BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 variants) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-1065; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-230-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires operators to assign serial numbers or part numbers to certain landing gear parts; and to establish the number of landings on the parts, if necessary.
Wheels Up, the relatively new membership-based private aviation company, is partnering with the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a nonprofit network of young CEOs. Under the three-year agreement, Wheels Up will have access to the YPO member network through conference sponsorship, marketing and branding opportunities. Wheels Up will also be designated an official partner of YPO and sponsor select YPO events. YPO members will receive additional benefits for becoming a Wheels Up member.
Louis Seno, who helped found and was the former president and CEO of Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) and a former trustee of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has joined the university senior management team as vice president of corporation relations and government affairs. He will serve as a liaison between Embry-Riddle and the general aviation and aerospace industries, along with maintaining the university’s interests on Capitol Hill. Seno also remains chairman emeritus of JSSI and special advisor to the company’s board of directors.
Jan. 21-22, 2014—MRO Latin America, Windsor Atlantica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, www.aviationweek.com/events Jan. 30, 2014—National Business Aviation Association Regional Forum, Signature Flight Support, Boca Raton Airport, Boca Raton, Fla., www.nbaa.org Feb. 4-6, 2014—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE, www.aviationweek.com/events Feb. 5-7, 2014—National Business Aviation Association Business Aircraft, Finance, Registration and Legal Conference, St. Pete Beach, Fla. www.nbaa.org
Moody’s cites risk in a planned loan that Atlantic Aviation is seeking for its $195 million acquisition of Galaxy Aviation, but says an improving operating environment this year should help offset that risk. Atlantic Aviation announced late last year that it had reached a deal to acquired five fixed-base operations from Galaxy Aviation for $195 million. The acquisition will provide Atlantic Aviation with a foothold in Florida, with four of the five Galaxy FBOs in the state. The fifth is located near Steamboat Springs, Colo.
JOHN SLIETER , vice president of sales for Duncan Aviation, was named chairman of Honeywell’s Channel Partner Advisory Board (CPAB). The CPAB provides recommendations to help make Honeywell’s service and support even better for their mutual end-customers.
A European Aviation Safety Agency draft rulemaking tackles a series of recommendations from accident investigators and working groups that call for beefed-up standards and maintenance practices for aircraft flight and data recorders (FDR).
Jet Aviation Basel was awarded a contract to complete the interior of an Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ-A320 for an undisclosed head of state. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Jet Aviation’s completions center in Basel, Switzerland in the third quarter 2014. The A320 will be fitted with a bedroom, bathroom, lounge and office areas, along with a large executive staff area. Jet Aviation, which has completed an aircraft for the client in the past, is currently consulting with the customer to complete the design detail.
TWC Aviation closed out 2013 with transactions that expand the company’s geographic coverage of its charter and management services. TWC added a Gulfstream G200 based in Florida. The aircraft is the fifth G200 managed by the company. TWC’s Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions group also completed a sale of a Gulfstream III and the acquisition of a Dassault Falcon 2000. The Falcon is added to TWC’s managed fleet, the ninth of that model.
Helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation Group continues to increase its access to capital by closing on an unsecured $200 million revolving line of credit, a move that enables it to continue to rapidly expand its customer base that now numbers more than two dozen operators.
CRAIG OLSON was promoted to vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems, for Rockwell Collins. Olson succeeds Jeff Standerski, who recently became senior vice president, Information Management Services. Olson has served with Rockwell Collins for more than 27 years, holding multiple leadership positions including his most recent position as senior director and site leader of Rockwell Collins’ Head-up Guidance Systems business in Wilsonville, Ore.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has written the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association apologizing for a delay in the agency’s response to a petition for an exemption from third-class medical requirements, saying that he would make it a priority, the association says. AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association nearly two years ago jointly petitioned the agency seeking the ability to use the driver’s license medical standard.
Arinc, teaming with the National Business Aviation Association and a number of flight planning providers, have been adding advanced passenger information capabilities to meet new Mexico requirements that recently took effect for both private and commercial operations.
Bristow Group has taken delivery of the first two Sikorsky S-76Ds, configured for offshore oil support, initially for services in the Gulf of Mexico. Delivery of the first VIP-configured helicopter is imminent, with emergency medical service (EMS) and search-and-rescue (SAR) variants to follow.
DOWTY PROPELLERS Model R408/6-123-F/17 propellers [Docket No. FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD] – proposes to revise AD 2008-21-07, which requires initial and repetitive inspections of the blade bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guards for correct bonding until they accumulate more than 1,200 flight hours (FH) time in service. Since FAA issued AD 2008-21-07, Dowty Propellers has introduced updated service bulletins that identify terminating action to the requirements of AD 2008-21-07.
Correction: The Transportation Security Administration has approved 92 gateway airports and a total of 148 approved gateway facilities for business aircraft seeking to fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Of the gateway facilities, 113 are approved fixed-base operations. The Jan. 6 edition of BA published an incorrect number of approved FBOs.
A decade after Congress mandated that the Transportation Security Administration adopt new repair station security regions, the agency is finally issuing the rule and effectively lifting a ban on certification of new foreign repair stations. Congress, frustrated with TSA’s inaction on the issue, banned FAA from certifying new foreign repair stations until the final rule was issued. That ban had been in place for more than five years, and the number of repair stations awaiting FAA certification had grown to more than 90.
MARKE GIBSON , a retired major general with the U.S. Air Force, was named executive director of the NextGen Institute, effective Jan. 13. Gibson spent several decades in the USAF, holding positions in both the Pentagon and in the field. Most recently, Gibson served as director of current operations and training at USAF Headquarters. He was also deputy commander of the 7th Air Force Korea; commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska; wing commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Wing, Balad, Iraq; and as the deputy director of operations of NORTHCOM.
Peter Fleiss, who has steered the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) for the past 14 years, is retiring effective Jan. 20. Former Flying Magazine Publisher Dick Koenig, who has served on the CAN board, will succeed Fleiss. Fleiss will take on the title of director emeritus and work with Koenig during the transition.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B1 [Docket No. FAA-2007-27009; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-02-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2007-19-09R1, which applies to affected engines that do not have modification TU157 incorporated. AD 2007-19-09R1 requires replacement of the hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) with a serviceable HMU. Since FAA issued AD 2007-19-09R1, the agency received reports of ruptures on HMU constant delta pressure valves that have less than 2,000 hr. in service.
While FAA is taking steps to continue the contract tower program with plans to issue a request for proposals for contractors, lawmakers are moving to ensure the program receives congressional support. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) last week urged Senate Appropriations Committee members in a letter to seek full funding for the program.
JERRY DEMURO was named president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. DeMuro, a former executive with General Dynamics, will take over on Feb. 1. He will be appointed as an executive director of BAE Systems plc in the U.K. and serve on the company’s executive committee as well as on the board of the U.S. side of the company. DeMuro led General Dynamics’ Information Systems and Technology from October 2003 to March 2013. He also spent time at the U.S. Defense Department as an acquisition official.
The FAA is planning to issue a draft request for proposals in March for private companies to operate the agency’s 252 contract control towers for the next five years, an action some see as a sign that the FAA will continue to support the facilities despite a proposed cut to the program last year.
