THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD is offering training on emergency communications involving major aircraft accidents. The two-day training will provide guidance for public affairs professionals to effectively manage emergency communications following a major accident. For more information on the Oct. 27-28 event, visit the NTSB Web site at www.ntsb.gov/TC/CourseInfo/PA302_2009.htm.
THE ECONOMY has taken a toll on Textron’s corporate headquarters, along with its business units, Textron Chairman and CEO Lewis Campbell noted in a business update for investors. Textron corporate has eliminated some 275 positions, representing about 40 percent of the corporate level. Company-wide, 10,000 employees have been laid off, or about 23 percent of the work force. Most of those, however, have come from Cessna, which has cut its work force in half, or by more than 8,000 positions.
Cessna Aircraft is preparing for a further decline in production next year before a modest upturn begins in 2011, with “momentum beginning from there,” Textron Chairman and CEO Lewis Campbell told investors last week in a business update. After the second quarter, Textron executives believed they were beginning to see early signs of market stabilization, Campbell said, and added, “Now, we think, we’ve begun to see somewhat of a trend.”
BRITISH AIRWAYS’ first Embraer 170 was delivered recently to BA CityFlyer, BA’s wholly owned regional subsidiary operating from London City Airport. The aircraft, configured with 76 seats in a single-class layout, was part of a deal that included firm orders for six Embraer 170s and five Embraer 190s. The BA Embraer 170 is slated to enter service soon, while the first Embraer190 is expected to arrive in England early next year.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0784; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-109-AD] – This proposal would require operators to add a filter/restrictor fitting to the spoiler lift/dump valve, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-43 (dated Jan. 29, 2009). This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by several reported cases of inadvertent inflight deployment of a single spoiler.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0515; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-071-AD; Amendment 39-16007; AD 2009-18-11] – Install a new warning placard near the status lights of the panel of the door lock indication, per the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-11-025, Rev. 1 (dated Dec. 13, 2007). Also, conduct a one-time inspection of the clearance between the lever and the up-limit switch, per the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-086 (dated Nov. 1, 2007).
FAA tapped Roderick Hall to serve as assistant administrator for government and industry affairs. Hall will serve as the agency’s chief congressional liaison, as well as work with other government organizations. He has spent nine years on Capitol Hill, most recently as deputy chief of staff and associate professional staff member to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas). He also served as a staff consultant with Ernst & Young, LLP.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0526; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-029-AD; Amendment 39-16008; AD 2009-18-12] – Apply sealant between the propeller deice bus bar assemblies and the backplate assembly. Also, revise the “Limitations” section of the Airplane Flight Manual by inserting a copy of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 Temporary Amendment (TA) 14, Issue 1 (dated May 10, 2006).
PATRICK ENZ was tapped to serve as group chief executive for Rizon, a Middle East and U.K.-based business aviation service company. Enz formerly was a vice president for Jet Aviation and also held management positions with Swissair and Lufthansa AG.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL secured an order from Singapore Flying College for two Cessna Citation Mustang flight simulators and an integrated procedures trainer. Singapore Flying College, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will take delivery of its new simulators and trainer during 2010 and 2011.
SENATORS Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) intend to delay the introduction of the Senate version of a climate change bill until “later in September.” Boxer, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, had previously hoped to introduce the bill after the Memorial Day recess, but that date slipped because the House bill was not approved by the chamber until the end of June.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model 58, 58A, 58P, 58PA, 58TC, 58TCA, 95-B55, 95-B55A, A36, A36TC, B36TC, E55, E55A, F33A and V35B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0797; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-032-AD] – This proposed AD would supersede an existing directive (AD 91-18-19), which requires operators to perform a one-time inspection of the pilot and co-pilot shoulder harnesses for an incorrect washer and replace any incorrect washer with the correct washer, per the instructions of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2394 (dated December 1990).
– Hawker Beechcraft last week handed over the first two T-6B trainers to the U.S. Navy after receiving FAA certification. The T-6B is an upgraded follow-on to the T-6A trainer that is a primary flight training aircraft for the Navy.
FAA awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to Noel Gary, director of aviation technologies at Wichita Area Technical College. Named after the first aviation mechanic in powered flight, the award is presented to certain aviation mechanics who have worked in aviation for at least 50 years and meet standards of excellence. Gary, who served in the U.S. Military Reserves, the Army and the Army Reserves for more than 35 years, obtained his Powerplant certificate in 1975 and Airframe certificate a year later.
– The battle between the U.S. and European Union over aircraft subsidies is far from settled, but the World Trade Organization, in the first of several judgments on the matter, has upheld some key elements of Washington’s case that Airbus has been receiving an unfair helping hand. However, Washington’s ability to take advantage has as much to do with procedure as anything else, since the WTO will not issue a preliminary finding on the EU’s countercase for several months, perhaps not before next year. Final reports for both cases should come in 2010.
COBHAM AVIONICS in Mineral Wells, Texas earned supplemental type certification (STC) for installation of its synthetic vision system in the Cessna 550. The STC marks Cobham’s first approval for synthetic vision on a Part 25 aircraft. Cobham developed the first synthetic vision system in 2002 for use in light planes and helicopters as part of FAA’s Capstone program in Alaska. Since then, Cobham has secured FAA and European certifications for more than 750 helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft models.
VOLO AVIATION earned a certificate recognizing its implementation of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Developed by the International Business Aviation Council, IS-BAO is a code of best industry practices designed to demonstrate a high level of operational safety and excellence.
FAA, which last week released a series of safety initiatives to improve operations in the Hudson River corridor, is teaming with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation to offer a safety seminar, “Tight Spots: Collision Avoidance in the Hudson Corridor,” on Sept. 15 in Newark, N.J. The safety initiatives and joint seminar were prompted by last month’s midair collision of a Liberty Helicopters sightseeing Eurocopter AS350 helicopter and a Piper PA-32R-300 piston aircraft over New York City’s Hudson River.
FAA last week began to review an Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s (ARC) recommendations on improving flight and duty time regulations. The ARC recommendations are believed to have been limited to Part 121 and scheduled 135 operations. The on-demand Part 135 community had urged FAA to limit the scope of the ARC to scheduled service, and is hoping the FAA instead will give consideration to recommendations offered by the Part 135/125 ARC for on-demand flight and duty time requirements.
DASSAULT AVIATION is doing its part to bolster attendance at the National Business Aviation Association’s 62nd Annual Meeting and Convention Oct. 20-22 in Orlando, Fla. The company last week offered customers and other Dassault guests complimentary registration to convention. “While we are all cutting costs and doing our best to thrive in this difficult economic environment, we hope you’ll take advantage of this special offer and visit us at our booth or the airport,” Dassault said. The registration costs $150 for NBAA members and $250 for non-members.
JOHN BEVAN joined online executive jet broker PrivateFly as a nonexecutive director. Bevan will help expand the company’s distribution channels. He most recently served as managing director with Lastminute.com, and before that was marketing and product director for Onlinetravel.com before the Web site was acquired by Lastminute.com. Bevan also has served with EMAP Digital Travel.
ATR plans to publicly roll out the first ATR -600 series aircraft, an ATR 72-600, during ceremonies Oct. 1 at the company’s plant in Toulouse, France. ATR launched the -600 series in October 2007 and is developing the series for both the ATR 72 and 42 lines. The first ATR 72-600 began flight-testing in July. The first ATR 42-600 is slated to begin flying next year. ATR said the program is progressing on schedule. The ATR 72-600 aircraft will accrue some 150 flight hours, and the 42-600 will log 75 flight hours to test the new equipment, including a new avionics suite.
SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0557; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-031-AD] – This proposal, which would revise an existing directive (AD 2009-13-05), would require operators to insert Page 3.13.5 of Temporary Revision No. 3 (dated March 2009) into the “Emergency Procedures” and “Limitations” sections of the Pilot Operating Handbook before further flight. The jamming of an oxygen generator release pin during a test flight prompted the European Aviation Safety Agency to issue the MCAI upon which this proposed AD is based.
– Revised procedures for operating in or near the Hudson River VFR Corridor, also known as the Class B exclusion zone, will go into effect Nov. 19, in time for inclusion on new aeronautical charts, according to FAA. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, among those represented in the New York Airspace Task Force working group, has applauded the agency’s plans.
