THE EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY, meanwhile, is sending a letter seeking ratings and staffing information from EASA-approved Part 145 repair stations in the U.S., the Aeronautical Repair Station Association said. The request apparently is in anticipation of the possible adoption of a measure in FAA reauthorization legislation that would require FAA to conduct twice-annual inspections of all foreign repair stations.
TWC AVIATION acquired a 14-passenger Gulfstream G550 for its charter fleet. The aircraft will be available for charter beginning this month. The aircraft, which has a 6,750-nautical-mile range at speeds up to Mach .87, is equipped with a number of amenities, including a satellite phone, Airshow, four DVD players, eight flat-screen monitors, multiple CD players, convection and microwave ovens, and two enclosed lavatories – one for passengers and another for crewmembers.
FAA has released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to update the Part 23 standards to accommodate new light and very light jets (BA, Aug. 10/2009). The proposal would adopt some 39 of 41 recommendations that the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) presented to FAA nearly five years ago on Part 23 certification requirements. The ARC recommended that FAA make necessary changes to Part 23 to reflect current industry trends, emerging technologies and operations.
BOMBARDIER Learjet Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0719; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-078-AD] – This proposal would require inspecting the baggage bay door fire barrier seal for inconel mesh in the fire barrier seal material; for certain airplanes, inspecting the fiberglass doublers for the presence of red Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) sealant; and doing related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary.
Embraer has suspended operations at its Executive Jet Services facility at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., a temporary shutdown that company officials say is a result of the economic downturn.
AUSTRALIA has issued a type certificate for Embraer’s Phenom 100, paving the way for sales of the Brazilian-built entry-level business jet in that country. Separately, the European Aviation Safety Agency has certified Inflite, a maintenance services provider based at London’s Stansted Airport, to support European Phenom 100 operators. Inflite has been an authorized service center for the Legacy 600 super midsize jet since 2004.
European regulators have officially recognized IS-BAO, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, as an industry standard for business aircraft operations, the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) announced last week. The approval by the European Union’s standard body should facilitate recognition of IS-BAO in the upcoming European Aviation Safety Agency Implementing Rules, the associations said.
CITATIONSHARES has retained seasoned business aviation veteran Ken Emerick as a consultant to help increase its business with corporate flight departments. Emerick, who served as chairman of the National Business Aviation Association from 2004-2007, also previously served as executive director of General Motors Worldwide Travel Services. In his new role, he will help promote the fractional aircraft ownership provider’s supplemental lift program to corporate flight departments.
JEFF HAMMONDS was appointed general manager of The Hammonds Companies, the Houston-based fabrication and machining company. Hammonds, son of company founder Carl Hammonds, has served with the business for nearly two decades. He formerly managed Hammonds’ additive injector system production floor and played an integral role in the launch of the company’s Omni Directional Vehicle. Most recently, he held a technical sales position. In his new role, he will attend industry trade shows as well as manage all divisions at the company headquarters.
To help ride out the downturn in business aviation, Pilatus Aviation has decided to cut work hours at its Stans, Switzerland, facility starting next month as it scales back PC-12 output. The decision cuts across the company and will result in a 15 percent reduction in work and affect 350 employees. The move will avoid layoffs, the company says.
COBHAM’S synthetic vision system has been approved for use on the Citation II. The Cessna 550’s SVS features dual synthetic-vision primary flight displays and dual multifunction displays, each with an embedded Class-A terrain awareness and warning system, integral flight management system and digital flight recording. Additional features include dual fiber-optic attitude gyros and dual GPS-WAAS. The system uses the aircraft’s existing RVSM air data computers.
CESSNA Model 150 and 152 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27747; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-030-AD] – This proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2009-10-09, which requires either installing a placard prohibiting spins and other acrobatic maneuvers, or replacing the rudder stop, the rudder stop bumper and the attachment hardware with a new rudder stop modification kit and replacing the safety wire with jam nuts.
WHILE OEM executives remain cautiously optimistic that the market is stabilizing, business aircraft makers continue to take steps to protect against slow-order intake. Both Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft announced either personnel and/or benefits cuts, and Pilatus is curbing work hours. Wichita, meanwhile, got more bad news with the sudden demise of Jet Republic. See articles below and inside.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-100, -200 -301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0712; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-152-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to implement a corrosion prevention and control program (CPCP), either by accomplishing specific tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection program to include a CPCP. This proposal, which was prompted by a directive issued by Transport Canada, is intended to prevent structural failure of the airplane due to corrosion. FAA estimates that this proposal would affect 154 airplanes on the U.S.
The advisory commission for Scottsdale Airport has recommended that the facility adjust its business plan to increase the aircraft weight limit from 75,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds to help its long-term growth.
BAE SYSTEMS BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0532; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-024-AD; Amendment 39-15994; AD 2009-17-03] – Conduct repetitive eddy-current inspections for cracks, damage and corrosion in the airbrake upper crossbeam fastener positions and lightening holes. Also, replace the three rivets with Hi-lok pins in accordance with the instructions of BAE Systems Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-200, Rev. 1 (dated March 13, 2007). If any cracks or damage are found, repair them prior to further flight.
THE U.K.’S COVENTRY AIRPORT is partnering with First Class Cars to provide ground transportation for clients using its new Executive Jet Centre. Cars available include the Mercedes S Class, Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Phantom. “Coventry Airport aims to be a significant player in the executive aviation market and is making business partnerships with like-minded companies,” said Tom Freeman, head of business development.
SAAB 340A, 340B and SF340A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0447; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-15993; AD 2009-17-02] – Inspect the illuminated placard of the refuel/defuel panel for signs of heat and burn marks, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-28-027, Rev. 01 (dated July 7, 2008). If any heat or burn marks are found, replace the placard with a placard of a different design before further flight. Eventually replace all existing placards with a placard of a different design.
A new contract proposed for U.S. controllers would cost the FAA an additional $669 million over its three-year duration, according to congressional sources familiar with the tentative agreement.
THE ROCKWELL COLLINS Pro Line Fusion avionics suite has flown on a Bombardier Global Express XRS. The Rockwell Collins next-generation avionics system is the centerpiece of Bombardier’s new Global Vision flight deck. The five-hour flight, which was conducted in early August at Bombardier’s facility in Downsview, Ontario, tested the high-resolution LCD display with integrated cursor control; radio tuning for the communication, navigation and surveillance system; flight management system and autopilot.
ELIZABETH BRUMLEY was promoted to chief financial officer for Bristow Group Inc. Brumley, who joined the company in November 2005, had been serving as acting CFO since April. She has 25 years of finance experience and previously was vice president and controller of Noble Drilling Services. Brumley also held a number of positions with MAXXAM Inc.
Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Division suffered another financial setback last week after the company was forced to pull the plug on a potential 110-aircraft order with European startup operator Jet Republic.
ROGER TANNER was named business development manager for hangar operations for WestWind Technologies. Tanner had been hangar operations manager for the past six years. The appointment was made as WestWind opened its new hangar, the Huntsville Aircraft Modification and Integration Center, in Huntsville, Ala.
ROBERT BAUGNIET, a longtime aviation communications executive, is retiring from Gulfstream Aerospace effective Oct. 9. Baugniet, who turns 65 in November, has served as corporate communications director for Gulfstream since 2001. During his time with Gulfstream, Baugniet helped introduce seven new products and numerous product enhancements, as well as expand the company’s international presence through the participation of some 50 international business aviation shows. He retires with some 48 years of military and civil aviation experience.
Assembly of GE Honda Aero Engines’ first HF120 engine to be used in FAA certification testing has started at GE’s manufacturing facility in Lynn, Mass. GE officials say the engine will run by the end of the summer, and certification testing will continue into 2010. To date, GE Honda Aero Engines has built and tested eight HF120 engine cores and 11 full demonstrator engines, and the powerplant has exceeded its design goal of 2,095 pounds-thrust.
