ERIK GOEDHART was appointed vice president of marketing and sales for Fokker Services. Goedhart will oversee customer satisfaction, business development and solutions management for used aircraft. Goedhart rejoins Fokker Services from Kuehne + Nagel, where he was vice president of business development – aerospace. He previously served as vice president marketing and sales for Fokker Services in 2001-2003.
FOKKER Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0515; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-071-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a new warning placard near the status lights of the door lock panel, in accordance with the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-11-025, Rev. 1 (dated Dec. 13, 2007). Also, operators would need to conduct a one-time inspection of the clearance between the door lever and the up-limit switch, per the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-086 (dated Nov. 1, 2007).
EMBRAER expanded the authorization for Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with an agreement to cover maintenance for the Lineage 1000. FAS was named an Embraer Authorized Service Center in November. The original authorization covered the Phenom 100 and 300 and Legacy 600 jets. FAS operates two Legacy 600s and is slated to take delivery of a third later this year. FAS also has eight other Embraer business jets on order – two Legacy 500s, four Phenom 300s and two Lineage 1000s.
CASA C-212-CB, -CC, -CD, -CE, -CF and -DE airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0005; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-164-AD; Amendment 39-15927; AD 2009-12-04] – Perform repetitive detailed inspections of the pitot tubes and static inlets for radial cracking around the top lip of the dynamic port, per the instructions of Chapter 5 of the CASA C-212 Series 100/200 Maintenance Manual, Rev. 2 (dated June 11, 2002). If any cracks are found, replace the pitot tube with a new tube before further flight.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0526; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-029-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators to revise the “Limitations” section of the Aircraft Flight Manual by inserting a copy of Bombardier Temporary Amendment 14, Issue 1 (dated May 10, 2006). Also, operators would need to apply sealant between the bus bar assemblies and the backplate assembly by incorporating Modsum 4W163047, Rev. B (dated Aug. 11, 2008) in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-61-03, Rev. A (dated Sept. 18, 2008).
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0530; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-079-AD; Amendment 39- 15936; AD 2009-12-13] – Check for correct operation of all installed elevator power control units (PCUs) using the procedures detailed in Appendix A, B or C of Bombardier Q400 All Operator Message 217B (dated April 26, 2007). If incorrect operation of any elevator PCU is found, replace the elevator PCU with a new unit before further flight, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-32, Rev. A (dated Jan. 18, 2008).
Wayfarer Aviation acting President Bob Marinace and Executive Vice President Gil Wolin both resigned from their respective posts recently, continuing a shakeup at the successor company of JetDirect Aviation. An investment group led by Brantley Partners had purchased JetDirect in April, but not until severe financial problems had begun to strip away the customer and employee base (BA, April 20/183).
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0525; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-027-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators to replace the existing overwing emergency exit placards with new placards, in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-11-088, Rev. A (dated March 24, 2009). This proposal, which would supersede an existing directive (AD 2003-04-21), resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada.
The National Air Transportation Association last week presented its highest honor, the William A. Ong Memorial Award, to business aviation veteran Richard (Dick) Van Gemert. Van Gemert was one of seven individuals NATA recognized last week for their contributions to aviation; others included Business & Commercial Aviation Editor Bill Garvey and former FAA Flight Standards Director James Ballough.
The White House announcement of its intent to nominate Deborah Hersman to chair the National Transportation Safety Board drew praise last week from business aviation advocates. Hersman, an NTSB board member since June 2004, would take a position that has been filled by Mark Rosenker on an acting basis since his term as chairman expired in August. President Bush had re-nominated Rosenker to continue as chairman, but the Senate refused to act on the nomination. Rosenker’s second five-year term as a board member continues through December 2010.
The implementation of NextGen is not moving fast enough and must be accelerated, said Randy Babbitt in his first major speech since being sworn in as FAA administrator June 5.
LARRY ROBERTS was named to lead business development initiatives for EADS North America. Roberts will be the primary customer contact for federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, among others. He will be based at the American Eurocopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, and also will continue in his current role as vice president of sales, marketing and customer support, for American Eurocopter’s activities in the commercial market.
AIRCELL was selected to provide its in-flight, high-speed wireless data system for the Citation XLS+, Sovereign and X. The system, which will provide broadband laptop or PDA connectivity for passengers on the ground or in flight, will be offered as an option on Citation XLS+, Sovereign and X business jets that are delivered beginning in the second quarter of 2010.
WHILE public perception is that little progress has been made implementing the comprehensive recommendations of the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee, a lot of work has been accomplished, Dennis Pratte, manager of FAA’s Part 135 Air Carrier Operations Branch, assured industry leaders last week. The ARC in late 2004 issued some 167 recommendations to update the regulations governing Parts 135 and 125. About one-half of those are in some sort of rulemaking process, Pratte said. “There is a positive story to tell,” he said.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has signed an agreement with the Tata Group for the manufacturer of S-92 helicopters cabins in India. Tata Advanced Systems Limited will produce the cabins at a new facility to be built in Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh. First cabin is slated for delivery in late 2010. “India’s aerospace market is poised for significant growth, and we are thrilled to have the opportunities to support that growth and to tap into the capabilities of India’s highly skilled aerospace workforce,” said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino.
GREENWICH AEROGROUP completed its acquisition of the assets of Banner Aerospace Holding Company from The Fairchild Corp., the company announced last week. Greenwich AeroGroup was the successful bidder for Banner during an auction held last month by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (BA, June 1/259). Fairchild filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, and four bidders vied to purchase the assets of Banner Aerospace May 18.
TSH AERO, based in the Bahamas, has been named the official representative for Nuremberg, Germany-based FAI Flight Ambulance International, a medical transport agency. Under the deal, TSH Aero will provide medical evacuation services throughout Central America and the Caribbean. FAI operates a range of air ambulance jets, from the Learjet 35A to the Challenger 604.
More than five years after entering the small but intensely competitive aircraft training and simulation business with a niche acquisition, Rockwell Collins is stepping up its challenge to market leaders FlightSafety, CAE, Thales and L-3 Communications.
Piper Aircraft is promoting two executives from within as part of a succession plan to replace President and CEO James Bass, who is resigning his post effective June 26. Kevin Gould, currently vice president of operations, will take over as chief executive, and John Becker, vice president of engineering, will assume the title of president.
The economic malaise continues to take its toll on Cessna Aircraft with the announcement Friday that 1,300 more workers would lose their jobs. The newest round of layoffs comes in addition to the 6,900 previously announced at Cessna (BA, May 4/207).
DORNIER 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0522; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-127-AD] – This proposed AD, which would supersede an existing directive (AD 2004-09-16), would require operators to conduct repetitive detailed and eddy-current inspections for cracking of the bearing lugs on the rudder spring tab lever assembly. If any cracking were found, the spring tab lever assembly would need to be replaced with a new assembly before further flight, per the instructions of Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-036, Rev. 3 (for Model 328-100s, dated Feb.
FAA is renewing its focus on flight and duty time regulations, Flight Standards Director John Allen said last week. “The administrator has made it clear that this is an effort he is going to undertake,” Allen told attendees of last week’s NATA Air Charter Summit. Substantial groundwork already has been accomplished, particularly from the last rulemaking effort, he said. “We know from the 1995 effort that we can’t just go out and be overly prescriptive,” Allen said.
CHRIS FAULBAUM joined Midwest Aviation Center (MWAC) as director of aircraft maintenance. Faulbaum will management all aspects of MWAC’s repair station at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) location. He has 23 years of experience in maintenance management, 20 of which were as director of maintenance with Executive Beechcraft at KSUS.
