NETJETS, one of the most prolific customers of Hawker Beechcraft aircraft and the largest customer of the 4000, has canceled orders for 12 Hawker Beechcraft planes this year and deferred all others scheduled for delivery in 2009 and 2010 until after 2010. The cancellations come as NetJets’ revenues dropped $550 million in the second quarter. “NetJets owns more planes than is required for its present level of operations,” parent Berkshire Hathaway reported.
LIBERTY AEROSPACE struck an agreement with Wilksch Airmotive to help test and certify the XL2 with a Wilksch turbo diesel engine. Liberty brought the first Wilksch-powered XL2 to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. last month. The aircraft burns Jet A fuel.
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The proposed sale of Cirrus Design’s SF50 Vision single-engine turbofan aircraft development program to company chairman Alan Klapmeier has reached an impasse. “It appears we’re too far apart on a number of things. We’re going to suspend negotiations,” Klapmeier said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that bird strikes probably caused the 2008 crash of a Cessna 500 at Oklahoma City, Okla., and safety recommendations emerging from its probe are aimed at improving airframe certification standards for bird strikes, FAA oversight of charter operations, and airport bird strike mitigation efforts.
A synthetic jet-fuel blend received approval last week from standard-setting agency ATSM International for use in commercial aviation (BA, June 29/305). ASTM unanimously agreed to modify the commercial jet fuel specification to allow up to a 50/50 blend of petroleum-derived fuels and synthetic paraffinic kerosene derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0699; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-042-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to perform repetitive functional checks of the nose landing gear steering manifold, per the instructions of Piaggio Service Bulletin N. 80-0249, Rev. 1 (dated May 27, 2009). If a manifold does not pass the functional tests, operators would need to replace it.
THE ASA GROUP has signed an agreement with TGR Group Asia to provide aviation and VIP security services at Jumeirah Private Island Phuket. ASA will offer charter flights, VIP travel and security for visitors to the island, which is located 600 meters off the northeastern shore of the Phuket mainland. ASA also will provide fixed-base operation services at its new terminal at Phuket International Airport. TGR in 2007 selected Dubai-based Jumeirah Group to manage a resort on the island. The resort is set to open in 2011.
FAA last week released new certification standards for Part 25 aircraft requiring one of three methods for detecting icing and activating an ice protection system (IPS). The final rule, published Monday, Aug. 3, is part of a series of initiatives that FAA has undertaken to curtail the number of accidents related to flight in icing conditions. The rule also is designed to comply with a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation that stemmed from the October 1994 crash of an ATR 72 aircraft in icing conditions in Roselawn, Ind.
VELOCITY JETS added a 2009 Hawker 900XP midsized jet to its charter and management fleet. The aircraft will operate out of both the Northeast U.S. and South Florida. Velocity began offering the aircraft to its charter and Velocity JetCard customers this month. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Velocity provides a range of services, including its Private Jet membership program, aircraft sales, management, charter, tours and cargo.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Jet Repair Anywhere (JRA) has unveiled its new TOOL Program, which is designed to help aircraft owners and operators locate maintenance and service facilities quickly and economically. The company was formed in 2006 by CEO Cheryl Janke, an A&P mechanic. JRA has a searchable database of more than 16,000 aircraft owners and operators faced with mechanical issues away from their home base.
SCOTT EVANS was promoted to the newly created position of chief pilot, demonstration for Gulfstream Aerospace. Evans will be responsible for large-cabin and mid-cabin demonstrations, as well as the flight operations liaison to the Marketing Department. He previously was chief pilot, advanced programs, midsize cabin, in support of development of Gulfstream G150 and G250. Evans also has served as the chief pilot for Galaxy Aerospace and pilot for Service Corporation International and Learjet.
BOMBARDIER CL-600, -601 and -601-3A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0689; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-092-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators to inspect the air-driven generator power feeder harness to determine if the wires are made of aromatic polyimide. If the wire is aromatic polyimide, replace the harness before further flight, in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 600-0737 or 601-0591 (both dated July 23, 2007) as applicable.
Austro Engine’s AE-300 turbo-diesel piston engine received FAA certification, clearing the way for agency approval for use on the Diamond DA42 NG aircraft. Diamond, which earlier this year obtained European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the Austro Engine-powered DA42 NG, is hoping to secure FAA validation in the third quarter. The jet-fuel burning, 170-horsepower engine was selected to replace the Thielert Centurion after Thielert Aircraft Engines entered insolvency.
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., a firm founded by Eclipse 500 owners Mason Holland and Mike Press, has filed a $40 million “stalking horse bid” for the assets of insolvent Eclipse Aviation Corporation. The proposed asset-purchase agreement offers $20 million in cash and $20 million in new notes as a starting bid in an August 2009 asset auction, according to documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION has begun surveying members on their experience with standardization within FAA. The survey is in response to the Government Accountability Office review of inconsistencies in FAA field inspection interpretations. The GAO study is at the behest of Congress.
The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with a program to purchase 25 aircraft to support the U.S. Air Force Academy’s powered-flight program. The service says it will entertain offers for new or used aircraft, as long as the latter have no more than 1,500 flight hours on them. A separate contract will be awarded to support the assets.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 and 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0703; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-093-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to perform a one-time detailed inspection of the torque link apex joint and replace or rework the apex nut, in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-019, Rev. A (dated Sept. 18, 2008).
This year is shaping up to be one of the most challenging on record for new business jet orders, according to an industry consultant. “We could easily end the year with the industry as a whole having more order cancellations than new ones,” asserted Brian Foley, president of Sparta, N.J.-based Brian Foley Associates. “Some companies will buck that trend, but taken as a whole, the industry could see net-negative orders for the year.”
BUD FIDRYCH was appointed chief pilot, large-cabin demonstration for Gulfstream Aerospace. Fidrych will be responsible for the Large-Cabin Demonstration group and its operations.
BLACKHAWK MODIFICATIONS displayed its engine retrofit program for the Grand Caravan during the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. The upgrade involves installation of an 850-shaft-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine and new four-blade Hartzell prop. The company is pricing the XP42A upgrade kit at $550,000, and says it will increase climb rate by 73 percent and enable the aircraft to cruise at 198 knots true airspeed with the cargo pod installed.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS 332 C, L, L1 and L2; AS 350 B3; AS 355 F, F1, F2 and N; SA 365 N and N1; AS 365 N2 and N3; SA 366 G1; EC 130 B4; and EC 155B and B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-0663; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-25-AD] – For certain affected servo-controls, this proposal would require operators to determine whether there is a letter “R” marked in the inspection box of the servo-control identification plate.
The National Air Transportation Association urged FAA to develop a standard crew-resource management (CRM) training program that can be tailored for small, single-pilot operations. NATA’s request was in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) calling for CRM training for Part 135 pilots and flight attendants.
EUROCOPTER and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) rolled out the first Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) prototype. The first flight for the prototype is planned for early 2010. The Republic of Korea Army has 245 KUH helicopters on order to replace existing utility helicopters. KAI and Eurocopter also plan to commercialize the KUH for the export market.
THE CONTROVERSY surrounding a move by the House to include up to $200 million in the fiscal 2010 Defense Appropriations bill for three C-37s (Gulfstream G550s) continued to grow last week. The House funding represented an increase over the U.S. Air Force request of $70 million for one Gulfstream G550. The Gulfstreams would be designated for transport of senior Cabinet officials, as well as members of Congress.
