Promoted to environmental safety manager for Jet Source of Carlsbad, Calif. A pilot for 20 years, Scott also has worked in the aviation industry for more than 14 years focusing on aviation management, safety and security. He holds a number of industry certifications in safety procedures. In his new post, Scott will oversee issues associated with hazardous waste disposal and Occupational Safety and Health Administration work site safety requirements, as well as implementing "Safety in the Workplace" training for all Jet Source employees.
FlightSafety International (FSI) plans to open a new training center next year in Lafayette, La. to serve the large number of helicopters operating to oil and gas rigs within the Gulf of Mexico. FSI said the 70,000-square-foot center will be able to accommodate up to eight full-flight simulators. It also will feature advanced technology training devices, customer service areas and MATRIX equipped classrooms.
Falcon 50, Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29175; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-134-AD] - This proposed AD would require operators to 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. It also would require inspections of the rods for damage, and if damage is found, replacement of any damaged rods prior to further flight.
SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT acquired fixed-base operations at Liege Airport (LGG) in Belgium and at Thessaloniki Airport in Greece, bringing the company's global FBO network to 82 locations in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Cessna Aircraft last week broke ground on a new building that will be part of a $24 million project to expand aircraft subassembly work at its Columbus, Ga. location. The 100,000-square-foot building, which is scheduled to be completed in August 2008, will be the third Cessna building in Columbus.
LOCKHEED MARTIN expanded its operations in Chantilly, Va. opening a new office to support the company's government customers. Lockheed expects to employ some 600 workers at the six-story, 145,000-square-foot building. The facility will house the company's Information Systems & Global Services business.
Production workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at Cessna's Wichita, Kan. manufacturing facilities approved a new three-year labor contract, despite earlier rallies by union members opposed to the new agreement (BA, Sept. 17/115).
(FORMERLY EAGLE AIRCRAFT) Eagle 150B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28957; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-069-AD] - Following the instructions contained in CTRM Aviation Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 1126 (dated July 19, 2007), this proposed AD would require operators to inspect the flap hinges and flap-hinge support brackets for corrosion. If corrosion is found, operators would need to take corrective action before further flight.
Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27865 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-039-AD; Amendment 39-15191; AD 2007-19-01] - Conduct an initial inspection of the windscreen and cockpit door windows for signs of disbonding of the adhesive between the transparency and the composite window frame. If disbonding is found, before further flight modify the windscreen and cockpit windows to incorporate mechanical fasteners in accordance with Pacific Aerospace's Mandatory Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/024 and PAC Drawing No. 11-03137 (both dated February 20, 2007).
China Array Plastics, a firm headquartered in the U.S., recently opened a state-of-the-art injection molding facility in Zhuankou Industrial Park in Wuhan, China. The firm claims to be among the first in China to specialize in custom molding high-performance thermoplastics, including polysulfone (PSU), polyetherimide (PEI) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
GE plans to work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on research to explore the potential of crop oils such as canola and soybean as alternative fuels for aircraft. The 18-month, $3 million program aims to develop technology to produce a cheaper alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel, GE says. Concerns from both civilian and military customers about rising fuel expense and emissions are at least two elements driving GE's overall research into alternative fuels.
P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27975 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD; Amendment 39-15187; AD 2007-18-07] - Requires identifying the steering actuator and the steering manifold installed on the airplane using mandatory Piaggio Service Bulletin 80-0236 Rev. 1 (dated May 15, 2007). Also, requires inserting Temporary Change 3 (issued March 15, 2007) into the "Limitations" section of the Airplane Flight Manual and replacing the nose landing gear in accordance with mandatory Piaggio Service Bulletin 80-0236 Rev. 1 (dated May 15, 2007).
FAA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR Robert A. (Bobby) Sturgell took over as acting administrator of the agency, following the completion of Marion Blakey's five-year term as administrator and her departure from FAA Thursday. Sturgell served as Blakey's senior policy adviser when she chaired the National Transportation Safety Board and he moved to FAA when she was named FAA Administrator in 2002. He has been deputy administrator since March 24, 2003. Sturgell is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Topgun).
RAYTHEON TECHNCIAL SERVICES COMPANY (RTSC) teamed with Booz Allen Hamilton to pursue the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS) program. The multiyear contract is expected to be valued at more than $100 million. FAA selection of the winning bidder is anticipated in 2008. RTSC has a background in training development, and Booz Allen will provide expertise in human capital development, human performance, learning management and operational and organization transformation.
THREE PILOTS were killed last week while competing in the Reno National Championship Air Races at the Reno/Stead Airport in Reno, Nev., including five-time defending champion Cary Hubler, 51, of Caldwell, Idaho, who was involved in a collision with another aircraft Friday. Separate collisions on Tuesday and Thursday claimed two other pilots, Steve Dari and Brad Morehouse. Organizers of the event cancelled races for the remainder of Friday after Hubler was killed, but said racing would resume on Saturday.
HEICO CORPORATION'S Electronic Technologies Group acquired all of the capital stock of EMD Technologies, Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian firm produces a line of high-voltage energy generators for medical, baggage inspection and industrial imaging systems.
POGO Jet, the air charter venture of former American Airlines Chairman and CEO Robert Crandall, filed registration papers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to make an initial public offering of common shares. POGO will sell the shares and W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC will act as the sole book-running manager for the offering. The number of shares and the price range have not been determined yet.
Recently joined Aon Risk Services to lead the insurance company's network of Aon Aviation offices in the U.S. A veteran of more than 22 years in the aviation insurance underwriting and brokerage business, Schmitz was formerly chief operating officer of Marsh's Aviation Practice where he spent 15 years.
HALCYON JETS HOLDINGS, INC., a New York-based aircraft charter broker, said its board of directors now includes Shelton (Spike) Lee, the movie writer, producer and director, and Mitchell Blatt, the president and chief operating officer of Coinmach Service Corp., which supplies laundry equipment services for multi-family housing properties. "We believe that our board of directors, and their relationships with key participants in the charter aviation industry will prove invaluable as we grow our business," said Jonathan Gilbert, CEO of Halcyon.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA opened a new parts distribution center (PDC) in Singapore to accelerate part deliveries to engine customers in the Pacific Rim region. The Singapore PDC will be staffed 24/7 and will stock "a large inventory of new parts and exchange accessories for all P&WC engine models," the manufacturer said. The Singapore facility has assumed responsibility for part orders previously processed through P&WC (SEA) Pte. Ltd. in Singapore and P&WC (A'Asia) Pty. Ltd.
F27 Mark 050, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29172; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-285-AD] - This proposal would require revision of the "Airworthiness Limitations Section" of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
