CARMANAH TECHNOLOGIES, a supplier of solar technology, has teamed with airfield lighting specialist ADB Airfield Solutions to provide a line of solar-based LED airfield lighting. The agreement will enable ADB to augment its line of airfield lights with a range of solar-powered LED alternatives. ADB, which formerly was part of Siemens, provides visual guidance and ground lighting systems. Carmanah’s solar-power lights can be deployed in locations where electrical infrastructure is incomplete or nonexistent.
BELL Model 407 and Model 427 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1123; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-03-AD; Amendment 39-16127; AD 2009-25-08] – Perform a one-time inspection of the hydraulic pump driveshaft assembly to determine if an internal plug and a fastening rivet are correctly installed. If either is missing, replace the hydraulic pump driveshaft assembly with an airworthy hydraulic pump input shaft and interconnect adapter.
SYNTHETIC FUEL providers Rentech and AltAir Fuels have each signed memoranda of understanding with 13 domestic and international airlines to supply jet fuel. The Rentech agreement covers 250 million gallons annually, beginning in 2014. Renetech will supply fuel produced from petroleum coke or coal using the Fischer-Tropsch process. AltAir Fuels will provide up to 50 million gallons of jet fuel produced from camelina plant oil.
EUROCOPTER SA 330F, G and J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1124; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-35-AD; Amendment 39-16128; AD 2009-25-09] – Inspect and readjust the tightening torque load of the six nuts on the flexible coupling-to-flange attachment bolts on the main gearbox inputs, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.95 (dated March 3, 2008).
FAA last week added four new Beechcraft King Air C90GTi turboprops to its Flight Standards fleet. The agency, which took delivery of the four aircraft during ceremonies Tuesday in Wichita, Kan., signed a contract for four of the C90GTi turborprops and options for two more (BA, Aug. 3/53). The aircraft will support the agency’s Aviation Safety operations inspectors. The aircraft also will be used for FAA’s disaster relief and emergency response operations.
BLAKEY was encouraged that momentum was building for the White House-backed concept of a national infrastructure bank. The House originally included language for a bank in the transportation appropriations bill, but the measure did not survive as the bill worked its way through Congress. Industry groups have been eyeing the concept of infrastructure banks as a possible means for industry to get low-interest loans and other funding to encourage operator equipage for NextGen. “AIA is working with others to provide a more detailed plan,” she said.
Because of the holiday schedule, The Weekly of Business Aviation will not publish a Dec. 28 edition. The next issue will be dated Jan. 4. Please accept our best wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
BOMBARDIER Challenger 300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1113; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-238-AD; Amendment 39-16133; AD 2009-25-13] – Deactivate the left-hand baggage bay sidewall heater in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin A100-25-30 (dated July 20, 2009). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to prevent the possibility of a fire being caused by uncontrolled excessive heat coming from the left-hand baggage bay sidewall heater. This AD becomes effective Dec. 28.
January 21-23, 2010 – Bahrain International Airshow, Sakhir Airbase, www.farnborough.com/site/content/bahrain/ January 25-26, 2010 – National Air Transportation Association FBO Leadership Conference, San Antonio, Texas, (800) 808-6282 or visit www.nata.aero/fbolc January 27-29, 2010 – National Business Aviation Association 21st Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, San Antonio, Texas, (202) 783-9000 or visit www.nbaa.org
Cessna Aircraft Friday took a step forward in its plans to become a major player in the light-sport aircraft market with the delivery of the first Model 162 Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The aircraft was handed over to Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton, during a ceremony at Yingling Aircraft in Wichita, Kan.
The industry chieftains gathered at the Aero Club of Wichita, Kan. last week agreed that general aviation has stabilized as a much smaller industry, and further, that growth in orders and production rates won’t happen anytime soon. Cessna CEO Jack Pelton, Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture, and Bombardier Learjet Vice President and General Manager David Coleal represented the general aviation and business aircraft manufacturers, while Jeff Turner of Spirit AeroSystems spoke for the airline and heavier commercial industries.
WAYFARER AVIATION has joined the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), which arranges about 2,500 free flights per year aboard business aircraft for cancer patients in need of medical treatment. The Rye Brook, N.Y.-headquartered charter and aircraft management company joins more than 530 other corporate flight departments that support White Plains, N.Y.-based CAN. “Wayfarer views its Corporate Angel Network alliance as part of a long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility,” said Bill Koch, Wayfarer Aviation CEO.
BOMBARDIER received FAA certification for the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System and Head-up Display on the Challenger 605 jet. Bombardier is developing BEVS with Rockwell Collins, which is the system integrator, and Esterline CMC Electronics, which is supplying the SureSight CMA-2600i integrated sensor system. Offered as an option on the Challenger 605, BEVS improves situational awareness and the ability to see the runway environment in low-visibility conditions.
IMPROVING FLIGHT HOURS are helping bolster the aviation services business, said Jay Johnson, president and chief executive of General Dynamics. GD’s services business, including both Jet Aviation and General Dynamics Aviation Services, saw business erode as flight hours plunged 17 percent through the first three quarters, Johnson said. While customers continued with “must-do” maintenance, discretionary maintenance tended to get deferred. Some of this maintenance is the more high-margin work, Johnson noted.
SWISS PRIVATEAVIATION, the business-aviation unit of Swiss International Air Lines, has added seven private jets to its portfolio under a new deal with Switzerland-based Mathys Aviation. Swiss will manage flight operations, maintain aircraft fleets, arrange insurance and continuously train crews.
PRESIDENT OBAMA proposed including additional funding to spur aviation infrastructure as part of a comprehensive plan unveiled last week to accelerate job growth. The Administration and key lawmakers have discussed the possibility of creating another sweeping stimulus package to boost the economy. Business aviation advocates have joined a cross-section of aviation groups in appealing to key legislators to include funding for NextGen air traffic modernization projects in any potential stimulus bill.
BOMBARDIER CL-601, CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL-604 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0565; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-217-AD; Amendment 39-16112; AD 2009-24-18] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitation” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new repetitive functional tests of the Engine Throttle Control Gearbox (ETCG).
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1111; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-147-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to incorporate a new Power Control Unit (PCU) centering mechanism on the elevator torque tube, in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-042, Rev. B (dated June 2, 2009). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was issued after two aircraft sustained oscillations during an elevator PCU centering functional check.
The fallout continues from an air traffic control problem last month that caused nationwide flight delays, with FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt ordering a review panel to examine the Nov. 19 outage of the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI). Hundreds of business jet operations and airline services nationwide were delayed when a glitch in the FTI disrupted air traffic management services (BA, Nov. 23/237).
Available business jet inventories fell 1 percent in November and are now 7 percent below the May peak, reports UBS in its Business Jet Update. The November findings fall in line with the continuing trend of an improving used aircraft market (BA, Dec. 7/269).
The continued economic downturn has forced Cessna Aircraft to close its three plants in Columbus, Ga., and move the work to plants in Independence, Kan. and Mexico in the next 24 months. The Columbus plants handle components and subassembly work for the range of Cessna aircraft. In addition, some subassembly work in Wichita will be shifted to Cessna facilities in Mexico.
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1130; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-40-AD; Amendment 39-16130; AD 2009-25-10] – Conduct a one-time visual inspection of the main gearbox (MGB) lube system filter assembly for oil filter damage. If either the primary or secondary oil filter is damaged, replacing both filters, all packings and the studs before further flight. Also, replace the oil filter bowl within 30 days after replacing a damaged filter and perform a daily inspection for oil leaks during that 30-day period.
OXYGEN CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES installed on Gulfstream G-IVs, as well as various Airbus and Boeing airliners, are the subject of a new airworthiness directive.
SIXTY OPERATORS have signed up to participate in the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s safety event reporting and management system, AVSiS. The software service, free for on-demand air charter operators, enables pilots, line employees, maintenance staff and other employees to report safety information to the company safety manager for development of mitigation and intervention strategies.
