The FAA, aiming to mitigate flight hazards, is advising operators to establish policies and guidance to control cockpit “distractions” – including the use of personal electronic devices – during flight operations.
MARK THIBAULT was named regional director, product support programs for Gulfstream Aerospace. Based in Hong Kong, Thibault is responsible for overseeing all product support efforts for Gulfstream aircraft fleet operators in Asia. He will coordinate aircraft maintenance and support requirements for Gulfstream operators in Asia, as well as oversee the growth of the Gulfstream support network. Thibault previously spent more than three years as the director of maintenance, director of flight operations and chief operating officer for Metrojet Limited in Hong Kong.
BOMBARDIER-ROTAX 912 F, 912 S and 914 F engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0342; Directorate Identifier 2002-NE-08-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct initial and repetitive visual inspections of the engine crankcase for cracks. If any cracks were found, the engine would need to be replaced, per the instructions of Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-912-029, Rev. 3 (dated July 11, 2006) and SB-914-018, Rev. 3 (dated July 11, 2006).
Wayfarer Aviation has added a Gulfstream V to its charter fleet. Based in the Northeast, the long-range business jet seats 14 passengers and will be available for charter early this month.
AGUSTA A109E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0449; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-38-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a battery bus (BATT BUS) circuit breaker modification kit, which involves replacing the 35-amp circuit breaker with a 50-amp circuit breaker and replacing the wires with oversized ones, per the instructions of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-98 (dated June 22, 2009).
Embraer, nearing certification for its Legacy 650 jet this year, took a step forward on two other development programs with the recent cut of first metal for its “midlight” Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 business jets. The initial manufactured part (a section of the forward fuselage) belongs to the first Legacy 500 prototype, which is scheduled to make its initial flight in the second half of 2011.
The Centennial Airport Business Association has changed its name to the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) in an effort to better foster and promote aviation and related businesses throughout the state.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400, -401 and -402 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0382; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-211-AD] — This proposed rule would require operators to modify the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) control logic in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-29-22, Rev. A (dated Feb. 24, 2009).
As a volcanic cloud of ash and glass left air travelers stranded worldwide for a week, private aviation operators labored to help fill the gap, and industry advocates worked with European regulators to handle future groundings in a more coordinated fashion. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) called an emergency teleconference last week to urge Eurocontrol and the European Commission to consider three scenarios to handle ongoing flight cancellations and airspace restrictions in the wake of Iceland’s volcanic eruptions.
Although the high inventory levels for used business jets that existed in much of 2009 are gradually being reduced, that segment remains a buyer’s market, according to a new report on first quarter sales from Utica, N.Y.-based business jet consultancy Jetnet. “At the end of March 2010, the percentage of pre-owned business jets for sale was at 15.6%, compared to the high of 17.7% recorded in July 2009,” the report says. “The number of business jets for sale at the end of the first quarter of 2010 was slightly less than 2,800 aircraft.”
Solairus Aviation has “put the pieces in place for the foreseeable future” and is gradually expanding its base as the San Francisco-area charter and management company celebrates its first-year anniversary, CEO Dan Drohan says. While founded early last year during one of the worst economic times in business aviation industry, Solairus has continued to build market share with a balance of full-managed and charter aircraft. The company also has installed the necessary infrastructure for the long term, Drohan believes.
LISA SASSE has joined Universal Weather and Aviation as senior Northeast sales and sales strategy manager. Sasse has more than 25 years of experience in corporate and commercial aviation, and previously served as vice president for EVAS Worldwide and vice president for Aircraft Service Group. She also has served as a sales and marketing executive for Air Routing International.
International Communications Group (ICG) and Cobham Antenna Systems have received FAA supplemental type certification (STC) for Sora, a communications system that offers both Iridium and SwiftBroadband (SBB) voice and data services worldwide. The initial Sora system was recently installed on a Gulfstream G200. ICG and Cobham worked with Gulfstream on the STC, which the companies say provides the basis for installation on a variety of business jets. Sora integrates ICG’s NxtLink 220A Iridium system and NxtMail Server with a Cobham Inmarsat SBB terminal.
North-Aire Aviation’s failure to comply with FAA pilot school regulations and falsification of student records has drawn a proposed $330,000 civil penalty from the agency. The FAA alleges that the Prescott Valley, Ariz.-based school’s courses were not valid under FAA pilot training rules. In addition, the agency says that North-Aire used unapproved training course outlines and did not retain required student records in accordance with agency rules. FAA also claims the school failed to correct discrepancies after the agency pointed them out.
The Environmental Protection Agency last week took a step toward phasing out leaded aviation gasoline use with its release of a much-anticipated advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), but the agency also concedes that a number of obstacles remain to imposing new emission standards, particularly on the existing general aviation fleet (BA, April 19/1).
Albuquerque, N.M.-based Eclipse Aerospace has announced plans to open its first European Platinum Service Center, in Istanbul, Turkey, for EA500 aircraft service, maintenance and modifications. Eclipse Aerospace General Aviation A.S. will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Eclipse EA500 operators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The fourth annual European Safety Standdown will be held May 2-3, on the eve of the 10th annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The standdown is sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association.
Michelin North America is expanding its aviation tire operations in Norwood, N.C. The company is investing $11.3 million in the facility to add aviation tire retreading services. Michelin also manufactures new tires at the 380,000-square-ft. facility. Michelin expects to add 74 new jobs at the site over the next 18 months, the bulk of which will come in early 2011. The Norwood plan currently employs 320 people.
AgustaWestland has launched AW139 HUMS (Health Usage and Monitoring System) web services. The data-monitoring service, developed in collaboration with GE Aviation, enables AW139 operators to manage the transmission health and usage data collected during operations and rapid sharing of the data with AgustaWestland customer support and services organization. This optimizes HUMS usage, giving a simple set of indicators for technical staff for efficient data analysis and maintenance of AW139 transmission components, AgustaWestland says.
Cessna handed over its first CJ4, the company announced last week. Delivery, to an unnamed customer, followed FAA type certification of the newest member of the CJ family in March (BA, March 22/5). Cessna says the aircraft was the first equipped with its new Green Trak flight planning software designed to minimize total trip cost by indexing the costs of direct operation, fuel burn and carbon emissions. Cessna has orders for more than 150 of the $9 million jet and expects to deliver 15 this year.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) recently released a guide to help European operators prepare for emergencies. The guide was developed after a survey EBAA conducted last year found that just under one-third of business aircraft operators do not possess an emergency response plan.
Wichita, Kan.-based Belite Aircraft was named the 2010 Grand Champion Ultralight this month at Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Fla. The manufacturer made its first appearance at Sun ’n Fun and displayed the Superlite and Trike versions of the FAA Part 103 aircraft targeting recreational flyers. All are available fully assembled or in kit form from the Wichita, Kan.-based manufacturer. Belite Ready To Fly Factory pricing starts at $25,000. Kits start at under $10,000.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) listed the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) among its top 10 milestones in European business aviation in the past 10 years.
TURBOMECA Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, 2B and 2B1 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0302; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-09-AD; Amendment 39-16245; AD 2009-08-08R1] — Establish a new, lower limit of 5,000 flight cycles for certain Power Turbine (PT) wheel blades. If any PT blades exceed 5,000 flight cycles, remove Module M04, the PT wheel assembly, or the PT blades prior to the next flight.
April 13, 1970 — Six general aviation associations form the General Aviation Associations Committee to provide a unified front and, among other things, improve “our image before the general public.” April 7, 1980 — Department of Energy officials, concerned by reports that U.S. agricultural production may be impacted by shortages of aviation gasoline, urge major refiners to boost avgas production. April 16, 1990 — Bombardier agrees to acquire Learjet Corp. from Integrated Resources for $75 million and assumption of a $38 million line of credit.
