EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD; Amendment 39-17629; AD 2013-21-05] – requires inspecting each linear transducer bearing for freedom of movement and replacing the bearing if there is binding or rough turning or if there is chafing or damage on the lower side of the floor. This AD also requires modifying and reidentifying a certain rod. This AD was prompted by an incident involving limited control of a tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing.
AGUSTA Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0518; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-021-AD; Amendment 39-17607; AD 2013-20-01] – requires, for affected helicopters with a certain third stage turbine wheel installed, installing a placard on the instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations.
Lawmakers are continuing to put pressure on Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to detail and justify stops and searches of general aviation aircraft that are flying within U.S. borders. Eight Senate Republicans wrote Homeland Security acting Secretary Rand Beers seeking a report by Nov. 15 on every stop and search since 2009 and the reasons behind the searches. “The abrupt increase in the number of stops and searches of personnel aboard general aviation aircraft raises concerns that CBP may be violating our citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights,” says the letter, led by Sen.
FAA has formally approved a rulemaking to rewrite Part 23, a key step toward what is expected to be a dramatic change in how the agency approaches small aircraft certification. The authorization to begin the rulemaking comes as Congress nears final passage of a bill that would require FAA to complete the Part 23 rewrite by the end of 2015.
Inefficient certification processes are delaying hundreds of new applications for aircraft operations and repair stations, says Jeffrey Guzzetti, assistant inspector general for aviation audits for the Department of Transportation.
Xojet, which last winter sold its recently acquired Hawker 800XP fleet to partner Travel Management Company (TMC), plans to hold its fleet at a little more than 40 aircraft, a move that is helping the company strengthen its balance sheet to its strongest position in years.
Bombardier missed its third-quarter revenue and earnings forecasts on lower aircraft deliveries and orders the third quarter of 2013. Aerospace revenues for Bombardier fell from $2.3 billion to $2 billion due to a lower level of deliveries, partly because of the transition to the Learjet 70 and 75 programs. The aerospace division achieved a $86 million operating profit, compared with $118 million a year earlier.
RON LADNIER was promoted to vice president of FlightSafety Services Corp., the division of FlightSafety International that provides military training, advanced technology devices and support. Ladnier has served with FlightSafety since 2011 as director of military development. He formerly served in the U.S. Air Force, reaching the rank of major general.
Wilson Air Center is significantly expanding its facilities at Houston Hobby Airport with a new hangar and terminal. The multi-phase project will include a hangar that can accommodate aircraft the size of a Gulfstream G650 and a new 10,000-sq.-ft. executive terminal. The project will be designed for future expansion. Phase I involved a renovation of the existing facilities. Phase II, which is kicking off, includes a new 25,000-sq.-ft. hangar and office complex.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP [Docket No. FAA-2013-0878; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-033-AD; Amendment 39-17625; AD 2013-21-01] – requires certain inspections of each tail rotor pitch horn assembly for a crack, and if there is a crack, before further flight, replacing the pitch horn with an airworthy pitch horn. This AD is prompted by a report of a crack in the yoke of a pitch horn.
The City of Santa Monica is turning to the courts to gain control over the future of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), a step that would allow the city to close the airport.
BRYAN SHELTON was named director of field operations for Zenith Aviation. Shelton recently retired after a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, most recently serving as senior manager, aviation maintenance operations for the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (Executive Division). For Zenith, Shelton will manage special projects.
BELL Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0500; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-45-AD; Amendment 39-17624; AD 2013-20-18] – supersedes an existing AD that requires reidentifying each affected part-numbered main rotor yoke on its data plate, reducing the retirement life of the reidentified yoke, and revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) accordingly. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-05-09 with the exception of the P/N marking location.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is continuing to expand its portfolio of hourly cost maintenance programs for business aircraft. JSSI unveiled Tip-to-Tail coverage for the Gulfstream G650 business jet, covering engine, airframe and auxiliary power unit coverage in one maintenance program for G650 owners. JSSI President and CEO Neil Book sees the program complementary to the manufacturer’s warranty programs, covering areas where the warranty would not.
KENNETH WITCHER was named dean of the College of Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. Witcher has served with the university for nine years in a number of roles, including adjunct faculty member, director of academics and program chair. In his new role, he will lead nearly 50 full-time faculty and more than 900 active adjunct faculty who teach courses online and at more than 150 locations worldwide. Before joining Embry-Riddle, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Aerion is hoping to have a final engine selection in place by the end of next year for its supersonic business aircraft, or aircraft family, and believes the design could be ready to hit the market by late 2020.
Gulfstream’s G650 recently established a westbound, around-the-world flight speed record for non-supersonic aircraft. The aircraft, Gulfstream’s largest and fastest, traveled the globe in 41 hr. and 7 min., a record for the C-1.l aircraft class (aircraft with takeoff weights of 77,162 to 99,208 lb.). Both the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale have certified the record. The aircraft averaged speeds of 568.5 mph. (494 kt.) and captured 22 city-pair records. The 650 has accrued 38 records since January 2011.
Embraer is rolling out an upgraded version of its AHEAD (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis) system for support of the new Legacy 500 and 450 jets. AHEAD integrates onboard aircraft systems, technical publications and a maintenance tracking system and provides inflight advance notification to provide troubleshooting. The upgraded system improves performance, is accessible through mobile devices and is integrated with maintenance tracking provider CAMP. The AHEAD upgrades, designed for the support of the 500 and 450, also were migrated to the Phenom 300 and 100.
LYCOMING and CONTINENTAL MOTORS Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A, and Continental TSIO-360-MB, TSIO-360-SB, and TSIO-360-RB reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-1245; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-17626; AD 2013-21-02] – supersedes an existing AD affects engines with AD certain Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) turbochargers (Model TA0411). The original AD required removing certain HET turbochargers from service before further flight. This AD also requires removing certain HET turbochargers from service before further flight.
AGUSTAWESTLAND Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0881; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-056-AD; Amendment 39-17628; AD 2013-20-51] – publishes an emergency AD sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters that requires, before further flight, inspecting certain Thomas coupling nuts on the tail rotor drive shaft line for a crack and replacing all the nuts if any nut is cracked. This AD also requires replacing all affected Thomas coupling nuts within 10 hr.
Bombardier has undertaken initiatives to increase certain maintenance intervals for Learjet 40/45 and newer Challenger and Global aircraft. The manufacturer says the intervals for hourly task and monthly checks are improving by as much as 50%, lowering direct maintenance costs and reducing aircraft downtime. Bombardier estimates the changes could reduce labor costs by nearly 50% while improving dispatch availability by 250 days over the lifetime of an aircraft, depending on the model.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6A-114 and -114A turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0766; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-26-AD] – proposes to require initial and repetitive borescope inspections of compressor turbine (CT) blades, and the removal from service of blades that fail inspection. This proposed AD was prompted by several incidents of CT blade failure, including two fatalities, resulting in power loss and inflight shutdown of the engine. FAA estimates that the proposal affects 300 engines installed on U.S.-registered aircraft at a cost of $102,000 for the fleet.
