SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0066; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-52-AD; Amendment 39-16190; AD 2009-23-51] – Clean and inspect each main gearbox assembly mounting foot pad and rib for cracks and corrosion, per the instructions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-020 (dated Sept. 11, 2009). If no cracks are found, apply a corrosion preventive compound. If cracks are found, replace the main gearbox before further flight. If corrosion or bubbled or discolored paint is found, repair the gearbox before further flight.
FLORIAN THIELE was named regional sales manager, product support sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. Thiele will be based in Zurich, Switzerland and will sell maintenance for Gulfstream and other aircraft in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He previously served as manager, technical services for Jet Aviation Business Jets in Zurich.
February 16-18 – Air Africa 2010, Gallagher Convention Center, Midrand, South Africa, +27(11) 788-9562 or visit ww.airafricaexpo.com/ February 17-18 – Third Annual Allegiant Air Airport Conference, Las Vegas, Nev., e-mail: [email protected] February 20-23 – Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo, Houston, Texas, www.heliexpo.com February 24-25 – National Business Aviation Association 18th Annual Leadership Conference, San Diego, Calif., (202) 783-9000 or visit www.nbaa.org
The National Aeronautic Association has released a list of seven nominees for the 2009 Robert J. Collier Trophy. Nominees are: business and commercial aviation inflight Wi-Fi provider Aircell; NASA’s Ares 1 crew launch vehicle; the Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy military transport aircraft; the Kandahar Airfield Operations Team; the International Space Station; the MC-12W Project Liberty Enterprise Team; the SpaceX Falcon 1 Development Team; and John Warner and the Excalibur Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle.
SOLAIRUS AVIATION has secured International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) registration, becoming the 33rd charter operator in the U.S. to achieve the recognition. The registration was earned within the first year of the company, which was founded in March 2009. Since that time, Solairus has grown to a fleet of 41 aircraft, obtained international operations approval for large aircraft carrying 10 or more passengers and received an ARG/US Platinum rating.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1081; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-058-AD; Amendment 39-16187; AD 2010-03-04] – Inspect for minimum clearance between and insulation damage to the generator power cables, per the instructions of Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin 80-0271 (dated May 18, 2009). If any inadequate clearance or insulation damage is found, take all necessary corrective actions before further flight.
CHINESE CERTIFICATION of the Dassault Falcon 7X has cleared the way for delivery of three of the long-range, three-engine business jets to that country by the end of the first quarter. Approval of the 7X by the Civil Aviation Administration of China follows Chinese certification of the Falcon 900 and 2000 several years ago.
U.S. BUSINESS JET DEPARTURES have steadily improved since the middle of 2009, wrote Jefferies & Co. analyst Howard Rubel. “In February 2009, departures declined 29 percent year-over-year, the largest drop since we started tracking the data in 2001,” Rubel said. November and December marked the first signs of improvement in the business jet market, with departures increasing 0.5 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively. Jefferies & Co. believes the market has stabilized, and volumes are increasing. “Aftermarket sales should see a pickup in the back half of 2010.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION has developed guidelines to help operators prepare a comprehensive safety management system (SMS). The resource, Twelve Steps to an Effective Safety Management System: A Review of Fundamentals, are based on International Civil Aviation Organization SMS requirements and industry best requirements. NBAA said it is one of a series of resources NBAA has developed to help operators comply with ICAO SMS resources. The guidelines can be accessed through NBAA’s Web site at www.ascendwithnbaa.org/whitepaper2-genopr1.
The Flight Safety Foundation has created a new standard that is tailored for aviation operators involved in mining and resources. Developed in concert with companies involved in resources operations, the Basic Aviation Resources (BAR) Standard Program is designed to provide a single set of common safety standards. FSF noted that operators currently follow a range of safety standards that individual companies establish.
BAE 146 and Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A and 146-RJ100A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1254; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-040-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct repetitive inspections of the wing’s fixed leading edge and front spar structure for corrosion and cracking and to repair any damage found before further flight, per the instructions of BAE Systems Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-072, Rev. 1 (dated Sept. 25, 2008).
THE RELEASE DATE for the long-awaited revised Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) proposal has become more uncertain. Transportation Security Administration officials last summer said they planned to issue a revised LASP proposal, and indicated the project would move along fairly expeditiously. But sources believe the recent focus on commercial airline and airport security in the wake of the failed bomb plot in December has slowed down other projects, such as LASP, within the agency.
DAN NALE was named vice president of advanced aircraft programs for Gulfstream Aerospace. Nale will lead the new department after having served as vice president of mid-cabin programs. He has served with Gulfstream since 1985, beginning as a structural analysis engineer. He has held positions of increasing responsibility, becoming vice president, engineering in 1996. He has been responsible for a number of design and engineering organizations, including Structures, GV Propulsion, Auxiliary Power Unit, Fuel Systems, Environmental Control and Pressurization Systems.
HUGH WAUD was appointed as a field service representative for Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Waud will be based at Hawker Beechcraft’s authorized service center, Interglobe General Aviation, in New Delhi, India, and support customers in India. He has a background in aviation maintenance and customer support for both the airline and corporate aviation sectors. He began his career as a maintenance technician in the Royal Air Force and most recently provided maintenance support to a number of Hawker customers in the Middle East, primarily in Saudi Arabia.
EXECUJET AVIATION GROUP has added seven new aircraft – a Challenger 300, a Challenger 850, one Global 5000, one Falcon 2000, a Gulfstream 100 and two Gloal Express jets – to its European fleet. The aircraft will be based in London, Moscow, Kiev and Nice.
A CESSNA 340, N2217B, crashed into mountains near Lytle Creek, Calif. Jan. 18, killing both crew members and the only passenger aboard the aircraft. The twin-piston aircraft, operated under Part 91 without a filed flight plan, departed Henderson, Nev., on a flight to Compton, Calif. En route to Compton, the aircraft began maneuvering, making numerous circles, climbing and descending in the Lytle Creek area. Wreckage was discovered in a debris field spanning 500 feet. The largest piece comprised the aft cabin area and empennage.
A new market survey conducted on behalf of Aerion Corporation, the Reno, Nev., engineering group that has designed a new supersonic business jet (SSBJ), confirms earlier studies that suggested a market exists for about 300 such high-speed aircraft over a 10-year period, Aerion executives say. The latest study, conducted by Alden & Associates, is part of Aerion’s ongoing effort to convince an original equipment manufacturer to put its design into production.
AVFUEL added Orion Jet Center in Opa-Locka, Fla. to its network of branded dealers. Orion Jet Center will supply Avfuel aviation fuel and related services. The fixed-base operation offers 245,000 square feet of ramp space, hangar space and on-site U.S. Customs. The facility is about 15 minutes from Miami International Airport. Orion Jet Center also is restoring a former World War II military hangar and plans to break ground on a new terminal and hangar. The projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
FAA will publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking this week that invites input on whether current eligibility, training and qualification requirements for commercial pilot certification are adequate or need improvement.
KATHRYN FRASER was appointed manager of operations for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Fraser will handle issues involving safety, security and operations for GAMA. A commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, she graduated from Kansas State University – Salina with a bachelor of science in aeronautical technology.
Expansion in Asia/Pacific is a priority for Piper Aircraft’s new president and CEO, Kevin Gould, who is seeking to restore the company to the “14 aircraft per day” level of activity it peaked at three decades ago. Late last year, Gould promised that Piper would increase production rates by 50 percent in 2010. But at the Singapore Air Show last week, he upped his “optimism rating” by declaring a “more than 50 percent” hike to be in the cards.
AVIATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. (AMS) has expanded its portfolio of corporate aviation consulting services to include client representation during new or used aircraft transactions. The Portsmouth, N.H. firm provides consulting services on aircraft acquisitions, fractional ownership, charter and jet/flight card programs. The latest expansion enables AMS to support clients throughout the life cycle of aircraft ownership and asset management, the company said.
Bombardier Aerospace last week blamed the ongoing global economic crisis for the net negative orders for its business aircraft during fiscal year 2009-10, which ended Jan. 31. On the business aviation side, the Canadian manufacturer delivered 176 aircraft and posted 85 net negative orders. The commercial side saw 121 deliveries with 88 net orders, while its amphibious unit delivered five aircraft with eight net orders.
DAVID VITALE joined Solairus Aviation as a charter sales account executive based in southeastern Florida. Vitale will be responsible for Solairus charter sales in the Southeast U.S. Vitale has been involved in charter sales since 1997 and joined TAG Aviation in 2003. Most recently he was director, inside sales for Wayfarer Aviation.
