PILATUS AIRCRAFT Model PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0116; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-082-AD] - Following the instructions contained in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 32-020 (dated July 24, 2007), operators would have to replace the bolts that attach the main landing gear retraction actuators, as well as replace the bolts that attach the shock absorbers to the main landing gear assemblies. This proposed AD resulted from an MCAI issued by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority for Switzerland.
Joined the architectural firm of HDR as director of aviation. He will be responsible for expanding HDR's business in aviation planning design and construction services. Bielek, who has 38 years experience as a design engineering and project manager, formerly was deputy director for the Broward County Aviation Department in Florida. He previously was assistant manager for the Federal Aviation Administration Airports District Office covering Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE Thursday evening agreed to extend the Federal Aviation Administration's current authorization and existing aviation taxes until Dec. 14. The extension was included in a "continuing resolution" (CR) that will fund most government agencies through Dec. 14 until Congress can finish work on separate appropriations bills. The CR was attached to the Department of Defense fiscal 2008 appropriations bill. The aviation taxes and FAA's current authorization were due to expire Nov. 16 under a CR that cleared Congress in late September (BA, Oct. 8/162).
Named general manager and vice president of the systems support group for Northrop Grumman Corporation's Technical Services sector. Most recently vice president and controller for Technical Services, Carty has 29 years of finance and business management experience. He joined Northrop Grumman in 1987.
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.
