FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL LTD. (FIL) recently moved to new permanent headquarters on the air show site at Farnborough Aerodrome, reflecting the expansion of FIL "and its commitment to developing the Farnborough site for all-year-round events," officials said. The move also frees up exhibition space that will be available during the 2008 air show. The new address is: Farnborough International Ltd., ETPS Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6FD. All telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
Joined Executive AirShare as sales director. Bayless will be based at Fort Worth Meacham International in Texas and will be responsible for expanding Executive AirShare's fractional aircraft ownership program in the Midwest. He formerly was southwest sales director for First Service Networks.
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0300; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-191-AD] - This proposed AD would require inspection of the wing-to-fuselage fairings for indications of incorrect fit, damage or wear, using the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-101 (dated Sept. 30, 2005). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Netherlands, was prompted by several reports of pilots having difficulties with the airplane's roll control.
Eclipse installed a new software program that is expected to produce more consistent and transferable manufacturing and maintenance procedures for the company's production facility in Albuquerque and its service centers in the U.S. The software was implemented as the company produced its 100th aircraft, a milestone the company reached one year after the company certified its Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet.
ASSOCIATED AIR CENTER (AAC) delivered an Airbus Corporate Jet with a VIP interior to a customer based in Florida and another ACJ to a customer in Asia, the 10th and 11th ACJs completed by the Dallas, Texas aircraft outfitting and modification center. The 10th aircraft, which AAC said is the first "N" registered VIP ACJ, was completed with a contemporary design with a master bedroom, master lavatory with shower and storage closets. A full Honeywell cabin management system was installed on the aircraft along with the Airshow moving map system.
ARINC is supporting the Rockwell Collins eXchange broadband communications system with its SKYLink satellite service. SKYLink will enable a high-speed network connection for Internet, fax over IP, voice over IP telephone and data service for Wi-Fi enable smartphones. SKYLink will provide coverage for eXchange customers in North America, Europe and the North Atlantic. ARINC plans to expand the coverage to the Caribbean and parts of South and Central America in early 2008 and is considering further expansion to the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
CONGRESS has two more months to complete work on a comprehensive aviation reauthorization bill before the current authorization expires Feb. 29, 2008, but it is unclear when the Senate may take up the measure. The House approved its reauthorization package in September. In December, Congress temporarily extended authorization as part of an omnibus fiscal 2008 appropriations bill that funds most of the federal government through the end of the year. The omnibus bill, which was signed into law Dec.
Sentient Jet Holdings LLC confirmed Friday that it had acquired The Air Group, a long-time California-based business aircraft charter and management company, the latest addition to Sentient's explosive expansion over the past year.
THE PROFESSIONAL AIRWAYS SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS (PASS) union is changing its name, but not its acronym. Union members voted to adopt a new name - Professional Aviation Safety Specialists - that is designed to emphasize the union's role in aviation safety.
January 6-10, 2008 - American Association of Airport Executives, 22nd Annual Aviation Issues Conference, Kona, Hawaii; (703) 824-0500 or e-mail ww.aaae.org/product/allmeetings.html March 10-11 - Federal Aviation Administration, 33rd Annual Aviation Forecast Conference, Washington, D.C. Contact Linda Baranovics at (202) 267-5370; or e-mail [email protected] March 10-12 - Flight Safety Foundation 20th European Aviation Safety Seminar - EASS, Bucharest, Romania; Contact FSF at (703) 739-6700
AVIDYNE launched two new dealer support services to provide more access to Avidyne technical support specialists. The services include a TechLine after-hours telephone support line that can provide access to an on-call Avidyne technician or a resource for information about an inquiry. Avidyne also is offering a TechChat instant messaging service to provide an alternative method for quick answers to immediate questions during normal business hours. Both programs are designed to expand and complement Avidyne's current technical support hotline.
TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0349; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-094-AD] - This proposal would require operators to inspect the pilot-door locking stop fittings for correct length and replace any incorrect length pilot-door locking stop fittings found. This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of France, is designed to prevent depressurization of the airplane. The FAA estimates that this proposal would affect 157 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators a total of $58,875, or $375 per airplane.
CLIFFORD DEVELOPMENT appointed Central Flying Service as a service center for Clifford's Citation II and SII re-engining programs. Based in Little Rock, Ark., Central Flying Service operates a 500,000-square-foot facility that provides airframe and engine maintenance, paint, interior and avionics work for Cessna Citation, Hawker and Beechcraft products. Clifford Development is working on parallel supplemental type certificates to re-engine the Citation II and SII with Williams International FJ44-3A engines.
CONKLIN & DE DECKER is releasing its 2008 State Tax Guide for General Aviation this month, covering the latest taxes and fees imposed on general aviation in all 50 states. The guide permits users to search by exemption, tax type or by state, and a new feature this year permits side-by-side comparison of taxes in three states. A one-year subscription is $275, which includes a CD ROM and downloadable updates throughout the year. For more information, contact Conklin & de Decker at (508) 255-5975 or via fax at (508) 255-9380.
Arriel 2S1 and 2S2 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-28125; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-17-AD; Amendment 39-15276; AD 2007-24-10] - Requires replacement of the fuel-filter drain screw with a new one, tightened to an effective torque of 6.5 Nm in accordance with the instructions contained in Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2824 (dated Feb. 1, 2007).
HOMELAND SECURITY officials continue to wait for the Office and Management and Budget to complete its review of a proposal to establish a security program for large private aircraft similar to the so-called Twelve-Five program already in effect for commercial operators. DHS officials hope to get the proposal published within about two months. The Transportation Security Administration estimates that some 9,000 general aviation aircraft operators use airplanes that weigh more than 12,500 pounds and would be subject to the requirements of the proposed rule.
Was appointed Learjet sales director, central U.S., for Bombardier and will sell new Learjet business aircraft in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado. Moir has served with Bombardier for eight years, most recently as contract manager for the Challenger 850. He also was responsible for strategic sourcing on new development programs, including the Learjet 40 and 45 XR and Challenger 300. Moir is based in Wichita, Kan.
REP. JOHN MICA (R-Fla.) charged that "Democrats appear to be blocking the appointment of the FAA nominee in an attempt to appease special interests at the expense of the traveling public." Mica, the ranking Republican on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, said the failure to get Sturgell confirmed in a timely fashion leaves FAA without a "critical position key to aiding our system at this important juncture." See article on Page 2. a
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION says it is working on creation of "a carbon offset program for members that conduct ground and air operations." The offset program is expected to be a major topic during the first meeting of the association's new Environmental Committee this month in Savannah, Ga.
ENGINE MAKER ROLLS-ROYCE, which announced plans late last year to build new plants in Virginia and Singapore (BA, Nov. 26/241), also plans to move its North American headquarters and consolidate its U.S. purchasing organization. Chantilly, Va., a Washington, D.C. suburb situated near Dulles International Airport, is currently home to Rolls-Royce North American headquarters, where about 130 people are employed. Beginning in mid-year, the headquarters group will move to a new building in nearby Reston, Va.
EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0338; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-139-AD] - This proposed AD would add requirements to an existing directive that currently mandates review of the airplane maintenance records for recent reports of vibration from the tail section or rudder pedals, and repetitive inspection of the skin, attachment fittings and control rods of rudder II to detect cracking, loose parts, wear or damage.
NEXT SUNDAY will mark four months since Marion Blakey stepped down as FAA Administrator and it's unclear how long it will be until a permanent successor is in place. Deputy Administrator Bobby Sturgell took over as acting administrator in mid-September (BA, Sept. 17/115) and President Bush nominated him for a five-year term as administrator in late October (BA, Oct. 29/194). But a scheduled Dec. 20 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee never happened, and a new hearing date has not been set.
THE JOINT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE is holding a conference Feb. 12-13 on the integration of weather technologies into the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The conference will discuss assimilating weather information into decision-making tools and processes. The conference will include four working groups covering network-enabled weather information, airport operation improvement, tactical and strategic trajectory-based operations, and super density operations. The conference will be held at the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT last month handed over the 8,000th single-engine aircraft produced at the company's assembly facility in Independence, Kan. The aircraft, a Cessna 182, was delivered Dec. 18 during a ceremony in Independence honoring the new owner, the Civil Air Patrol. The CAP operates 519 Cessna aircraft, including 178 aircraft built in Independence. The CAP uses Cessna 182s for missions requiring satellite-transmitted digital imaging. An auxiliary of the U.S.
