BELL 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3 and 206L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0865; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-061-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain tail-rotor disc assemblies, per the instructions of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-09-123, Rev. A or 206L-09-157, Rev. A (both dated June 10, 2009). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country, was issued following the discovery that certain tail-rotor disc assemblies do not conform to the approved configuration.
Dassault Falcon’s service center at New Castle Airport (ILG) in Wilmington, Del., has joined the Phillips 66 Aviation dealer network. The facility, which has more than 350 employees, includes a full-service fixed-base operation, 24/7 maintenance, on-site engineering and major structural repair, refurbishment, avionics and aircraft-on-ground services. The facility will participate in the Phillips 66 WingPoints Rewards program.
ALEX NOTT was appointed website manager for online private jet booking network PrivateFly.com. Nott brings more than 10 years of experience in online travel industry roles, most recently as marketing manager at Railbookers. Before that, she worked for Online Travel Company, managing a portfolio of travel websites including ferrybooker.com, onlinetravel.com and a2btravel.com.
FAA has growing concerns about the safety of aircraft and crewmembers in light of an increase in the number of laser attacks reported on aircraft in the U.S. The number of laser attacks on aircraft already has exceeded in the first eight months of this year the total number of attacks recorded in all of 2009, FAA says. It is unclear, however, whether the numbers are inflated because of improved reporting this year. As of Aug. 20, reported attacks reached 1,528, one more than were reported over 12 months last year.
EMBRAER EMB-500 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0870; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-045-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace both flow control shutoff valves, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 500-21-0001 (dated Dec. 9, 2009). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil, was issued following several incidents in which a flow control shutoff valve failed in the closed position.
EDMO Distributors has expanded its international reach with the addition of new offices in New Zealand and Brazil. EDMO Asia Pacific opened an office at Ardmore Airport in Auckland, New Zealand to serve the country and surrounding islands. Also, EDMO South America opened in Sao Paolo, Brazil. EDMO distributes avionics, test equipment, installation supplies, aircraft accessories and pilot supplies.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s G250 integration test facility (ITF) has accumulated 1,000 hr. of testing on the PlaneView250 software. Rockwell Collins is supplying the PlaneView250 flight deck, which will incorporate Pro Line Fusion avionics, for Gulfstream’s G250 super midsize business jet. The 1,000-hour-testing mark was achieved in four months, Gulfstream says. The G250 ITF is the first that Gulfstream has used for its mid-cabin products. Gulfstream first used the ITF with the large-cabin GV and developed similar facilities for the G450 and G550.
StarPortUSA, an Orlando, Fla.-based fixed-base operator and aviation services facility, has been named an approved European Aviation Safety Agency repair station for maintenance safety and training. StarPort offers heavy maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, and aircraft sales and acquisition services.
ALEXANDER SNYDER was appointed vice president, general counsel and secretary for Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC). Snyder will oversee all legal matters for HBC and its affiliated companies. He formerly spent seven years in various roles with Koch Industries, including associate general counsel for corporate and commercial matters and chief counsel for mergers and acquisitions. He also has served with the law firms Davis Polk & Wardwell and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.
Bristow Academy has received FAA approval for a Part 141 night vision goggle (NVG) training program. The program will train helicopter pilots to operate at night using helmet-mounted NVG equipment. The equipment is becoming more common in operations that include emergency medical services, airborne law enforcement and search and rescue, Bristow says. The NVG program includes an initial and refresher course.
Runway construction has contributed to the slight delay in the first flight of Nextant Aerospace’s remanufactured Beechjet 400, but company executives say the flight should take place “very soon.” The company had predicted that the initial flight of the Williams International-powered light jet would take place at Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF) near Cleveland by the end of August, but that was pushed off by construction at CGF and other factors.
As Bombardier Aerospace’s overall revenues declined in its second quarter, its service revenues are on the upswing. The group generated an additional $55 million, primarily from special-mission aircraft work and increased maintenance activities. In the first half, Bombardier’s service revenues were up $94 million. Also contributing to the increase, Bombardier says, are service activities for the fractional and hourly programs, “mainly resulting from higher flight activity.” See article on Page 2.
The U.K.’s Coventry Airport is open for business and operational again after its acquisition by Sir Peter Rigby’s Patriot Aerospace was completed. Patriot Aerospace’s goal is to make the airport a regional hub for general aviation. The facility will offer aviation services, including leisure, business and freight flights, and is looking to add commercial passenger flights in the future. Under the new management team, Coventry Airport is investigating areas for expansion. “I’m truly excited to be launching a new era in the long history of Coventry Airport.
Yingling Aviation has obtained FAA organization designation authorization (ODA) for the Cessna 162 Skycatcher light-sport aircraft, clearing the Wichita, Kan.-based aviation services firm to maintain, inspect and alter the aircraft. While Cessna plans to have multiple U.S. assembly facilities for the Skycatcher, Yingling is currently the only active site. The Skycatcher is manufactured in Shenyang, China and then shipped to the U.S. for reassembly. Yingling has reassembled eight of the aircraft.
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) recently celebrated its 100th rescue for Fiscal 2010, which ends Sept. 30. The milestone was achieved when a Wyoming Wing aircraft found an elderly couple, whose vehicle was stuck in the mud in rural Natrona County. “It turned out to be a very lucky find,” says Maj. George Twitchell, director of operations for the Wyoming Wing.
Bombardier Aerospace has received an order from Cairo, Egypt-based Smart Aviation Company for two Q400 turboprop aircraft and options on another three. Bombardier estimates the value of the firm order is $62 million, but says that could increase to $158 million if the options are exercised. Founded in May 2007 as a corporate jet charter operator, Smart Aviation is establishing a commercial airline subsidiary and plans to use the Q400 turboprops for scheduled and charter services throughout the Middle East.
BELL 427 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0866; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-065-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect both sides of the tail-rotor driveshaft hanger bracket for cracks. If no cracks were found, operators would need to rework both sides of the hanger bracket before further flight, per the instructions of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-09-29, Rev. A (dated Nov. 17, 2009). If cracks were found, operators would have to replace the bracket before further flight.
The Lindbergh Foundation has awarded the 2010 Lindbergh Grant to Stephanie Mixson, of North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, N.C., for her project, “Conserving Energy and Freshwater by Harnessing Novel Saltwater Algae as a Biofuel Source.” Mixson is researching a biofuel candidate that will meet the specification for Jet A-1 and JP-8 using microalga Dunaliella spp. “To continue to be viable, the aviation industry must solve the problem of carbon emissions,” says John King, co-chairman of King Schools, Inc., and board member of the Lindbergh Foundation. “The work Ms.
Indian scientists are developing an intelligent micro air vehicle (MAV) to frighten birds away from civil and military airports. The MAV project, part of the National Program for micro air vehicles (NP-MICAV), is taking shape under Dr. K. Ramachandra, the CEO of NP-MICAV. He is also the former director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment. The MAV will perform three roles: emit loud recorded bird-distress signals; release smoke/gas, and flash high-frequency stroboscopic light.
Bombardier executives are bracing for a continued sluggish business jet market in the second half of this year, but they are encouraged that orders continue to trend upward and believe they have the right production rates for the remainder of the year.
President Barack Obama is detailing a new approach to export controls policy that ranks U.S. exports by tiers, end-uses and end-users, and which the White House claims will “end most, if not all, jurisdictional disputes and ambiguities that have come to define our current system.” The U.S. Munitions List (USML) and the Commerce Control List (CCL) will be structured as “positive lists,” using objective criteria, such as horsepower, rather than subjective, catch-all lists designed around intent-based criteria.
Sept. 8-10—ALTA Aviation Law Americas Conference, Cancun, Mexico, www.alta.aero/aviationlaw/2010/ 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
DREW MCEWEN was named director of sales, Americas for Piper Aircraft. McEwen will lead Piper’s regional office in Vero Beach, Fla., working with dealers and agents throughout the Americas. He previously spent 28 years with Hawker Beechcraft, selling more the $1 billion in aircraft.
Sept. 1—International Aviation Club’s Luncheon Featuring Martin Chalk, European Cockpit Association, and John Prater, Air Line Pilots Association, International, The City Club of Washington, (202) 508-8997, [email protected] Sept. 1-3—U.K. Civil Aviation Authority’s Dangerous Goods Inspector Initial Training, Gatwick Airport, London, +44 (129) 357-3389, www.caainternational.com Sept. 4-6—Cleveland National Airshow featuring U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Burke Lakefront Airport, (216) 781-0747, www.clevelandairshow.com
Avtrak this week will open an office in Toluca, Mexico to support its expanding business in the Mexican and Latin American markets. Located in the new EOLO Plus, S.A. de C.V. facility at Toluca Airport, the office will support Avtrak’s customer service, operations and sales. Andrew Douglas, international sales and support manager for Avtrak, will manage the new office. Founded in 1996, Avtrak is based in Littleton, Colo., and also has offices in Wichita, Kan., and Lowell, Mass.
