BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0438; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-265-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to measure the inrush current of both angle-of-attack (AOA) transducers. If an AOA transducer were found to have an inrush current of less than 1.60 amps, operators would need to replace it with a new or serviceable transducer before further flight.
Piper Aircraft has looked to social media to generate sales, as well as interact with those loyal to the brand. The Vero Beach, Fla.-based manufacturer tapped Concord, Mass.-based DigiNovations/ChannelOne Marketing Group to handle its social media efforts. So far, Piper has two Facebook fan pages, two Twitter feeds and two YouTube channels, says Michael Kolowich, president and executive producer for DigiNovations and leader of the manufacturer’s social media efforts.
AvinodeAverage Per Hour CharterPrice Comparison Mid/Light 3 Months 6 Months Aircraft Current Ago Ago Citation X $4,406 $4,362 $4,320 Hawker 800XP $3,386 $3,359 $3,373
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1111; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-147-AD; Amendment 39-16271; AD 2010-09-06] — Incorporate a new Power Control Unit centering mechanism on the elevator torque tube to prevent sustained oscillations of control rods. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was issued to prevent sustained oscillations that could render the elevator surface inoperable and cause subsequent loss of pitch control and reduced controllability of the airplane.
May 24 – Greater Washington Aviation Open, Lansdowne Golf Resort, Lansdowne, Va., www.gwao.org May 24-27 – Regional Airline Association Annual Convention, Midwest Airlines Convention Center, Milwaukee, Wis., (414) 908-6001. June 7-8 — Canadian Business Aviation Association Conference, Calgary, Canada, www.cbaa.ca/portal/convention June 7-9 — National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Summit, Chantilly, Va., 800-808-6282, www.nata.aero/acs June 8-13 — Internationale Luftfahrt-Ausstellung Air Show, Berlin, Germany
The National Business Aviation Association has added three new courses and updated the objectives of its Professional Development Program (PDP). The program was developed to prepare business aviation professionals for flight department management roles. The program involves courses in five areas — business management, leadership, operations, human resources and technical facility services. PDP objectives also prepare students for NBAA’s Certified Aviation Management certificate program.
FAA has rolled out a new surveillance technology to help track aircraft in the mountainous region around Juneau, Alaska. The Wide-Area Multilateration System (WAM) will serve as an interim system until the agency deploys Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). WAM will then become a backup to ADS-B. WAM comprises a network of sensors installed around Juneau. The sensors transmit signals that are received and returned by aircraft transponders.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW617F-E engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0246; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the fuel filter bypass valve and replace any discrepant valve, per the instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin PW600-72-A66021, Rev. 1 (dated Jan. 7, 2010). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, was prompted by an incident in which a PW617F-E-powered twin-engine aircraft recently experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0436; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-230-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to take a number of actions to address the inability of the existing wing anti-ice system to detect a low-heat condition in the wing leading edge at all times.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association board recently recognized retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) during a reception this month on Capitol Hill. Both Dorgan, chairman of the Senate aviation subcommittee, and Ehlers, a member of the House aviation subcommittee, have announced plans to retire at the end of their current terms this year. “We owe both of these longtime supporters of general aviation a debt of gratitude,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce says.
A strengthening U.S. dollar will help bring back general aviation sales to North America, shifting the predominantly non-North American market to a more even distribution, according to Sparta, N.J.-based consultancy Brian Foley Associates. General aviation aircraft are typically priced in dollars, the analyst says, noting that the index is up 15% in the past six months.
Rizon Jet has signed a block-hour charter agreement for four months to place a Bombardier Challenger 605 with Prime Aviation in Kazakhstan. The aircraft will be based in either Almaty or Astana, as both companies will jointly offer the aircraft for charter within their respective regions.
FlightSafety International’s training programs recently received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Mexico. The DGCA approval validates FlightSafety’s Part 142 certification from the U.S. FAA.
ExxonMobil Aviation has expanded its Avitat network with five new Jet Aviation locations. The new Jet Aviation Avitats are located in Dubai, UAE; Dusseldorf, Germany; Geneva; London Biggin Hill; and Zurich. Jet Aviation currently operates four fixed-base operations under the ExxonMobil Aviation Avitat brand in North America at Bedford, Mass., Dallas, Palm Beach and Teterboro, N.J. The addition of the Jet Aviation FBOs increases the Avitat network to nearly 50 locations worldwide.
President Barack Obama’s selection of a longtime FBI agent as his third choice to head the Transportation Security Administration received a cautious welcome from key lawmakers last week. The White House on Monday, May 17, announced the intention to nominate John Pistole as assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, leading TSA.
Korean Air passengers will have access to Dallas-based Flexjet’s services in the U.S. under a deal signed by the two companies. The newly created Flexjet Connect program marks the first marketing alliance between Flexjet and an international airline.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is warning the industry that NextGen will not improve efficiency unless the industry steps up cooperation. Speaking during AVIATION WEEK’s NextGen Ahead conference Thursday, Babbitt said NextGen is more than just equipment; it’s a culture change. “But if we don’t let go of the one-upsmanship of how we work together, there’s no technology or procedure that can make things right,” he says, noting airline scheduling practices that were increasing delays in Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco.
ROD HOLTER was named vice president and general manager, aircraft manufacturing for Hawker Beechcraft. Holter will oversee Hawker Beechcraft’s manufacturing operations in Wichita’s Plant I and Plant III, as well as the Salina and Mexico facilities. He joins the company with 30 years of experience, most recently as vice president for the Mustang, single-engine and outlying facilities for Cessna. He also has been vice president of operations for Eclipse Aviation and served as a manufacturing engineer for Piper Aircraft.
Garmin has signed a distribution agreement with I.D. Systems Inc. to bring a new airport vehicle navigation product — SafeNav Powered by Garmin — to market. SafeNav is a GPS-based navigation and alert system designed to provide airport vehicle operators with real-time situational awareness, Garmin says. SafeNav includes a “moving map” of the vehicle location at the airport. The system incorporates built-in maps of more than 950 U.S.
Paris-based maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Sabena Technics is planning to expand its service offerings and create what CEO Christope Bernardini calls “a new paradigm” in aircraft interior completions through a new partnership with French designer ORA-ÏTO. The agreement was announced at the recent European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition in Geneva.
MIKE PERRY was named national account representative for ConocoPhillips. Perry joined ConocoPhillips in 1998, and most recently was business improver, general aviation for ConocoPhillips. He managed more than 40 terminals for ConocoPhillips as a clean products scheduler, and has experience in the Payment Systems Enterprise, which is responsible for credit card processing at branded locations.
ROSEMARY LEONE was named business improver, general aviation for ConocoPhillips. Leone, formerly a Phillips 66 senior account representative for the Midwest, will lead business improvement and strategy for the brand’s general aviation group. She has served with ConocoPhillips since 2003, and had 19 years of management experience with IBM.
YVONNE JONES was appointed to the newly created position of director, manufacturing engineering and planning for Sabreliner Corp. Jones also will lead Sabreliner’s new Lean Six Sigma manufacturing and quality program. She formerly led product quality and manufacturing operations with General Motors.
STEVE OLSON was appointed corporate aviation finance manager for Key Equipment Finance. Olson will oversee business jet financing transactions for corporate clients in the Western U.S. He was a founding partner in Luxe Capital Partners and has served as an account manager and vice president of aviation finance for GE Capital. He also has held positions with CIT Group/TRS.
