A ramp-up in Phenom deliveries boosted Embraer’s overall shipments in the second quarter, but the company’s backlog still continued to slide. Embraer reports that it delivered 69 commercial and executive jets, 39 of which were Phenoms. The executive shipments increased from 19 in second quarter 2009 to 40 in the most recent quarter. But that reflects just one Lineage and no Legacys delivered in the quarter, compared with five Legacys and one Lineage in the second quarter of last year. Commercial deliveries fell from 35 to 29 aircraft.
Cessna was scheduled to kick off its Special Olympics Airlift this past Saturday (July 17) as Citation business jets transport about 800 athletes to the Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Neb. The airlift will continue this upcoming Saturday (July 24) to return the athletes from the games. Cessna estimates that a Citation will land or take off every two minutes for 10 hours each Saturday. This is the sixth airlift that Cessna has coordinated with its Citation operators for the Special Olympics games.
Aviation services providers El Aero Services and TAC Air BDL of Bradley International Airport in Connecticut and have joined the Avfuel-branded network of dealers. El Aero has two locations in Nevada — Carson City and Elko. Each location can accommodate a range of aircraft, from a Piper Cub to a Boeing 727. TAC Air BDL is the second TAC Air location to join the network. TAC Air’s facility in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. is also an Avfuel dealer. TAC Air BDL encompasses four hangars and ramp space that can handle large aircraft.
National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen last week urged the House Committee on Small Business to work to move forward measures to extend bonus depreciation. The committee held a hearing on July 14 to discuss an extension of the bonus depreciation, which expired at the end of 2009.
Era a.s., a subsidiary of SRA International, Inc., has deployed its wide area multilateration and ADS-B next-generation surveillance system in Brno, Czech Republic. The equipment is the third wide area surveillance system for ANS CR, the Czech air navigation service provider, and follows systems already operational in Prague and Ostrava. The new Brno system replaces surveillance coverage of a soon-to-be retired secondary surveillance radar in Feichtberg, Austria.
Transportation Security Administration officials last week held a small summit with general aviation representatives to discuss possibilities for increasing access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Brian Delauter, general manager of TSA’s General Aviation branch, called for the July 13 meeting at Signature Flight Support as part of his “open goal of increasing flights into DCA,” (BA, July 14/1).
Despite oft-heard rumors of the demise of turboprop-powered aircraft, demand for classic models like the Cessna Caravan continues unabated, according to a new report from Rolland Vincent Associates. “By the end of 2010, Cessna will have delivered 2,000 Caravans to businesses, individuals, and government agencies worldwide since initial deliveries began in 1985,” Vincent writes.
The first year of 10-year service requirements on the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS) is underway, and the company has completed more than 30 repacks worldwide. The process includes: licensing logistics; shipping and hazardous materials logistics; Cirrus training on repack process; testing of G1 and G2 aircraft styles to establish/validate the process and determine expected labor times; and life-limit data analysis to support possible life-limit extension of different components.
U.K.-based private charter operator Synergy Aviation has based a Beechcraft King Air 200 and flight crew at Malta’s Luqa Airport to handle air ambulance work. Configured with a Lifeport stretcher system and five passenger seats, the aircraft is available 24/7 and primarily serves North Africa.
WALTER WINDUS was elected chairman of the board of directors for the Seaplane Pilots Association. Windus has been involved with aviation and seaplanes for more than 40 years, most recently as vice president and field director for the association. He also has served as chairman of the Santa Clara County Airport Land Use Commission, president and general manager of Skyview/Phoenix Flying Club at San Jose (Calif.) International Airport and president of the Santa Clara County Airmen’s Association.
M&N Aviation in Casper, Wyo., has become the latest charter operator to achieve registration with the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry. M&N Aviation joins 12 other operators on the IAS Registry. The IAS was designed specifically for Part 135 and 91K operators to provide a single audit standard. It includes both regulatory compliance and safety management systems. Thirty IAS audits have been scheduled this year.
Bombardier Aerospace completed its first composite manufacturing validation unit (MVU) for its Learjet 85, a move the company says is in preparation for production later this year. The MVU, built for the aircraft’s fuselage section, will validate design concepts, manufacturing processes and quality.
ARGUS International, Inc. has unveiled a new web-based aircraft movement intelligence program that provides operational, financial and contact information on aircraft movements at any airport within the reach of the U.S. air traffic control system.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 Series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0229; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-115-AD; Amendment 39-16356; AD 2010-14-11] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness,” incorporating revised safe-life limits for the main landing gear lock actuator assembly, retraction actuator assembly rod end and piston, and the upper bearing in the main landing gear shock strut assembly. Also, replace the landing gear upper bearings and rod ends on certain airplanes.
ROBINSON R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44 and R44 II helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0711; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-25-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to visually inspect each tail-rotor control pedal bearing block support for cracks, measuring the thickness of each uncracked support, installing support safety tabs on certain supports, and replacing supports of a certain thickness during overhaul.
Duncan Aviation recently received a supplemental type certificate for installation of an Aircell High Speed Internet router with Wi-Fi capability in a Bombardier Challenger 300. The system provides high-speed inflight connectivity in the cabin, enabling use of laptops, Blackberrys, iPhones and other Wi-Fi devices at connection speeds of 1-3 MBPS. The system consists of an aircraft certified High Speed Data unit, wireless router and two belly-mounted antennas.
KEVIN HIATT has joined the Flight Safety Foundation as executive vice president. Hiatt will oversee day-to-day office management, in addition to taking on certain safety projects. He formerly served as director and then vice president of corporate safety and security for World Airways. Before that, he spent 26 years in various positions with Delta Air Lines, including chief pilot at the Atlanta international pilot crew base.
Rockwell Collins and China Electronics Technology Avionics Co. Ltd (CETCA) have signed a letter of intent with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) to provide communication and navigation products for its new C919 family of single-aisle commercial aircraft. Rockwell Collins and CETCA also have signed a memorandum of agreement to establish a China-based joint venture. The two companies are expected to sign the formal supply agreement with COMAC by the end of this year.
General aviation operations have been officially transferred from Florida’s Panama City Bay County International Airport to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The Panama City Airport has officially closed to all commercial and GA traffic.
FlightWorks, Inc. has acquired the outstanding shares of company stock previously owned by Scott Beale, effective July 2. With the acquisition, Chairman Roderick O’Shea is now the sole shareholder of the company. FlightWorks provides executive charter services, aircraft management programs, aviation consulting and government aviation support programs in major markets domestically and internationally.
FLORENT FELTRIN was appointed Jet Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul regional sales director for Central Europe. Feltrin will be based in Geneva and be responsible for the sale of maintenance, modification services and upgrades covering all OEM products in the region. He began his career with more than 10 years as an avionics specialist for Dassault Falcon and later joined IBM Euroflight at Le Bourget airport in Paris. He also has served as a sales and technical support director in an aviation company.
Although it would be a year later than originally expected, executive control of the Experimental Aircraft Association may soon change hands. The EAA board has selected a person to succeed Tom Poberezny as president, sources say. Poberezny will continue to hold the position of chairman of the board, however. If the change does occur — next week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., being a timely forum for such an announcement — it will mark the first time the organization’s daily affairs are overseen by someone other than a Poberezny.
AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES Model L-13 Blanik gliders [Docket No. FAA-2010-0684; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-16360; AD 2010-14-15] – Aerobatics maneuvers are prohibited and operators must, before further flight, inspect the main spar at the wing root to detect fatigue cracking, per the instructions of Aircraft Industries Mandatory Bulletin L13/109a (dated June 18, 2010). If any cracks are found, no further flights are permitted, and operators should submit inspection results to the manufacturer within 10 days.
Ohio last week joined a growing number of states that have formally recognized the importance of the aviation industry through proclamation. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) proclaimed July 16 “Aviation Industry Awareness Day,” saying, “Aviation is a crucial part of our state and country’s infrastructure, and we need to continue to support and encourage the growth of this vital industry.” The proclamation comes as part of a concerted effort by general aviation and other industry letters to educate the public about the role aviation plays in the economy.
Jet Aviation Hong Kong has received approval from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to provide base maintenance on aircraft registered in China and Macau. The approval follows similar clearance from the Hong Kong CAD. In addition, the Hong Kong facility has received approvals from the Bermuda aviation authority to work on Gulfstream, Bombardier and Boeing BBJ aircraft up to a C check, as well as from the Isle of Man’s aviation authority to provide maintenance on G550 aircraft aviation.
