EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3 and D; and Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0611; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-18-AD; Amendment 39-16487; AD 2010-22-08] – Replace all main-rotor and tail-rotor servo-controls, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.58 Rev. 1 (which applies to AS 350 series helicopters) or No. 01.00.53 Rev. 1 (which applies to AS355 series helicopters), both dated April 19, 2007.
PPG Industries’ aerospace transparencies group has introduced the Alteos Interactive Window System dimmable window shades. Alteos Interactive Window Systems enable passengers to control the amount of light coming through windows, switching from a bright, clear state to a dark state and intermediate levels.
CAV Aerospace, which recently teamed with Yingling Aviation to outfit the FedEx Express fleet of Cessna 208 Caravans with CAV’s TKS Ice Protection, has begun work on its first follow-on installation. CAV had expected the FedEx contract to lead to additional installations. The first follow-on contract came from Superior Airways, a charter based at Red Lake, Ontario, Canada. Superior flies cargo, fishermen, hunters, firefighters, First Nation individuals and others in Northwestern Canada.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0737; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-037-AD; Amendment 39-16468; AD 2010-21-08] – Conduct repetitive visual checks of the engine oil levels to prevent an undetected low-level condition. Also, conduct repetitive inspections of the oil dipsticks to detect faulty units. Replace faulty oil dipsticks or perform visual checks of the oil level at reduced intervals until the faulty units are replaced.
Jeppesen has developed a new service that will enable business aircraft operators to tap into electronic versions of charts similar to those already in use by commercial airlines. Jeppesen unveiled eChart Viewer during last month’s National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Convention, hosting a signing ceremony with the service’s first customer, Avantair.
CAE continues to expand its business aviation network with plans to install a new CAE 7000 series full-flight simulator (FFS) for the Dassault Falcon 7X at the Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) in Dubai, as well as a CAE 5000 series FFS for the Cessna Citation Sovereign at the CAE North East Training Center in Morristown, N.J. In addition, FAA recently qualified a CAE 5000 series Dassault Falcon 50EX FFS at the CAE SimuFlite center in Dallas. The Falcon 50EX FFS meets Level D standards.
CESSNA 336 and 337 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1013; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-048-AD; Amendment 39-16478; AD 2010-21-18] – Inspect the wings for internal and external damage and repair any damage found. Also, install an operational-limitation placard in the cockpit, add limitations to the flight manual supplement and report the results of the wing inspections to the FAA if damage is found.
Avro Business Jets (ABJ) used the National Business Aviation Association annual meeting last month in Atlanta to launch the third of five planned business aircraft versions of the Avro RJ. The company launched the ABJ at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in 2009. There are 27 ABJs in service or undergoing conversion that covers every version of the BAe 146 and RJ series except the 146-300.
Nov. 11—The Wings Club Luncheon Featuring James McNerney, Jr., Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company, The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Nov. 17-19—ALTA Airline Leaders Forum, Panama City, Panama, www.alta.aero/airlineleaders/2010/ Dec. 15—The Wings Club Luncheon Featuring Gary Kelly, Chairman, President & CEO of Southwest Airlines, The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Dec. 15—Future of Aviation Advisory Committee Meetings, Washington, http://www.dot.gov/faac
Kansas City-based fractional ownership operator Executive AirShare has launched EMBark 32, a new equity program designed to fill a niche between on-demand charter, charter cards and fractional ownership. Under the EMBark 32 program, customers can earn a 1/32-share interest in a 2009 Phenom 100 without committing to the standard five-year fractional aircraft ownership contract. Participants pay a deposit of $80,500 to enroll in the program and have access to one aircraft.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has approved a plan for San Antonio, Texas-based Emivest Aerospace Corp. to secure to $4 million in debtor-in-possession financing to continue operations after the manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on FAA standardization problems drew criticism from industry and congressional leaders for not taking into account the impact those problems have had on industry. Released Friday, the report, Certification and Approval Processes are Generally Viewed as Working Well, but Better Evaluative Information Needed to Improve Efficiency, finds that FAA Flight Standards does not monitor how long applicants wait for agency approvals and is unable to reallocate resources to better meet demand.
AmSafe, a pioneer of aircraft airbags, has signed an agreement with B/E Aerospace to launch the restraint systems on corporate aircraft. Under the agreement, B/E Aerospace will offer side-facing divans equipped with the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag to the business jet market.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1037; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-202-AD; Amendment 39-16481; AD 2010-22-02] – Amend the Airplane Flight Manual; deactivate the Hydraulic System No. 3 accumulator; and remove the Hydraulic System No. 2 and No. 3 accumulators. Also, conduct repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the Hydraulic System No. 1 inboard brake and outboard brake accumulators for cracks until they are replaced by new accumulators.
New approaches to lending have created an interesting financing dichotomy that could potentially affect every used business jet buyer, says general aviation analyst Brian Foley. “On the one hand, with 2009’s credit crisis now abated, banks are back in the game and ready to lend – or so they say,” he notes. “On the other hand, pre-owned aircraft brokers complain their client’s loans are often not approved. Why?”
Embraer has tapped an aerospace manufacturing veteran to run a new business jet assembly plant it plans to open early next year in Florida. The center, expected to be fully functional in 2011, will become Embraer’s first manufacturing facility in the U.S. Embraer has slowly grown its presence in the U.S. since 1979, employing 700 workers in Tennessee, Arizona, Connecticut, Minnesota and Florida. Phil Krull will become managing director of the Brazilian aircraft builder’s assembly plant.
Extra Aircraft is hoping to begin operating an assembly facility for the Extra 500 in Montrose, Colo., Extra Aircraft owner Ken Keith says. The unfavorable euro-versus-dollar exchange rate was a prime motivator in opening the U.S. facility, Keith says. All Extra aircraft were previously manufactured at the company’s facility outside Dusseldorf, Germany. The company received approval from the Montrose County Commission earlier this month to use a county-owned hangar at Montrose Regional Airport for completing the small general aviation aircraft.
Bombardier is upgrading its packages for its Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR and Learjet 60 XR, including the option of Aircell SwiftBroadband on all Learjets. The company is increasing the fuel capacity on the Learjet 40 XR to boost range by 268 nm. to a maximum of 1,991 nm. and providing an avionics upgrade to include dual angle-of-attack indicators. In addition, the 40 XR and 45 XR will have upgrades to the cabin, aircraft equipment, interior design and furnishings. These include a 12.1-in.
WILLIAM MERMELSTEIN was appointed vice president of sales and marketing for compliance and safety solutions for Aircraft Technical Publishers. Mermelstein has more than 30 years of managing general aviation operations, most recently as head of operations for Saudi Aviation Flight Academy. He also has served as vice president, flight operations and business development at Corporate Flight Management, vice president of propulsion at Adams Aircraft, manufacturing production manager at Eclipse Aviation, and sales and marketing manager at Twin Commander.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s G650 large-cabin and G250 super-midsize business jets are marking a number of firsts—from the use of Apple iPod touch cabin management capability to establishing new speed and range milestones—as the aircraft continue to progress toward certification next year.
U.S. airports are preparing to establish organized programs to manage and promote safety under pending FAA regulations that represent a departure from the fixed and precise requirements of Part 139 under which they operate.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0736; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-035-AD; Amendment 39-16469; AD 2010-21-09] – Repetitively inspect the left-hand and right-hand engine-mounted fuel heaters for wear damage and minimum clearance, per the instructions of Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin 80-0175, Rev. N. 1 (dated May 14, 2010). If any wear damage to either fuel heater or to the oil cooling system hose is detected, replace both hose assemblies before further flight.
EMBRAER EMB-500 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0754 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-039-AD; Amendment 39-16475; AD 2010-21-15] – Drill new drain holes in the elevators, elevator trim tabs and aileron surfaces, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 500-57-0001 (April 28, 2010). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the aviation authority of Brazil, is designed to prevent water accumulation inside of flight control surfaces.
DAVE MONACELL has joined the sales team of Exclusive Aviation, the aircraft sales division of Fargo Jet Center. Monacell will lead turboprop and jet aircraft sales, acquisitions and brokerage for Exclusive Aviation. He has more than 18 years of industry experience and has been involved in aircraft sales for more than 12 years.
Oct. 25-28—FAA Fire Safety Branch’s Sixth Triennial International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference, Tropicana Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, N.J., www.fire.tc.faa.gov Oct. 26-27—American Bar Association Forum on Air and Space Law, (312) 988-5660, Seattle Oct. 27-28—Precision Strike Technology Symposium, John Hopkins University, Laurel, Md., (703) 247-2590, fax (703) 524-5094, www.precisionstrike.org
