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.
P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0294; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-087-AD] - Requires modification of the fuselage emergency doorframe in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin 80-0057 Revision 1 (dated May 31, 2007). This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent the fuselage frame of the emergency exit door from developing cracks in its corners due to pressurization loads. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 31 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
A veteran computer systems specialist who has worked for a number of aviation manufacturers, joined M7 Aerospace in San Antonio, Texas as director of information technology. Boyle will be responsible for the company's computerized networks and information systems, which support the company's six primary business units. Boyle has an extensive background in implementing enterprise resource planning programs and integrating new software systems in major corporations.
DC AVIATION is providing executive jet services for Lufthansa until the airline has built up its own fleet of corporate jets later this year. The agreement with DC Aviation was worked out after NetJets discontinued its Lufthansa Private Jets flights last month. Lufthansa had to scramble for alternative operators on short notice in order to be able to operate flights already booked by customers. NetJets decided to discontinue its Lufthansa operation in August after Lufthansa Private Jets was perceived as a potential NetJets competitor.
ALSO awaiting action are two National Transportation Safety Board nominations that President Bush sent to the Senate in late October, just a few days after the Sturgell nomination. Bush nominated Steven Chealander to a term as an NTSB member that extends through 2012. Chealander, who has a 34-year background in aviation, was sworn in as a member a year ago to fulfill the remaining term of former member Ellen Engleman Connors, who resigned earlier in 2006 (BA, Jan. 8, 2007/20). That term expired at the end of 2007.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION COUNCIL (IBAC) is presenting an International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) workshop next week in Richmond, Va. The IS-BAO safety standard, introduced in 2002, is an industry code of practice designed to raise the safety bar by codifying safety best practices. The Jan. 17 event in Richmond, which will be hosted by Katherine Perfetti, IBAC's standards manager, is designed to assist operators who are implementing or contemplating adoption of the IS-BAO standard.
