Part 91 operations declined in July, but increases in fractional and charter activity operators led to a 0.6% increase in business aircraft flights overall when compared with June, according to the latest Argus TRAQPak report. Fractional aircraft operations posted the strongest increase, up 10.8%. Part 135 charter showed modest growth of 2.5%, while Part 91 operations fell 3.2%, Argus reports. The decline crossed all categories of aircraft. However, the fractional turboprop and small-cabin jet sectors had double-digit increases over June at 15.2% and 12.6%, respectively.
SCOTT FOWLER has joined The Hiller Group as northwest territory sales manager. In addition to his sales duties, Fowler will help with brand and marketing initiatives for the general aviation fuel supplier. Fowler previously was chief marketing officer for Air Routing International, and before that, marketing manager for Air BP.
RANDY BROWN was promoted to vice president and general manager of Gulfstream Aerospace’s Mexicali site, where the company makes wiring harnesses, sheet metal components, subassemblies and machined parts. Brown had served as senior manager of production operations in Savannah, Ga., since December 2006, responsible for the major assembly business unit and the structural build of the G450 and G550 business jet production lines. Before joining Gulfstream, he held positions with Plug Power and General Electric Power Systems.
The first Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS) Phenom 300 full flight simulator has achieved qualification from the Brazilian Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil, U.S. FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency. The simulator is based at CAE’s SimuFlite Training Center in Dallas. The simulator is the third ECTS trainer for Phenom customers. Two Phenom 100 simulators were certified in 2009, one in Dallas and the other at CAE’s Burgess Hill facility in the U.K. ECTS is a joint venture between Embraer and CAE.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted Swiss company Ruag Aviation a type certificate for the Do 228NG, the company says. The milestone should clear the way for the first customer delivery to an undisclosed Japanese client next month. Japanese aviation safety authorities are not directly accepting the EASA approval, but are already in the process of validating the European agency’s work.
A recently formed aviation caucus in New York state has grown to include 56 members, about a quarter of the state legislature, says Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-126th District). The New York Legislative Aviation Caucus was established this spring with the help of the New York Aviation Management Association.
Gulfstream Aerospace has received type certificate validation from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand for the Gulfstream G550 and G500, clearing operators to register those business jets in that country. The New Zealand authority in 2003 had granted similar approvals for the GIV, GIV-SP, G400 and G300.
AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES L 23 Super Blanik gliders [Docket No. FAA-2010-0457; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-019-AD; Amendment 39-1637; AD 2010-15-05] – Conduct repetitive inspections of the elevator inner hinges, per the instructions of Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin L23/052a (dated March 2, 2010). If any hinge is cracked or damaged, replace it before further flight. This AD, which supersedes an existing directive (AD 2010-08-01), is designed to prevent loss of elevator control. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 103 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
Gulfstream Aerospace donated $50,000 to the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) in support of the charity’s mission to arrange free flights for treatment of cancer patients using empty seats in business aircraft. Gulfstream Aerospace and its parent company, General Dynamics, have donated space on corporate flights for more than 25 years. In addition, Gulfstream President Joe Lombardo serves on CAN’s board of directors.
AGUSTA A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0806; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-071-AD; Amendment 39-16397; AD 2010-15-51] – Remove the cover of each pilot and co-pilot control box assembly and inspect each rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) control gear locking pin for proper position, per the instructions of Agusta Alert Bulletin No. 119-39 (dated July 2, 2010). If a locking pin is recessed, extended or missing, replace the control box before further flight.
Cessna Aircraft last week issued layoff notices to 75 workers on the Citation Mustang line, the company says. The affected employees were given 60-day notices, and the layoffs take effect in late October. Cessna employs 730 workers at its facility in Independence, Kan., where the Mustang is produced.
FAA has conducted another round of tests on an alternative fuel to leaded avgas, a new fuel which the developers said last week is not only cleaner, but delivers more energy. The fuel, produced by Swift Enterprises Ltd., is made of pure hydrocarbons and can be derived from biomass, natural gas or even oil, according to Swift co-founder Mary-Louise Rusek, and is thus both renewable and sustainable. She says the FAA testing in a Lycoming IO-540 and other piston engines had demonstrated the fuel has an octane equivalent of 102.
ROTAX 912 A engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0329 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-016-AD; Amendment 39-16400; AD 2010-17-08] – Replace certain fuel pumps with an FAA-approved fuel pump, per the instructions of Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-912-053 (dated April 13, 2007). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent high fuel pressure that could cause engine malfunction or massive fuel leakage and subsequent loss of control or a fire.
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) to advance expertise and knowledge in the aviation industry. The memorandum of understanding will enable GCAS to expand its training network to include the Middle East business aviation community. Under the MOU, MEBAA and GCAS will establish a joint training committee that would evaluate the training needs of MEBAA’s members and partners and offer educational programs.
Jet Support Services (JSSI) has signed an agreement with Executive AirShare covering the P&WC PW535E engines on two Embraer Phenom 300s under its premium hourly cost engine maintenance program. The program includes coverage of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events, life-limited components, the consultation and support of a JSSI technical advisor, future airworthiness directives, mandatory and recommended service bulletins and rental engines.
West Star Aviation has completed its first installation of an Aviation Partners F2000 series blended winglet on the Dassault Falcon 2000EX. The winglet is designed to improve performance and provide fuel savings. In addition to the installation, West Star also provided a number of other upgrades, including interior refurbishment, exterior paint and a communications installation with Aircell Axxess and High Speed Internet and a Tempus IC telemedicine system.
GlobalAir.com has added an aircraft comparison function to its Aircraft Exchange after customers requested the ability to review details of specific aircraft side by side. The new tool breaks down major factors, such as avionics, engines and maintenance, which are important to the aircraft’s performance and value, says Jeff Carrithers, president of GlobalAir.com.
Constant Aviation has secured a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of an Aircell High Speed Internet and Wi-Fi system in a Gulfstream IV. Constant installed the system in late spring and recently achieved the FAA approval. The Cleveland-based aviation services provider is also in the process of completing an STC to install Aircell’s High Speed Internet system including Wi-Fi in the Embraer Legacy, Citation X, Beechjet and Phenom 300.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0782; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-053-AD; Amendment 39-16396; AD 2010-11-51] – Visually inspect the tail gearbox (TGB) control lever for cracks, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 05.00.62 (for AS350 helicopters) or 05.00.57 (for AS355 helicopters), both dated April 23, 2010. If any cracks are found, replace the cracked lever with an airworthy one.
Cincinnati-based aircraft management company Delta AirElite has continued to expand with the addition of nine aircraft—ranging from light jets to super-midsize aircraft—to its fleet.
Citing a slower economic recovery in the small and mid-cabin business jet market, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch is scaling back its estimates for Cessna deliveries this year. “Our previous assumptions were more optimistic for a recovery in small- and mid-deliveries at Cessna versus its competitors,” says the analyst. “Our new forecasts put the recovery more in line with Textron’s competitors.” Bank of America/Merrill Lynch predicts 32 Citation deliveries in the third quarter and 39 in the fourth quarter for 104 deliveries in Fiscal 2010—excluding the Mustang.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW305A and PW305B engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0829; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-23-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to update the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the Engine Maintenance Manual to incorporate revised in-service limits for certain impellers. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, is intended to prevent failure of the impeller, which could result in an uncontained event and possible damage to the airplane.
Conklin & de Decker has released the latest version of its report, “Life Cycle Cost 2010 Volume II.” The report provides extensive ownership and operating cost data for more than 375 jets, turboprops, helicopters and piston aircraft.
B/E AEROSPACE protective breathing equipment (part number 119003-11) installed on various transport airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0797; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-141-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace, before further flight, certain B/E Aerospace protective breathing equipment (PBE) units installed on various aircraft, including ATR, Bombardier, Embraer, Fokker and Hawker Beechcraft airplanes.
