VIKING selected the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite as standard equipment on the Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft. The Apex platform will integrate aircraft systems, sensors and navigation information, Viking said, adding that the systems will decrease pilot workload and improve situational awareness. The system includes two primary flight displays and two multifunction displays. Viking launched the new DHC-60 Series 400 Twin Otter in 2007 and has taken more than 40 orders. The Canadian company expects to begin deliveries next year.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0521; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-040-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to check the air-driven generators (ADGs) and modify their internal wiring, if needed, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-113, Revision A (dated Aug. 11, 2005).
APPH HOUSTON has developed a 12-year/5,000-landing gear maintenance program for Hawker business jets that allows operators to select from three options to comply with the manufacturer’s time-between-overhaul requirements. The program includes a package of APPH-manufactured hydraulic components along with new bushings and hardware. The flat rate program is designed to provide comprehensive TBO maintenance while managing cost risks, APPH said.
L.J. AVIATION named Bob Agostino vice president of operations. Agostino, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent 14 years with Bombardier, most recently serving as director of flight operations for Bombardier Business Aircraft where he spearheaded the development of the company’s annual Safety Standdown (BA, March 24/136). Based in Latrobe, Pa., L.J. Aviation provides aircraft charter, management and acquisition services for clients in nine bases nationwide. The company employs more than 100 and manages a fleet of 27 aircraft.
EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0527; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-027-AD; Amendment 39-15520; AD 2008-10-13] – Requires deactivation of the air-conditioning system, inspection of the pulley drive assembly for leaks and replacement of the pulley drive assembly if leaks are found. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, was prompted by a reported rupture of the aircraft’s alternator and vapor cycle cooling system pulley drive assembly.
EMBRAER EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0194; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-263-AD] – This proposed AD would require revision of the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This proposal resulted from an MCAI originated by the Brazilian aviation authority. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 49 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators a total of $3,920, or $80 per airplane.
AGUSTA S.P.A. Model A109C, A109E and A109K2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0524; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-77-AD; Amendment 39-15519; AD 2007-26-52] – This AD requires inspections for swelling, deformation, bonding separation or cracks on each main-rotor blade with a certain tip cap installed. If any of these conditions are found, the main-rotor blade must be replaced before further flight.
MARTIN MALY joined BBA Aviation’s Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) international sales team as a regional sales manager. Maly will represent ERO’s service on 21 engine product lines in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and nearby countries. “Martin was born in Czechoslovakia and has compiled an impressive sales history in the region working for such notable companies as Exxon Mobil and Goodyear Dunlop,” said Willy Harmon, vice president of international sales for ERO.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC120B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0489; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-59-AD; Amendment 39-15507; AD 2008-10-01] – Before further flight, remove certain spherical thrust bearings and replace them with airworthy bearings. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of France, was prompted by the discovery of a batch of spherical thrust bearings that are unfit for flight. Failure of a spherical thrust bearing during flight could cause catastrophic separation of the main-rotor system from the helicopter.
A recent Transportation Inspector General review of a spate of near midair collisions in New York airspace did not find any identifiable pattern of hazardous operations, but did note several reports of potential mishaps that appear wrongly labeled. The IG initiated the review at the request of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who was concerned about five recorded near midair collisions (NMACs) involving commercial aircraft in the New York metropolitan area airspace during May 2007.
BUSINESS JET ACCESS (BJA) added a Challenger 300 to its Part 135 air carrier certificate. The aircraft has a 3,100-nautical-mile range and can seat up to eight passengers. Based in Dallas, BJA provides aircraft charter, management, maintenance and pilot services. The company manages 12 aircraft ranging from a 30-passenger BAC 1-11 and Gulfstreams, to Citations and Hawkers, and operates seven on its Part 135 certificate.
Bombardier Aerospace announced last week that its new, all-composite Learjet 85 will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307B engines. The airframe manufacturer also announced that it had selected Innovative Power Solutions’ advanced DC brushless starter/generator system for the new midsize jet.
The pilot and two emergency medical personnel aboard an Air Methods Eurocopter EC-135 medevac helicopter were killed May 10 when the aircraft crashed into terrain four miles east of the La Crosse, Wis. Municipal Airport.
EMBRAER EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0182; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-262-AD] – This proposed AD would require revision of the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This proposal resulted from an MCAI originated by the Brazilian aviation authority. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 704 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
DUNCAN AVIATION completed the first Honeywell Advanced File Graphics Server (AFGS) upgrade in a Falcon 900B. AFGS integrates advanced graphics capabilities, such as electronic charts and uplinked weather, with mass data storage to provide for flight display application. Duncan recently equipped the Falcon 900B with the Honeywell Primus Epic CDS/R four-display major panel retrofit. The addition of AFGS is part of Duncan Aviation’s Glass Box Project, which it has been working on in collaboration with Honeywell.
UOP LLC, a Honeywell unit based in Des Plaines, Ill., is working with Honeywell Aerospace, Airbus, JetBlue Airways and International Aero Engines to study the feasibility of developing a sustainable biofuel that can be burned in the engines of commercial aircraft. Announced Thursday, the ambitious project “will focus on developing and testing renewable energy technology to convert biofeedstocks to commercial aviation fuels” with emphasis on “second-generation” feedstocks such as algae, which do not compete with food or water resources, UOP said.
AIRCELL began taking orders for broadband service that it will provide to the business aviation market. Aircell is offering Aircell Mobile Broadband Network covering North American operations and Inmarsat SwiftBroadband for global coverage. Aircell also is offering a range of equipment packages that can be tailored to aircraft type, desired features and the geographic coverage required. The broadband service is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2008 for the business aviation market.
MEDEX Global Group, a Baltimore, Md.-based company that bills itself as “the oldest and largest independently owned provider of global travel security and medical assistance in North America,” completed the acquisition of ASI Group (formerly Air Security International) Thursday.
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0490; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-26-AD; Amendment 39-15509; AD 2008-10-03] – Requires inspection of each tail-rotor blade assembly at specified intervals and repair or replacement, as applicable, of any unairworthy blade (BA, May 12/211). This AD was prompted by three inflight failures of tail-rotor blades and a recent incident in which a cracked tail-rotor blade was discovered during a scheduled visual inspection.
Manassas, Va.-based charter Chantilly Air won clearance from the Transportation Security Administration to operate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The approval capped a six-month effort Chantilly Air undertook to demonstrate compliance with TSA’s DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP), said Tim Sullivan, director of operations and chief operating officer for the company.
THE ADVANCED TURBINE ENGINE COMPANY (ATEC), a joint venture between Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, won a contract valued at $108 million for the U.S. Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) technology demonstration program. AATE is designed to validate technologies designed to achieve the Army’s goal of 65 percent improvement in shaft horsepower/weight ratio and 25 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption (SFC) for the next generation 3,000 SHP turboshaft engine. General Electric also is developing a new engine for the AATE competition (BA, May 12/219).
HONEYWELL’S corporate flight department applied for FAA authorization to perform Required Navigation Performance Special Aircraft and Aircraft Authorization Required (RNP SAAAR) operations on the company’s Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft equipped with the PlaneView system. FAA late last year designated Honeywell as an RNP SAAAR consultancy, allowing the company to provide services to business jet operators that would speed authorization for RNP SAAAR procedures. Approval for RNP SAAAR operations requires validation of the flight management system database.
SAVVY AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT (SAMM) was recently established in Las Vegas, Nev., to provide professionally managed maintenance for owner-flown aircraft ranging from high-performance single-engine airplanes to cabin-class twins and Very Light Jets. General aviation maintenance expert Mike Busch established the company, building on his “Savvy Owner Seminar,” which has provided maintenance information to more than 1,000 aircraft owners over the past four years.
Larry R. Flynn, who has overseen a major expansion of customer support and maintenance business for Gulfstream Aerospace for more than a decade, was named senior vice president, marketing and sales, for the Savannah, Ga. manufacturer, effective June 30.
SUMI FONSEKA was named general manager of the Gulfstream Aerospace service center in Luton, England. The service center, located at London-Luton Airport, provided service to more than 900 Gulfstream aircraft during 2007. Fonseka will be responsible for daily operations of the facility and for anticipating the needs of Gulfstream customers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Most recently Fonseka was the senior hangar operations manager at Gulfstream’s new South Service Center in Savannah, Ga.
