A resurgence of interest in the updated Dornier 228 NG from commuter airlines has prompted RUAG Aviation to consider producing another batch of the twin-turboprop multirole aircraft. “We want to pre-sell the next batch before we go ahead with it, but then keep on selling for another batch afterward,” a company executive says.
BRYAN TRAINUM was promoted to vice president, program services for International Communications Group (ICG). Trainum will be responsible for development and management of ICG core programs and lead the team that works with customers in both ICG’s Commercial Aviation Systems and Business Aviation Systems groups. He joined ICG in April 2008 as director of internal systems development, and also has served as a senior business consult in MetLife’s Systems Project Management Group.
Bombardier Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0420; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-284-AD; Amendment 39-17315; AD 2013-01-01] – supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that requires revising the airplane flight manual, deactivating and removing certain hydraulic accumulators, inspecting for cracks on accumulators and screw caps, and replacing certain accumulators. For certain airplanes, this new AD reduces the compliance time.
Cessna Model LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1330; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-006-AD; Amendment 39-17470; AD 2013-11-10] – requires inserting information into the pilot’s operating handbook and the airplane maintenance manual regarding proper use of the brakes. This AD also requires inspection of the aft fuselage.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-725A1-12 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0458; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-17480; AD 2013-12-03] – requires removal of the FW64852 fuel pump tube and replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the affected fuel pump tube between the fuel metering unit and the main fuel pump.
Duncan Aviation’s flight department has achieved Argus Gold and International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 1 certifications. The Argus rating means that an operator meets or exceeds certain standards for equipment and crew experience. IS-BAO Stage 1 approval confirms that an operator’s safety management system infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted.
Bell Helicopter Model 206L, L-1, L-3 and L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0525; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-063-AD] – proposes requiring operators to measure each main-rotor blade spar spacer to determine whether it is oversized. Operators would need to reidentify the blade and reducing its life limit if the spar spacer is oversized. This proposed AD, which was prompted by the manufacture of certain main-rotor blades with an oversized spar spacer, is intended to prevent failure of a main-rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Piaggio Aero Industries Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0527; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-014-AD] – proposes required inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fittings (LHFs) for cracks. If any cracks were found, the affected fitting would need to be replaced since such cracks could lead to a structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane during takeoff or landing. FAA estimates that this proposed AD will affect 109 aircraft on the U.S. Registry.
Piper Aircraft PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2012-0983; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-001-AD; Amendment 39-17457; AD 2013-10-04] – supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that requires a detailed repetitive inspection of the exhaust system downstream of the turbochargers and repair or replacement of parts as necessary. This new AD requires repetitive visual inspections and expanding the inspection scope to include the entire airplane exhaust system.
Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2, N and NP helicopters with sliding doors (except those with modification AL.4262) [Docket No. FAA-2013-0523; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-091-AD] – proposes to require removing from service certain part-numbered nuts and washers from the lower ball-joint bolt.
Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0477; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-015-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive that requires repetitive visual inspections of the tail gearbox (TGB) control lever for cracks and replacing any cracked TGB control lever with an airworthy one. Since the original AD was issued, FAA has received reports of cracking on the opposite area of the TGB control lever.
Bristow Group has taken over search-and-rescue helicopter operations in the North of Scotland. Beginning July 1, Bristow crews flying Sikorsky S-92s took over from CHC flying SAR missions on behalf of the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) under its Gap SAR contract awarded in February 2012.
Sikorsky Model S-76A, B and C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD] – proposes requiring inspections for cracks in the spindle cuff assembly or blade-fold cuff assembly. If any cracks were found, the cracked parts would need to be replaced. If no cracks were found, white paint would need to be applied to the inspection area to enhance the existing inspection procedure.
“Numerous” close calls at airports with certain layouts and independent takeoff and landing operations have prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to ask the FAA for changes to certain air traffic control procedures. In a recommendation letter published July 1, the NTSB asks for new separation standards to set the procedures controllers use in situations in which an aircraft departs one runway and another aircraft is performing a go-around on a different, non-intersecting runway.
DARREN EMERY was promoted to vice president, product and customer services for International Communications Group (ICG). Emery, who had been director, customer service and product support, will be responsible for oversight of all product support and customer services activities in his new, expanded role. Emery has served with ICG since 2003, and before that had a number of electrician and technical positions on board several cruise lines.
Raisbeck Engineering has earned Brazilian certification of its new swept-blade turbofan propellers for Beechcraft King Air 200 series aircraft. The higher-thrust props, which Seattle-based Raisbeck developed in cooperation with propeller manufacturer Hartzell, markedly improve takeoff performance without increasing cabin noise levels. Raisbeck says the new props especially enhance operations to and from higher-altitude airports on hot days and permit operators to carry greater payloads and fuel for more range.
Rockwell Collins has launched HeliSure, a family of products designed to provide rotorcraft pilots with better situational awareness so they can meet the challenges of flying in increasingly congested and hazard-filled airspace. HeliSure delivers sensor data in real time through an intuitive user interface that features 3D visualization for information that pilots can easily, quickly and effectively process.
Business aviation and the airlines could be reopening an old debate on how best to fund the FAA as it attempts to build a $20 billion next generation air transportation system (NextGen) in the midst of potentially unstable government funding, in large part due to sequestration.
Hawker Beechcraft Model BAe.125 Series 800, 800A, 800B and 800XP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0462; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-092-AD; Amendment 39-17476; AD 2013-11-16] – requires revising the “Limitations” section of the airplane flight manual and installing placards on the instrument panel of aircraft equipped with supplemental type certificated winglets.
The FAA still cannot reliably determine how many flight standards safety inspectors it needs and where for commercial aviation oversight, which could be causing some staffing shortages, the Transportation Department’s inspector general’s office (DOT IG) says in a recent audit report. But the data for the FAA’s staffing model also remains so unreliable that no one can say for sure, the IG adds.
Jeppesen recently upgraded its JetPlan flight-planning engine, incorporating improvements that will enhance flight-planning capabilities for operators flying within Europe. The company says its Enhanced JetPlan European Route Availability Document and route optimization functions work to quickly comply with Eurocontrol routing requirements and determine flight plans that maximize efficient fuel consumption and flight scheduling. The Jeppesen JetPlan engine powers Jeppesen’s flight planning products, including the JetPlanner application and FlitePlan Online tools.
New Piper Seminoles delivered later this year will be outfitted with Garmin’s G1000 glass cockpit following the recent certification of the avionics suite on the twin-engine airplane. With this latest approval, the G1000 is standard equipment on nearly all new Piper products. The G1000, which replaces the Garmin G500 suite currently offered on new Seminoles, includes the GRS77 attitude and heading reference system and software that provides a vertical profile view and user-defined holding patterns.
Development of the “Helicopter of the Future” took a step forward recently as Eurocopter signed partnerships with 22 French companies. These firms are now involved in the technological initiative set up as part of an innovation program launched by the French government two years ago. The participating companies will use innovative technologies to build the technological platforms that will form part of Eurocopter’s future product range.
