EADS Innovation Works unveiled its work on a concept thermal-electric helicopter during the recent ILA Berlin Air Show. Powered by two opposed piston (OPOC) two-stroke diesel engines, two generators and a pack of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, it is designed to fly on either diesel or electric power, or on both together when maximum power is required. “You can use the engines separately or together,” EADS technology chief Jean Botti says.
Bombardier Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fokker Services to jointly provide logistics support for Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft models under Fokker’s ABACUS program. The ABACUS program guarantees availability of serviceable components and flight-hour-based component repair and overhaul services. The program is designed to help operators manage life-cycle costs, as well as improve parts availability.
WILLIAM GAY was appointed director, completion sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. Gay will coordinate sales activities for Gulfstream’s completion centers in Savannah and Brunswick, Ga.; Long Beach, Calif.; Appleton, Wis., and Dallas. He most recently was a Gulfstream completion sales executive for more than 10 years. He began his career with Gulfstream as a buyer in the repair and overhaul services department and subsequently spent nearly five years with Goodrich Avionics Systems. He rejoined Gulfstream in 2000.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3 and D, and AS355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0611; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-18-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain servo-controls, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 01.00.58 Rev. 1 (for AS 350 helicopters) or 01.00.53 Rev. 1 (for AS355 helicopters), both dated April 19, 2007.
Hawker Beechcraft Services (HBS) recently was awarded certification for a composite winglet package for the Beechcraft King Air 90x. The winglets are offered for C90 and E90 King Airs. The winglets increase wing aspect ratio to reduce induced drag and improve handling, range and payload. HBS is performing the installation at all of its U.S. facilities.
June 24-26 — National Business Aviation Association 15th Annual Flight Attendants Conference, San Diego, Calif., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org 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
Flight Options Chairman Kenneth Ricci believes that the fractional aircraft ownership market will recover “well before the charter market” and financing will drive that recovery. Ricci, who also spoke during the NATA summit this month, says financing remains difficult to find because aircraft values have remained low. He warns that the worst may be yet to come and that the financing market has not yet had “a real flushing out” of aircraft values. Banks have financed aircraft at higher values than the aircraft can sustain, he says.
EMBRAER E170 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0176; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-201-AD; Amendment 39-16318; AD 2010-11-13] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new structural-inspection requirements. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil, is designed to ensure timely detection and remediation of fatigue cracks in structural components. FAA estimates that this directive will affect 166 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
Aviation and petroleum groups have stepped up their collaboration on a number of fronts to study the possibilities and effects of removing lead from aviation gasoline, but they maintain that a solution may still be several years away. The effort has intensified as the Environmental Protection Agency released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking input on potentially phasing out leaded aviation gasoline. Removing lead from avgas “is by no means a new issue,” notes Cirrus President and CEO Brent Wouters in a letter to customers last week.
FAA officials acknowledge industry concerns about a lack of standardization across its field offices and are vowing to take steps to improve the situation. Speaking at the National Air Transportation Association’s Air Charter Summit this month in Chantilly, Va., FAA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety John Hickey noted an NATA survey that estimated the varying interpretations of FAA regulations and guidance by the different regions and local offices collectively cost aviation businesses millions each year (BA, Oct. 5/149).
German light-sport aircraft (LSA) manufacturer Remos Aircraft recently finalized a corporate expansion program as part of its global market strategy. The LSA manufacturer received a new investment in April and is making plans to deploy that investment over the next two years, says Kenneth Weaver, Remos’ vice president of marketing. He declined to state the dollar amount of an investment he called “significant,” but says it is enough to support Remos’ broader business development activities over many years.
ProJet Aviation celebrated the grand opening of its new facility at Leesburg Executive Airport in Virginia. The center includes more than 25,000 square ft. of hangar and office space and will serve as the base for ProJet’s fleet of charter aircraft. ProJet, an AvFuel dealer, also has operations in Winchester and Manassas, Va. The ProJet fleet includes a Gulfstream GIV-SP, Gulfstream III and Piaggio Avanti II.
FAA is proposing to require special conditions covering the installation of the Mid-Continent Instruments MD835 lithium ion (Li-ion) battery on a range of Part 23 turbine aircraft, including certain Hawker Beechcraft King Airs, Cessna Citations, Piaggio Avantis and Pilatus PC-12s, among others. AeroMech Incorporated has applied for a supplemental type certificate to replace existing L-3 Communications PS-835 lead-acid emergency batteries with the Mid-Continent MD835 Li-ion battery.
BELL 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP and 412CF and AGUSTA AB412 and AB412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0487; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-032-AD; Amendment 39-16295; AD 2010-10-16] – Replace certain Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. low-skid landing gear forward crosstubes, per the instructions of AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-10012 (dated March 5, 2010).
New York-based aviation services company Arcadia Aviation is poised to expand its reach into the charter and management market should it complete its proposed acquisition of Wayfarer Aviation. Arcadia last week confirmed that it had signed a letter of intent (LOI) on June 11 to acquire the financially-troubled operator (BA, June 14/2). Terms of the deal, which must be firmed up, were not disclosed.
Gulfstream Aerospace has installed a Kollsman General Aviation Vision System (GAViS) on a Gulfstream GIV aircraft. The infrared camera system is available for GV, GIV and GIII aircraft. Mounted within the upper nose radome, GAViS improves situational awareness at night and in low-visibility, supplying enhanced imagery of airports, air traffic, terrain, taxiways, wildlife and runway conditions. The images can be displayed on a CD-820 flight management system control and display unit or another approved aircraft device, such as an electronic flight bag.
Hawker Beechcraft has increased the capabilities of its Indianapolis center by offering full paint services. The facility can accommodate aircraft ranging from the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza to the super mid-size Hawker 4000. The Indianapolis service center provides strip and paint services, including factory and custom paint designs. The center also provides maintenance, repair and modification of airframes, powerplants and avionics systems, along with AOG (aircraft on ground) support. Completed in August 2009, the facility includes a 48,500-square-ft.
As a result of its investigation of four accidents involving charitable medical transport flights, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued three recommendations to the Air Care Alliance, an umbrella organization for humanitarian flying organizations composed of volunteer pilots.
KEYVAN FARD was named executive vice president, business development and OEM alliances for CAE. In addition, Fard will serve as president of CAE Helicopter Solutions. Fard previously spent 30 years with Pratt & Whitney, holding positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, customer support and marketing. In 2007, he became senior vice president, sales and marketing, responsible for the commercial, business, helicopter and military segments for aircraft OEMs and operators.
Kansas Aviation, in Independence, Kan., has become the first flight school to offer training using Cessna Model 162 Skycatcher light-sport aircraft. The aircraft was delivered earlier this month to Bravo Sierra Group, LLC, which is leasing the aircraft to Kansas Aviation for use at its Cessna Pilot Center. The aircraft is available for a “fueled rate” of $98 per hour.
May business aircraft activity tracks very closely to April levels overall, according to the latest ARGUS TRAQPak flight data. May business aircraft activity was down a slight 0.4% over April 2010.
FAA has opened a NextGen Integration and Evaluation Capability (NIEC) display facility at its William J. Hughes Technical Center at Atlantic City International Airport. The NIEC is a research platform that scientists will use simulation to explore, integrate and evaluate NextGen concepts, including area navigation (RNAV), trajectory-based operations, flying unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system, and more.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has added Oxford, Conn.-based charter and management company Key Air, LLC to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry. Key Air was the 11th operator to successfully complete the IAS and achieve registered status. The IAS was designed as a means to provide a standardized approach for audits, specifically for Part 135 and 91K operators. The standard requires a review of an operator’s processes, procedures and regulatory compliance, as well as the operator’s implementation of safety management systems.
