AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION has developed a detailed strategy to emphasize the importance of the U.S. aerospace industry to the presidential candidates of both parties. John Douglass, the departing president of AIA, a former Pentagon official and a former staffer in the Reagan White House, was in Iowa this month serving as a volunteer adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is seeking the Democratic nomination. Douglass told BA he plans to continue advising the Clinton campaign in the coming year.
AVANTAIR, INC. recently completed the private placement of 150,000 shares of its Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in two transactions that raised more than $15 million in new capital for the company. Avantair, headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., provides fractional aircraft services with a fleet of 39 Piaggio Avanti P.180 twin turboprops. Avantair has another 46 Avantis on order from Piaggio and also has placed orders for 20 Embraer Phenoms.
Model 206A and 206B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-28690; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-21-AD; Amendment 39-15289; AD 2007-25-07] - This AD, which applies to aircraft with two-piece vertical stabilizer supports installed, requires inserting into the maintenance manual a revision that mandates verifying the torque on the fin-support attachment hardware, inspecting the fin-support bracket and fins for paint or gaps, and inspecting the fin support bracket for cracking.
DayJet founder Ed Iacobucci is encouraged that the initial results of his per-seat, on-demand service have been "much better" than the company's worst-case scenarios - while not as good as the best estimates - and said the company continues to look at its growth plans in response to the early returns. "We have a lot of wonderful data" from the first two months of operations, Iacobucci told BA, and said the company has learned some things.
THE MARKET FOR USED AIRCRAFT remains robust heading into the New Year, despite the rising cost of fuel and a variety of ongoing economic problems that portend a possible U.S. recession in the not-too-distant future. Previous downturns in the American economy have depressed business jet prices and flooded the market with aircraft for sale. However, continuing strong overseas demand for long-range models, fueled in part by a weak dollar, is expected to sustain the market for the near term.
While long-term FAA reauthorization legislation has been sitting on Capitol Hill for the past three months, a bill that increases the mandatory retirement age limit for commercial pilots to 65 sailed through Congress last week and was signed into law by President Bush on Thursday. The House aviation subcommittee cleared the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act, H.R.4343, for floor action on Tuesday and it was approved by the full House later that day. The Senate followed suit Wednesday.
December 14 - Wright Memorial Dinner, Aero Club of Washington, Contact Nancy Hackett at (703) 327-7082; e-mail: [email protected] 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]
Model SR20 and SR22 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28246; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-048-AD] - The FAA proposes to revise an earlier directive that would have required operators to inspect and, as necessary, adjust the aileron and rudder rigging and the rudder-aileron interconnect system. This revised proposal would require a check of the rudder, aileron and rudder-aileron interconnect rigging; replacement of the attaching hardware and clamp at the end of the rudder-aileron interconnect arm; and use of revised service information from Cirrus.
THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE has scheduled a hearing on Thursday to consider the nomination of Bobby Sturgell to become the next FAA Administrator. President Bush nominated Sturgell to a five-year term as administrator in late October (BA, Oct. 29/194). While praised for his aviation background and work as the agency's deputy administrator, many feared that Capitol Hill would not act on the nomination, leaving it up to President Bush to appoint Sturgell to the post during the congressional recess.
Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-0285; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-15-AD; Amendment 39-15296; AD 2007-25-14] - Before further flight and at regular intervals thereafter, visually inspect each tailpipe assembly for cracks. If cracks are found, replace the cracked tailpipe assembly with an airworthy assembly before further flight. Also, visually inspect the structure surrounding each tailpipe assembly for overheating.
AIRWOLF AEROSPACE LLC said it won FAA Supplemental Type Certificate approval "to prevent permanently the leading-edge skin delamination occurring on Robinson R22 and R44 helicopter main rotor blades." Debonding can occur when the bond line is exposed due to excessive erosion of the blade finish, or when corrosion occurs on the internal aluminum tip cap.
Model SA-365 N1, AS-365 N2, AS-365 N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-28448; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-24-AD; Amendment 39-15290; AD 2007-25-08] - This is an amendment to an existing directive that requires a onetime inspection for end play in the pitch-control rod assembly double bearing using the tail-rotor hub control plate, and replacing that bearing before further flight if end play is present.
Promoted to director of engineering and manufacturing for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association in Washington, D.C. Bowles previously was manager of maintenance and engineering for the trade association. "Since coming on board nearly three years ago, Greg has continued to use his strong engineering background to promote the certification and manufacturing interests of our members and has contributed significantly to GAMA's success on a number of technical issues," said GAMA President Pete Bunce.
IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING why you haven't received an FAA Advisory Circular recently, it's because the agency's Aircraft Certification Service (ACS) stopped printing and distributing ACs at the beginning of October. ACS is now posting advisory circulars at the Regulator and Guidance Library Web site at: http://rgl.faa.gov/ For more information, contact Roberta Katson, Acting Manager of the Planning and Program Management Division, AIR-500, at (202) 493-4633 or via e-mail at [email protected].
AS PART OF THE U.S.- INDIA Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP), a consortium of U.S. and Indian government agencies and aerospace companies are studying ways to beef up the general aviation industry and market in India. Indian civil aviation agencies see fostering the local GA industry as a key way to train aspiring pilots for future employment in the country's booming commercial aviation sector. Severe capacity constraints at local airports and airspace restrictions are hampering growth now. The U.S.
A senior pilot with Continental Airlines, was appointed Industry Co-Chair of the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST), an organization that represents key commercial aviation stakeholders worldwide in pursuing safety improvements. Gunther succeeds Hank Krakowski, the former United Airlines pilot, who recently became chief operating officer of FAA's Air Traffic Organization. Gunther is senior director of safety and regulatory compliance for Continental. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and flew aircraft in the Naval Reserve for 20 years.
General aviation industry leaders agree that Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation will continue to be one of the largest issues - and perhaps one of the earliest issues - facing the industry next year. But they also believe that the industry will have its hands full with other concerns ranging from pending security proposals to growing attention on aviation's impact on the environment to an election year Congressional schedule that is expected to, among other things, offer fewer "in session" days.
Falcon 50, 900, 900EX, 2000 and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29175; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-134-AD; Amendment 39-15292; AD 2007-25-10] - Using the appropriate Dassault service bulletin for each type of aircraft, verify the correct assembly of the flap rotating rods and associated retaining brackets installed in the left-hand and right-hand wing-root compartment and in the left-hand and right-hand main landing gear compartment. Also, inspect the rods for damage, and if a damaged rod is found, replace it prior to further flight.
In its most recent evaluation of the global market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), consulting firm Teal Group predicts the U.S. will account for 73 percent of worldwide UAV research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) spending and 59 percent of procurement over the next decade. "The most significant catalyst to this market has been the enormous growth of interest in UAVs by the U.S. military," said the Nov. 29 report. "UAVs are a key element in the [net-centric and information warfare] revolution."
Dallas Airmotive plans to open an engine repair facility near Pittsburgh, Pa. next year that will specialize in working on engines used on a variety of popular business aviation and regional airline aircraft.
NORTHERN JET MANAGEMENT, Grand Rapids, Mich., took delivery of its second Learjet 40 XR business jet last week, one of six Learjets (five 40 XRs and one 45 XR) ordered by the aircraft management and shared ownership company in the past 12 months. Northern Jets' association with Learjet dates back to the early 1960s when Northern Air, its sister company, purchased a new Learjet.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is forming a new committee to focus on the environment. The Environmental Committee will review and develop positions on an a number of issues, including aircraft emissions, spill prevention and containment, changes in the Clean Water Act, and de-icing fluids. The committee will hold its first meeting Jan. 28 in Savannah, Ga. Traver Gruen-Kennedy, DayJet vice president of strategic operations, is chairing the new panel.
