HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND Model 247F propellers [Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD] – This supplemental proposed rule changes the applicability of an earlier proposal that would require removing certain propeller blades from service because of corrosion pits in the tulip area of the blades. This proposed AD is intended to prevent cracks from developing in the tulip area, which could result in separation of the blade and possible loss of airplane control. This proposal would affect 10 propellers installed on airplanes on the U.S.
CHARLENE BRETT was promoted to director of corporate sales and marketing for charter and management company FirstFlight. Brett joined FirstFlight in 2008 and has nearly 20 years of aviation experience, working in charter sales, aviation services and marketing for several charter/management companies in the New York metro area.
Business jet deliveries will not improve in 2011, and things may even get worse, predicts Honeywell’s 19th annual Business Aviation Outlook. The forecast, to be released Oct. 17 before the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention in Atlanta, projects just 675-700 new business jets will be delivered this year – down from 849 in 2009 and 1,139 in 2008 – and sees them staying under 700 next year. “2011 will be another ‘bouncing along the bottom’ type of year,” says Rob Wilson, president of business and general aviation at Honeywell Aerospace.
Bell Helicopter Textron has sold 32 units, including one sale of the new 429, to Mercy Flight of New York. The announcement was made from last week’s 2010 Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer last week reported it delivered 44 jets during the third quarter. Twenty jets went to airlines, and 24 were delivered on the executive jet side. Embraer delivered 154 jets during the first nine months of 2010.
Aircell’s Aviator 300 SwiftBroadband system has received European Aviation Safety Agency supplemental type certification for installation on Bombardier Challenger business aircraft. The STC, completed on a U.K.-based Challenger 604 owned by A J Walter Aviation, is valid for all Bombardier Challenger models, including the CL-600, CL-601, CL-604 and CL-605. Avionicare Ltd. of Essex completed the STC, which covers the Aviation 300 equipment package, including Wi-Fi service and a fuselage-mounted intermediate-gain antenna.
Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi reported a 34.4% increase in aircraft movements in the first six months of this year, compared with the same period in 2009. The airport generated 3,973 commercial traffic movements. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Airports Co. has begun a redevelopment plan for Al Bateen Airport, with Phase 1 designed to accommodate the second Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month. Operators based at Al Bateen include Al Jaber Aviation, Falcon Aviation, Prestige Jet and XO Jet.
While the actual space used at this year’s National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention in Atlanta may be the same or less than last year’s convention, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen is optimistic that all of the major exhibitors have returned to the convention floor, and key indicators are showing an industry resolved to move forward.
ENRICO EVERS was named director of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Piper Aircraft. Evers will work with Piper dealers and agents throughout those regions from his office at Lelystad Airport, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He has more than 20 years of aviation experience and has been involved in sales of a range of aircraft, including Lancair, Beechcraft and Cessna. He has served with Piper Germany and has been responsible for fleet operations involving Falcon jets.
HEIDI MCNARY was named vice president and chief technical officer for Hawker Beechcraft. McNary will manage the product development and engineering organizations. She formerly served with DeCrane Aerospace in Phoenix, where she was chief operating officer and executive vice president of sales and marketing. She also has held a number of positions with Honeywell Aerospace.
Oct. 19–21—National Business Aviation Association 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention, Atlanta, (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Oct. 22—The Wings Club’s 68th Annual Dinner-Dance Honoring Allan McArtor, Chairman Airbus Americas, with its Distinguished Achievement Award, The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Oct. 22—European Aviation Club seminar on passenger rights, Hotel Bristol Stephanie, Brussels, e-mail: [email protected]
The AOPA Foundation is hosting the inaugural “A Night for Flight” benefit on Nov. 13 aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif. Proceeds from the benefit will help fund the foundation’s general-aviation preservation and improvement initiatives. The AOPA Foundation was established to support initiatives that include preserving community airports, increasing pilot safety education, growing the pilot population and educating the public on the benefits of general aviation.
European leaders last week put off action on a proposed package of pilot certification requirements after aviation stakeholders voiced concerns about specific issues, including a measure that would not recognize third-country pilot credentials. The European Aviation Safety Agency recently forwarded the proposal to the European Commission (EC), but drew fire from general aviation groups, which fear that it would raise trade barriers (BA, Oct. 11/6). Industry representatives discussed their concerns during a hearing in Brussels Oct. 14.
Precision Aviation Group (PAG) has begun work on an expansion of its Atlanta facility, which will increase the company’s space at the site by more than 50% to 65,000 sq. ft. The expansion is the third in the past 12 years and was necessitated by the growth of PAG’s four companies – Precision Heliparts, Precision Avionics & Instruments, Precision Heliparts-Canada and Precision Accessories & Instruments-Canada, the company says.
BAE SYSTEMS Jetstream 3101 and 3201 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0942; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-049-AD] – Replace the left and right main landing gear radius rod mounting shaft assembly with an airworthy assembly, per British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA990142 (dated March 26, 1999). This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent fatigue failure of the undercarriage jack mounting shaft assembly and collapse of the main landing gear.
All eight people aboard a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP corporate jet, Mexican-registered XA-TKY, were believed to have been killed when the aircraft crashed off the coast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico on Oct. 6, according to information compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network. The aircraft departed from Minatitlan near the seaport town of Coatzacoalcos on a flight to Veracruz. It carried two crew and six passengers, reportedly employees of retailer Coppel. The aircraft was operated by Aviones Taxi AIFE. A search was dispatched on Oct.
Solairus Aviation has appointed former TAG Aviation executive Roger McMullin to its board of directors. He is a Marine Corps pilot who became one of the founding partners of Aviation Methods in 1976, the company that would later become TAG Aviation USA. He eventually became the CEO of TAG Aviation Holding in Geneva.
DORNIER 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0955; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-013-AD] – This proposal would require operators to replace certain aileron trim-tab fittings and rudder spring-tab fittings with new fittings that use a material that is more resistant to stress corrosion, per the instructions of 328 Support Services Service Bulletin SB-328-27-488 and SB-328J-27-237 (both dated Aug. 25, 2009).
Embraer has delivered a Phenom 300 to the first customer in South Africa. John McCormick, CEO of McCormick Property Development, took delivery of the Phenom 300 just a few months after the Brazilian airframer had delivered the first Phenom 100. Launched in 2005, the Phenom 300 light jet received Brazilian and FAA certification late last year and South African Civil Aviation Authority approval in July.
Used aircraft inventories have increased for a second consecutive month, but JPMorgan believes the increases are temporary and inventories will once again begin to inch back down. “The nearly 300 basis point (bps) decline in used inventories for sale in the 12 months following the July 2009 peak has lost some steam, as inventories have now increased,” writes analyst Joseph Nadol in JPMorgan’s October Business Jet Monthly. “The magnitude of the increases has been small, however, and we expect the trend of gradually declining inventories to continue.”
Bessemer Airport FBO, a fixed-base operation based in Bessemer, Ala., has joined the Avfuel network of branded dealers. The recently renovated FBO, which has come under new management, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offers crew cars, on-site rental cars, catering and other amenities. The FBO will participate in Avfuel’s AVTRIP fuel points and Contract Fuel programs.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has commissioned a research study to model the flight-training process and identify the key factors that affect student retention. The study will use surveys and focus groups of student pilots (including those who have quit training), certificated pilots, flight instructors and flight school operators to help identify why so many of the students give up on the dream. AOPA estimates that up to 70%-80% of student pilots drop out before they earn their certificate.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS-365N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2 and SA-360C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0610; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-16455; AD 2010-20-20] – Conduct repetitive borescope or visual inspections to detect cracks in the web of the planet gear carrier of the main gearbox (MGB). If any cracks are found in the planet gear carrier, replace the MGB with an airworthy one before further flight.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) were headed to a vote Oct. 16 on a new seven-year contract that would include a 10% pay reduction and higher contributions to health care, but also guarantee that two-thirds of the jobs at Hawker Beechcraft would remain in Wichita. IAM negotiators presented its members with the Hawker Beechcraft contract offer earlier last week, saying, “we believe we negotiated the very best deal we could. Although there are concessions, we made huge improvements in job security.”
