Eclipse Aviation said FAA granted flight-into-known-icing certification for the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet. The Albuquerque, N.M. manufacturer also said it is working with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop and certify an upgrade to the aircraft’s FADEC software designed to prevent recurrence of an engine control problem. FAA issued an emergency AD earlier this month after an Eclipse 500 flightcrew experienced loss of control of both engines while on approach to Chicago’s Midway Airport (BA, June 16/271)
EMBRAER EMB-135, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0642; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-039-AD] – This proposed AD would apply an existing directive (AD 2007-12-17, amendment 39-15095) to more airplanes. The AD requires replacing the metallic tubes enclosing the vent and pilot valve wires in the left- and right-hand wing fuel tanks with nonconductive hoses.
PAUL CLARK was named an instructor for Century CRM. Clark flew F-16s for the U.S. Air Force and served as flight lead, an instructor pilot, and flight examiner. Since leaving the service, he has become a captain flying MD-88 aircraft. Based in Peachtree City, Ga., Century CRM provides human factors and crew resource management training for charter and corporate flight crews as well as individual pilots.
JULIE LOWRANCE was appointed advertising and public relations manager for Mid-Continent Instruments. Lowrance will be responsible for product awareness efforts as well as increased communications with customers, vendors and employees. She has 13 years of industry experience, previously holding posts with Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and McCauley Propeller Systems, Inc.
AN AERO COMMANDER 500S was destroyed and both pilots were killed June 24 when the 1971 model aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances near Tonganoxie, Kan., which is just west of Kansas City. The aircraft, N411JT, is registered to Central Airlines, Inc. of Fairway, Kan. The accident occurred about 4 p.m. CDT on what FAA said was a training flight.
BAE SYSTEMS LIMITED Jetstream 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0275; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-335-AD; Amendment 39-15565; AD 2008-13-02] – Requires replacement of the existing “Propeller Limitations” placard in the cockpit with a new placard, per the instructions of BAE Systems Service Bulletin J41-11-027 (dated March 29, 2007).
A PARACHUTE JUMPER was killed June 22 when his body hit the wing of a Beech 99 as he was exiting the aircraft. The accident happened near Bowling Green, Mo. FAA records say the 1968 model aircraft is registered to Skydive Factory, Inc. of East Rochester, N.H.
The scrutiny on the Federal Aviation Administration’s airline oversight is being ratcheted up with the Transportation Department’s Inspector General saying Friday that it is launching another investigation into a number of FAA’s inspection programs as well as the risk-based Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS).
JAMIE LUSTER joined Elliott Aviation as regional sales manager for the Southwest Region. Based in Dallas, Luster will work with aircraft owners in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. She joins Elliott with more than 12 years of aviation industry experience, most recently as director of U.S. aftermarket sales for Avidyne Corp. She also held marketing and sales positions for East Coast Aviation, Mooney Aircraft Corporation and Commander Aircraft Company.
October 28-29, 2008 American Airlines Training & Conference Center Fort Worth, TX Learn strategies to modernize logistics, control costs and maximize resources. Become faster, cheaper and more effi cient than the competition. For more information:
CESSNA AIRCRAFT received an order from Execaire in Canada for nine Citations valued at $87 million. Execaire signed a contract for four Mustangs, Citation Sovereigns, and two XLS+ aircraft. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010. Execaire, which has managed, maintained and operated aircraft for more than 40 years, is an authorized Cessna sales representative, parts distributor and Citation Service Center at its facilities at Toronto Lester Pearson International Airport.
Two of the three people aboard a Cessna 172S owned by a San Diego flight training company were killed June 22 when the pilot was unable to recover from an intentional spin and the aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
Management Signature Flight Support, the nation‘s premier provider of executive aviation services, has management opportunities available on the West Coast. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit program including a 401(K) savings program, tuition reimbursement, health insurance and relocation assistance. If you would like to join our management team, please email your resume to [email protected]. EOE M/F/D/V
BBA AVIATION said its engine repair and overhaul companies – Dallas Airmotive, Premier Turbines and International Turbine Service – have been granted Importer Self Assessment (ISA) certification by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ISA certification means that the companies “have met and maintain high standards of Customs compliance,” BBA said. Benefits of winning ISA certification include being removed from the focused assessment pool, less CBP oversight, faster cargo release and expanded prior disclosure benefits.
SHARP DETAILS, the Dulles, Va. provider of aircraft cleaning and support services, is now offering its full line of washing, polishing, waxing and interior cleaning services at the Landmark Aviation and TAC Air fixed-base facilities at the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. International Airport (RDU). Eric Pulling will serve as on-site manager. Sharp Details now offers its personalized services at 15 airports along the I-95 corridor from Raleigh, N.C. to Bridgeport, Conn.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0643; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-094-AD] – This proposed AD, which supersedes an earlier directive (AD 2008-06-02, Amendment 39-15414), would reduce the initial compliance times for performance of certain maintenance tasks related to the aircraft’s fuel system. This proposed directive, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by a Bombardier Aerospace safety review of the aircraft’s fuel system.
CUTTER AVIATION was designated as the Preferred FBO by Bombardier Flexjet at Cutter’s bases at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT), Albuquerque (ABQ), El Paso (ELP), Dallas Executive (RBD) and McKinney/Collin County Regional (TKI).
Daniel Elwell, the Federal Aviation Administration’s assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment since August 2006, is leaving the agency to become vice president of civil aviation for the Aerospace Industries Association. Elwell has been responsible for FAA’s strategic policy and planning, national aviation policies and aviation environment and energy strategies. Elwell also was in charge of organizing FAA’s annual forecast conference.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association said a report Tuesday claiming that users of private jets are getting tax breaks, straining the air traffic control system and causing environmental damage “resurrects the well-worn, and worn-out airline industry claim that GA does not pay its fair share of the costs associated with air traffic control services.”
Piper Aicraft completed the first run of the Williams FJ44-3A engine mounted in the vertical tail of the PiperJet proof-of-concept airplane and began initial taxi tests (BA, June 23/287). “For the first time in Piper’s 71-year history, the sound of a turbofan-powered Piper airplane was heard when the PiperJet’s engine was started and tested on June 19,” Piper officials said.
JETNET Company, which has been providing data on sales of used business jets and turboprops to The Weekly of BUSINESS AVIATION for many years, has expanded the parameters of its coverage to provide a broader picture of used business turbine sales activity.
YINGLING AVIATION, Wichita, Kan., installed a Frasca Mentor flight-training device that is equipped to simulate a Cessna 172/S aircraft with Garmin G1000 avionics and a GFC700 autopilot. The FAA-approved device includes a fully functioning aircraft panel, flight controls, instructor computer control station and a high definition monitor that provides visual terrain, weather and maneuvering references.
CASCADE AEROSPACE USA, INC. signed a 20-year lease this month for more than 350,000 square feet of facilities at the Spokane, Wash. International Airport, effective Feb. 1, 2009. Cascade, headquartered in Abbotsford, British Columbia, specializes in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul for both commercial and military customers. As part of the new lease agreement, the Spokane Airport Board is seeking $2 million in funding from the state government to help pay for an MRO hangar infrastructure expansion and utility systems upgrade.
TRIP LINHAS AEREAS signed an agreement with Brazilian manufacturer Embraer that includes firm orders for five Embraer 175 jets, options for 10 more and purchase rights for another 15. Embraer valued the firm orders at $167.5 million, but said the total value of the contract could top $1 billion after all options and purchase rights are exercised. The aircraft will be configured in a single class for 86 passengers. Aircraft delivery is expected to begin in 2009.
AOPA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS selected Craig L. Fuller, a Washington, D.C. political veteran with trade association leadership experience and a pilot for nearly four decades, to succeed Phil Boyer as president of the organization at the end of the year. A formal announcement is expected today (June 30). Fuller is currently co-chair of APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Committee. He came to Washington in 1981, serving as assistant for Cabinet affairs to President Reagan and as chief of staff to Vice President George H.W. Bush.
