Haverfield Aviation has achieved International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) registration. The registration recognizes the company’s adherence to industry best safety practices, hazard analysis, risk assessments and international regulations and guidance. Based in Gettysburg, Pa., Haverfield Aviation provides aerial power line inspection and maintenance services internationally.
AgustaWestland has received a contract from the government of Panama for six AW139 medium-twin-engine helicopters. The contract also includes training. The government will use four of the AW139s for a range of national and public security roles. One will be used for utility missions, and the last AW139 will transport senior government officials and other VIPs. Powered by twin PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, the AW139 has a maximum cruise speed of 167 kt. and a range of more than 1,000 km. or an endurance of more than 5 hr. with auxiliary fuel.
Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is entering a new era with the transition to the new president and chairman, Kurt Robinson. Robinson is the son of company founder Frank Robinson, who retired as president and chairman on Aug. 10. Robinson originally had planned to retire on his 80th birthday this past January. But he postponed the retirement until the design of the company’s new R66 Turbine was completed.
Max-Viz and One Sky Aviation have begun offering discounts for their enhanced vision system equipment to members of the Alaska Air Carriers and the Alaska Airmen’s Associations. The discounts, which start at 25% off manufacturer suggested prices, cover the Max-Viz EVS sensors and supplemental type certificated installation kits. The companies say the move is in response to a recent spike in statewide accidents.
Nigeria has achieved a Category 1 rating under FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, FAA says, adding this means that the African nation complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The IASA Category 1 rating was granted after a July FAA review of Nigeria’s civil aviation authority. With the rating, Nigerian air carriers may apply to operate to the U.S. with their own aircraft.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-0037; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-16404; AD 2010-17-12] – Inspect the stage 2 and stage 3 low-pressure (LP) turbine disks for corrosion, per the instructions of RRD Alert Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-A1524, Rev. 3 (dated March 24, 2010). If any corrosion is found, replace the affected parts.
Nextant Aerospace is nearing first flight of its 400XT aircraft with the beginning of full power ground runs of the aircraft with the Williams International FJ44-3AP engines. The Williams turbofans are replacing Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engines on the Beechjet 400 A/XP as part of Nextant’s 400XT program.
X Jet FBO has joined the Avfuel network of branded dealers. X Jet will participate in the AVTRIP and Avfuel Contract Fuel programs. Based at Denver’s Centennial Airport (APA), X Jet FBO provides a range of amenities, including concierge service for lodging, ground and air travel. The facility also is equipped with climate-controlled hangar space, garage parking and maintenance facilities, meeting space, a pilot lounge and a fuel farm.
ALFONSO MONTANO was appointed as an administrative law judge for the National Transportation Safety Board. Montano previously spent 15 years as an administrative law judge with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration. He also has served as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice. He is a private pilot.
Gulfstream’s new G650 has exceeded .99 Mach during certification flight testing, the company said last week, helping pave the way to its goal of being the world’s fastest civilian aircraft. There are four G650s involved in flight trials now, with a fifth to join the test fleet soon. One of those “exceeded point 99 Mach by a fraction” during scheduled tests last week, company spokesman Jeff Miller says. A formal press release on the milestone event is expected to be issued soon. “We are very pleased with the way the aircraft are performing,” Miller says.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions was selected to provide its 135 Pro certification service for Houston-based on-demand carrier Freedom Air Charter. The service is designed as a low-cost Part 135 certification support program, which includes tailored manuals, coaching, mentoring and training. The service includes a web-based application and document manager to enable the owner/operator to store and access all Part 135 requirements. Freedom Air Charter has operated under a single-pilot Part 135 certificate since February, but is taking steps to upgrade its certificate.
Kansas airports support more than 47,000 jobs, generate $2.3 billion in payroll and produce $10.4 billion in economic activity, according to a new report from the state Department of Transportation. The Kansas Aviation Economic Impact Study, funded by an FAA grant, looked at the impact of the state’s eight commercial and 132 general aviation airports. It focused on identifying economic benefits associated with the businesses and tenants located at the airports
India’s Mahindra Group is investing $20 million in its Australian subsidiary GippsAero Pty. Ltd. to help build the G10 Airvan, a 10-seat variant of the piston-powered GA8. The manufacturer also will spend money to launch the GA18, a new 18-seat turboprop.
Edinburgh, Scotland-based charter broker JetLogic says it managed to earn £4.5 million ($6.9 million) in its first year of operation despite the ongoing global economic recession. JetLogic credits its early success in part to its jet card that does not require an up-front deposit.
The Corporate Angel Network (CAN) reached an all-time high for flights in July, carrying 307 patients to treatment. The 307 is the largest monthly number in the nearly 30-year history of the charity that arranges flights for cancer patients aboard business jets. Corporate Angel Network has arranged for almost 35,000 flights since its founding in 1981, working with physicians, corporate flight departments and leading treatment centers. “This record reflects the increasing support of business aviation for the work that we do,” says CAN Executive Director Peter Fleiss.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Aug. 9 crash that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and four others details the difficult weather conditions encountered during the search and rescue process and possibly during the time of the accident. The aircraft, a single-turboprop de Havilland DHC-3, N455A, crashed into mountainous, tree-covered terrain about 10 mi. northeast of Aleknagik, Alaska.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW615F-A engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0245; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-15-AD; Amendment 39-16398; AD 2010-17-06] – Replace the Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) fuel filter bypass poppet valve with a larger, improved-design fuel filter bypass poppet valve, per the instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Alert Service Bulletin No. PW600-72-A63071, Rev. 1 (dated Jan. 7, 2010). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, is designed to prevent uncommanded power reduction caused by a worn poppet.
Maintenance logistics specialist Pattonair will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. center in Indianapolis on Dec. 1 to support aftermarket services for the former Allison engine lineup now owned by Rolls-Royce. The seven-year contract extends to North America the parts delivery services relationship that Pattonair already holds in support of Rolls-Royce’s commercial engines in Darby, U.K., and business and regional jets from Dahlewitz, Germany. Engines supported from Indianapolis will include the AE 2100, AE 3007, and Model 250 for business and regional jets.
A Bellanca 7GCBC crashed Aug. 16 near Douglas, Wyo., while on a Part 135 aerial wildlife spotting flight, the National Transportation Safety Board says. The pilot and the passenger were seriously injured, and the aircraft, N5034K, was substantially damaged. Owned and operated by Laird Flying Service, the aircraft departed Douglas at about 6:35 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot was maneuvering at about 300 ft. above ground level to enable the passenger, a wildlife biologist, to count the antelope in the field.
Charter broker Executive Charter Services (ECS) is offering clients carbon offsets through carbon retailer TerraPass. TerraPass supports domestic wind farms, “cow-power” projects and energy efficiency projects. ECS estimates it initially will offset about 500 hr. of private jet travel equaling an estimated 1.7 million lb. of carbon emissions.
International Association of Machinists (IAM) President Tom Buffenbarger and Cessna Chairman Jack Pelton both agree they are facing different times in their new contract negotiations.
DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0800; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-162-AD; Amendment 39-16416; AD 2010-18-03] – For airplanes that do not include Modification M724, alter certain procedures in the Airplane Flight Manual to reduce the time of exposure to further failures whenever a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode failure occurs. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, was prompted by several in-service electrical system events that caused a leakage failure mode of the TVS diodes.
TrueView Enhanced Vision Systems of Sackets Harbor, N.Y., has obtained supplemental type certificate approval for installation of its infrared enhanced vision system (EVS), TrueView Model 2061-200-320/640, on Bell 206 and 206L series helicopters. TrueView provides the TrueView EVS in a kit, including a camera module, complete wiring harness, all miscellaneous hardware, switches, circuit breakers, and LCD monitor, monitor mount and glare shield.
GARY MERRILL was named vice president of quality assurance for San Antonio, Texas-based M7 Aerospace. Merrill will oversee all aspects of the quality assurance programs in aerostructures manufacturing; maintenance, repair and overhaul; government logistics support contracting; supply chain management; aircraft parts and engineering business segments. He previously worked with US Airways, where he was managing director of quality assurance and technical programs.
