EUROCOPTER acquired full control of U.K.-based McAlpine Helicopters as part of a move to expand its network of wholly owned sales and service facilities. Eurocopter already had a 10 percent stake in McAlpine, which supports a fleet of 200 rotorcraft and has nearly 170 employees.
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS delivered $15 billion in new general aviation aircraft during the first nine months of 2007, spurred by growing shipments of business jets and VIP-configured airliners. See article and BA's compilation of third quarter shipments by manufacturer below.
HOUSE AND SENATE negotiators also on Thursday agreed to a conference report for the fiscal 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Congress is expected to consider the transportation appropriations bill this week. The bill would provide FAA additional funding to hire more aviation safety inspectors and calls for $65 million more than the Bush Administration requested to expedite deployment of next generation air traffic control equipment.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week issued a series of recommendations seeking increased surveillance of air tour operators after faulting the pilot's "disregard of safe flying procedures" in the Sept. 20, 2003 crash of a Sundance Helicopters Aerospatiale AS350BA. The helicopter, N270SH, crashed into a canyon wall while maneuvering through Descent Canyon near Grand Canyon West Airport in Arizona. The pilot and six passengers were killed in the accident. The helicopter was operated for an air tour under Part 135.
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD sent a representative to assist Brazilian officials in their investigation of the fatal crash of a Model 35 Learjet Nov. 4 in Sao Paula shortly after takeoff from Tampo de Marte Airport. Both persons on board were killed.
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28923; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-133-AD; Amendment 39-15242; AD 2007-22-06] - Replace each main landing gear wheel axle-nut and spacer with an integrated axle-nut/spacer assembly in accordance with the instructions of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-72, Revision 1 (dated March 5, 2007).
Aerion has begun taking letters of intent for a limited number of delivery positions for the company's planned supersonic business jet. Aerion named Zurich, Switzerland-based ExecuJet Aviation Group its exclusive sales representative for all areas outside the Americas. ExecuJet will offer 40 delivery positions for customers outside the Americas. Those positions would be secured by refundable deposits of $250,000.
Model 172 and 182 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29317; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-079-AD] - This proposed rule would require operators to remove and replace the pick-up collar support and two retaining screws for aircraft equipped with BRS-172 or BRS-182 parachute systems. This proposal resulted from notification by Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., maker of the parachute systems, that the pick-up collar assembly may prematurely move off the launch tube and adversely affect rocket trajectory during parachute deployment.
General aviation billings topped $15 billion for the first nine months of the year, a 14 percent increase driven by strong business jet deliveries, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported last week. The business jet gains offset a softening piston aircraft market.
A CESSNA CARAVAN Model 208B crashed in Mexico Nov. 5 after it lost power during its initial climb after taking off near Culiacan in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The commercial pilot and two passengers were seriously injured and 12 other passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane, XA-UBC, was Serial No. 208B1046 and was operated by Aerocalafia, a Mexican air taxi operator. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft was supposed to make a cross-country flight to Los Cabos.
DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29066; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-147-AD; Amendment 39-15250; AD 2007-23-04] - Conduct a one-time inspection of the left- and right-hand elevator spring tab mechanism hardware for correct installation, and, prior to further flight, replace any hardware that is incorrectly installed, using the instructions contained in Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-106 (dated Feb. 7, 2006). FAA estimates that this AD will affect 150 airplanes on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced its intention to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a possible replacement airfield for Hailey, Idaho's Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), which serves the resort communities of Sun Valley and Ketchum. The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority, which is sponsoring the project, has proposed to construct and operate a replacement airport within Blaine County. The federal government's Bureau of Land Management is involved in the project because alternative sites may be located on its land.
The parent company of TAG Aviation USA and a 49 percent stakeholder in AMI Jet Charter agreed to pay the Federal Aviation Administration $10 million last week to end an enforcement action and help clear the way for TAG Holding of Geneva, Switzerland to complete the sale of the U.S. entities to Sentient Flight Group, the latest in a series of events that have roiled the domestic charter industry in recent months. Industry reaction to the settlement agreement - which will be the largest in FAA's history - ranged from "unbelievable" to "extortion."
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29064; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-128-AD; Amendment 39-15249; AD 2007-23-03] - Inspect the nuts on shuttle valves in the APU compartment in accordance with the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-26-019 (dated Jan. 6, 2006). If incorrectly installed or tightened nuts, or signs of leakage, damage or corrosion are found, before the next flight, tighten or replace the affected nuts or replace the shuttle valves, as applicable.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has declared the Bombardier Q400 fit to fly, following its investigation of a series of landing gear incidents involving the large twin turboprop and after meeting last week with Bombardier, landing gear maker Goodrich, and regulators from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Canada.
Joined Gulfstream Aerospace as director of composite technology, responsible for the design, testing and manufacture of composite aircraft components. Hornick previously was engineering and technology director for GKN Aerospace in Tallassee, Ala., where he was responsible for development of composite aircraft assemblies. He also spent six years with Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn., where he was cost and weight manager for the Joint Strike Fighter and a commercial composites part facility manager. He holds various patents in composite design.
NETJETS and Marquis Jet are trying to win exposure in the New York theater crowd, signing on as "the exclusive private aviation partners" of Mel Brooks' new Broadway musical production Young Frankenstein, which opened Nov. 8. The two aviation firms hosted an opening night party at the Empire State Building. The two companies said NetJets and Marquis Jet Card owners "will have access to Mr.
Promoted to director, mechanical systems for Gulfstream Aerospace, where he will manage the design, development, certification and service support for Gulfstream aircraft flight decks, flight controls, hydraulics and other mechanical systems. Ireland has served with Gulfstream since1992, holding engineering management posts on the GV Development Program and various special mission programs. Most recently, Ireland served as manager of the Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) special mission aircraft program.
JET AVIATION BASEL received letters of intent to complete nine wide- and narrow-body aircraft - two Airbus A340s, four Boeing BBJs and three B787 aircraft. The completions will continue through 2014. The latest contracts come as Jet Aviation began construction on a new 9,600-square-meter hangar to accommodate wide-body aircraft with long wingspans and very tall tails. The new hangar will be completed in the first half of next year. The new hangar will accommodate 200 new employees.
TWO SENIOR officers in the Civil Air Patrol were killed last week when their aircraft crashed. Col. Edwin W. Lewis, Jr., director of operations for CAP's Pacific Region, and Col. Dion E. DeCamp, commander of CAP's Nevada wing, died Thursday evening when their CAP plane crashed south of Las Vegas, Nev. Lewis had flown to Las Vegas to drop off another CAP airplane to be used in an airshow display. He and DeCamp were apparently enroute to Lewis' home in Rosamond, Calif. when the accident occurred. Both pilots had enjoyed long careers in the U.S. Air Force and the CAP.
MCCAULEY PROPELLER SYSTEMS B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0 and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0 propellers [Docket No. FAA-2006-25173; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-24-AD] - This proposal would supersede several current directives that require fluorescent penetrant inspections and eddy current inspections of propeller blades for cracks and removal of blades from service if cracks are found.
