KURT BARNHART was named president-elect of the University Aviation Association (UAA). Barnhart, who is professor and head of Kansas State University’s Department of Aviation, will serve a one-year term. UAA comprises more than 525 members that represent educators, students, high schools, collegiate institutions and other organizations and industry officials.
TRAINING CRUE GRAPHICS (TCG) has partnered with Kent State University to develop and deliver customized training aids for the university’s aviation department and students. TCG will create a line of training aids specific to each aircraft type in the school’s fleet to assist pilots-in-training with familiarizing themselves with type-specific cockpit environments before entering the aircraft.
PILATUS PC-12/47E airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1158; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-063-AD] – This proposed AD, which supersedes AD 2009-0080-E, would require operators to update the air data, attitude and heading reference system (ADAHRS) software following the instructions of Honeywell Service Bulletin KSG 7200-34-09, Rev. 0 (dated Sept. 24, 2009) or replace the ADAHRS unit with a new ADAHRS unit, per the instructions of Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 34-022 (dated Oct. 5, 2009).
CONVINCING lawmakers to provide a substantial boost in NextGen funding has been a daunting task for aviation leaders, industry officials said. That’s because the future of air traffic management is moving from the ground to the aircraft, notes Jen Hennig, vice president of operations for GAMA. “The argument that we’re struggling to make is that it is a paradigm shift -- that it is aircraft centric,” Hennig said.
Iceland charter operator Icejet believes its fleet of Dornier 328JETs will help expand its niche in a cost-conscious European market that is still struggling to emerge from the economic downturn. The operator, which used the recent annual International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes, France, to step up its marketing efforts, has worked with Germany’s 328 Support Services to convert the 328JETs from 32 airline seats to a 14-seat VIP Envoy configuration, along with one aircraft in a 19-seat corporate shuttle layout.
GREG PETERS was tapped to lead operational excellence efforts for Goodrich Corporation. Peters most recently was president of the Goodrich Aerostructures business. He joined Goodrich when it merged with Rohr in 1997, and before that held manufacturing leadership roles with General Electric for 17 years.
Tenants at California’s Van Nuys Airport (VNY) have formally requested relief from increasing rental rates and charges that they say “have contributed to unprecedented job losses at the airport and left many businesses struggling to survive in the midst of the most severe economic downturn in the history of private aviation.”
ATR opened a logistics support center at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. The center will support operators in the Asia-Pacific regions who have global maintenance agreements with ATR. The center will carry a stock of equipment. Logistics specialist DHL Supply Chain will manage the center. ATR also has logistic support centers in Paris, Miami, Auckland and Singapore. The regional turboprop aircraft producer said the most recent logistics center is part of its strategy to expand its presence in Southeast Asia.
MODESTO CITY-COUNTY AIRPORT’S updated noise program is under review by FAA. The proposed Part 150 noise compatibility program for the central California field is to be approved or disapproved by the agency by June 6. The public comment period ends Feb. 8. For more information, contact Camille Garibaldi, Environmental Protection Specialist, FAA, Western-Pacific Region, San Francisco Airports District Office, 831 Mitten Road, Suite 210, Burlingame, Calif., 94010; phone: (650) 876-2778, ext. 613.
EUROCOPTER AS332C, L, L1 and L2; SA330F, G and J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1008; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-62-AD; Amendment 39-16063; AD 2009-22-10] – Inspect the screw that secures the main-rotor blade deicing system distributor retaining clamp and take remedial actions, if necessary, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 30.00.66 (for the AS332C, C1, L and L1) or No. 30.20 (for the SA330J, F, and G) (both Rev. 1 and dated Aug. 21, 2008).
A new model intended to enhance Eurocopter’s competitiveness in the medium-twin segment and provide China’s Avicopter with a beachhead in the international market is one step closer to entering service following its recent first flight.
BUTLER NATIONAL CORP. reported that revenue from its aircraft modification and avionics businesses increased during the most recent fiscal quarter. The Olathe, Kan.-based company, whose products include performance enhancement and structural modifications of Beechcraft, Cessna, Dassault and Learjet aircraft, said revenue from its Aircraft Modifications segment for the three months ending Oct. 31, 2009, was $2.4 million, an increase of 5.9 percent from the three months ended October 31, 2008.
EMBRAER signed an aircraft financing and leasing memorandum of understanding with CDB Leasing, Co. (CLC) in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China. Embraer estimated that the agreement could be valued at up to $2.2 billion over the next three years. CLC is a major financial leasing company held by the state-owned China Development Bank. The agreement is designed to provide financial options for the acquisition of Embraer aircraft in China. CLC may provide financial services to customers or purchase aircraft directly from Embraer.
TELLURIDE REGIONAL AIRPORT (TEX) in Colorado recently celebrated the official reopening of the airport following the completion of a runway reconstruction. Part of a larger modernization project at the airport, the runway reconstruction involved removing the existing runway, reducing grades, widening safety areas, extending the length and adding new lighting. The next phase of the modernization project, which is expected to begin this year, will involve widening the remaining safety areas and adding an engineered material arresting system.
EUROCOPTER EC120B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1118; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-60-AD; Amendment 39-16126; AD 2009-25-07] – Before further flight, amend the Rotorcraft Flight Manual by inserting the following language: “Arm the emergency floatation gear by pressing the LACU ‘FLOAT ARM’ pushbutton. If both lights of the pushbutton remain lit, flight over water is permitted. If one or both lights of the pushbutton do not remain lit, FLIGHT OVER WATER IS PROHIBITED.” Also, perform a functional check of this pushbutton before each flight over water.
THE FIRST EUROPEAN AIR AMBULANCE MEETING was scheduled in conjunction with the general aviation trade show AERO 2010, which will be held April 8-11 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The air ambulance meeting will provide a forum for air ambulance industry executives to network and exchange information. For more information, visit www.aero-expo.com.
THE FIRST SIKORSKY S-76D helicopter airframe has entered production on the assembly line at Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic. Serial number 761004, which recently had its fuselage joined, is scheduled to depart Aero Vodochody for delivery in April 2010 to the Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility in Coatesville, Pa., where final assembly and completion will take place. Initial customer deliveries of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S-powered S-76D are expected to begin in 2011.
INJET is offering its “Touch 10” jet card as a holiday gift. The card enables customers to sample 10 hours of InJet’s services without a large capital outlay, but while still enjoying all the member benefits of the InJet program. The Touch 10 jet card enables members to travel domestically or internationally on light, midsize or heavy jets.
HONEYWELL TFE731 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0331; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD] – This revised proposed AD would require removing from service certain second-stage and/or third-stage low-pressure compressor rotor (LPCR) discs. The original proposal has been revised to correct a part number error, clarify the applicability of the rule, and clarify the instructions in the compliance section. This supplemental proposed AD results from a report of cracks found during a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the disc bore.
U.S. business aircraft flights increased 3.15 percent in November over October, continuing the improving trend, according to the latest ARGUS TRAQPak data. Comparing November of this year to November 2008, ARGUS reports activity is up 22.7 percent.
WILLIAM VOSS extended his contract as president and chief executive officer of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) for another four years. The contract extends through the end of 2014. Voss joined FSF in 2006. He previously served as a pilot, an air traffic controller, a certified aviation mechanic, and a regulator at both the FAA and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
CIRRUS SR22 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1162; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-066-AD; Amendment 39-16136; AD 2009-26-01] – Inspect the compression fittings on the anti-ice fluid distribution lines for proper installation, per the instructions of Cirrus SR22 Service Bulletin SB 2X-30-08 (dated Nov. 9, 2009). Repair any fittings that are not properly installed. FAA issued this AD to detect and correct anti-ice fluid distribution lines with improperly installed compression fittings before they cause a total loss of ice protection fluid supply to key aircraft surfaces.
KEY AIR has joined the Avfuel network of branded dealers. Key Air’s fixed-based operations in Fort Pierce, Fla., Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., and Oxford, Conn. all will offer Avfuel fuel and services, including the AVTRIP fuel incentive program.
EUROCOPTER EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1089; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-16-AD; Amendment 39-16101; AD 2009-09-51] – Before further flight, determine if the “CHIP” detector light on the Vehicle Monitoring System Screen previously illuminated.
