In a move that would mark a major consolidation within the U.S. general aviation manufacturing industry, Cessna Aircraft parent Textron is reportedly buying Beechcraft for nearly $1.4 billion. The Financial Times on Dec. 20 reported the sale.
Cessna is within days of receiving certification and beginning delivery of its new Citation Sovereign midsize and M2 light business jets, but the new Citation X may still be a number of months away. Cessna is working at a “feverish pace” to wrap up the certification programs for the M2 and Sovereign by year’s end, a goal that Brad Thress, senior vice president-business jets for Cessna believes will be accomplished.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0354; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-072-AD; Amendment 39-17665; AD 2013-23-10] – supersedes AD 2010- 21-01, which required an inspection to determine whether a cross-member is installed at station X 2165 and doublers at X 2325 and Y 269, and installing them if they are missing.
James Coon, who has served as executive vice president for the National Air Transportation Association for the past year, is joining the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as senior vice president of government affairs and advocacy. Coon brings a strong background on Capitol Hill, including serving as staff director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and majority staff director for the House aviation subcommittee. In his new role, Coon will manage the association’s advocacy team on a range of Washington issues.
Flights into Stansted Airport in the U.K. were disrupted on the morning of Dec. 10 after a Gulfstream G550 struck and damaged the airport’s instrument landing system (ILS) while landing in low visibility. The aircraft struck an ILS mast aerial on runway 04 at 3:30 a.m. local time on Dec. 10, putting the system out of service and disrupting inbound operations throughout the morning. A Stansted Airport spokesman confirmed that the G550 landed safely and taxied to stand under its own power, but there was “some damage” to the ILS system.
Inmarsat’s first Global Xpress satellite successfully launched Dec. 8 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Proton Breeze M rocket. Inmarsat expects the Global Xpress constellation to comprise three satellites by the end of 2014, enabling Inmarsat to provide seamless global Ka-band coverage under the GX Aviation brand. The satellites are built by Boeing Satellite Systems International.
Wheels Up, the recently established and rapidly growing private membership and aviation services company, is teaming with Cessna’s CitationAir operation to offer flights on Cessna Citation Excel and Sovereign jets.
RANDY ANNETT was promoted to manager of FlightSafety International’s learning center in Tucson, Ariz. Annett joined FlightSafety in 2011 at the Hawker Beechcraft training facility in Wichita, and served as instructor, program manager and assistant director of training there. Most recently he was assistant manager of FlightSafety’s Cessna learning center, also in Wichita. He formerly served as a pilot for Air Wisconsin Airlines and TMC Transportation.
KELLY ALLENDER was appointed manager of FlightSafety International’s learning center in Dallas. Allender joined FlightSafety in 2001, serving in the company’s Cessna facility in Wichita. There he served as assistant manager, director of programs, program manager for Cessna Citation Mustang training, and ground and simulator instructor. He most recently was manager of the company’s facility in Tucson, Ariz.
The General Electric Honda HF120 engine for the HA-420 HondaJet light business aircraft has received FAA Part 33 engine certification, clearing the way for the start of full-scale production.
Sabreliner is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the certification of the original Sabreliner business jet, the Model 40. The aircraft’s roots began as the Air Force T-39 aircraft, and incorporated many of the design standards to become the 40. Sabreliner subsequently delivered four additional models – the 60, 75, 75A/80 and 65. Production of the Sabreliners ended in 1982 after 631 were built. Of those, 232 are still in service, include 42 Sabre 40s. Sabreliner Corporation, which has facilities in Perryville and Ste.
Yankee Pacific Aerospace, a specialist in custom structures, components and systems to the VVIP and business aircraft markets, is being rebranded to Advent Aerospace, Inc., beginning Jan. 1. The company says the new name reflects its growing geographical reach, along with its emphasis on technology and product development.
The Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating a Florida executive jet company for its alleged role in aiding drug traffickers in South America, Africa and Mexico.
Daniel Clare, who stepped in to take the reins of Jet Aviation in July 2011, is going back to Gulfstream as CFO after steering a restructuring that has returned the aviation services business to profitability. Clare, formerly CFO at Gulfstream, moved over to sister company Jet Aviation to succeed Peter Edwards amidst a management shake-up and realignment of facilities. Both Gulfstream and Jet Aviation are General Dynamics companies.
FAA and airport funding are already emerging as key issues as Congress begins initial preparations for the next FAA reauthorization bill. Airport groups are urging a $4 increase in the passenger facility charge (PFC), airlines are appealing to Congress to refrain from looking at them as a piggy bank and business aviation groups are stressing the importance of retaining current fuel taxes.
Beechcraft is nearing completion of the sale of its shuttered Hawker 4000 and Premier aircraft lines along with tooling and associated facilities. The company has long maintained that it had hoped to close on the sale of those programs by year’s end, and confirms that it is still on track this month.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 [Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD] – proposes to require 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.
THIELERT TAE125-01 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD; Amendment 39-17680; AD 2013-24-06] – requires applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing opening. This AD was prompted by a report of engine power loss due to engine coolant contaminating the engine clutch. The design of the engine allows the crankcase assembly opening to be susceptible to contamination from external sources. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inflight engine power loss, which could result in loss of control of, and damage to, the airplane.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0523; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-091-AD; Amendment 39-17664; AD 2013-23-09] – requires, for helicopters with sliding doors (except those with modification AL.4262), removing from service certain part-numbered nuts and washers from the lower ball-joint bolt. This AD was prompted by a report of a sliding door detaching from the helicopter in flight.
Air Tractor signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada covering the acquisition of PT6A-15AG, -34AG, -60AG, -65AG, -67AG and -67F engines. Pratt & Whitney engines have powered Air Tractor aircraft since 1979, beginning with the AT-400. Since then, more than 2,100 PT-6 engines have been installed on Air Tractor aircraft. The agriculture market accounts for nearly one-quarter of PT6A deliveries. Separately, Air Tractor announced a new airframe and engine warranty policy.
BETH MCCLURG was appointed director of real estate for Gulfstream Aerospace. McClurg will be responsible for Gulfstream’s development and construction projects, lease transactions and property acquisitions worldwide. She will develop and execute a long-range strategic real estate plan. She was previously vice president of corporate real estate for Capital One in McLean, Va., and has also served as vice president of corporate real estate for NCR Corp. in Duluth, Ga.
Bell Helicopter is planning to build its SLS helicopter at a new facility in Lafayette, La. Bell CEO John Garrison jointly announced with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal plans for Bell to lease a newly built 82,300-sq.-ft., $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport. The facility, to be constructed on a 14.5-acre site, will be funded by the state of Louisiana.
