THE CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG has received Russian type certification, joining five other current-production Cessna jets that have been approved for use in that country – the Citation X, Sovereign, CJ3, CJ2+ and CJ1+. The Citation Mustang now has been certified in 60 countries, and more than 200 have been delivered since April 2007.
SIKORSKY broke ground recently on a new co-generation project that is intended to make its Stratford, Conn., factory more energy independent. The plant is expected to take a year and a half to complete and will eventually meet 82 percent of the factory’s energy needs while saving 8,900 tons of carbon-dioxide emissions annually. Although it will cost Sikorsky almost $26 million to build the facility, the company expects the energy savings will help recover the cost of construction in less than four years.
Sandpoint, Idaho-based Quest Aircraft Co. received an unrestricted Production Certificate from FAA Sept. 15, eliminating the need for an agency representative to inspect each Kodiak 100 it completes for airworthiness conformity with the FAA type certificate. Quest received FAA type certification for the Kodiak 100 in May 2007, and customer deliveries began last year. But the firm only has delivered 22 aircraft thus far.
THE FRACTIONAL MARKET in business aviation hit a low point in the first quarter of 2009, as fractional owners who felt compelled to liquidate their assets and exit their contracts did so, said Rolland Vincent of Plano, Texas-based Rolland Vincent Associates. “We expect to see a return to sales growth in late 2011 or 2012 after the economy rebounds,” he said. “In the interim, most transactions will involve existing customers renewing their shares or buying jet cards and other short-term lease products.” See article on Page 128.
– The White House drew praise from general aviation groups for moving to fill the top post at the Transportation Security Administration. The Obama Administration last week confirmed widely anticipated plans to nominate Erroll Southers as assistant secretary for the TSA.
– Cirrus Aircraft will price its single-engine Vision Personal Jet at a maximum initial price of $1.39 million for those with production reservations. The $1.39 million price will cover a “well equipped” Vision, Cirrus said.
BRIG. GEN. REGGIE CHITWOOD was re-elected to a second one-year term as national vice commander of the Civil Air Patrol. Chitwood will help coordinate the Civil Air Patrol’s 57,000 volunteers in support of emergency services, cadet programs, aerospace education and other missions. He formerly served as the national chief of staff and has been commander of CAP’s Southwest Region and Arkansas Wing.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION (FSF) has released a Runway Excursion Risk Reduction (RERR) tool kit, which provides in-depth analysis of runway excursion accident data, a compilation of risk factors and recommendations for addressing the issue. A joint effort between FSF and the International Air Transport Association, the tool kit is designed for operators, pilots, airports, air traffic management, air traffic controllers and regulators.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0785; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-125-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain elevator power control units (PCUs) with units of improved design, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-32, Rev. A (dated Jan. 18, 2008). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country, was prompted by the failure of a shaft on an elevator PCU. Continued actuation of the affected PCU caused damage to the surrounding structure.
– While the civilian market has remained stagnant, Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) is continuing to make inroads in the military markets with its T-6A Texan II turboprop training aircraft. The latest contract is for eight T-6As for the Iraqi Air Force. The contract was placed through the U.S. government under a government-to-government agreement, the Wichita plane maker said.
GENERAL ELECTRIC CJ610 and CF700 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0502; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-02-AD] – This proposed AD would require removing from service AFT Technologies combustion liners. This proposal resulted from a report that an AFT Technologies combustion liner released a large section of the inner combustion liner and that six other combustion liners suffered premature cracks.
DORNIER 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0522; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-16010; AD 2009-18-14] – Periodically conduct detailed visual and eddy-current inspections for cracking of the bearing lugs of the rudder spring tab lever assembly. Repeat the inspections until the assembly has been replaced by a newly designed assembly. This new AD, which supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD 2004-09-16), resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency.
– The global economic slump has slowed but not stopped the organization process for the International Association for General Aviation Catering (IAGAC). The association has been slowly trying to grow its membership and move forward on a couple of key initiatives, including the release of catering standards guidelines, as well as a registry of certified caterers.
— Boca Raton, Fla.-based Airstream Jets has introduced a new twist to jet card programs with its Distance Card, which bases its pricing on miles flown rather than hours.
A PIAGGIO P180 AVANTI II will begin a demonstration tour of Australia later this week. The aircraft, which was exhibited at the Asian Aerospace 2009 air show last week, is expected to visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
JET AVIATION strengthened its presence in Asia with the addition of three aircraft to its management fleet and the opening of a new fixed-base operation building in Beijing. Jet Aviation added two Bombardier Challengers – a CL604 and CL605 – and an Embraer Legacy to the management fleet in Asia. Based in Hong Kong and Bangkok, the aircraft increase Jet Aviation’s managed fleet in Asia to 10. Jet Aviation will fully manage the Challengers and operate the Legacy under a flight support agreement.
WHILE QUIETLY FORMED months ago, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) held its first meeting last week to discuss a range of aviation security issues with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These included updates on Secure Flight, airport security design guidelines, air cargo security, air service to foreign countries and the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). Comprising a cross section of industry and other interested security parties, the ASAC was established to provide a dialogue for improving civil aviation security.
ASIA JET, the Hong Kong-based private jet card program operator, is introducing a new Challenger 605 into charter service. The aircraft will be based at the Hong Kong Business Aviation Center at Chek Lap Kok International Airport, where it will be operated and maintained by Asia Jet’s exclusive operating partner, Metrojet. The airplane is scheduled to be available to Asia Jet card members beginning in the third quarter of 2010.
ATTENDEES at AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 placed nearly six tons of aluminum and plastic in recycling containers on the grounds during the weeklong event, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association. Anheuser-Busch Recycling donated recycling containers and more than 25,000 blue recycling bags for the campgrounds and teamed with Aviation Explorer Posts from La Crosse and Appleton, Wis. to collect the materials.
GREG WILCOX joined ARG/US as business aviation audit program manager. Wilcox will manage growth for the company’s Platinum and IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators) audit programs. He will oversee both domestic and international programs for Parts 135 and 91 operators. He has 30 years of operational and management experience in Parts 135 and 91 as a flight department manager, director of training, director of operations and flight school manager. He also has a background in technical writing for maintenance, training and operations manuals.
ROCKWELL COLLINS has been named an official program sponsor for the FIRST Tech Challenge, part of a larger program designed to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a not-for-profit organization founded by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway two-wheel electric vehicle. Rockwell Collins will be the primary official sponsor of the FIRST Tech Challenge, which will be available to students in grades nine through 12.
– Piedmont Aircraft Company, the former aircraft sales unit of Landmark Aviation resurrected under the Piedmont banner in February, has placed some 24 aircraft with buyers in the past six months, the company reported last week. The sales represented a mix of Hawker Beechcraft aircraft, including a Premier, two Beech 1900s, 11 King Airs, two Barons and six Bonanzas.
