EMBRAER EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1079; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-116-AD; Amendment 39-16377; AD 2010-16-01] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
Hawker Beechcraft has begun offering the Max-Viz EVS-1500 infrared enhanced vision system (EVS) for King Air 200 and 300 series. Under an agreement with Max-Viz, Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution will supply the EVS-1500 unit to owners, operators and repair stations. The EVS systems can be retrofitted on existing aircraft or added to new aircraft through the Hawker Beechcraft Services network.
Hawker Beechcraft has delivered the first Beechcraft King Air series turboprop to a customer in Russia. The aircraft, a specially modified King Air 350, was handed over to Vasilly Popov on behalf of Aviation & Applied Ecology in Moscow. The aircraft was equipped with provisions for dual digital mapping cameras for photographic missions. The King Air 350 also will be used for VIP transport. Hawker Beechcraft received Russian certification for the King Air series in December 2009.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is streamlining the process for pre-screening passengers and crews departing and arriving into the U.S. on non-U.S.-registered general aviation aircraft, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole jointly announced last week.
Montreal-based aviation services firm Zenith Jet is predicting that Cessna will reinitiate the Columbus program with an entry-into-service date of 2016. In its recently released 10-year forecast, Zenith believes Cessna will account for 35% of all business jet deliveries, giving it the largest share of business jet unit volume. Embraer will move into the “Number 2 spot” in terms of unit deliveries, capturing 18% of the market share, Zenith forecasts.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0721; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-56-AD; Amendment 39-16370; AD 2010-15-04] – Visually inspect for cracks near the attachment points of the main-rotor hub (MRH) reinforcement ring where the lugs secure the cone restrainer support and also where the lugs secure the dome fairing support. If any cracks are found, modify the MRH by replacing both the cone restrainer support and the dome fairing support assembly before further flight.
Revenues fell slightly in the second quarter for the General Dynamics’ Aerospace group, but strong performances at Jet Aviation and General Dynamics Aviation Services helped lead to an 16.8% operating margin, the highest quarterly level in two years, notes analyst J.P. Morgan.
Aug. 3-5—FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute’s Cabin Safety Workshop, Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City, www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/aeromedical/cabinsafet… Aug. 10-13—Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International & Flight International: Unmanned Systems North America 2009, Washington, (703) 845-9671, www.auvsi.org/events Aug. 16-20—Terrapinn’s Aviation Outlook Africa, BMW Pavilion Convention Center, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 (11) 463-6001, www.terrapinn.com/2010/aviationza
The House and Senate both approved legislation that extends the FAA’s operating authority and introduces new pilot safety rules, although leading aviation lawmakers expressed frustration that a long-term FAA bill could not be achieved. This is the 15th extension for the FAA since the last full authorization expired in 2007. It will cover the agency through the end of September, effectively giving lawmakers another month to work on the long-term reauthorization after they return from August recess.
West Star Aviation completed an agreement with Yankee Pacific Aerospace to acquire 100% of the interest in Premier Aircraft. Premier Aircraft was established in 2004 as a joint venture between Yankee Aerospace and Premier Air Center in East Alton, Ill., to develop the 50Dash4 Performance Upgrade engine replacement program for Falcon 50 aircraft. Also in 2004, the principals of Premier Air Center had acquired West Star Aviation. The combined entity had operated as Premier/West Star until 2006, when the company changed its name to West Star Aviation.
One person was killed and three seriously injured July 16 when a Robinson R44 II helicopter flipped off a trailer onto the airport tarmac during a realignment maneuver at Salt Lake City International Airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. A commercial pilot had landed the helicopter on a flatbed trailer that was connected to a pickup truck. The helicopter was to be strapped down and taken by trailer to a distant location.
Honeywell has created a new emissions monitoring service to help business jets operating in European airspace to comply with European Union-Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) requirements. Honeywell will compile and store carbon emissions data based on flight plans, number of passengers and freight information of the business jet operations. The service is part of Honeywell’s Flight Support Services, available through its Global Data Center. Under the EU-ETS requirements, operators flying in EU countries must furnish carbon emission information to authorities.
GENERAL ELECTRIC CT7-9C and -9C3 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0732; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-04-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the gas generator turbine (GGT) shaft for nonconforming land balance-cuts, per the instructions of GE CT7-TP Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 72-A0501, Rev. 01 (dated March 3, 2010). If any such deficiencies were found, operators would need to remove the shaft from service.
Online aviation marketplace RHOBI has released a live chat update to its website. Buyers and sellers on the online marketplace can use a “Start Live Chat” button to open multiple chat windows, which faciiltates communication between contacts.
PIPER AIRCRAFT PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1015; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-039-AD; Amendment 39-16376; AD 2010-15-10] – Inspect the control wheel shaft on both the pilot and copilot sides. If necessary, replace the control wheel shaft. This AD, which resulted from two field reports of incorrectly assembled control wheel shafts, is designed to detect and correct any incorrectly assembled shafts.
Executive Flight Services, the aircraft management subsidiary of Executive AirShare in Kansas City, Mo., has established a maintenance base at Midwest National Air Center in Kearney, Mo. The base joins Executive Flight Services maintenance facilities in Wichita, Fort Worth and Dallas. The facility will support Executive Flight Services’ Kansas City-based customers, along with share owners in Executive AirShare’s fractional program.
U.S. business jet flights increased for the seventh consecutive month, according to FAA’s latest Business Jet Monthly report. The number of flights increased 12.5% when compared with June 2009, FAA reports. Domestic travel improved 11.5%, while flights departing and entering the U.S. were up 18%.
Cessna Aircraft has received certification for its Citation Mustang from the Director General of Civil Aviation for India. First approved by FAA in 2006, the Mustang has now been certified in more than 60 countries.
ExecuJet Charter Service, based at Tampa International Airport, recently added a Gulfstream IV to its fleet of aircraft. The aircraft increases ExecuJet’s charter fleet to eight aircraft.
The Environmental Protection Agency last week reassured aviation officials that its recent advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on the use of lead in aviation gasoline was meant as a means to collect additional information, and says the agency has not established or proposed any deadline for banning the use of lead in avgas. EPA made those assurances in a July 27 letter to Robert Hackman, vice president of regulatory affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
The Bell Training Academy has been added to the Government Service Administration’s (GSA) acquisition schedule, thereby reducing the cost of training for law enforcement officers and simplifying the contracting process. Airborne law enforcement and other government customers can access the entire Bell Training Academy course catalog on the GSA acquisition schedule.
Business jet manufacturers are stabilizing, but backlogs continue to evaporate at alarming rates. Gulfstream’s second quarter sales were up and profit margins were the highest in two years. But backlog declined another $730 million, following a $768 million decline in the first quarter. JPMorgan analyst Joseph B.
