Hawker Beechcraft has unveiled Bonanza XTRA, a new program that offers the company’s most popular upgrades in a bundled package directly from Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution. The company will offer turnkey aircraft installation of the packages through its factory-owned service network. The primary XTRA bundle includes Garmin G500 avionics, D’Shannon tip tanks and gross weight increase, Aviation Design new interior and a new paint scheme. Other options include a performance package, avionics package and interior package.
While the U.S. Congress has approved the 16th short-term extension of the FAA’s operating authority, which expired three years ago, companies wanting to be designated as foreign repair stations must continue to wait.
SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0948; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-041-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to remove the pulley drive assembly, torque limiter, compressor drive belt and alternator/compressor support in order to inspect the pulley drive surfaces and the alternator/compressor support welds for cracks. If any cracks were detected, the pulley drive assembly would need to be replaced before further flight, per the instructions of Socata Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 70-176, Amendment 1 (dated February 2010).
The home airport for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association – Maryland’s Frederick Municipal (FDK) – will receive a new $4.8 million air traffic control tower. The tower is being funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). FDK currently handles 130,000 annual operations (which are expected to increase to 165,000 by 2025) serves as a reliever airport and is the second-busiest airport in Maryland in takeoffs and landings after BWI/Thurgood Marshall.
Former Air Line Pilots Association President Duane Woerth was confirmed last week as U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Woerth was nominated to the post in July and received U.S. Senate approval Sept. 30 (BA, July 12/7).
BOMBARDIER CL-604 and CL-605 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0439; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-029-AD; Amendment 39-16437; AD 2010-20-03] – Replace certain balance washer screws installed in the air-driven generators (ADGs) with new screws. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by five reported cases of balance washer screw failures because of metallographic nonconformity on similar aircraft types. Failure of a balance washer screw can result in loss of the related balance washer, causing turbine imbalance.
FlightSafety International plans to offer Beechcraft King Air 350 training in Australia. The company expects to install a King Air full-flight simulator at the Ansett Aviation Training facility in Melbourne, Australia by the end of 2011. The move expands FlightSafety’s partnership with Ansett and comes as the number of King Air owners and operators continues to grow in the region.
StandardAero reopened its engine shop at its Springfield, Ill., service center last week. Company officials and customers were on hand for an event and reception to celebrate the opening. The 265,000-sq.-ft. facility services TFE731-powered aircraft. “Customer feedback indicated there was a strong desire in re-establishing an engine shop in Springfield to support their need for ‘one-stop-shop’ capabilities,” says Scott Taylor, senior vice president, Business aviation. Initially, the shop will provide major periodic inspections for TFE731 engines.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-28077; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-20-AD; Amendment 39-16445; AD 2009-09-03R1] – Perform repetitive borescope inspections of the high-pressure (HP) turbine, per the instructions of Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 72 2825, Version B (dated Sept. 21, 2009). If the rearward displacement of the blades is less than 0.2 mm., replace the HP turbine modules with rearward turbine blades whose displacement is greater than 0.5 mm.
Saltspring Air is working with Viking Air to install emergency exit pop-out windows in its fleet of de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. Saltspring is the first Canadian airline to install the modification, which provides an alternate exit to the main cabin doors in case of an emergency. “With float planes making 130,000 flights a year in British Columbia, safety has always been paramount for the operators and this new modification is one that I believe makes a lot of sense,” says St. Clair McColl, president of Saltspring Air.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) last week signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Global Safety Information Exchange (GSIE). Also signing the MOU on Sept. 28 were the International Air Transport Association, the U.S. Transportation Department and the European Commission. A steering group will be formed and have representatives from each of the four organizations. ICAO will act as the coordinator of the information exchange.
AUSTIN SHONTZ was named vice president of final phase operations for Gulfstream Aerospace. Shontz is responsible for final phase operations in Savannah, Ga., for Gulfstream’s large-cabin aircraft, as well as final phase engineering, research and development and interior design. He also shares responsibility for final phase material in Savannah and engineering at Gulfstream facilities in Appleton, Wis.; Long Beach, Calif.; and Dallas.
DAVE BARKER was named manager of Innotech Aviation’s central U.S. sales division. Based in Dallas, Barker will be responsible for sales of Innotech’s technical services in the central region. Barker has 14 years of aviation experience. He formerly was a sales support analyst and sales director for Bombardier Flexjet, a sales director for Honda Aircraft and a sales director for Aerospace Concepts.
Constant Aviation’s Cleveland-based maintenance facility has delivered the first retail Pro Line 21-upgraded Beechjet 400XP. Constant Aviation has worked with Nextant Aerospace on the Beechjet upgrade program. This was the third 400XP completion done by Constant.
GREG COLLETT was promoted to vice president of initial phase operations for Gulfstream Aerospace. Collett is responsible for Gulfstream’s initial phase manufacturing operations of large-cabin aircraft, including the G650, G550 and G450. He also will be responsible for advanced programs, advanced manufacturing technology and operations at the Mexicali facility, where wiring harnesses, sheet-metal components, subassemblies and machine parts are produced. He previously was director of new product development and manufacturing operations for the G650.
The National Air Transportation Association’s Safety 1st program has released its Newark Airport Flight Crew Briefing. Developed with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the customized online training tool provides safety information about the airport, including its location, layout, operations, regulations, and safety and security procedures. The tool was developed for pilots who operate at the airport, presenting views of runway incursion hot spots, scenarios representing common pilot errors, security procedures and other critical safety information.
Actor and general aviation advocate Harrison Ford was selected as the recipient of the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, widely considered one of aviation’s top honors. Ford joins Women In Aviation, International (WAI) founder and President Peggy Chabrian and charity flight organization AERObridge in receiving National Aeronautic Association (NAA) recognition.
ExecuJet Asia Pacific has split its operations into two separate regions – ExecuJet Asia and ExecuJet Australia. ExecuJet Asia will focus on developing maintenance, aircraft management, charter and fixed-base operations opportunities in the region. ExecuJet Australia’s maintenance facility holds a government CASA certificate of approval and a FAA 145 certificate, which enables the company to work on a wide selection of business jets, turboprops and light aircraft.
Sao Paulo-based charter operator Colt Aviation has achieved ARGUS’s Platinum Rating and IS-BAO Stage 1 registration utilizing ARGUS’ combination audit program. “Colt Aviation is focused on becoming a leader of air charter excellence,” said Alexandre Eckmann, Colt Aviation director of commercial aviation. “We are very proud to be the first Brazilian operator to achieve the elite status of the ARGUS Platinum Rating along with IS-BAO Stage 1 registration.
A Piper PA-31-350 was substantially damaged Sept. 19 following an emergency landing at Bimini Airport on South Bimini Island, Bahamas. Operated under Part 135 by Pioneer Air Services, the aircraft, N84859, was on initial climb from Bimini Airport at about 2:40 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time when the lower half of the main cabin door came open, the National Transportation Safety Board reports. The pilot returned to the airport, landing on Runway 27.
Goodrich Corporation has significantly increased its interiors business with its $280 million acquisition of the Cabin Management assets of DeCrane Holdings. Goodrich completed the purchase of the DeCrane Cabin Management business Sept. 22, acquiring one of the leading providers of seating, furniture, veneers and cabin management systems for the business jet market. The business employs about 850 workers at six facilities throughout the U.S. and supplies nearly all of the major business jet manufacturers.
CESSNA Model 750 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0380; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-009-AD; Amendment 39-16444; AD 2010-20-10] – Inspect for cracks in the bracket of the inboard horizontal stabilizer, and measure the lug thickness of the horizontal stabilizer hinges on certain airplanes, taking corrective actions if necessary. Also, modify the left and right elevators and left and right horizontal stabilizers. Eventually replace the existing elevator assemblies with new elevator assemblies, which terminates the inspection requirements.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is seeking a compromise to FAA’s proposed ban on Residential-Through-The-Fence (RTTF) airport agreements at federally funded airports, saying it is an issue of public airport access. But the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) backs the proposed policy for new agreements, saying the benefits of such accords “are far outweighed by the risk posed to the long-term usability of airports.”
CitationAir by Cessna has formed alliances with three companies to offer more services to customers. Under the deal, CitationAir customers can take advantage of special programs with Barton & Gray Mariners Club, Brioni USA and Lake Austin Spa Resort. With Barton & Gray, CitationAir customers will receive a 50% discount on the initiation fee for an annual membership. CitationAir customers can receive a gift certificate toward a custom-made Italian suit redeemable at several select Brioni USA locations.
