EMBRAER EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC and -120RT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1005; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-15981; AD 2009-15-18] – Following the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016 (dated Jan.
ATTENDANCE at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture last week in Oshkosh, Wis., was up 8 percent to 10 percent compared with the 2008 event Camping receipts were up 9 percent, EAA officials said. General aviation aircraft and revenues also were up about 10 percent to 15 percent. EAA President Tom Poberezny said revenue from commercial partnerships and sponsorships may be up to $200,000 above budget.
WHILE Cessna Aircraft has suffered from the turbulent economy, Lewis Campbell, chairman and chief executive of Cessna parent Textron, said he’s convinced that “our strategy at Cessna is still rock solid.” The strategy involves two keys, he said. The first is continued research and development to ensure that the company has the right product ready for when the market picks up. The second is “keep the Mustang selling.” Cessna has a high retention rate of customers, Campbell said, noting that seven out of every 10 are repeat customers.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT has developed a new Sport/Private Pilot Course designed to make flying more accessible and “re-energize pilot training,” the company said. The course, developed through a partnership with King Schools, is a Web-based system that will be available through Cessna Pilot Centers. Cessna called the development of its new light-sport Model 162 SkyCatcher a driver in the development of the new course.
ROBERT FENN was named president of Partner Jet Corp. Partner Jet provides business jet services and is an approved maintenance organization with facilities at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
JEPPESEN has teamed with Aspen Avionics to combine Jeppesen data with the Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display (EFD). The Aspen EFD will use an aggregated NavData, obstacle, terrain and geopolitical database, which will be updated by the Jeppesen Services Update Manager system. EFD customers will receive three months of Jeppesen services free upon product registration. Pricing and coverage will be announced soon.
Swiss-based Jet Professionals has unveiled a new Career Transition Services program, which offers services to aviation companies and flight departments dealing with job searches for laid off workers. Jet Professionals provides aviation staffing services for individual job seekers, corporate aviation departments or any other general aviation-related operations, said George Kythreotis, managing director of Jet Professionals and senior vice president of human resources at parent company Jet Aviation.
The management team of San Francisco-based charter and management company Sunset Aviation is renaming the operation Solairus Aviation as the team attempts to build the foundation for the company that branched away from JetDirect Aviation. Founder Dan Drohan launched the company in March as a brand-new entity after he was unsuccessful in purchasing the former Sunset Aviation from JetDirect (BA, March 16/121). Drohan had originally founded Sunset in 1992 and sold the business to JetDirect in 2007.
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s board of directors reached an impasse July 28 while attempting to confirm a successor to current President Tom Poberezny, several directors told BA. As a result, Peter Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, withdrew from running for the post. “Without the unanimity of the EAA board, it would have been tough to take over leadership of the organization,” Bunce told BA. He declined to elaborate. The directors met in Oshkosh, Wis.
REIMS AVIATION F406 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0115; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-080-AD] – FAA has proposed rescinding an existing directive (AD 2007-26-08), which resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country. The directive was prompted by several reports of leaks in landing gear emergency blowdown bottles. Subsequent investigations revealed that the leakage occurred on the nut manometer because of a design deficiency in the bottle head.
New Piper Aircraft CEO Kevin Gould last week mapped out his long-term, two-pronged growth strategy for the company. He plans to pursue development of the Piper Jet to provide piston-engine and single-engine turboprop owners with a move-up airplane while continuing to upgrade Piper’s existing product line, he said during an interview with BA. He also wants to expand Piper’s global presence with sales and marketing, training, MRO, financing and dealer organizations. Admittedly, that is tough to do in the current economy.
SHAWN VICK was appointed executive vice president for Hawker Beechcraft. Vick will manage marketing and sales, as well as brand strategy and standard product definitions and offerings. Vick has held leadership roles with British Aerospace, Gulfstream Aerospace and Bombardier Aerospace. He most recently was president and chief executive of Landmark Aviation, which comprises fixed-base operation, aircraft charter, maintenance, repair and overhaul and aircraft sales segments. He also has been a partner and advisor to various private equity organizations.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution – H Res 508 – recognizing the contributions of general aviation to the United States. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and co-sponsored by Reps. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), co-founders of the House General Aviation Caucus. The resolution lauded the industry for the 500,000 pilots flying GA aircraft, the 170 million passengers a year who fly using personal aviation and GA’s $150 billion contribution to the U.S. in direct and indirect economic output.
THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT has signed up to buy a third AgustaWestland AW139 medium-twin helicopter. The aircraft will be used to handle aerial firefighting, medevac and search-and-rescue missions in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
YINGLING AVIATION in Wichita, Kan. was named an authorized service center for Lycoming engines. The designation authorizes Yingling to sell, install and provide regular and warranty services on Lycoming’s complete line of reciprocating engines, including the two most recently announced powerplants, the IE2 and the IO-233 LSA.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT won a contract to supply four new King Air C90GTi turboprops to FAA for the Flight Standards Flight Program. The contract, which includes options for two more, calls for delivery of the aircraft over the next two years. The Flight Standards Flight Program provides support to aviation safety operations inspectors. The aircraft also will be used to support FAA’s disaster relief and emergency response operations.
EMBRAER ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0614; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-045-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct an operational test of certain outboard slat skew sensors. If any sensor fails a test, it would need to be replaced with a serviceable sensor before further flight. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil, is intended to prevent failure of outboard slat skew sensors.
Hawker Beechcraft is continuing to evolve its venerable King Air 90 model with the new C90GTx. The GTx will replace the current King Air C90GTi twin turboprop and offer more range and payload, the company said last week during the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.
AVFUEL CORPORATION has scheduled a two-day Quality Assurance and Fire Safety Seminar Oct. 13-14 at Avflight Lansing in Lansing, Mich. The Avflight fixed-base operation is located at Capital City Airport. The Avfuel Quality Assurance and Fire Safety seminars, offered for free to Avfuel customers, are designed for aviation service professionals, including fuel managers, line service supervisors/personnel, helicopter operators, area common carriers, airport officials, corporate flight department members and quality assurance/quality control personnel.
DEBORAH HERSMAN last week was sworn in as the 12th chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. President Obama in June nominated Hersman to a two-year term as chair, and the Senate confirmed the nomination July 24. She also was confirmed for a second five-year term on the board. Her new term runs through 2013.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet 100 and 440 series) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0656; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-038-AD] – This proposed AD, which would supersede an existing directive (AD 2008-23-16), would require operators to revise the “Operating Limitations” and “Abnormal Procedures” sections of their Airplane Flight Manuals, inspect to determine if certain anti-ice piccolo ducts are installed on the wing leading edges, and replace or repair those piccolo ducts, if necessary.
ANJET, a Daytona Beach, Fla.-based charter company, signed a new three-year deal with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) to be its official private jet provider. Under the deal, Anjet will have aircraft available for the LGPA at several tournaments throughout the year.
FORBES magazine publisher and the owner-pilot of a 2005 Cirrus SR22 GTS, Rich Karlgaard, will deliver the opening address at this year’s National Business Aviation Association Convention Oct. 20-22 in Orlando, Fla. Karlgaard will discuss business aviation trends, along with the general economic environment.
TWO charter and management companies are hoping to step out from under the shadow of JetDirect and establish new businesses that incorporate some of the best practices and top management from their bankrupt predecessor. See stories on Wayfarer Aviation and Solairus Aviation inside.
