Although it would be a year later than originally expected, executive control of the Experimental Aircraft Association may soon change hands. The EAA board has selected a person to succeed Tom Poberezny as president, sources say. Poberezny will continue to hold the position of chairman of the board, however. If the change does occur — next week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., being a timely forum for such an announcement — it will mark the first time the organization’s daily affairs are overseen by someone other than a Poberezny.
AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES Model L-13 Blanik gliders [Docket No. FAA-2010-0684; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-16360; AD 2010-14-15] – Aerobatics maneuvers are prohibited and operators must, before further flight, inspect the main spar at the wing root to detect fatigue cracking, per the instructions of Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin L13/109a (dated June 18, 2010). If any cracks are found, no further flights are permitted, and operators should submit inspection results to the manufacturer within 10 days.
Ohio last week joined a growing number of states that have formally recognized the importance of the aviation industry through proclamation. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) proclaimed July 16 “Aviation Industry Awareness Day,” saying, “Aviation is a crucial part of our state and country’s infrastructure, and we need to continue to support and encourage the growth of this vital industry.” The proclamation comes as part of a concerted effort by general aviation and other industry letters to educate the public about the role aviation plays in the economy.
Jet Aviation Hong Kong has received approval from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to provide base maintenance on aircraft registered in China and Macau. The approval follows similar clearance from the Hong Kong CAD. In addition, the Hong Kong facility has received approvals from the Bermuda aviation authority to work on Gulfstream, Bombardier and Boeing BBJ aircraft up to a C check, as well as from the Isle of Man’s aviation authority to provide maintenance on G550 aircraft aviation.
MCCAULEY Model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers [Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD; Amendment 39-16365; AD 2010-14-20] – Conduct a one-time fluorescent-penetrant inspection and eddy-current inspection of the propeller hub for cracks. Remove from service any cracked hubs or other cracked propeller parts. This AD, which resulted from reports of 10 hubs found cracked during propeller overhaul, was issued to prevent failure of the propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the airplane and loss of control of the aircraft.
Dassault’s newest Falcon, the 900LX, was awarded type certification from both the European Aviation Safety Agency and FAA, the French plane-maker announced Friday. Certification comes a little more than two years after Dassault unveiled the program during the May 2008 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. The aircraft is based on the 900EX, but is equipped with Aviation Partners winglets and has a 4,750-nm range. Dassault’s “EASy” flight deck also is standard on the LX.
July 19-25 — Farnborough International Airshow, Farnborough, England, +44(0) 1252 532800, www.farnborough.com July 26-Aug. 1 — Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh 2010, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 426-4800 Aug. 10-13 — Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International & Flight International: Unmanned Systems North America 2009, Washington, D.C., (703) 845-9671, www.auvsi.org/events Aug. 17-18 — NATA Commercial Operators Tax Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, www.nata.aero/Event.aspx?page=1354§ionid=553
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400, -401 and -402 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0382; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-211-AD; Amendment 39-16361; AD 2010-14-16] – Modify the power transfer unit (PTU) control logic in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-29-22, Rev. A (dated Feb. 24, 2009). Until the PTU logic is modified, insert a temporary revision into the “Limitations” section of the Aircraft Flight Manual to include procedures for pulling the “HYD PWR XFER” circuit breaker in the event of the loss of all hydraulic fluid in the No. 1 or No.
Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems has unveiled a new Facebook page for its De-icing division as a way to communicate directly with its expanding customer base. “As our business continues to grow, our customer base is expanding, and an increasing number of customers are looking for information online,” says spokeswoman Angela Neumann.
Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), the co-chair of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, expressed concern that a mandate to phase out aviation gasoline could harm communities in Alaska and drive out use of piston aircraft. In comments to an Environmental Protection Agency advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on a potential phaseout of avgas, Begich says, “The premature regulation of leaded avgas will have a substantially negative impact on transportation, health and safety in Alaska.”
Aviatrax S.A., a Luxembourg-based business and commercial aviation consultancy, has applied for continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) recognitions and hopes to begin offering CAMO services in September. The application was made with the Directorate of Civil Aviation in Luxembourg.
A pilot and seven passengers were killed July 7 when a Piper PA31-T, Mexican registration XB-NBV, crashed into terrain “under unknown circumstances” near Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, the National Transportation Safety Board reports. Reports on the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network say the passengers included the mayor of Piedras Negras and the secretary of public works for the State of Coahuila. The aircraft, owned and operated by RaJet Aeroservicios, apparently was on a survey flight to look over the recent flood damage from Hurricane Alex.
FAA’s proposal to mandate use of a specific helicopter route near Long Island, N.Y., because of complaints from some residents about noise could have broader implications for the commercial aviation industry, the FAA’s former chief operating officer says. “The precedent-setting aspect of this rule is the most troubling of all,” says Russ Chew, who served as the FAA’s COO from 2003 to 2007 and was hired as a consultant for a helicopter group on the issue. “The basis on which [FAA] claims to have this authority can be applied to anyone.”
Embraer has established its first wholly owned subsidiary in China to provide logistics and spare parts sales, as well as technical and flight operations consulting services. The Brazilian manufacturer plans to invest $18 million in the new Beijing-based business, Embraer China Aircraft Technical Services Company (ECA). Embraer says ECA builds on the company’s 10-year presence in China and reflects its growing base there.
Used sales of medium- and long-range business jets are showing improvement, according to new six-month used aircraft sales results compiled by AircraftPost.com. Currently, 8.8% of the available fleet is on the market, compared with 12% in 2009, says the report. “Selling prices dropped 12% on average from 2009, compared to the 50% decline from 2008,” it says. “The number of transactions is running on par, and in some cases showing an increase, compared to the first six months of 2008 and 2009.”
LEARJET Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0676; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-095-AD] – This proposed AD would require replacing aluminum fire-extinguisher discharge tubes with new, improved tubes; replacing certain fire-extinguisher containers; inspecting the pressure indicator on certain fire-extinguisher containers for discrepancies; and performing corrective actions as necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of accidental discharge of a fire extinguisher container and damage to an aluminum discharge tube.
Bombardier has received a contract valued at $213 million from AVWest of Australia for four Global Express XRS jets. Two of the four will be equipped with Bombardier’s new Global Vision flight deck. Based at Perth Airport in Western Australia, AVWest provides charter, ground handling and full fixed-base operation services. The company currently operates a range of aircraft, including a Challenger 604 and Global Express XRS jet
The National Business Aviation Association announced that legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who serves as a voice for the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, will receive the 2010 NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. Chuck McKinnon, a business pilot and aviation legend, will receive the 2010 NBAA John P. “Jack” Doswell Award.
ExecuJet Dubai has been awarded Embraer Legacy maintenance approval from the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency. The approval enables ExecuJet engineers to carry out line and base maintenance on Embraer Legacy aircraft. The company currently operates a 5,600-sq.-meter maintenance and fixed-base operation at Dubai International Airport, where it also offers aircraft management and charter services.
ARROW FALCON EXPORTERS (previously Utah State University) HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters; and SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AVIATION UH-1B (SW204 and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0564; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-13-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators of certain military-surplus helicopters to create a component history card or equivalent record for each main-rotor grip, determining and recording the total hours time-in-service for each grip.
Pilatus Aircraft handed over the first of six PC-12 NG multi-purpose liaison aircraft to the Finnish Air Force under a €22.5 million contract signed in April 2009. Pilatus provided initial type conversion training for Finnish Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel at its factory in Stans, Switzerland, during the second quarter. Pilatus expects to deliver the remaining aircraft by August. The Finnish contract marked the first PC-12 fleet sale to a European air force.
