AIR TRACTOR Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. AD 2010-17-18 R1 [Docket No. FAA-2014-0077; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-021-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2010-17-18 R1, which currently requires repetitively inspecting (using the eddy current method) the two outboard fastener holes in both of the wing main spar lower caps at the center splice joint for cracks; repairing or replacing any cracked spar; changing the safe life for certain serial number ranges; and sending the inspection results, only if cracks are found, to the FAA.
BBA Aviation’s Asia-Pacific arm has been pursuing a strategic development plan to tap into what the company sees as strong growth potential in the region. One of its best known companies, Signature Flight Support (SFS), which has FBOs at 110 locations worldwide that are focused on regions with high business jet populations, has now opened a facility at Changi International Airport.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0039; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-058-AD; Amendment 39-17737; AD 2014-02-09] – requires, before the next overwater flight, inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct installation. If a strap is installed under the hinged rod median plate rather than over it, reinstalling the strap is required. The AD is prompted by incorrect routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear rear cradles.
Quest Aircraft Company appointed Quest Aircraft Do Brasil in Sao Jose dos Campos as its Kodiak dealer for Brazil. Quest delivered its first Brazilian-bound Kodiak to the dealer this month. The Kodiak will be used as a demonstrator. Quest obtained Brazilian certification for the aircraft in 2012. The aircraft is certified in 16 countries, and Quest says several other approvals are imminent. Quest sees substantial market potential for its single-turboprop utility aircraft in Latin America.
RHETT REAVIS has joined Dassault Falcon Jet as sale manager for the Mid-Atlantic U.S. states and eastern Canada. Reavis formerly was the Northeast regional sales manager for FlighSafety International. He has more than a decade of industry experience.
Blackhawk Modifications Inc. of Waco Texas, working with St. Paul, Minn.-based Wipaire, received FAA certification of the Blackhawk XP42A engine upgrade for Cessna Model 208 and 208A Caravans equipped with Wipline floats. The Blackhawk upgrade replaces the standard 600-hp PT6A-114 or 675-hp PT6A-114A turboprop engines with the new 850-hp PT6A-42A engines on the Caravan. Blackhawk says the increased horsepower will provide more versatility to float-equipped Caravans.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0501; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-036-AD; Amendment 39-17732; AD 2014-02-04] – requires repetitively inspecting the lower and upper front and rear fittings that attach the upper fin to the fenestron for a crack and, if there is a crack, removing all four fittings from service. This AD also requires, within a specified time, removing all fittings from service, and the fittings would not be eligible to be installed on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by the loss of an upper fin in flight.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is urging FAA to rethink its approach to aircraft weight and balance requirements, saying the new approach is better suited for scheduled carriers.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter France) Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0038; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-023-AD] – proposes to require repetitive visual and tap test inspections of each main rotor blade leading edge stainless steel protective strip for a crack, cut, or blind or open debonding and taking approved corrective measures. If there is a crack or if there is debonding that exceeds acceptable limits, this AD would require, before further flight, repairing or replacing the blade with an airworthy part.
Dassault Aviation received European Aviation Safety Agency approval to operate as a Part 147 training center. The approval, the first to be granted to a business jet manufacturer, enables the company to comply with European requirements for technician training. Dassault will offer training at a new Dassault Training Academy in Merignac/Bordeaux, France, including two-week, model-specific courses. Dassault began offering practical training in April 2007 to complement theoretical instruction provided by CAE and FlightSafety International.
Bell Helicopter received a contract from the New York Police Department (NYPD) for four Bell 429 helicopters. The NYPD will use the helicopters for airborne law enforcement patrol over New York City and surrounding jurisdictions. The helicopters will join a fleet that also includes three Bell 412EPs. Those helicopters are used in a range of missions, including search and rescue at sea, intelligence gathering and anti-terrorism efforts. Delivery of the new 429s is expected to be completed in 2015.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0034; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-006-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2012-10-53, which currently requires, before further flight and at specified intervals, checking and inspecting the upper and lower main rotor hub (MRH) shaft flanges for a crack, and inspecting the lower hub-shaft flange bolt attachment areas for a crack.
DARREL DAVIES was appointed regional representative for Canada for Southeast Aerospace (SEA). Davies will help expand SEA’s services in the Canadian helicopter market. He has more than 25 years of aircraft parts distribution experience in the Canadian market, previously serving with Pacific Avionics, Van Isle Avionics, and Acro Aerospace.
FAA plans to divvy up to 1,721 flight “allocations” among Grand Canyon air tour operators that incorporate quiet aircraft technologies. In a Feb. 3 notice in the Federal Register, FAA outlines a plan to use the first six months of 2014 to establish a baseline for dividing the allocations among qualified operators that fly in the restricted Grand Canyon airspace.
Business jet operations topped 4 million for the first time since 2008 last year, according to preliminary FAA data. FAA reports operations reached 4.072 million in 2013, a 2.26% increase over 2012. Since the data is preliminary, this is likely to increase slightly once FAA finalizes December operations. Business jet operations peaked at 4.825 million in 2007 before falling 11% in 2008 to 4.291 million. Operations plunged almost 20% the following year to a decade-low 3.449 million. They have been on the rise every year since, but recovery has been slow.
Associated Air Center (AAC) in Dallas recently expanded its facilities to accommodate its contracts to complete 747-8 and 787-8 wide-body aircraft. The expansions included the addition of a 7,200-sq.-ft. mobile tail enclosure that is 120 ft. wide, 60 ft. deep and nearly 76 ft. tall. Designed to be moved with existing aircraft tugs, the enclosure structure is equipped with fire protection system, fire alarm system, high bay lighting and low-volt electrical connections.
Honeywell and Inmarsat have completed the critical design review of the GX aircraft avionics that will accommodate Inmarsat’s high-speed, inflight connectivity service that will provide data rates of up to 50 mbps. Initial product certifications are expected later this year with products entering the market in the first half of 2015. The critical design review marked the final development evaluation, keeping the program on schedule, the companies say. Inmarsat recently launched the first of three Ka-band satellites to provide the service.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0679; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-015-AD; Amendment 39-17733; AD 2014-02-05] – requires measuring the distance between the end of the main rotor collective pitch lever, locking stud and the locking strip and repairing the locking stud if the clearance is insufficient.
KRISTEN KRUEGER was named sales manager in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. for Dassault Falcon Jet. Krueger previously served as Dassault Falcon Jet’s inside sales manager for the Western U.S. and Western Canada. She has 13 years of industry experience, including as regional vice president of fractional aircraft sales for NetJets.
TAG Farnborough Airport in the U.K. has begun soliciting public input on an “Airspace Change Proposal” (ACP) that would introduced some areas of controlled airspace in the vicinity, which currently is Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. The airport, which is undertaking the formal Civil Aviation Authority to implement the plan, is accepting public feedback through May 2 on the airspace redesign. Airport officials say the changes will provide more predictable and consistent operations while reducing noise and emissions.
Air Greenland has canceled an order for two Airbus Helicopters EC225s because the offshore market around the island has not developed as expected. The company ordered the aircraft as part of a DKK380 million ($69 million) deal announced in December 2011. It planned to use them on search-and-rescue missions and passenger-carrying duties with an expected influx of oil and gas companies exploring for oil around the huge country. But on Feb. 3 the company confirmed that its board had unanimously decided to cancel the Airbus Helicopters contract.
CHRIS CANNADY was named OEM sales manager for Universal Avionics. Cannady will develop and maintain sales of the company’s products to original equipment manufacturers in the U.S. Cannady has more than 24 years of industry experience, previously holding engineering, management and technical sales positions with Boeing Military Aircraft, Cessna Aircraft, Bombardier Learjet and Gulfstream Aerospace.
LEARJET Model 60 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0691; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-170-AD; Amendment 39-17678; AD 2013-24-04] – supersedes AD 2003-19-11, which required determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed, and follow-on/corrective actions, as applicable. This new AD requires retaining all actions in AD 2003-19-11, and it also requires determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed, performing repetitive measurements of the fuel crossflow tube and surrounding valves and cables, and doing corrective actions if necessary.
FAA’s limited resources and cumbersome approval processes are costing small businesses thousands and hamstringing growth of the general aviation industry, general aviation business leaders tell lawmakers.
