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.
BAE SYSTEMS Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0474; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-056-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a propeller speed warning system (Modification JM41674), remove the existing propeller warning placard and revise the Airplane Flight Manual. This proposal, which would supersede an existing directive (AD 2007-0268), is designed to prevent damage to the propeller assembly that could eventually result in the release of a propeller blade. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect three aircraft on the U.S.
David Almy has been appointed chief executive of the Marketing Research Association. Almy previously held positions as senior vice president of marketing and communications with the National Business Aviation Association and vice president of membership, marketing and communications with the National Air Transportation Association. Almy also served with BA affiliate Business and Commercial Aviation magazine.
EMBRAER EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC and -120RT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0546; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-215-AD] – This proposal would require operators to determine the actual fuel quantity in each tank using dripless measuring sticks, compare the results of the fuel quantity measurement with the fuel master indicator and repeater indicator readings for each tank, and take corrective actions, as specified by Embraer EMB120 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Rev. 24 (dated March 30, 2009).
XOJET is installing Aircell’s High Speed Internet on its fleet of Bombardier Challenger 300 and Cessna Citation X business jets. XOJET expects that the equipment will be installed on 70% of its fleet by the end of June. By the end of July, XOJET expects to offer wireless service on every flight in the Continental U.S. Aircell’s High Speed Internet will enable travelers to use Wi-Fi devices including laptops, netbooks and smartphones. They will be able to browse websites, receive e-mail and access VPNs.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers last week held a rally in Wichita, Kan., to voice their opposition to the increasing amount of aviation work being channeled to Mexico. Several of the business jet manufacturers, including Cessna, Bombardier and Hawker Beechcraft, have been expanding their bases in Mexico.
National Business Aviation Association this month concluded its largest regional forum yet. Held at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey on June 10, the event attracted more than 1,900 attendees, 50 indoor exhibitors and 20 aircraft on display. The forum included education sessions on the “No Plane, No Gain” campaign, the future of business aircraft values and the importance of safety management systems.
There is no cause for panic or even pessimism over the current stagnant general aviation industry at this point, says Brian Foley, head of Sparta, N.J.-based aviation consultancy Brian Foley Associates. GA has shown signs of steady progress toward recovery, he adds.
European and U.S. aviation safety leaders will discuss international aviation relations at the second Trans-Atlantic Aviation Issues Conference — “U.S.-EU Cooperation at a Crossroads” — June 29-July 1. The meeting will be presented by the American Association of Airport Executives, International Association of Airport Executives and General Aviation Manufacturers Association, in collaboration with the European Commission and EUROCONTROL.
Next month’s big gathering of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wis., is expected to reflect an improving economy by drawing more than a half million attendees, 10,000 airplanes and 700+ exhibitors, association spokesman Dick Knapinski says. Those figures would mirror the previous year’s numbers.
FAA last week issued an airworthiness directive (AD) to ensure that MU-2B operating procedures are standardized. The AD stems from “inconsistencies in critical operating procedures between the MU-2B specific training, the FAA-accepted pilot operating checklists, and the AFMs [Airplane Flight Manuals].”
With time running out on the latest extension of FAA’s authorization, talks have begun over another possible three-month extension. The House and Senate in April approved the most recent extension — due to expire July 3 — to provide time to work out differences in the House- and Senate-passed versions of a comprehensive reauthorization bill (BA, May 3/1). But a FedEx labor provision in the House reauthorization bill remains one of the sticking points.
Attendance at the National Air Transportation Association’s 2010 Air Charter Summit was up 50% over the previous year, the association reports. The event, held June 7-9 in Chantilly, Va., discussed a range of business, regulatory and legislative issues affecting the on-demand and fractional ownership markets, as well as the aviation community at large. Issues covered included state and federal taxes, the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program, flight and duty time, NextGen, charter brokering and fractional ownership, among others.
ALAN HUGGETT will take on the new duties of Northwest regional manager for Duncan Aviation. Huggett will work with operators in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, northern California and northern Nevada. He is currently a service sales representative with Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich., facility. Huggett will relocate to Duncan’s new facility in Provo, Utah this summer.
Eagle Creek Aviation Services in Indianapolis recently handed over a Grand Renaissance Twin Commander 980 to the Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico). The Grand Renaissance is a complete refurbishment program for the Twin Commander that involves stripping the aircraft down to the aluminum shell and rebuilding it with new or overhauled components. The process takes more than six months to complete. Eagle Creek addressed several corrosion issues, managed exterior painting, refurbished the interior and performed other scheduled maintenance on the Mexican Navy Twin Commander.
James Ballough, special assistant to the associate administrator for aviation safety at FAA, acknowledges that letters of authorization (LOA) have become a growing problem for charter operators in recent years. “I know it’s a frustration,” Ballough told attendees at the National Air Transportation Association’s Air Charter Summit this month. Operators have sought the LOAs to be able to transit through RVSM-restricted airspace without having the proper RVSM equipment on board.
BOMBARDIER CL-600, CL-601, CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL-604 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0169; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-102-AD; Amendment 39-16305; AD 2010-10-26] – Before further flight, visually inspect the selector valve of the nose landing gear (NLG) and the door selector valve of the NLG to ensure proper installation of the lock wire of the end cap. If necessary, rework or replace any defective selector valve.
West Star Aviation is consolidating all of its surplus avionics sales and service at its East Alton, Ill., facility, a move the company says was prompted by its need to adapt to the challenging economic market. “This consolidation allows us to control expenses during more difficult economic times,” says Jim Swehla, vice president of sales and marketing at West Star. He adds that West Star will maintain the same level of customer service that the division, previously located in Hiawatha, Iowa, had provided.
Eagle Creek Aviation Services has delivered its 20th Embraer Phenom jet. Fourteen were part of a 21-Phenom purchase by Eagle Creek on behalf of its client base. The remaining deliveries were part of consulting agreements to assist in the technical aspects of acceptance and delivery of the Brazilian-manufactured aircraft on behalf of North American clients.
Charles Krug–Peter Mondavi Sr. Family Winery has been named the exclusive winery for the 2010 EAA AirVenture’s “Gathering of Eagles” in Oshkosh, Wis., July 26- Aug. 1. Co-owner Marc Mondavi says it will share Charles Krug wines with attendees at the show’s newest dining venue, Vintage Grill. He and his wife Janice will serve as winemaker hosts at two events: the Gathering of Eagles Soirée preview dinner on July 28, and the Gathering of Eagles public fundraising party on July 29.
BOMBARDIER Global Express and Global Express 5000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0548; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-041-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain balance washer screws used in the ram air turbine (RAT), per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-24-075 or 700-1A11-24-014 (both Rev. 01 and dated July 15, 2009).
New flight and duty time recommendations were part of the nearly 170 recommendations that the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) provided to FAA on updating the regulations. John Hickey, FAA deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, called the recommendations “a huge elephant,” and said during the NATA summit Tuesday, “The only way to eat it is one small bite at a time.
