JIM DOLLE was named manager of FlightSafety International’s quality management system, which is designed to optimize business processes that ensure training programs are compliant with regulatory requirements. A 29-year U.S. Navy veteran, Dolle joined FlightSafety in 2001 at the Savannah, Ga. Learning Center. He joined the quality management system team in 2005 as a quality specialist and helped obtain ISO 9001:2000 registration for many of FlightSafety’s locations.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE’S facility at Long Beach, Calif. earned FAA authorization to perform engine and auxiliary power unit maintenance on Gulfstream G150 aircraft. The G150 is powered by twin Honeywell TFE 731-40A engines and is equipped with the Honeywell RE100 APU. The facility, which already had achieved approval for airframe maintenance, is now cleared to provide comprehensive services for all in-service Gulfstream business jets.
SCOTT CARSON, son of a Boeing pilot and a go-to guy for selling innovative programs, last week was relieved of his duties as president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing CEO James McNerney said last week. Carson, 63, has been replaced by Jim Albaugh, 59, now president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. In turn, Albaugh is to be replaced by Dennis Muilenburg, 45, now president of the $8 billion-per-year Defense Systems’ Services and Support unit.
HEADS UP TECHNOLOGIES has developed and qualified an aural warning generator (AWG) for the Sikorsky H-92 being developed in support of the Canadian CH-148 Marine Helicopter Program. Production AWGs are slated to begin delivery in late third quarter. The units can provide three simultaneous audio alerts, one voice and two tone alerts, based on information received from two redundant data concentrator units via an ARINC 429 databus.
– Tim Mahoney, a 30-year aerospace executive who helped grow key Honeywell Aerospace units, was selected to replace Rob Gillette as president and chief executive of Honeywell Aerospace, the company announced last week. Gillette is leaving the company to become CEO of Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar. In addition, Honeywell appointed Kevin Moriarty vice president and chief financial officer for Honeywell Aerospace, succeeding Bob Hau. Hau was named CFO of Lennox International.
DUBAI-BASED Empire Aviation Group (EAG) has become the first aircraft operator in the Gulf Cooperation Council to take delivery of Hawker Beechcraft’s Hawker 4000. The new eight-seat, twin-engine aircraft will be managed by EAG, with another two H4000s set for delivery to the region in 2009-2010.
EMBRAER is using its appearance at this week’s Asian Aerospace Expo 2009 at Hong Kong International Airport to launch a regional tour of its super midsize Legacy 600 executive jet. The Legacy 600 will be on static display at the Expo, and then begin a demo tour of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Kunming, as part of the larger Asia tour already announced. The range of the Legacy 600 allows it to cover all of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, departing from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Kunming.
– 3M unveiled a Mobile Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Solution program that is designed to help general aviation and fixed-based operators ease the process of transmitting APIS data for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) passenger screening and Transportation Security Administration vetting. Homeland Security rules require submission of electronic notices of arrival and departure of international flights for private and general aviation, as well as electronic manifests relative to passengers and crew.
– The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has received a $4.2 million grant from FAA to fund 95 percent of the cost to extend the primary runway at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. The total estimated cost of the project is $4.43 million. The previous estimate for the project was $10.9 million, but has dropped because of the current and extremely competitive bidding environment for construction projects in South Florida. The reduced cost for the project made it possible for the FAA to fund the maximum federal share of 95 percent.
NORA ANN BROZEK was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Learning Center in Tucson, Ariz. Brozek joined FlightSafety’s Tucson center in 2005, beginning as an instructor and later serving as a program manager for the center’s Bombardier Learjet 31A, 55 and 60 programs. She became product marketing manager in 2007. Brozek also has served in the U.S. Air National Guard and/or U.S. Air Force since 1998.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1312; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-065-AD] – This revised proposal would require operators to perform one-time visual inspections and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the left and right main landing gear actuators for leaking or cracks. Replacement of the actuator would be required if any leaks or cracks are found.
CONGRESS also wants to review the safety implications of the Hudson River midair collision, with House lawmakers considering a hearing possibly in the middle of September. The Senate is expected to follow suit. After the accident, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) had asked for a hearing on Part 135 safety. The Senate hearing, however, now is expected to expand to a range of airspace and other issues surrounding the Hudson River corridor.
FRANK KUSSEROW was appointed as Jet Aviation’s new director and head of fixed-base operation services for EMEA and Asia. Kusserow will continue as FBO director at Jet Aviation in Dusseldorf, Germany, in addition to working closely with all of the FAB directors throughout the EMEA and Asia region. He joined Jet Aviation Dusseldorf in May 2006 as manager FBO. Kusserow formerly has served with Lufthansa and Wingco.
COBHAM AVIONICS, the Mineral Wells, Texas company formerly known as S-TEC Corporation, achieved Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) from FAA for supplemental type certificate projects. ODA recognition enables Cobham to perform its own certification activities under FAA oversight. The Cobham Avionics facility in Mineral Wells is the second Cobham operation to secure ODA approval. Chelton Flight Systems, also known as Cobham Avionics, became one of the first organizations in the U.S. to receive ODA approval in 2008.
—The first Citation X equipped with elliptical winglets has been delivered, Cessna announced last week. Cessna collaborated with Winglet Technology to develop an elliptical winglet retrofit for the Citation X. Cessna’s Wichita Service Center installed the winglets under Winglet Technology’s supplemental type certificate. The elliptical winglet shape is designed to reduce the induced drag of the aircraft, which, in turn, lowers fuel consumption, increases speed and increases range for the Citation X.
– Eclipse Aviation reopened the doors at its Albuquerque, N.M., headquarters and assembly site Sept. 1, some six months after closing them, many thought permanently. Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., a new entity founded by Eclipse 500 owners Mason Holland and Mike Press, purchased the bankrupt company’s assets through auction last month in a deal involving $20 million in cash and an equal amount in new notes to old Eclipse Aviation noteholders. The original company spent more than $1 billion to design, certify, and deliver the EA 500 very light jet before failing.
SCOTT TAYLOR was appointed senior vice president for business aviation for StandardAero. Based in Tempe, Ariz., Taylor will oversee the long-term company strategy for growing its products and services in the business aviation sector. He has 20 years of sales, marketing and strategy development experience, including an 18-year career with Honeywell Aerospace. He also served as general manager, business and regional aviation marketing, for General Electric Aviation.
TWIN COMMANDER Model 690, 690A and 690B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0778; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-040-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect between the surface of the left-hand and right-hand upper wing skins and the engine mount beam support straps for any signs of corrosion, per the instructions of Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Alert Service Bulletin No. 237 (dated May 13, 2005). In addition, operators would be required to replace the upper steel straps with parts of improved design and modify both wings.
SKIP MADSEN was appointed vice president – maintenance, repair and overhaul for Midcoast Aviation. Madsen is responsible for MRO sales and services at the company’s headquarters in St. Louis and its satellites in Boston/Bedford, Chicago, Palm Beach and Teterboro, as well as Savannah Air Center. Madsen, who has served in the aviation industry for some 30 years, joined Midcoast Aviation in 2007.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0763; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-301-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to modify affected elevator booster control units (BCUs) in accordance with Goodrich Component Service Bulletin 23400-27-27, Rev. 1 (dated Sept. 14, 2007). Eventually, operators would need to replace all affected elevator BCUs.
– Bombardier Aerospace cited a continued weak business jet market for a $100 million drop in revenues and $89 million decline in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the second quarter ended July 31. Bombardier Aerospace revenues reached $2.4 billion in the second quarter, down from $2.5 billion a year earlier, while EBIT was $154 million, compared with $243 million a year ago.
– The fractional jet industry is in the midst of a major transformation caused by shakeups in executive suites, startup failures and questions of survival for some established providers, according to Brian Foley, president of Sparta, N.J.-based Brian Foley Associates.
AVAILABLE business jet inventories declined 2 percent in August, the second decline in the past three months, UBS Investment Research reported in its “Business Jet Update.” But inventories are still 36 percent more than a year ago. Inventories of aircraft younger than 10 years old were down 2 percent in August, but are still up 50 percent from the previous year. Available new delivery positions dropped 3 percent in August, the fifth straight sequential decline, UBS said.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION last week unveiled a new award, the John H. Winant Award, in memory of the former longtime NBAA leader and in recognition of the service of its board members. “When NBAA’s directors conclude their tenure on our board, they commonly invest their knowledge, dedication and passion into a variety of important endeavors that greatly benefit business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
– Hawker Beechcraft is making “significant progress” in developing Premier II, a derivative of the Premier IA light jet, but has delayed its entry into the market, the company said last week. When the aircraft was announced at the May 2008 European Business Aircraft Convention and Exposition, Hawker Beechcraft officials predicted it would be certified in mid-2010 and then enter service. Early last week, however, the company rolled back the scheduled certification date to “late 2012 or early 2013.”
