DAVE BARKER was named manager of Innotech Aviation’s central U.S. sales division. Based in Dallas, Barker will be responsible for sales of Innotech’s technical services in the central region. Barker has 14 years of aviation experience. He formerly was a sales support analyst and sales director for Bombardier Flexjet, a sales director for Honda Aircraft and a sales director for Aerospace Concepts.
Constant Aviation’s Cleveland-based maintenance facility has delivered the first retail Pro Line 21-upgraded Beechjet 400XP. Constant Aviation has worked with Nextant Aerospace on the Beechjet upgrade program. This was the third 400XP completion done by Constant.
GREG COLLETT was promoted to vice president of initial phase operations for Gulfstream Aerospace. Collett is responsible for Gulfstream’s initial phase manufacturing operations of large-cabin aircraft, including the G650, G550 and G450. He also will be responsible for advanced programs, advanced manufacturing technology and operations at the Mexicali facility, where wiring harnesses, sheet-metal components, subassemblies and machine parts are produced. He previously was director of new product development and manufacturing operations for the G650.
The National Air Transportation Association’s Safety 1st program has released its Newark Airport Flight Crew Briefing. Developed with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the customized online training tool provides safety information about the airport, including its location, layout, operations, regulations, and safety and security procedures. The tool was developed for pilots who operate at the airport, presenting views of runway incursion hot spots, scenarios representing common pilot errors, security procedures and other critical safety information.
Actor and general aviation advocate Harrison Ford was selected as the recipient of the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, widely considered one of aviation’s top honors. Ford joins Women In Aviation, International (WAI) founder and President Peggy Chabrian and charity flight organization AERObridge in receiving National Aeronautic Association (NAA) recognition.
ExecuJet Asia Pacific has split its operations into two separate regions – ExecuJet Asia and ExecuJet Australia. ExecuJet Asia will focus on developing maintenance, aircraft management, charter and fixed-base operations opportunities in the region. ExecuJet Australia’s maintenance facility holds a government CASA certificate of approval and a FAA 145 certificate, which enables the company to work on a wide selection of business jets, turboprops and light aircraft.
Sao Paulo-based charter operator Colt Aviation has achieved ARGUS’s Platinum Rating and IS-BAO Stage 1 registration utilizing ARGUS’ combination audit program. “Colt Aviation is focused on becoming a leader of air charter excellence,” said Alexandre Eckmann, Colt Aviation director of commercial aviation. “We are very proud to be the first Brazilian operator to achieve the elite status of the ARGUS Platinum Rating along with IS-BAO Stage 1 registration.
A Piper PA-31-350 was substantially damaged Sept. 19 following an emergency landing at Bimini Airport on South Bimini Island, Bahamas. Operated under Part 135 by Pioneer Air Services, the aircraft, N84859, was on initial climb from Bimini Airport at about 2:40 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time when the lower half of the main cabin door came open, the National Transportation Safety Board reports. The pilot returned to the airport, landing on Runway 27.
Goodrich Corporation has significantly increased its interiors business with its $280 million acquisition of the Cabin Management assets of DeCrane Holdings. Goodrich completed the purchase of the DeCrane Cabin Management business Sept. 22, acquiring one of the leading providers of seating, furniture, veneers and cabin management systems for the business jet market. The business employs about 850 workers at six facilities throughout the U.S. and supplies nearly all of the major business jet manufacturers.
CESSNA Model 750 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0380; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-009-AD; Amendment 39-16444; AD 2010-20-10] – Inspect for cracks in the bracket of the inboard horizontal stabilizer, and measure the lug thickness of the horizontal stabilizer hinges on certain airplanes, taking corrective actions if necessary. Also, modify the left and right elevators and left and right horizontal stabilizers. Eventually replace the existing elevator assemblies with new elevator assemblies, which terminates the inspection requirements.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is seeking a compromise to FAA’s proposed ban on Residential-Through-The-Fence (RTTF) airport agreements at federally funded airports, saying it is an issue of public airport access. But the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) backs the proposed policy for new agreements, saying the benefits of such accords “are far outweighed by the risk posed to the long-term usability of airports.”
CitationAir by Cessna has formed alliances with three companies to offer more services to customers. Under the deal, CitationAir customers can take advantage of special programs with Barton & Gray Mariners Club, Brioni USA and Lake Austin Spa Resort. With Barton & Gray, CitationAir customers will receive a 50% discount on the initiation fee for an annual membership. CitationAir customers can receive a gift certificate toward a custom-made Italian suit redeemable at several select Brioni USA locations.
Netherlands-based Fokker Aerostructures handed the 500th tail section for the Gulfstream GV/G550 program to Savannah, Ga.-based Gulfstream Aerospace last week. The company builds the tail section in Papendrecht, while the composite and machining components are produced in Hoogeveen.
EMBRAER EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC and -120RT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0715; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-211-AD; Amendment 39-16432; AD 2010-19-04] – Conduct a detailed external inspection for corrosion of the auxiliary power unit (APU), its auxiliary and center mounting rods, and rod ends. If any corrosion is found, remove it, apply anticorrosive treatment to the affected components and replace the mounting rods, if necessary, before further flight, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Rev. 01 (dated June 30, 2008).
Conklin & de Decker’s 11th Aircraft Acquisition Planning Seminar is planned for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort & Suites in Scottsdale, Ariz. The event is designed for people who are involved in the acquisition and operation of business aircraft. For details, contact Christine Preston via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (602) 404-1854.
Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton anticipates that his company will not see “any significant growth” in deliveries and production rates until 2012. Noting the recent round of layoffs (BA, Sept. 27/1), he tells BA, “The recovery is not coming on the timetable we all thought. It’s getting pushed out.” See related article on Page 3.
Tooele County-Wendover Airport of Utah has joined the Avfuel network of branded fixed-base operators. Tooele County-Wendover Airport is participating in Avfuel Contract Fuel and AVTRIP rewards programs. Based at the Wendover Airbase (ENV), Tooele County-Wendover Airport draws traffic from the entire Intermountain West region. The facility includes a new passenger terminal designed to complement the existing World Was II hangars. A World War II bomber museum also is located at the airport.
GROB-WERKE G120A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0926; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-024-AD; Amendment 39-16435; AD 2010-20-01] – Before the first flight each day, inspect the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) flap ribs for cracks, per the instructions of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. ASB1121-113/1, Part A (dated May 18, 2010). If any cracks are found, repair them in accordance with the instructions of Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction No. RI-1121-017 (dated April 1, 2010), Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction No.
FAA has approved full-scale, nationwide deployment of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) satellite-based surveillance system, the agency announced Sept. 24. The OK follows the successful rollout of the system in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, Louisville and Philadelphia, the agency says. The initial sites were selected because they reflected the complexity of the nation’s airspace, FAA says, adding “this approach ensured that ADS-B was tested in the most extreme environments.”
JEREMY ANDERSON was named Great Lakes regional sales manager for Constant Aviation, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility based at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Anderson formerly was a sales manager for Toledo Jet Center. Before that, he served with a Cessna-owned facility in Toledo, Ohio.
ROLLS-ROYCE AE 3007A engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0811; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-16429; AD 2010-19-01] – Remove certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) Stage 2 wheels from service or perform repetitive eddy-current inspections or surface-wave ultrasonic test inspections of the wheels to determine if they are cracked. Also, reduce the approved life limits of certain HPT Stage 2 wheels. This AD, which resulted from reports of cracked HPT Stage 2 wheels, is intended to prevent uncontained failures of the wheels and subsequent damage to the airplane.
Colt International, a contract fuel and trip support provider, has moved into the aviation insurance business with the establishment of Colt Risk Management Services. The company says the new unit will leverage Colt’s knowledge and relationships within the industry. “Risk management is about much more than just placing insurance policies,” says Colt International President Malcolm Hawkins. “It requires a complete understanding of the challenges unique to aviation.
A sluggish market over the summer has taken its toll on Cessna Aircraft, as the Wichita plane maker announced plans to reduce employment by another 700 workers and scale back its production schedules. Those announcements came Sept. 21, just a day after the company implemented a new seven-year contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) that provides no wage increases for the first four years.
Nextant Aerospace recently completed the first flight of a fully-equipped 400XT aircraft with Williams International FJ44-3AP engines (BA, Sept. 6/3). The engines replace the Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engines on the original Beechjet 400A. The flight took place Sept. 8 from Cuyahoga County Airport in Cleveland. Nextant says the supplemental type certificate for the installation of the Williams engines is on track for early 2011. “The 400XT operated flawlessly and exceeded our expectations for the first flight,” says Nextant President James Miller.
The House of Representatives Sept. 23 passed the final version of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which includes an extension of the bonus depreciation tax incentive for general aviation aircraft purchases and components, including engines and avionics. Last week’s House approval clears the bill, H.R.5297, for President Obama’s signature since the Senate passed the legislation earlier this month (BA, Sept. 20/2).
