HONEYWELL TFE731 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0331; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to remove from service certain second- and third-stage low-pressure compressor rotor (LPCR) discs. This proposal, which resulted from a report of cracks found during a fluorescent-penetrant inspection of a disc bore, is designed to prevent an uncontained failure of a second- and third-stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the bore, which could result in damage to the airplane.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE named SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance B.V. a “Recognized Service Facility” for the Dash 8/Q commuter turboprop series. Based at Maastricht Airport in Beek, the Netherlands, SAMCO will provide service to aircraft based in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Under the agreement, SAMCO is a recognized quality service provider for “C” checks and other heavy maintenance on all Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft. The company also can perform aircraft modifications and upgrades on Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft.
Pogo CEO Robert Crandall has decided to ground Pogo, his startup very light jet charter operation, before it ever left the ground. He says he’s returning what remains of the operation’s seed money to investors after devoting several years to market analysis, equipment evaluation, pricing structures, service areas and operational planning. “I feel badly about it,” Crandall told BA April 15 of the decision. “It’s just one of those ideas that didn’t work out.” The company was created in the summer of 2004 by Crandall and former People Express founder Donald Burr.
The Transportation Security Administration last week proposed imposing $70 fees to cover the costs of processing foreign students seeking recurrent flight training at U.S. facilities. Congress authorized TSA to impose the fee in the consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
The South African government is launching an initiative to improve the standards of small airfields that exist throughout the country and are largely used by light aircraft. A working group consisting of the South African Civil Aviation Authority and several industry bodies representing aircraft and airport operators has been created to address the issue and spell out regulations and standards that will govern all airfields in the country. The goal is to ensure that by year’s end, the country has made visible strides toward improving the current situation.
MORE corporate jet use fallout: two board members of Textron, the parent of Cessna Aircraft, are coming under fire in part for encouraging frequent use of the company aircraft. See article on Page 183.
HONEYWELL ALF502L-2 and ALF502L-2C engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-1207; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-47-AD; Amendment 39-15880; AD 2009-08-07] – Conduct a dimensional inspection of the high-pressure compressor (HPC) first-stage disc to determine if excessive disc balance material was removed. Replace the disc if excessive disc balance material was removed. If the removed balance material condition is acceptable, perform a magnetic particle inspection of the disc rim and slots for cracks using a 3X to 7X power magnification glass. Replace the disc if any cracks are found.
Click here to view the pdf Used Business Jets, Turboprop Sales Inside And Outside North America For February Used Business Jets Sales – North America --------------------------------------------------------- Feb. 2006 Feb.
Tulsa, Okla.-based NORDAM is laying off 140 workers – 66 percent of its work force – at its Wichita, Kan. facility that handles business jet cabinetry, the company announced last week. The aerospace component manufacturer, which currently employs 2,000 workers worldwide, blamed stop work orders from business jet customers for the cuts, spokeswoman Gina Godfrey said. “Reductions in our work force over the course of the past six months have represented all areas of our business,” she said.
KEVIN WHITMORE joined Averitt Air as service manager. Whitmore will be responsible for in-house technical support for Bombardier Learjet aircraft for the Nashville, Tenn.-based aviation services provider. He began his career in aircraft maintenance with Learjet in 1975 and subsequently worked with Bombardier’s Field Service division.
ATR delivered its 25th aircraft to French Polynesian carrier Air Tahiti. The carrier has operated ATRs since 1986. Air Tahiti is a launch customer of the new -600 ATR series, with an order for three ATR 42-600s and two ATR 72-600s. Those aircraft are slated for delivery in 2011.
The Florida Legislature is considering a bill – CS/SB 2376 – that creates a $25,000 cap on the amount of sales and use tax that may be levied against each sale of an aircraft or a boat in the state. The current tax is set at 6 percent. The Aviation and Maritime Full Employment Act is expected to cost the state $38 million, according to the legislature’s Revenue Estimating Conference.
GIL SCHNABEL was appointed manager of FlightSafety International’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. Schnabel joined FlightSafety in 2001 at the Dallas/Fort Worth Learning Center as an instructor and subsequently served as director of training and assistant manager. Most recently he was manager of the Detroit Metro/Toledo Learning Center. He also served with the U.S. Air Force, flying more than 75 combat missions in Southeast Asia and serving as a test pilot for the USAF Strategic Air Command.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week recommended stronger standards for all Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and specifically urged FAA to ground the Zenair Zodiac CH-601XL LSA, citing the structural break up of six Zodiacs since 2006. “The NTSB does not often recommend that all airplanes of a particular type be prohibited from further flight,” said NTSB acting Chairman Mark Rosenker. “In this case we believe such action will save lives.”
FAA is conducting studies at Auburn University to try to find how best to discourage birds from flocking around airport water retention systems. The study is a joint project with FAA, the university, U.S. Agriculture Department Wildlife Services, and the National Wildlife Research Center field station in Sandusky, Ohio, according to the FAA employee Web site. Scientists will observe bird behavior around test ponds at the university and test different bird deterrent strategies.
AERO SPECIALITIES signed an agreement to become the exclusive distributor for Jet Go International ground power units (GPU). Based in Australia, Jet Go recently brought to market its newest GPU, the 550M diesel-powered 28-volt GPU that consumes less than one gallon of fuel power hour at a typical load rating.
GENERAL ELECTRIC CF34-1A, -3A and -3B engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0328; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-44-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to remove from service certain fan blades, inspect the fan-blade abradable rub strip on certain engines for wear, inspect the fan blades on certain engines for cracks, and inspect the aft actuator head hose fitting for correct position, repositioning the fitting if necessary.
ARIEL LANDAU was named eLearning operations manager for FlightSafety International. Landau joined the eLearning team in April 2006 as marketing manager and was named acting operations manager in June 2008. Before that, he was a Web professional for the government of Ontario, Canada and also held positions of increasing responsibility in the tourism, justice, and insurance/pension sectors.
EMBRAER has designated ABS Jets as its executive jets sales representative in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. ABS, a Czech company that was founded in 2004, is also an Embraer authorized service center and one of the largest Legacy 600 operators in Europe.
CESSNA has received FAA certification for installation of Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) in all new 172 Skyhawks, 182 Skylanes, 206 Stationairs and Caravans equipped with Garmin’s G1000 integrated glass cockpit system. The G1000 SVT gives the pilot a three-dimensional graphical representation of the surrounding terrain and displays the aircraft’s position in an enhanced topographical database.
SAN CARLOS, CALIF.-based XOJET has unveiled Market Price Assurance, a program that guarantees customers the lowest price available for every trip. The assurance provides members guaranteed availability along with market-rate charter pricing. XOJET Market Price Assurance customers buy a Fleet Exchange Membership program, which begins at 50 hours. For each trip, XOJET applies the lowest price whether charter or member pricing. If charter pricing is lower for a particular trip, the customer can use program hours to “pay” for the trip.
A group of Eclipse 500 owners negotiated a nonbinding letter of intent with Hawker Beechcraft under which HBC’s service network would provide maintenance and upgrades for Eclipse Owners Group (EOG) members, the group said last week.
BANYAN AIR SERVICE has signed an agreement that authorizes the South Florida fixed-base operation to serve as a StandardAero-approved installation center for the Cessna Caravan 208 engine upgrade program. The Caravan retrofit involves replacing the single-engine turboprop’s original Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114 or -114A powerplants with the more powerful PT6A-135A. The new 750-shp engine increases power at altitude and improves rate of climb. Also, a redesigned air inlet improves ram-air recovery to the engine intake, further increasing powerplant performance.
ELITE JETS, the Dubai-based charter operator, recently took delivery of its second new Gulfstream G450 and began flying the 14-seat aircraft in revenue service last week. Elite Jets received its first G450 in August 2008.
