The strength of the high-end, large business jet segment and a surge in twin turboprop deliveries helped increase industry billings by nearly one-third in the first quarter, even as the light jet market continues to stumble, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
In its first shipment results after emerging from bankruptcy, Beechcraft is reporting a more than 50% pickup in its turboprop and piston aircraft deliveries.
Entry into service for Bombardier’s revamped Learjet 70 and 75 business jets has slipped to the fourth quarter of this year because of issues with certification of the new avionics. The aircraft are updates to the “superlight” Learjet 40 and 45, with uprated engines, contoured winglets and Bombardier Vision flight deck based on Garmin G5000 integrated avionics.
SIKORSKY Model S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-AD] – proposes to require modifying the No. 1 engine forward firewall center fire extinguisher discharge tube. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that the No. 1 engine tube installed on the helicopters is too long to ensure that a fire could be effectively extinguished on a helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to ensure the No. 1 engine tube would allow for complete coverage of an extinguishing agent in the No.
FAA is reversing course on its plan to end federal funding for 149 contract towers on June 15. The decision follows the passage late last month of The Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 (RFDA), which provides FAA the ability to shift $253 million in funds to cover operations.
Piper Aircraft handed over eight single-engine Piper Archer TX training airplanes to Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Delivery of the aircraft follows the FAA’s approval last month of the new Garmin G1000 avionics suite aboard the trainer. FIT is the launch customer for the G1000-equipped Archer, and has options for up to 16 more aircraft – either for the Archers or twin-engine Seminoles. Piper has launched a Piper Aviation Career Alliance with FIT that includes vocational opportunities for aviation and other graduates of the school.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0307; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-079-AD; Amendment 39-17410; AD 2013-07-06] – requires, for Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, and supersedes an existing AD to require for Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, an inspection of the chip detector and modification of the chip collector, both installed on the main gearbox (MGB).
Alpha Air Center of Joplin Regional Airport (KJL) in Webb City, Mo., plans to open a new 5,000-sq.-ft. executive terminal this summer. The new terminal will include a range of amenities, including showers, conference rooms, flight-planning equipment and dedicated pilot and passenger amenities. The fixed-base operation is an Avfuel dealer that participates in Avfuel Contract Fuel and Avtrip points programs.
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 July 29-Aug. 4—2013 EAA Airventure Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wis., www.airventure.org
A group of House lawmakers is pushing to set a 2015 deadline for FAA to release a rule that would dramatically overhaul certification regulations for small aircraft. Kansas lawmaker Mike Pompeo (R), joined by Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) and Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), last week introduced the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013. It calls on FAA to issue a rule by Dec. 31, 2015, that would essentially implement the recommendations of the Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is adding its third location in a little more than a year with the recent acquisition of development rights at Chicago Executive Airport. Hawthorne, which teamed with Moelis Capital Partners in 2010 to build a nationwide fixed-base operation (FBO) chain, closed on a deal May 6 to acquire the rights from Sovereign Development Group and hopes to begin construction later this month on a nearly 40,000-sq.-ft. terminal and hangar facility.
Cessna recently completed the mating of the wing and fuselage of the first production unit Citation M2. The light jet, a step up from the company’s Mustang very light jet, is on track for certification in the second half of this year. Wing mating clears the way for engine installation and preparation for function testing of the aircraft systems, including avionics, hydraulics and flight controls. The M2, powered by Williams FJ44-1AP-21 engines producing 1,965 lbst, will have a maximum cruising speed of 400 kt., a 1,300-nm range and the ability to take off in 3,250 ft.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Build A Plane named Canby High School in Canby, Minn., and Saline High School in Saline, Mich., as the winners of the first nationwide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) aviation design challenge competition. GAMA teamed with Build A Plane on the competition to foster interest in aerospace engineering at the high school level.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0353; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-029-AD] – proposes to require inspecting for the presence of blind holes in the tail gearbox (TGB) attachment fittings, and, if they are missing, installing an additional washer under the head of the attachment bolt until the attachment fitting is replaced with an airworthy attachment fitting.
While industry leaders focus on potential aviation tax changes, such as proposals for new business jet depreciation schedules or aviation user fees, one analyst believes a tax change that took effect earlier this year is eroding sales. “We believe the income tax hike at the start of the year was a material driver of the fresh weakness [in the light jet market],” says J.P.Morgan. The analyst calls the latest detractor to the market “another leg down,” but says it is not a sign that the industry is impaired. Some industry indicators are improving.
CESSNA Model 525 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0880; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-004-AD; Amendment 39-17422; AD 2013-08-05] – requires, for airplanes equipped with certain part number (P/N) air conditioning (A/C) compressor motors, inspection of the number of hours on the A/C compressor hour meter, inspection of the logbook, replacement of the brushes on certain P/N A/C compressor motors or deactivation of the A/C system until replacement of the brushes, and reporting of airplane information related to the replacement of the brushes.
London Gatwick Airport has reopened a helicopter landing site after a 12-year absence, enabling helos to land without having to taxi on the runway. Based at the end of taxiway Uniform on the west side of the airport, the helicopter aiming point (HAP) reopens after two years of feasibility discussions and joint planning between Gatwick officials and Signature Flight Support.
Bell Helicopter is finalizing the design of its new Bell 525, a medium-lift helicopter in development that is due for first flight in 2014. The U.S. helicopter maker has completed much of the detailed design, says Bell Helicopter’s chief engineer on the 525 program, David King. “We have been releasing detailed designs for a six-month period now … and this month we are having a batch of critical design reviews (CDR),” he said. CDR is one of the final steps before the program moves into “build phase,” he says.
FAA Flight Standards Director John Allen is continuing his effort to change the agency’s approach to enforcement, but is still receiving pushback from FAA’s general counsel office. Flight Standards officials have hoped to move away from a punitive system to one that enables inspectors to help operators correct minor issues before immediately jumping into an enforcement. Allen sees the change as a necessary step toward a safety management system approach that will help the agency best direct its resources toward the areas of highest risk.
DAVE NEWTON was named regional engine manager for Dallas Airmotive. Newton, based in Tampa, Fla., will represent the company’s services in Central and North Florida. He has more than 30 years of sales, technical, management and customer relations experience, previously spending 24 years in the Southeast U.S. with British Aerospace and Hawker Beechcraft supporting technical services, maintenance, sales and marketing support. He also has served with Gulfstream Aerospace and Atlantic Aviation.
C.Z. SEAN ANTHONY has joined Avantair as vice president of maintenance. Anthony will oversee all Avantair aircraft maintenance activities, including production, planning, quality, reliability and appearance. He has 29 years of industry experience, including 20 years focused on maintenance. Most recently, he was vice president of maintenance development for a Part 135 operation. He previously held maintenance leadership positions with Sentient, JetDirect, Presidential and NetJets.
Honda Aircraft, facing further delays in the certification of the GE Honda HF120 engine, is pushing back its target for certification of the HondaJet until the end of 2014. The program already had encountered delays after problems with the HF120 surfaced during ice testing in 2011, forcing changes in the engine fan design and a delay in engine certification. The company had hoped the redesigned engine would receive certification by mid-2013, clearing the way for certification and the first deliveries of HondaJet later this year.
Atlantic Aviation is suing to halt plans for Signature Flight Support to build an $82 million fixed-base operation (FBO) complex at Mineta San Jose International Airport in California. The San Jose City Council April 16 voted 10-1 to approve a 50-year lease for the FBO, which is to be developed on 29 acres on the west side of the airport. Signature, which hoped to begin construction this year on the project, also has plans to relocate its headquarters from Orlando, Fla. to the new California base.
KELOWNA FLIGHTCRAFT R&D Tracor (Convair) Model 340 and 440 airplanes and certain military Model C-131B, C131D, C-131E and C131F/R4Y-1 airplanes [Docket No.
