Cessna Aircraft handed over its 2,000th Caravan single-turboprop aircraft last week to Air St. Kitts-Nevis. The carrier, which operates out of multiple locations in the Caribbean, will fly the Caravan for its DHL courier operations. Air St. Kitts-Nevis is expecting to take another Caravan later this year. The new Caravans will replace older models in the carrier’s fleet. The aircraft were sold through Tropical Aviation Distributors, Cessna’s authorized sales representative for the Caribbean.
STEVE LERCEL has joined West Star Aviation as California-area regional sales manager. Lercel brings 40 years of corporate aviation experience to his new position, formerly serving as western regional manager for Midcoast Aviation and regional manager for Premier Turbines. Most recently, he was project manager for Jet Asia’s Challenger and Global Express, Siebel Systems’ BBJ and the Republic of Uganda’s Gulfstream G550.
AMY TRIVETTE was named director, marketing and sales, meetings for the American Association of Airport Executives. Trivette will lead marketing and sales efforts to promote AAAE’s meetings, annual conference and webinars. She formerly was director of business development at the Brain Injury Association of America, where she formed partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and managed marketing and communications activities for the organization. Trivette also served as director of marketing and communications at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association.
Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo now offers base and line maintenance for Challenger 300 and Gulfstream G200 aircraft. In addition, the company recently received maintenance approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands. Established in November 2007, Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo has expanded its offerings since 2009 to include 24/7 line maintenance and AOG support at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, as well as at Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and other Russian airports.
Hartzell’s newest propeller is a three-blade model designed for use on Cessna 180, 185 and early-model 210 and 205 aircraft. The new 82-in.-dia. conversion features “blended airfoil” technology and scimitar blades, which results in improved ground clearance and takeoff and climb performance. The robust design also has a longer time between overhaul (2,400 hr./6 years), and the swept tips result in a significant noise reduction. The basic kit is being offered at an introductory retail price of $9,400, with a three-year/1,000-hr. warranty.
Sikorsky’s X2 Technology helicopter demonstrator last week achieved a key design goal when it reached 250 kt. true airspeed in level flight. Sikorsky calls the speed, accomplished during a 1.1-hr. flight, an unofficial speed record for a helicopter. The demonstrator also reached 260 kt. in a shallow dive during the flight. “Our primary key performance parameter has been met,” says Jim Kagdis, program manager for Sikorsky advanced programs. “The 250-kt.
Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services GmbH (LBAS) has partnered with Baltic Business Aviation Center/FBO Riga Ltd. to open a line maintenance station in Riga, Latvia. The center underwent a two-day audit by the German Airworthiness Authority and is approved for service. The facility offers support for a range of corporate aircraft, including Bombardier Challenger, Learjet and Global business jets. LBAS is providing the manpower, tools and material support, while FBO Riga is providing hangar space next to its fixed-base operation at Riga International Airport.
Flexjet will offer inflight Aircell Wi-Fi as a standard feature on its fractional aircraft at no additional charge to owners. The Gogo Biz wireless Internet service will enable passengers to use smartphones and laptops to access the Web, thus enhancing their inflight productivity. Installation of the system will begin on the 25 Challenger 300 and seven Challenger 604/605 jets in the current Flexjet fleet. Subsequently, all new Flexjet aircraft will be outfitted with the broadband equipment.
The National Transportation Safety Board is questioning the professionalism of a controller and his manager, saying a “non-pertinent” call by the controller played a central role in the Aug. 8, 2009, midair collision of a small plane and a sightseeing helicopter over the Hudson River near Hoboken, N.J.
Four BAE System Avro RJ85s have been placed with South African regional carrier Airlink, which also has extended the leases on two of the Jetstream 41 turboprops it operates. Johannesburg-based Airlink, which currently operates four RJ85s and four BAE 146-200s, plans to use the newly acquired RJ85s to replace its BAE 146s, with deliveries to take place between now and January. Airlink’s lease extension of the two Jetstream 41s means that the carrier will continue to fly a total of 14 of the twin turboprops.
The U.S. aerospace industry’s chief lobby group is calling for greater government funding and increased industry involvement in the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in a white paper released Sept. 16.
Bell 407 direct operating costs have been lowered as a result of the manufacturer removing 14 life-limited parts from the rotorcraft’s maintenance manual. The removal of these items, plus an adjustment to the on-condition section, will result in a reduction of more than 12% per flight hour to the published direct maintenance cost estimate, according to Bell. Danny Maldonado, senior vice president and chief service officer, says, “We recognize the importance of direct maintenance costs to ensuring a profitable mission for our customers.
Business aircraft activity in August continues the recent trend with a modest increase over the previous month, according to the latest Argus TRAQPak report. August business aircraft activity was up 1.3% over July, and for the first time in months, the Part 91 sector had the strongest results with a 3.2% increase over the previous month. Mid-size cabin and large-cabin jets were up over July at 3.4% and 3.1%, respectively, while the fractional market for August generally broke even with July, posting a modest increase of 2.8% in the mid-size-cabin jet segment.
SIKORSKY S-76A, B and C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0609; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-24-AD; Amendment 39-16408 AD 2010-17-16] – Conduct recurring inspections of the tail-rotor vertical stabilizer aft-spar assembly for cracks, loose fasteners and corrosion. If any such discrepancies are found, inspect the vertical stabilizer forward-spar assembly, repairing or replacing any unairworthy parts before further flight. In addition, track and balance the tail rotor.
AgustaWestland has delivered the first of four AW119Ke single-engine helicopters to the Finnish Border Guard. The helicopters will be used to perform various tasks, including border patrol, special operations and firefighting.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0825; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-072-AD; Amendment 39-16410; AD 2010-16-51] – Using a feeler gauge attached to a rigid rod, inspect for a gap between the main gearbox oil-cooling fan assembly rotor blade and the upper section of the guide vane bearing housing. If the feeler gauge cannot be inserted between the blade and the housing, replace the two fan-rotor shaft bearings with two airworthy bearings. This AD was prompted by the separation of a fan-rotor blade, which punctured the transmission deck.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0432; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-001-AD; Amendment 39-16430; AD 2010-19-02] – Conduct a one-time inspection of each of the fuel system’s six flapper valves, removing the valve spring, if installed, and applying an identification mark to signify that each valve has been inspected, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-28-54 (dated April 22, 2009).
The National Business Aviation Association is planning an event during its 2010 annual Meeting & Convention to honor the business aviation community’s response to the earthquake that ravaged Haiti earlier this year. “As the world began to understand the magnitude of the tragedy, our industry mobilized,” says NBAA President Ed Bolen. “Almost immediately, airplanes and aviation expertise were volunteered, supplies were donated, ramp and hangar space was made available, fuel discounts were offered, and charts were provided.
MIKE HAENGGI was appointed director of product marketing for Hawker Beechcraft. Haenggi will be responsible for overall product positioning, messaging and other marketing efforts. He formerly was vice president of marketing for Pilatus Business Aircraft. Before that, he was manager for marketing programs and a marketing research analyst for Pilatus.
Sept. 15—The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Alan Mulally, President & CEO, Ford Motor Company, The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, e-mail: [email protected] Sept. 15—European Aviation Club Luncheon, Hotel Bristol Stephanie, Brussels, e-mail: [email protected] Sept. 20-22—Speednews’ 11th Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Hotel Palladia, Toulouse, France, www.speednews.com
Eclipse Aerospace is confident it has the funding and resources in place to resume production of the Eclipse EA-500 very light jet (VLJ), but company co-founder Mason Holland says the slow economy remains the final obstacle. Holland tells BA that his company receives requests every day about when the company will renew production of the VLJ that many believed would reshape the landscape of air taxi service.
NetJets Europe expects to exceed its target for cost reductions in 2010, helping the business to deliver what is expected to be a full-year operating profit for the year. But difficult times are still ahead, and management believes the gradual market rebound, initially expected to start in 2011/2012, may be weaker than first thought or delayed around a year. A clear picture has yet to emerge, though.
