Precision Aviation Group (PAG) has begun work on an expansion of its Atlanta facility, which will increase the company’s space at the site by more than 50% to 65,000 sq. ft. The expansion is the third in the past 12 years and was necessitated by the growth of PAG’s four companies – Precision Heliparts, Precision Avionics & Instruments, Precision Heliparts-Canada and Precision Accessories & Instruments-Canada, the company says.
BAE SYSTEMS Jetstream 3101 and 3201 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0942; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-049-AD] – Replace the left and right main landing gear radius rod mounting shaft assembly with an airworthy assembly, per British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA990142 (dated March 26, 1999). This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent fatigue failure of the undercarriage jack mounting shaft assembly and collapse of the main landing gear.
All eight people aboard a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP corporate jet, Mexican-registered XA-TKY, were believed to have been killed when the aircraft crashed off the coast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico on Oct. 6, according to information compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network. The aircraft departed from Minatitlan near the seaport town of Coatzacoalcos on a flight to Veracruz. It carried two crew and six passengers, reportedly employees of retailer Coppel. The aircraft was operated by Aviones Taxi AIFE. A search was dispatched on Oct.
Solairus Aviation has appointed former TAG Aviation executive Roger McMullin to its board of directors. He is a Marine Corps pilot who became one of the founding partners of Aviation Methods in 1976, the company that would later become TAG Aviation USA. He eventually became the CEO of TAG Aviation Holding in Geneva.
DORNIER 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0955; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-013-AD] – This proposal would require operators to replace certain aileron trim-tab fittings and rudder spring-tab fittings with new fittings that use a material that is more resistant to stress corrosion, per the instructions of 328 Support Services Service Bulletin SB-328-27-488 and SB-328J-27-237 (both dated Aug. 25, 2009).
Embraer has delivered a Phenom 300 to the first customer in South Africa. John McCormick, CEO of McCormick Property Development, took delivery of the Phenom 300 just a few months after the Brazilian airframer had delivered the first Phenom 100. Launched in 2005, the Phenom 300 light jet received Brazilian and FAA certification late last year and South African Civil Aviation Authority approval in July.
Used aircraft inventories have increased for a second consecutive month, but JPMorgan believes the increases are temporary and inventories will once again begin to inch back down. “The nearly 300 basis point (bps) decline in used inventories for sale in the 12 months following the July 2009 peak has lost some steam, as inventories have now increased,” writes analyst Joseph Nadol in JPMorgan’s October Business Jet Monthly. “The magnitude of the increases has been small, however, and we expect the trend of gradually declining inventories to continue.”
Bessemer Airport FBO, a fixed-base operation based in Bessemer, Ala., has joined the Avfuel network of branded dealers. The recently renovated FBO, which has come under new management, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offers crew cars, on-site rental cars, catering and other amenities. The FBO will participate in Avfuel’s AVTRIP fuel points and Contract Fuel programs.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has commissioned a research study to model the flight-training process and identify the key factors that affect student retention. The study will use surveys and focus groups of student pilots (including those who have quit training), certificated pilots, flight instructors and flight school operators to help identify why so many of the students give up on the dream. AOPA estimates that up to 70%-80% of student pilots drop out before they earn their certificate.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS-365N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2 and SA-360C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0610; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-16455; AD 2010-20-20] – Conduct repetitive borescope or visual inspections to detect cracks in the web of the planet gear carrier of the main gearbox (MGB). If any cracks are found in the planet gear carrier, replace the MGB with an airworthy one before further flight.
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) were headed to a vote Oct. 16 on a new seven-year contract that would include a 10% pay reduction and higher contributions to health care, but also guarantee that two-thirds of the jobs at Hawker Beechcraft would remain in Wichita. IAM negotiators presented its members with the Hawker Beechcraft contract offer earlier last week, saying, “we believe we negotiated the very best deal we could. Although there are concessions, we made huge improvements in job security.”
The Transportation Security Administration continues to increase the number of gateway airports that are approved origination points for flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with the addition of Burlington International Airport (BVT) in Burlington, Vt. DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) screening began at the Heritage Aviation fixed-base operation in Burlington on Oct. 15. The addition of BVT pushes the number of gateway airports to more than 30.
Inflight connectivity provider Aircell has seen a marked increase in business aviation orders with the introduction of its Gogo Biz offerings, even during the industry’s slow recovery from the global recession. Before Aircell launched Gogo in mid-2008, an estimated 200 business and airline aircraft worldwide were equipped with a true high-speed Internet connection. “Today, after just over a year in the business aviation market, shipments and orders for Gogo Biz are already approaching 1,000 units,” says Tom Myers, the company’s director of marketing.
DAN MCKILLIPS was promoted to manager of paint and interiors at West Star Aviation’s facility in East Alton, Ill. McKillips previously was regional sales manager and technical sales manager at West Star Aviation. He has experience as an A&P mechanic, licensed private pilot, and in sales and marketing.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS332C, L, L1 and L2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0907; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-044-AD; Amendment 39-16436; AD 2010-20-02] – Replace certain hydraulic pumps with airworthy hydraulic pumps. This AD – which was prompted by improper functioning of a hydraulic pump because of the deterioration of the pump seals and loss of hydraulic fluid caused by incorrect positioning of the piston liner – is designed to prevent loss of hydraulic power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
CHERYL GALLOWAY has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul as regional engine manager, representing Pratt & Whitney Canada product services in the mid-Atlantic states. Galloway will sell repair and overhaul services for PT6A, JT15D, PW500 and PW306C engines in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. She previously has served with companies including West Star Aviation/Premier Air Center, Pentastar Aviation, SimuFlite and Falcon Jet.
Garmin has teamed with Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG) to obtain an FAA supplemental type certificate to install Garmin G500H glass cockpits in Eurocopter AS350B2, AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopter models. Under the STC, any authorized Garmin aviation dealer would be able to install a G500H in the covered helicopter models.
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will hold the first CBAA/NBAA Cross-Border Issues Conference in Montreal at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Nov. 18-19. The conference targets the Canadian and American business aviation community, including flight department personnel, aircraft owners and operators, aviation professionals, attorneys, schedulers, dispatchers and others who have an interest or are involved in cross-border operations.
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FAA is warning air carriers that fire suppressants typically found in cargo compartments are proving ineffective in suppressing lithium-metal battery (non-rechargeable) fires and are not foolproof in fires involving lithium-ion (rechargeable) fires. The agency has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommending that carriers require customers to identify shipments of lithium batteries and to implement special handling and training procedures when they are shipped.
Eurocopter Vostok received an order from UTair Aviation for 20 AS350 B3 single-engine and AS355 NP twin-engine helicopters. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2011 and run through spring of 2013. The order, the largest from Russia for Eurocopter’s lightweight helicopters, builds upon the existing relationship between UTair and the helicopter manufacturer. UTair began operating Eurocopters in 2006 and has a fleet that includes AS350B3, AS355N and BO105 helicopters.
Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) has received European Aviation Safety Agency approval for the installation of a Beechjet 400 two-place divan. AvFab had received FAA supplemental type certification of the installation in May.
International Jet Interiors of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., has installed a Flight Display Systems Select CMS cabin management system with a “Flying Theater” configuration in a Gulfstream III aircraft. The installation created a theater room in the main cabin, with a high-definition 42-in. widescreen LCD monitor, multiple Blu-ray disc players and satellite TV. The aircraft owner, a Hollywood movie producer, plans to use the entertainment system to screen films and review productions during flight.
The McGraw-Hill Companies has tapped 28-year company veteran Gregory Hamilton to take the helm of AVIATION WEEK as president. Hamilton succeeds Tom Henricks, a former astronaut who has led AVIATION WEEK since April 2006. Henricks is departing to pursue other career opportunities, the company says. As president of AVIATION WEEK, Hamilton will be in charge of a variety of Internet sites and services, conferences and publications, including Aviation Week & Space Technology, Business & Commercial Aviation and The Weekly of Business Aviation.
