will oversee sponsorship development and fulfillment for EAA programs and activities, including the EAA AirVenture; EAA publication and online advertising; and new partnerships. A member of the senior management team, Chaimson will report directly to EAA Chairman Jack Pelton. He formerly was divisional vice president and vice president of worldwide marketing of Sony Creative Software, a technology arm of Sony Electronics.
TIM LOCKERBY was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Before joining Duncan, Lockerby spent 10 years as national sales manager for aftermarket at Rosen Aviation. There, Duncan Aviation was one of Lockerby’s customers. He has also served with Priester Aviation.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD; Amendment 39-17757; AD 2014-03-20] – requires accomplishment of a one-time measurement of the actual clearance between the elevator horn and the horizontal stabilizer tip rib, and depending on findings, restoration of the required minimum clearance value. This AD also requires reporting of the inspection result to Piaggio. The AD stems from a report of insufficient clearance found between the horizontal stabilizer end rib and the corresponding elevator horn.
Commercial helicopter operators will purchase between 4,800 and 5,500 helicopters during 2014-2018, according to a survey and market forecast by Honeywell. The company predicts a return to delivery levels of around 1,000 aircraft a year—similar to levels before the world economic crisis—and this could rise to as many as 1,100-1,200 a year in 2018-19, according to Charles Park, Honeywell market analyst.
Landmark Aviation has moved into a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., a relocation that will enable it to expand its activities there and better coordinate its MRO activities with the fixed-base operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s release of two safety alerts covering the importance of helicopter maintenance and simulator training continues a multi-pronged effort by the agency, industry and FAA to spotlight what the safety board believes to be among the most pressing of transportation safety issues. NTSB released the two safety alerts last week as the Helicopter Association International unveiled its “Land & LIVE” campaign to focus operators on decision-making before a flight turns into an emergency.
The strength of the large business jet market has returned industry billings to near the record-high level of 2008, but unit shipments are still almost half of what they were before the economic downturn, according to the latest General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) report.
NEIL TURNBULL was appointed chief operating officer of Vertis Aviation, the Swiss-based charter broker and services company. Turnbull, who will be based at the company’s Kensington, London office, will be responsible for expanding the Vertis brand and support growth of the fleet and systems. He has more than 27 years of international business aviation experience, most recently as general manager of SaxonAir Charter.
The recently funded and newly renamed Mooney International Corp. is in final preparations for the resumption of its aircraft production lines this week, ending a five-year hiatus. The planned Feb. 26 restart follows a cash infusion that Mooney received in October from California-based engineering firm Soaring America Corp. That deal, backed by Chinese investors, concluded on Oct. 7 following months of negotiations.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0737; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-AD; Amendment 39-17739; AD 2014-03-02] – requires inspecting the crimping of the ball joint of the upper- and lower-end fittings of the main servo-control and, depending on findings, replacing the main servo-control or repairing the ball joint. This AD was prompted by incidents of missing crimping on the ball joints of servo-control end-fittings.
GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0092; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-002-AD] – proposes to require repetitive inspections of both elevator flanges on an airplane to detect any crack, and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected part. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information from the European Aviation Safety Agency, which cites reports of cracks found in the left hand elevator flange. FAA estimates that this AD will affect six aircraft on the U.S.
JASON MILLER has joined Sierra Industries as president. Miller will lead the company’s growing aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul organization. Miller formerly served with StandardAero as vice president/general manager of StandardAero’s Houston business unit. He also served as finance manager for StandardAero. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he led and flew more than 70 air combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning six Air Medals. He retired with the rank of major.
Landmark Aviation added a significant anchor in the Northwest with its acquisition of Galvin Flying Services, one of the oldest fixed-base operations in the region.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association added three new members, bringing its membership to 87 companies. The latest to join the association are Blackhawk Modifications, FreeFlight Systems and GE Honda Aero Engines. Waco, Texas-based Blackhawk, founded in 1999, provides engine upgrade kits for a range of turboprop aircraft, including Beechcraft King Airs, Piper Cheyennes, and Cessna Conquests and Caravans.
VARIOUS RESTRICTED CATEGORY HELICOPTERS originally manufactured Bell Model Numbers HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P. [Docket No. FAA-2013-0736; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-013-AD; Amendment 39-17747; AD 2014-03-10] – requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) cable assembly for an incorrectly machined body. This AD is prompted by a report from Bell that a defective body on the cable prevents the barrel assembly from fully engaging in the body cavity.
