Chattanooga Airport (CHA) officials are stepping up their defense of their eight-month-old fixed-base operation as the facility has begun to come under scrutiny for mounting losses. The facility has been controversial almost since its inception over the use of state and federal funding to run an operation in direct competition with a private fixed-base operator (FBO).
The Senate is pushing two seemingly contradictory measures designed to improve and yet further restrict air tours over national parks. The Senate approved two amendments on air tours to the comprehensive highway reauthorization bill before passing the legislation in a 74-22 vote March 14.
DANIEL WRIGHT is joining Simplex Aerospace as director of sustaining engineering. Wright has 25 years of aviation industry management, engineering and research and development experience, along with an expertise in aerospace composites. He most recently served as vice president of operations for Morgan Aircraft, a startup manufacturer, and he also has led projects for the Bell 206 twin engine retrofit, Pratt & Whitney PT6 Dual Pac Program, Cessna 206 and 207 turbine conversions, Boeing, Airbus, and other experimental aircraft manufacturers.
The small end of the business jet market continues to lag, says analyst J.P.Morgan. “Select management comments, anecdotal evidence, and an improving U.S. macro outlook are fueling expectations for the bizjet recovery to finally make its way into the lower end of the market, but we do not see this clearly in the data,” the analyst says. While Textron and Rockwell Collins have expressed optimism, “we see little change in tone from other players,” J.P.Morgan states.
Vietnam Air Service (Vasco), a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines, plans to buy a second general aviation aircraft for aerial surveying. Vasco is evaluating the Cessna 208 and the Pacific Aerospace 750XSTOL, Vasco Deputy Director Vu Duc Bien told Aviation Week in Ho Chi Minh City. Vasco is based in Ho Chi Minh City and currently uses one Beechcraft King Air for aerial surveying. The King Air is a twin-engine aircraft, whereas the new aircraft it is evaluating both have single engines.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes Docket No. FAA-2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-AD; Amendment 39-16968; AD 2012-04-12] – requires replacing air-driven generator (ADG) power feeder cables. This AD was prompted by reports of the ADG failing to provide power during operational/function checks due to wires in the ADG power feeder cables being damaged. The damage was due to galvanic corrosion and inadequate silver-plating. This AD requires replacing ADG power feeder cables.
Avfuel has added Eagle Creek Aviation Services in Indianapolis to its network of dealers. The fixed-base operation is participating in the Avfuel Contract Fuel and AVTRIP rewards programs. Along with a range of fuel and FBO services, Eagle Creek is an authorized Embraer Phenom and Twin Commander service center.
RON NUSSLE has joined Icon Aircraft as vice president of operations. Nussle previously served as director of strategic supply chain management at Cessna Aircraft for three years and spent 12 years at Honeywell Aerospace, holding engineering, operations, and program management positions. He has 26 years of operations, supply chain and program management experience.
Flight Options has received FAA authorization to use Apple iPads as a Class 1 electronic flight bag (EFB) device, becoming the first business jet operator to receive such approval. FAA has cleared a number of operators for use of the iPad to access charts in certain phases of flight, but the recent clearance covers a range of EFB activities. Initial clearance covers the Legacy 600 fleet, but the fractional ownership provider is working on authorization for the remaining fleet.
BILL THOMAS was named chief pilot for Jet Aviation’s aircraft management and charter division for the Americas. Thomas will direct 250 flight crew members and be responsible for helping develop operational policies and procedures, and oversee record-keeping for pilot recruiting, training and standardization. Thomas formerly was an FAA aviation safety inspector and all-weather operations program manager. He also has held positions as chief pilot, director of operations and captain for various flight operations.
Hawker Beechcraft is opening a new satellite Hawker Beechcraft Services maintenance facility at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta. This new facility will specialize in piston-engine aircraft services, including annual inspections, routine maintenance inspections, avionics checks, recertification, oil changes, and performance and upgrades such as the Bonanza Xtra package. While focused on piston aircraft, the center is equipped to service Hawker Beechcraft’s King Air, Premier and Hawker aircraft. The facilities include 12,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 2,300 sq.
BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG ROTAX 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0126; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-16959; AD 2012-04-03] – requires performing a one-time inspection of the oil system for leaks and a torque check of the oil pump attachment bolts, and if leaks are detected, performing a one-time inspection of the oil pump and engine valve train, on certain serial number (S/N) BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating engines.
BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0188; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-120-AD] – proposes to require a one-time [detailed] inspection [for cracks, corrosion, and other defects] of the rear face of the wing rear spar and the accomplishment of the associated corrective actions. This proposal was prompted by reports of cracking found in the wing rear spar. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection for cracks, corrosion, and other defects of the rear face of the wing rear spar, and repair if necessary.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and Model DHC-8-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes Docket No. FAA-2011-1230; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-16964; AD 2012-04-08] – requires modifying the mounting adapters of the power control unit (PCU). This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the DHC-8 Series 100 rudder actuator mounting bracket. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of both rudder PCU actuators, which could result in free play of the rudder control surface and loss of controllability of the airplane.
GARY DOLSKI was appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul/fixed-base operation at Seletar airport in Singapore. Dolski also will have responsibility for Jet Aviation’s Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur facilities. Dolski is a 30-year aerospace veteran, most recently serving as vice president of customer support for MD Helicopters in Mesa, Ariz. He spent nearly 20 years with Bombardier Aerospace and also has served with Bristol Aerospace.
While the comment period doesn’t close until the end of April, the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) is seeking an extension on the FAA pilots qualification proposal, saying it could have substantial costs and “downstream” effects on the industry. “This is an exceptionally complex notice, whose effects could reverberate through all levels of commercial aviation in this country,” says RACCA President Stanley Bernstein. “Its possible cost impacts are immense, with the potential to put many companies out of business.”
ExecuJet Australasia’s operation based at Sydney Airport recently was approved by the Bermuda aviation authority as a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO). ExecuJet Australasia already had secured Approved Maintenance Organization authorization from Bermuda, but says the CAMO adds range of service offerings to its clients. ExecuJet Australasia manages a Bermudan-registered aircraft based in Singapore, but expects more to follow.
Piaggio America is climbing out of its sales doldrums with a 27% increase in deliveries, and President and CEO John Bingham anticipates an even larger gain in 2012. The Italian manufacturer delivered 14 P180 Avanti II turboprops in 2011 versus 11 the previous year, and Bingham says it should up that to 18-20 aircraft in 2012.
DASSAULT Falcon 50 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2011-1166; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-16941; AD 2012-02-18] – This AD requires revising the maintenance program to include revised airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the flap tracks. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the flap tracks, which could lead to flap asymmetry and loss of control of the airplane. FAA estimates the AD will affect 250 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $21,250, or $85 per aircraft. The AD takes effect April 4.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC155B and EC155B1 helicopters with a VIP four-seat bench [Docket No. FAA-2012-0177; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-59-AD] – proposes to require, before further flight, revision of the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual to limit the VIP four-seat bench to three passenger, and then convert the bench into a three-seat configuration within the next 15 hr. time in service. The proposal contains an optional terminating action of installing shims.
Rockwell Collins is entering the piston electronic control unit (ECU) business with a new dual-channel ECU that will be on the BRP Powertrain’s new Rotax 912 iS piston engine. The Austrian engine maker celebrated the launch of the new four-cylinder, 100-hp engine at the BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) Powertrain factory in Gunskirchen, Austria.
RAYMOND BENJAMIN was appointed to a second three-year term as secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). His new term runs through July 31, 2015. Benjamin was first appointed to the position in August 2009. He has a 30-year career in civil aviation, including 13 years as executive secretary of the European Civil Aviation Conference.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has published a manual, Flight Safety and Volcanic Ash (Doc 9974), providing guidance on the handling of aircraft operations when there is forecasted volcanic ash contamination. The manual was developed by the ICAO International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) that was established following the 2010 eruptions of the Eyjafjallajökul volcano in Iceland. “The impact on air travel of the Eyjafjallajökul eruption was unprecedented,” says ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin.
James Coyne, the former congressman who has led the National Air Transportation Association for 18 years, is leaving the association at the end of this year. Coyne issued a notice to NATA members last week, saying the “board of directors and I have decided that 2012 will be my last year as president of NATA.” Coyne tells Aviation Week that he and the board decided on the departure date shortly before the announcement was issued to members.
MATTHEW SANDIDGE was appointed senior regional sales manager for international sales in Russia for Gulfstream Aerospace. Sandidge most recently had been a business development specialist for Gulfstream’s international sales activities, and before that was a sales engineer. He also has served as a munitions test engineer for the U.S. Air Force.
