WALTER BUSER joined Elmira/Corning, N.Y.-based charter and management company FirstFlight as director of business development. Buser is based at the company’s recently opened office in Teterboro, N.J., and will work with the sales and marketing team. He has a background in corporate aviation, most recently as director of client services for Liberty Jet in Islip, N.Y. He also was vice president-operations and customer service at Summit Jet/Sentient Flight Group and manager of charter sales for TAG Aviation.
Sunwest Aviation in Calgary, Canada, was recognized with an Argus Platinum rating, the highest rating awarded by the Cincinnati-based audit and aviation research firm. Sunwest also earned International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 2 registration through the Argus combination audit program. Sunwest operates a fleet of 40 jet and turboprop aircraft from its bases in Calgary and Vancouver. Argus currently has 86 Platinum-rated operators and more than 300 Gold Plus and Gold-rated operators.
Bombardier Aerospace is planning to invest $30 million to expand support of its growing fleet of business and commercial aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. Bombardier plans to build a service and support network that would be centered in China and augmented by satellite facilities throughout the region. Bombardier says this would be one of its three “hub and spoke” service and support zones established worldwide. Plans call for Bombardier to open a parts depot in Greater China, complementing Bombardier’s existing depots in Narita, Beijing, Sydney and Singapore.
Phillips 66 Aviation has reached an agreement with the National Air Transportation Association to provide its branded aviation dealers with the NATA Safety 1st PLST online line service training. NATA and Phillips are establishing a proprietary Web portal providing Phillips dealers access to the training program. Dealers will be allocated training courses based on their size and will have the option of purchasing additional courses. The Safety 1st program originally was developed in the late 1990s as a video program. The online training began in 2008.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT TAE 125-01 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0308; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-17-AD; Amendment 39-16366; AD 2010-14-21] – Remove the blow-by oil separators, per the instructions of Thielert Service Bulletin TM TAE 125-0019, Rev. 1 (dated March 5, 2009). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, was prompted by the discovery that the small outlet of the blow-by oil separators may cause a blow-by gas pressure increase inside the crankcase in excess of the oil-seal design pressure limits.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0734; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-036-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace rivets with “Hi-Lok” fasteners on the joint brackets of the right-hand and left-hand ceiling beams near the rear pressurized bulkhead, per the instructions of Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin N.: 80-0268, Rev. 0 (dated Dec. 18, 2008).
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0720; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-050-AD] – This proposal would require operators to revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to reduce the life limit of the main gearbox housing from 2,700 hr. to 1, 000 hr. time in service. Also, operators would need to replace any main gearbox housing that exceeds the life limit.
Exec Air Montana has joined the Avfuel network of fixed-base operations. Exec Air, based in Helena, will offer Avtrip points and Avfuel and Cessna Contract Fuel programs. The FBO was recently renovated and has 42,000 sq. ft. of heated hangar space. The FBO was founded in 1931, originally as Morrison Flying Service. Current co-owners Dan Norhton and John Maxness purchased the FBO in 1995.
The summer has been a busy time for labor negotiations in Wichita, with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) recently ratifying a contract with Spirit Aerosystems and continuing a dialogue on a potential new long-term contract with Hawker Beechcraft (BA, July 19/1). Also looming are negotiations with Cessna Aircraft. The current IAM contract with Cessna expires Sept. 19. The IAM Local Lodge 774 representing Cessna workers voted by a 99% margin on July 17 for a strike sanction in the negotiations.
Garmin International’s G1000 flight deck was certified for installation on the Cessna CitationJet (Model 525, serial numbers 0001-0359). The system, compliant with reduced vertical separation minimum requirements, will provide a nearly 100-lb. weight saving and enable pilots to fly WAAS approaches with the GFC700 autopilot, electronic charts, datalink weather and optional Synthetic Vision Technology. The system includes two 10.4-in. primary flight displays and a 12-in.
The Senate now aims for a vote this week on a revised FAA reauthorization bill, but with time running short, the House and Senate are both starting to consider a further extension of FAA’s operating authority. Disagreements within the Senate over two airport-related provisions have been resolved, industry sources say. However, there is still no agreement with House lawmakers on these issues, so it appears less likely that the bill will be ready to send to the White House before the House recesses at the end of this week.
Hawker Beechcraft sold a Beechcraft King Air B200 turboprop to Aerodata AG, which will modify and deliver the aircraft to the armed forces of Malta for maritime border patrol missions. Based in Braunschweig, Germany, Aerodata will equip the aircraft with search radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors and other mission equipment. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Maltese government in early 2011. Hawker Beechcraft, which has collaborated with Aerodata on numerous special-mission B200s, says another order is pending for a second aircraft for Malta.
Lam Aviation Inc., a small, family-run design business, has teamed with Windward Performance to help bring a new aileron design to market. The company says its Lam Aileron marks the “first major change in aileron design since the original implementation of the aileron.” The design, Lam claims, will improve fuel efficiency, high-speed cruise performance, range, payload and stall speed.
EMBRAER ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0174; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-186-AD; Amendment 39-16359; AD 2010-14-14] – Repetitively replace the low-pressure check valves (LPCV) and associated seals of the left-hand and right-hand engine bleed system with new or serviceable valves. This new AD, which supersedes an existing directive (AD 2007-16-09), resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country.
FAA last week issued a final rule that will result in a sweeping overhaul of the aircraft registration process in the U.S. beginning Oct. 1. The requirements have raised a number of industry concerns, and a group of title lawyers are slated to meet with the agency Wednesday (July 28) with a lengthy list of questions.
40 Years Ago April 13, 1970 — FAA proposes mandatory Part 25 transport category type certification for all aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats. 30 Years Ago July 14, 1980 — Alcohol listed as a factor in 16% of fatal general aviation accidents. 20 Years Ago July 30, 1990 — Page Avjet Corp. signs agreement to acquire 13 fixed-base operations operated by Van Dusen Airport Services.
Constant Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Birmingham, Ala., was named an authorized service center for Piaggio Aero. The addition of Constant Aviation brings the number of U.S. Piaggio centers to 12. Constant is authorized to perform maintenance and avionics services, as well as provide modifications and airworthiness directive/service bulletin support on Piaggio P-180 aircraft.
Viking Air has received Canadian certification for the new-production DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400. The first aircraft was handed over to launch customer Zimex Aviation at the Farnborough International Airshow. The updated Series 400 was approved under amendment to the DHC-6 type certificate, which Viking acquired from Bombardier, along with rights to other out-of-production de Havilland Canada aircraft. Viking says it has a backlog of more than $200 million in orders, for production into 2014.
IAN MCDOUGALL was named executive chairman of Partner Jet. McDougall, who has more than 25 years of aviation experience, is the chairman of Flight Solutions & Services, Inc. A multi-rated fixed-wing and helicopter pilot, he is a former CEO of Learjet Canada.
Michael Maya Charles last week was named the new editor-in-chief of Flying magazine, taking over for J. Mac McClellan, who has served as editor of the magazine for 20 years. McClellan joined Flying in 1982 after serving as a technical editor at BA affiliate Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. He was named editor-in-chief in 1990. Charles, who has 38 years of aviation experience with more than 22,000 hours of flight time both as a private and professional pilot, has been a contributor for various aviation publications, including Flying, AOPA Pilot and AvWeb.
Fargo Jet Center (FJC) in Fargo, N.D. was named an authorized dealer for Universal Avionics. The authorization enables FJC to access Universal incentive programs and promotions, as well as work with Universal’s product support organization. FJC, an Avfuel-branded dealer, is a 24-hour facility that comprises more than 200,000 sq. feet. The facility provides avionics installations, engine and airframe maintenance, repair and modification, and routine inspections.
MIKE SHONKA has joined the board of directors of The NORDAM Group. Shonka spent 14 years with Cessna, most recently as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He also held those titles with Fourth Financial Corporation.
IBA is one of three firms that has been awarded a new $1.2 million, five-year contract by the Export-Import Bank to provide aircraft inspections and airline oversight across its portfolio of commercial and corporate aircraft and helicopters. The award also covers the provision of aircraft appraisals and training services.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) executives last week warned union officials that they are considering moving a majority of the work currently conducted in Wichita to other locations over the next two years, according to Steve Rooney, the president and directing business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 70 in Wichita. Wichita IAM union leaders met with HBC officials July 14 to discuss the state of the industry and how it may affect the company in the future.
Soloy Aviation Solutions has received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency for its modification that converts existing Eurocopter AS350BA helicopters to the Honeywell LTS101 power.
