EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+,EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0398; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-065-AD] – proposes to require, for affected helicopters with certain fire extinguishing systems installed, modifying the fire extinguishing system injection tubes. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the injection tubes are deforming due to heat.
FAA’s now-retired general aviation chief thinks risk-management tools and methods do not get enough emphasis either in initial or recurrent GA pilot training, even though his own research suggests as many as 75% of personal GA flying accidents can be traced to poor risk-management decision-making.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-0951; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-52-AD; Amendment 39-17437; AD 2013-08-19] – requires visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the rear roller support shaft and rear fitting of the sliding door, and replacing the shaft or fitting if there is a crack.
Nextant Aerospace sold a second Nextant 400XTi to Time Air, a Czech charter, management and aircraft acquisition specialist. Time Air becomes the first fleet operator in Europe of the Nextant 400XT line.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-1303; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-049-AD; Amendment 39-17434; AD 2013-08-17] – requires an initial and recurring inspection of the 9-deg. frame for a crack, and repair of the frame if there is a crack. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a crack in the 9-deg. frame of a Eurocopter Model AS-365N2 helicopter, and these cracks could develop on the other specified model helicopters because they contain the same 9-deg. frame.
June 6—National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Regional Forum, White Plains, N.Y., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org June 17-19—National Air Transportation Association 2013 Air Charter Summit, Marriott Dulles, Dulles, Va., 703-845-9000, www.nata.aero Jun 21–22—National Business Aviation Association Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, Washington, D.C., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org July 11—National Business Aviation Association, Business Aviation Regional Forum, Denver, Colo., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
CAE is expanding its training offerings on Dassault, Gulfstream and Bombardier business jets. These include maintenance training for the new Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS and 2000S aircraft platforms, which are equipped with the EASy II avionics suite. The new training supplements the initial Dassault Falcon 2000 EX EASy training with additional model-specific content. The company also will begin offering Gulfstream G450/G550 training at its London training center in Burgess Hill, U.K. in 2014.
PIPER Models PA-18 and PA-19 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD] – withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have required either moving all toggle-style magneto switches located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat, away from this position; or replacing these switches with FAA-approved, non-keyed, rotary-style switches. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-evaluated this airworthiness concern and determined that an unsafe condition does not exist that would warrant AD action.
Gulfstream Aerospace has bolstered its product support network resources in Europe, where more than 180 Gulfstream operators are based. Gulfstream increased its spare parts and materials inventory in the region to a value of $125 million. The company’s London Luton facility, which moved into a larger hangar in September 2011, has since grown to include 190 employees. Gulfstream also added a sixth member to its mobile repair team unit in Europe.
Jet Aviation reports adding 23 aircraft to its global management fleet so far this year, three of which are available for charter. The new aircraft comprise seven in Europe, two in the Middle East, two in Africa, four in Asia and eight in the U.S. The charter aircraft include a Falcon 900EX in Europe and a Global 5000 and Challenger 604 in the U.S. A General Dynamics subsidiary, Jet Aviation provides aircraft maintenance, completions and refurbishment, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and personnel services.
Gulfstream Aerospace received FAA approval for its G650 Flight Operations Risk Management Service (FORMS) program. The FORMS program meets European Aviation Safety Agency flight data monitoring requirements for commercial operations. FORMS collects data during all phases of flight and identifies when certain criteria have been exceeded. The system analyzes the conditions present and provides a summary to the operator. Operators receive both event-based and quarterly reports. The system also provides safety-improving data to Gulfstream and its training partners.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0631; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-021-AD; Amendment 39-17282; AD 2012-25-01] – requires, for helicopters with certain Aerazur emergency flotation gear attachment brackets installed, an initial and recurring inspection of the brackets for a crack, and if there is a crack, replacing the cracked bracket with an airworthy bracket. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the brackets.
LONDON – Bristow has predicted it will not see its fleet of Eurocopter EC225 helicopters return to service before the first quarter of 2014. While posting its fourth-quarter earnings recently, the company said progress in Eurocopter’s probe to discover what caused two EC225s to ditch in the North Sea in 2012 was encouraging, but that it would not rush its aircraft back into operation.
Enstrom Helicopter Corp. is doubling the size of its facility in Menominee, Mich. The helicopter manufacturer last month held a groundbreaking for the project, which will add 77,000 sq. ft. to the current 85,000-sq.-ft. facility. The expansion will enable the installation of new paint, gel coat and sandblast booths for component parts, along with additional space in the manufacturing and flight line areas. The expansion will also include a second floor to house the engineering department, a new training center and space for other manufacturing capabilities.
JENNA ALBRECHT was appointed safety analyst for business aviation for Argus subsidiary Professional Resources In System Management (PRISM). Albrecht, who has a master’s degree in safety science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, holds a variety of flight certificates and ratings including commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. She formerly was an aviation claims specialist who provided client safety evaluations and safety management system program reviews.
CAE is continuing to expand its business-aviation training capacity, with plans to add a Challenger 605 full-flight simulator in Europe at the beginning of 2016 under its authorized training provider (ATP) agreement with Bombardier. The Canadian company already offers training on Bombardier’s Challenger 300 and 604 in Amsterdam and on the Learjet 40/45, Global 5000 and Global Express in the U.K.
Daher-Socata delivered its TBM 850 Elite to Nantes, France-based Abalone Group, marking the first corporate operator of the Elite model of the single-engine turboprop. The Elite model can be tailored to accommodate four or six passengers. Daher-Socata launched the 850 program in 2005 and has delivered 307 since. Combined with the successor TBM 700, deliveries have reached 629 and the fleet has exceeded 1 million flight hours.
CALVIN RIEB was named helicopter aviation services program manager for Argus subsidiary Professional Resources In System Management (PRISM). Rieb has more than 11 years of aviation safety management experience. A U.S. Army veteran, he has served as an UH-60 medevac and an Army C-12, King Air 200 fixed-wing pilot. He held a number of positions in the Army, including logistics officer, unit movement officer and company safety officer.
JOHN DAUT was appointed U.S. regional sales director for the Northeast for Nextant Aerospace. Daut has more than 30 years of sales experience, formerly serving as vice president of sales for Marquis Jet. After Marquis was acquired by NetJets, he became senior vice president of sales, leading the Northeast sales efforts and also overseeing the company’s expansion into Asia.
Rockwell Collins added capabilities to its Ascend Flight Operations System (FOS) schedule and dispatch system for business aircraft operations. The new capabilities including integrated flight tracking, an enhanced trip request module and a filtering option for airport databases. Rockwell Collins integrated FOS with its Ascend Flight Manager to provide the flight tracking options, which enables subscribers to view their aircraft’s position in flight, as well as the flight path of completed and upcoming flights. The system enables overlay of satellite and U.S. radar data.
Beechcraft’s factory-owned Hawker Beechcraft Services facilities were authorized to install the CenTex Halo 250 gross weigh increase modification for Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft. The Halo 250 conversion adds 920 lb. of payload capacity through an increase in maximum takeoff weight from 12,500 lb. to 13,420 lb. Waco, Texas-based CenTex Aerospace developed the modification, which received FAA certification in October. The increase can be installed via a normal category supplemental type certificate (STC) or a commuter category STC.
BARRY COSTA was named director of Mitre Corporation’s Technology Transfer Office. Costa joined Mitre in 1984 and has more than 30 years of experience working with a variety of technologies and data collection projects.
Business aircraft financing has become more available but lending has changed, with financial institutions becoming more segmented and specialized, an industry expert says.
The National Business Aviation Association’s next Business Aviation Regional Forum is set for June 6 at Westchester County Airport’s Panorama Flight Service, White Plains, N.Y. The Westchester Aviation Association is an active supporter of the event. When last held there in 2011, the forum drew 1,900 attendees, and a similar figure is expected this year as well. Some 120 exhibitors and nearly 30 aircraft will be on display.
