Expansion in Asia/Pacific is a priority for Piper Aircraft’s new president and CEO, Kevin Gould, who is seeking to restore the company to the “14 aircraft per day” level of activity it peaked at three decades ago. Late last year, Gould promised that Piper would increase production rates by 50 percent in 2010. But at the Singapore Air Show last week, he upped his “optimism rating” by declaring a “more than 50 percent” hike to be in the cards.
AVIATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. (AMS) has expanded its portfolio of corporate aviation consulting services to include client representation during new or used aircraft transactions. The Portsmouth, N.H. firm provides consulting services on aircraft acquisitions, fractional ownership, charter and jet/flight card programs. The latest expansion enables AMS to support clients throughout the life cycle of aircraft ownership and asset management, the company said.
Bombardier Aerospace last week blamed the ongoing global economic crisis for the net negative orders for its business aircraft during fiscal year 2009-10, which ended Jan. 31. On the business aviation side, the Canadian manufacturer delivered 176 aircraft and posted 85 net negative orders. The commercial side saw 121 deliveries with 88 net orders, while its amphibious unit delivered five aircraft with eight net orders.
DAVID VITALE joined Solairus Aviation as a charter sales account executive based in southeastern Florida. Vitale will be responsible for Solairus charter sales in the Southeast U.S. Vitale has been involved in charter sales since 1997 and joined TAG Aviation in 2003. Most recently he was director, inside sales for Wayfarer Aviation.
AVIONIK STRAUBING in Germany secured supplemental type certification for installation of the Aspen Avionics EFD 1000 primary flight display (PFD) in Cessna 172, 175, 177 and 182 series aircraft, including models produced by Cessna/Reims. The STC is one of a number under development for the PFD, Aspen officials said. Aspen has designed an expandable and upgradable PFD, multifunction display and hazard sensor system for general aviation aircraft.
WALT SIRMANS was named to the newly created position of chief operating officer for Sabreliner Corp. Sirmans is based at Sabreliner’s Perryville, Mo. facility and is responsible for Sabreliner’s four operations in Missouri and Kansas. He joins Sabreliner with 25 years of aerospace experience, most recently as vice president of aerostructures programs at GKN Aerospace in St. Louis. He also has served with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Pratt & Whitney.
BOMBARDIER has named classical music star Lang Lang as a business aircraft “brand ambassador.” Bombardier noted Lang Lang is recognized worldwide as a top performer and cultural influencer and said his “need for flexibility, comfort and timesaving makes him the consummate business traveler – perfectly suited to represent the Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft brands.”
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION is requesting that Congress set aside $4 billion in fiscal 2011 for the creation of a National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund (NIIFF). The NIIFF would be managed by a newly created Policy and Investment Board that would establish criteria and make investment recommendations to the Department of Transportation. “The NIIFF will provide grants, loans and a blend of both,” the Administration said.
Howard Levy, a well regarded aviation photographer of long standing whose aircraft images were published in magazines, books and newspapers the world over, died Jan. 29 at the age of 88. A graveside service was scheduled last week in Freehold, N.J.
BAE 146-100A, -200A and -300A; and Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A and 146-RJ100A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1250; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-169-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct repetitive high-frequency eddy current, radiographic, ultrasonic and detailed visual inspections for cracking and corrosion of the wing top skin and joint strap at Rib 0. If any damage were discovered, repairs would need to be made in accordance with the instructions of BAE Systems Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-070 (dated Oct. 15, 2007).
A Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 was destroyed and four people were killed when the aircraft crashed during an instrument approach into Lorain County Regional Airport (LPR) in Elyria, Ohio on Jan. 18. The MU-2B, N80HH, which was arriving on a Part 91 flight from Gainesville Regional Airport in Florida, had received radar vectors for the instrument landing system (ILS) Runway 07 approach to LPR at 1:35 p.m. But the aircraft missed an approach at 1:49 p.m. The pilots subsequently received another clearance to fly the ILS Runway 07 approach at 1:54 p.m.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION delivered the first four Beechcraft T-6A military trainer aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force, the company announced last week. The Iraqi Air Force initially ordered eight T-6As in August, but increased the order to 15 in September. The contract was part of a government-to-government agreement between the U.S. and Iraq. The remaining aircraft deliveries will occur in the first and fourth quarters of this year. Developed initially for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, the T-6A is now used to train pilots in about 20 different countries.
Victoria, Canada-based Viking Air has opened a new 84,000-square-foot facility to support an expansion of its operations for Series 400 Twin Otter production and ongoing customer support of de Havilland legacy aircraft.
The Experimental Aircraft Association last week called the FAA’s revisions to sport pilot and flight instructor requirements mostly favorable, saying the new rules will enable sport pilots to fly higher and safer in mountainous regions and will reduce training costs for student pilots. On Feb. 1 the agency released a rule designed to address airman certification and operational issues that have come to light since FAA implemented the light-sport regulations in 2004.
ASKED WHETHER Gulfstream had fears about its Gulfstream G650 potentially cannibalizing orders from the G550, Jay Johnson, president and chief executive of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, responded, “None whatsoever.” In a recent call with analysts, Johnson noted Gulfstream executives faced similar questions when it first rolled out the GV and whether that would harm the GIV. “The price-point delta is about the same – $15-$20 million, depending on how it’s loaded up,” Johnson said, comparing the GV/GIV lineups with the G650/G550.
The recently formed Senate General Aviation Caucus is hoping to focus on a number of pressing industry issues over the next year, including the economy, NextGen, safety, security and access to rural airports, said Julie Hasquet, spokeswoman for Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), who co-founded and is co-chairing the caucus. Begich last fall joined forces with Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) to generate support for the formation of the new caucus (BA, Oct. 5/148), and the kickoff meeting was held late last month.
MIKE KAPLAN has joined StandardAero as general counsel. He also will assume the responsibilities of chief security officer. He will be responsible for all legal functions, including insurance and risk management, contracts, health and safety and compliance programs worldwide, as well as corporate governance. Kaplan previously was a shareholder with the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, where he focused on corporate law and served as outside general counsel to public and private companies in the aerospace/defense and government services industries.
U.K.-BASED AIR PARTNER is offering a 10-hour, prepaid Winter JetCard for business jet travel. The company is positioning the new card as an introduction to private charters, with guaranteed access to a private jet anywhere in Europe or North America with 24 hours’ notice. Flight hours on the card never expire, prices are inclusive and unused hours are refundable upon request.
PILATUS PC-7 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0938 Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-052-AD; Amendment 39-16140; AD 2009-26-05] – Visually inspect the left and right main landing gear support struts to determine if they have rounded or chamfered clevis lugs, using procedures outlined in Pilatus PC-7 Service Bulletin No. 32-024, Rev. No. 1 (dated Nov. 17, 2008). If the support struts have rounded clevis lugs, no further action is required. If the struts have chamfered clevis lugs, perform a nondestructive inspection of the lugs before further flight.
EUROCOPTER AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1146; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-38-AD; Amendment 39-16184; AD 2010-03-01] – Remove the plastic blanking plug from each seat harness belt buckle. If the plug has fragmented, replace the belt buckle with an airworthy belt buckle without a plastic blanking plug before further flight, following the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 01.00.72 or 04A003 (both dated April 15, 2008), as applicable.
-- Our 33,000 sq ft. hangar will accommodate up to G550 and Global size aircraft. -- Also, available for partial or exclusive rental, our 14,000 sq ft. hangar with office and kitchen area. -- Includes fuel discount program. -- We also specialize in Part 135 and 91 aircraft management programs. Inquiries to [email protected] or at 707-603-1202
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0763; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-301-AD; Amendment 39-16170; AD 2010-01-11] – Inspect the backlash remover of the elevator booster control unit (BCU) to determine the displacement of the pivot bolt. If necessary, replace the elevator BCU with one that is modified in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 23400-27-27, Rev. 1 (dated Sept. 14, 2007). Eventually replace all unmodified elevator BCUs with modified units.
ROLLS-ROYCE acquired the remaining 49 percent share in Europea Microfusioni Aerospaziali SpA (EMA) from Finmeccanica. The acquisition increases Rolls-Royce’s stake in the Italian company to 100 percent. EMA manufactures precision advanced micro-castings for aircraft engines.
JOSEPH WHITE was named vice president, human resources for Sabreliner Corp. White will manage all aspects of company personnel relations, recruitment and training. He most recently held human resources positions with Crane Merchandising Systems in Bridgeton, Mo., and before that was vice president of human resources at Joslyn Manufacturing Co.
STRATOS JET PARTNERS, INC., of Winter Park, Fla., is now including the Wyvern Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey report as part of its charter aircraft safety audit and inspection regimen for all charter flights. By using the Wyvern standard, Stratos Jets said its charter agents can now better determine if Part 135 aircraft operators are “PASS ready” and if they are the safest choice for their clients.
