AERION CORPORATION officials were encouraged by the reception that their plans for a supersonic business jet received during the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva last month. By the end of the show, the Aerion order book increased from $3 billion to $4 billion, and Aerion officials said they now have letters of intent backed by refundable $250,000 deposits for more than 50 of the $80 million Mach 1.6 business jet.
AirNet Systems, Inc., a financial document and small package air carrier based in Columbus, Ohio, completed a merger agreement with an affiliate of Bayside Capital, Inc. on June 10. As a result of the merger, each common share of AirNet outstanding on that date was converted into the right to receive $2.81 in cash. Before the merger, AirNet common shares were traded on the American Stock Exchange. Bayside Capital, Inc., manages Bayside Opportunity Fund, L.P., a $500 milllion “special situations” fund that invests in the debt and equity of middle market companies.
EADS SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0627; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-033-AD] – This proposed AD, which supersedes an earlier directive (AD 2008-10-13, Amendment 39-15520), would require operators to check the vapor-cycle cooling system pulley drive assembly for leakage, remove the compressor drive belt from the assembly and deactivate the air-conditioning system until the original pulley drive assembly can be replaced by a new, improved assembly.
The year-old Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) last week released a new industry audit standard that is designed to provide a single set of standards for charter operators. The ACSF also released new tracking software, “AVSiS,” that will aggregate safety data of participants in a “de-identified” way. The audit standard was developed in concert with leading charter auditors such as R. Dixon Speas, Wyvern and others and included the participation of top executives from charter companies, fractional ownership companies and industry associations.
THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION named Eric Shradar, a recent graduate of Parks College of Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., as the recipient of the Dr. Harold S. Wood Scholarship. Shradar was president and team captain of the Flying Billikens, and helped bring the team to the school’s first national flight team competition appearance in eight years in 2006. He graduated with honors and is a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION finally got the word that company officials have been seeking for more than a decade: FAA granted a type certificate for the Hawker 4000 composite fuselage business jet and also approved a production certificate for the super-midsize aircraft. FAA Function & Reliability testing of the 4000 was completed two and one-half months ago and officials have been anxiously waiting since then for final clearance to begin customer deliveries (BA, April 7/151).
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY Model 525 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0306; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-014-AD; Amendment 39-15544; AD 2008-12-01] – Requires inspection for missing firewall sealant between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly. If sealant is missing, apply sealant to that area. This AD resulted from a report that firewall sealant may not have been applied between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly during the manufacture of some Model 525 airplanes.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0625; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-AD] – This proposed directive would mandate inspection of the contactors used in the air-driven generator power center (ADGPC) in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Rev. A, (dated Dec. 11, 2006). Any suspect contactors would need to be replaced.
Concerned about multiple accidents resulting from debonding of rotor blade skin on Robinson Helicopters, the National Transportation Safety Board said FAA should require Robinson Helicopter Company to take specific action to prevent such equipment failures and that FAA also should review the manufacturing processes and requirements for rotor blade manufacturers other than Robinson. In addition the safety board said RHC rotor blades should be inspected at intervals much more frequent than the existing 2,200 hours time in service life limit for those blades.
FAA sent out Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2008-13-51 Thursday evening to all owners and operators of Eclipse Aviation EA 500 very light jets, advising that it could be possible to exceed the maximum range of throttle travel, resulting in loss of throttle position signal to the engines’ full authority digital electronic controls (FADEC). The AD follows an NTSB recommendation earlier that day that urged FAA to mandate an immediate inspection of all EA 500 aircraft.
FIRSTFLIGHT, a charter, management and aviation services company based in Elmira/Corning, N.Y., added a Gulfstream G550 to its fleet of managed aircraft. The aircraft will be based in West Palm Beach, Fla. and offered for charter.
BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Jetstream 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0622; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-064-AD] – Following the instructions of BAE Systems Service Bulletin J41-28-014, Rev.1 (dated Dec. 21, 2007), this proposed rule would require replacement of the left-hand and right-hand fuel boost pump metallic-conduit assemblies with loom assemblies. In addition, the proposal would mandate inspection of internal fuel-tank high-level sensor wiring, replacement of any damaged wiring found and removal of any excess wiring, as necessary.
LEO MALLOY was named president of Skyway, the airport services subsidiary of Midwest Airlines. Malloy succeeds David C. Reeve, who retired after 11 years with Midwest and Skyway. Malloy assumed overall responsibility for Skyway, which provides a variety of airport services – including ramp and dining services operations – for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect. Skyway also provides customer services operations in Midwest Connect field stations.
AirShares Elite continued to rapidly expand its managed network of shareholders of Cirrus aircraft with the acquisition of Southern California based iFly. AirShares called the iFly membership program – which uses a fleet of Columbia (Cessna) 350s – the largest in the Los Angeles/San Diego market.
June 16-19 – Canadian Business Aviation Association, 47th Annual Convention, Trade Show & Static Display, Toronto, Ontario. Contact Janet Maslin at CBAA, (613) 236-5611 June 26 – National Business Aviation Association Regional Forum, Dayton, Ohio International Airport (DAY). For more information, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9000 July 14-20 – Farnborough International Air Show, Farnborough, England. For more information, contact Shirley-Ann Latch at 44 20-7976-3349; www.farnborough.com
DENNIS PRATTE, manager of FAA’s 135 Air Carrier Operations Branch, last week outlined a series of regulatory initiatives that the agency has placed on its agenda, many of which stem from the recommendations of the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The proposals include adding expanded jump seat authority for Part 135, allowing electronic submission of load manifest recordkeeping, introducing the passenger service specialist term and authorizing pilots to log second-in-command flight time on aircraft when their presence is not required, among others.
SABATINI, who quipped that he had to go to the emergency room to remove the arrows following a contentious hearing involving Southwest Airlines (BA, April 7/154), reiterated the importance of the agency’s “Customer Service Initiative” that came under fire during the Southwest hearing. He said the initiative is designed to provide a single standard throughout the Flight Standard District Office network, prevent FSDO shopping by certificate holders, and keep the industry informed about the agency’s expectations.
TOM TEIXEIRA rejoined Strategic Thought Group plc as vice president enterprise risk solutions, a new position within the company where he will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of customers’ enterprise-wide risk management frameworks. Teixeira joined Strategic Thought from Rolls-Royce, where he headed enterprise risk management for the engine maker. Prior to that, Teixeira was one of the original members of the Strategic Thought Group team, which is headquartered in London, England.
CAE expanded its ab initio training capabilities in the U.S. and its reach in Europe with the cash acquisition of Sabena Flight Academy (SFA). Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed. SFA provides ab initio and type-rating training from facilities in Mesa, Ariz. and Brussels, Belgium. The Mesa facility is home to a fleet of 40 aircraft and the Brussels facility is equipped with six simulators.
ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION AE 3007A1E and AE 1107C engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-0230; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-24-AD] – This proposed AD would require removing from service certain second-, third- and fourth-stage stage compressor wheels, compressor cone shaft assemblies and first-to-second-stage turbine spacers at new, reduced life limits.
OPERATORS of Eclipse Aviation E-500 Very Light Jets had to scramble last week to conduct inspections of the throttle quadrants on their aircraft following an incident at Chicago’s Midway Airport earlier this month in which the pilots briefly encountered an uncommanded, full-power situation while on approach for landing. See article on Page 271.
1975 Cessna U206F Airplane Bidding begins on June 17th, 2008 and closes June 27th, 2008 at 1PM MT. For details call (208) 939-1777 or go to: www.musickauction.com. Click here to view the pdf
DORNIER Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0544; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-099-AD; Amendment 39-15535; AD 2008-10-51] – Perform detailed visual and eddy-current inspections of both the left-hand and right-hand lower wing panel of the rear trailing edge for cracks. Repair any cracks found, following the instructions of either Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328J-57-015 (for Model 328-300 airplanes) or ASB-328-57-037 (for Model 328-100 airplanes), both dated May 8, 2008.
FACTS TRAINING has expanded its Hypoxia Awareness Training program to Russia. FACTS Training was contracted by SAT Airlines to provide the training to 80 crewmembers. FACTS uses a hypoxia training device that provides real-time computer assessment of the psychomotor and cognitive impairment resulting from hypoxia. The device can simulate operating altitudes to 30,000 feet and be used to familiarize crewmembers with the debilitating effects of hypoxia and help individuals recognize their own symptoms.
