Iridium Communications Inc. has formed a new Iridium South Africa unit, which is licensed to operate, provide and sell mobile satellite services (MSS) in the country. Iridium received authorization from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the regulator for the South African communications and broadcasting services. Iridium says MSS could be used to provide backup communications in urban and rural areas, and in emergency situations. Iridium also sees a market for its voice and data services.
The U.S. Senate on June 25 confirmed John Pistole as TSA Administrator by unanimous consent. Pistole’s confirmation process was relatively smooth compared with the previous two TSA nominees, who were approved at the committee level but could not gain confirmation by unanimous consent on the Senate floor. Both eventually withdrew their nominations. Pistole is currently deputy director of the FBI.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0273; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-134-AD; Amendment 39-16335; AD 2010-13-04] – Modify the nose landing gear trailing arm, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-65, Rev. A (dated March 2, 2009). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to prevent the nose landing gear trailing arm pivot pin retention bolt from being damaged, which in turn could rupture a tire or cause loss of nose wheel steering capability during takeoff or landing.
EMBRAER EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0170; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-16328; AD 2010-12-07] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new maintenance tasks to detect fatigue cracking in the airplane structure. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil, is designed to prevent failure of structural components due to fatigue cracking.
Duncan Aviation received its supplemental type certificate for installation of WAAS/LPV capabilities aboard Bombardier Learjet 31A aircraft. The STC was issued through the Duncan organization designation authorization. The installation, which includes a single universal UNS-1Ew flight management system (FMS) and a monitor, enables LPV approaches, providing ILS-like capabilities down to as low as 200 feet with one-half mile visibility (near Category I ILS minimums).
Four people were killed and a school partially burned after a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance, N7699F, crashed into Round Valley High School near Eagar, Ariz., on June 11. The aircraft, on a Part 91 flight, had taken off from Springerville Municipal Airport in Arizona on a flight to the Grand Canyon. A witness told National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators that the Lance “used more runway than used by most of the other small aircraft” and thought that the aircraft appeared to be rocking side-to-side and had trouble gaining altitude.
Smart Avionics in Lebanon, Pa. joined the dealer network of Becker Avionics, a provider of communication, navigation, surveillance and search and rescue equipment. Smart Avionics, founded in June 2003, specializes in avionics and installation repair services.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet 100, 440, 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0550; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-124-AD] – This proposal would require operators to conduct a fluorescent-penetrant inspection for cracking of the air-driven generator (ADG) strut. If any cracks were found, operators would need to replace the ADG with a serviceable ADG before further flight, per the instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-120, Rev. C or A670BA-24-020, Rev. C (both dated April 20, 2009), as applicable.
July 19-25 — Farnborough International Airshow, Farnborough, England, +44(0) 1252 532800, www.farnborough.com July 26-Aug. 1 — Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh 2010, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 426-4800 Aug. 10-13 — Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International & Flight International: Unmanned Systems North America 2009, Washington, D.C., (703) 845-9671, www.auvsi.org/events
PILATUS PC-12/47E airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0583; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-028-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the Power Control Lever (PCL) reverse thrust latch and take corrective actions as necessary, per the instructions of Pilatus Service Bulletin No.: 76-002 (dated Oct. 15, 2009). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent the PCL from inadvertently being retarded aft of the idle detent.
40 Years Ago June 15, 1970 – Butler Aviation reveals manufacturing and marketing plans for recently-acquired Aerostar/Mooney lines, including redesignation of Mooney line to Aerostar and repurchase of Mitsubishi Aircraft facilities. 30 Years Ago June 23, 1980 – House approves three-month extension of aviation excise taxes that were due to expire at month’s end. 20 Years Ago
The European Commission and the U.S. FAA have initialed a cooperation agreement that is expected to improve interoperability of the NextGen and SESAR air traffic control modernization plans. During a meeting in Madrid, delegations from the two organizations agreed on a memorandum of cooperation in civil aviation research and development. The first technical annex of this agreement covers the NextGen and SESAR programs. The commission says it will present the text to the European Council and the European Parliament for formal adoption.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and ranking Republican Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) last week introduced a bill to extend bonus depreciation for equipment purchases in 2010, including general aviation aircraft. The bill, S.3513, lays the groundwork for the Finance Committee leaders to take action on a measure either as a standalone or, more likely, as an amendment to another bill. The senators are believed to be considering a small business tax bill as a potential vehicle. That bill is expected to come up in the next couple of weeks.
FAA last week officially closed the comment period for a proposal to impose helicopter route restrictions over Long Island, N.Y., despite appeals from industry for a 60-day extension. FAA denied requests from a number of general aviation associations, saying the agency did “not find it in the best interest of the public.” The agency adds that it would consider late comments “if at all possible to do so without incurring expense or delay,” but also notes that more than 65 others were able to file comments more than a week in advance of the deadline.
General aviation groups are hoping to convince FAA and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulators to delay implementation of a rule that prohibits further certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). FCC has clarified the ban applies to TSO C91a type ELTs, which operate on 121.5 MHz frequency. TSO C126 ELTs would not be affected by the rule.
A coalition of general aviation and petroleum associations last week detailed its Future Avgas Strategy and Transition (FAST) plan to find a long-term solution for a replacement fuel. The coalition’s research has intensified as the Environmental Protection Agency released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking input on the potential phasing out of 100 LL aviation gasoline (BA, June 21/1). The comment period for the ANPRM, which was released April 28, was extended until Aug. 27 at the urging of the coalition.
FAA has awarded $125 million in contracts to five aerospace companies in a major environmental initiative aimed at accelerating the development of new aircraft technologies. Under the five-year contracts, the companies will demonstrate concepts that will reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The companies involved are Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce North America. Each company will receive $25 million, and they are also required to match at least that amount in resources.
The capital markets are still tight when it comes to new-aircraft financing, Cessna Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton said during an Aero Club of Washington speech last week. “There is money to loan, but the issue is getting customers’ heads around the new requirements for borrowing that money. The asset-based lending world has changed,” Pelton says, adding lenders are demanding far greater down payments than in the past.
Cleveland-based fractional aircraft ownership company Flight Options has launched a 40-city nationwide tour to showcase the new Phenom 300 business jet in its fleet. Cities on the tour include New York, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Mo., Santa Monica, Calif., and Seattle. “The cities were chosen based on the current level of activity in each market,” says spokeswoman Lauren Sokalski. Flight Options will offer private showings by appointment at each location, says Sokalski.
Sabreliner Corp. received a contract from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) to provide engineering and research support for aging aircraft structures as designated by the USAF and the USAFA Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension (CAStLE). The contract, valued at up to $90 million, is for one year, but includes four one-year options. Southwest Research Institute and NexOne will provide specialized engineering skills for the contract. Under the CAStLE work, Sabreliner will support structural activities for the KC-135 at the company’s operation in Ste.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT Model 525A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0327; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-012-AD; Amendment 39-16321; AD 2010-12-01] – Conduct repetitive inspections of the thrust-attenuator paddle assemblies for loose and damaged fasteners and for cracks. Replace any loose or damaged fasteners found, along with any cracked thrust-attenuator paddles, until new-design thrust attenuator paddles and universal-head rivets are installed.
JASON HALL was promoted to president and chief executive of All Weather, Inc. (AWI), which manufactures automated weather information systems, integrated information display systems and meteorological sensors used by the National Weather Service, FAA and other entities. Hall, who has been AWI president and chief operations officer for the past two years, will remain based in Sacramento, Calif. He has 12 years of experience in aviation weather systems, information display systems, industrial controls, and government contracting.
Cessna Aircraft is working on a series of upgrades, including a new Honeywell Primus Elite cockpit, for its flagship Citation X. The upgrades will be incorporated into the business jet beginning in 2011, and the Primus Elite will be offered for retrofit on about 300 in-service Citation Xs through the Citation Service Centers.
Ireland’s Shannon Airport has extended the U.S. preclearance program for business jets to include Part 135 operations, driven by industry demand and the expansion of an existing bilateral agreement on preclearance between the U.S. and Irish governments. The preclearance program, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), began for commercial carriers in August 2009 and was expanded to cover business aviation in March (BA, March 8/108).
