THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE is offering exhibit and literature distribution services to firms that want to have a presence at the Airport Expo Dubai event in the United Arab Emirates Nov. 11-15. The Commerce Department program is designed to aid small companies and provide affordable alternatives to the costs associated with having a full-scale, stand-alone trade show exhibit. For more information, contact Karen Dubin at (202) 482-3786, by fax at (202) 482-9000 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Canadian transportation manufacturer Bombardier reported another quarter of higher revenues, but the company reported a net loss for the period and is barely above the break-even point for the first half of its fiscal year.
Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27864 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-038-AD; Amendment 39-15161; AD 2007-17-03] - Inspect the inboard end of the rear spar for security of the blind rivets, as well as the radii of the rear spar upper and lower flanges for cracking. Also inspect the aft flange of the inboard rib for cracking. Replace the rear spar if cracks are found during any of the aforementioned inspections, and replace rear spar blind rivets with bolts or rivets.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE opened an aircraft customer service office at Tokyo's Haneda Airport to support its regional jet and turboprop airline customers. The Haneda office will replicate the main customer support organization in Canada, but will be able to respond to customer inquiries in a more timely manner due to proximity to the operator base, Bombardier said. The company also plans to open a CRJ and Q-Series spares depot at Narita International Airport in the fourth quarter of this year.
FAA released a notice to its inspector work force last month outlining the parameters for the operational control special emphasis inspections for Part 135 charter operators that ramped up this summer (BA, June 25/279). The latest notice, N8900.16, which is in effect through Aug. 17, 2008, formally establishes the requirement that each operator undergo the inspection to ensure compliance with A008 and describes the content of the inspection. Operators can obtain information on the inspection process at http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/examiners_inspectors/8900.
GARY E. HART was promoted to senior vice president of flight operations for NetJets Aviation. Hart was previously vice president of flight operations/director of operations for the fractional aircraft operator. He will report to Jim Christiansen, president of NetJets Aviation. Hart has a wealth of experience in the air charter and fractional aircraft industry, having served as president of Raytheon Air Travel, vice president of Flexjet and holding executive posts with AMR Combs Worldwide Air Charter and Martin Aviation.
CAE completed the acquisition of Canadian flight analysis firm Flightscape. CAE announced earlier in August that it had struck a deal to buy Flightscape for $18 million (BA, Aug. 20/76). Ottawa-based FlightScape provides flight data analysis and flight sciences expertise. The company provides services related to flight operations quality assurance, flight data management, incident investigation and accident prevention.
Model 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 45, 55, 55B and 55C airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28016; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-227-AD; Amendment 39-15175; AD 2007-17-17] - Inspect for unsealed gaps on the pylon side of the engine firewall and clean or seal any unsealed gap. For certain airplanes, inspect for unsealed gaps of the pylon trailing edge and clean or seal any gap. This AD was issued to prevent penetration of flammable liquids or fire through the engine firewall into the engine pylon, which could lead to fire inside the airplane.
MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE'S Atlantic Aviation chain of fixed-base operations is laying claim to the title of largest FBO network in the country with 69 locations following completion of the latest acquisition. See article on Page 85.
GmbH DA 40 and DA 40F airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27974 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-040-AD; Amendment 39-15164; AD 2007-17-06]. - Repetitively inspect the nose landing gear leg for cracks, and replace the leg if cracks are found. This AD results from an MCAI issued by an aviation authority of another country. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 476 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and will cost operators a total of $38,080, or $80 per aircraft. Any necessary follow-on actions could cost $2,355 per airplane. This directive becomes effective September 25.
FIRSTFLIGHT, INC., the Elmira, N.Y. charter management and aviation services company, reported a profit of $128,000 for the quarter ended June 30, "the first quarter that the company has reported net income." The results represented an improvement of $1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, when compared with the net loss and net loss applicable to common stockholders in the period last year. "We are very pleased to have made significant progress this quarter," said John Dow, president and CEO of FirstFlight.
Marion Blakey, heading into the final three weeks of her five-year term as FAA Administrator, will become president and chief executive officer of the Aerospace Industries Association effective Nov. 12, the organization announced last week.
Macquarie Infrastructure Co. (MIC), which has spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few years buying fixed-base operations in the U.S., said last week it had completed the acquisition of two FBOs operating as the San Jose Jet Center at the Norman Mineta San Jose, Calif. International Airport. Macquarie said those two FBOs will be combined with MIC's existing Atlantic Aviation sites.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28987; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-127-AD] - Install reinforcements on the forward fuselage skin on the left-hand and right-hand sides between Frames 9 and 10 and 10 and 11, and Stringers 12 to 15. Install supports to the reinforcements and stringers, as well as new fasteners to the reinforcements and supports. Also, reroute the electrical wiring in the affected areas.
AVFUEL CORPORATION added Falcon Executive Aviation, based at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Ariz., to its network of branded dealers. Falcon will honor the Avfuel Commercial Contract Fuel Program for intransit aircraft and the AVTRIP incentive program for pilots. In addition to selling fuel, the FBO also operates a flight school and a repair station and offers aircraft, charter, aircraft parts and avionics sales and services.
The Federal Aviation Administration has developed a new risk management tool for operators to assess potential hazards that could crop up during a flight and provide steps to mitigate those hazards. FAA released an Information for Operators (InFo) providing instructions on using the Flight Risk Assessment Tool. "These tools will provide ways for air operators to determine which flights have more risk and allow operators to intervene and reduce risk when possible," the agency said.
INSTITUTE OF AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT (NIIAO) of Zhukovsky, Russia, developed an integrated flight and avionics system for Ka-226AG helicopters. NIIAO expects to win certification for the new system by the end of the year. NIIAO also is developing systems for other helicopters, including the Ka-32A and Mi-172.
THE TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD issued a $5.7 million contract to build a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations complex near Houston, Texas. The Texas ANG is one of the organizations that will remotely fly reconnaissance missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere from sites in the U.S. As the UAV mission expands, the ANG and Air Force Reserve will be called on to perform these combat missions regularly from their home bases. The construction contract for the facility went to Stewart-Matl Ltd. of Austin, Texas.
UNITED senior executive Henry (Hank) Krakowski has emerged as a strong candidate to become FAA's next chief operating officer and head of the agency's Air Traffic Organization, according to BA affiliate Aviation Daily. Like former COO Russell Chew, Krakowski is a well-known and respected airline figure who came up through the pilot and operational ranks. Krakowski is United's vice president-flight operations, and was previously the airline's vice president corporate safety, security and quality assurance.
GSM 85 servo gearbox units [Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD] - This proposal would require inspection of the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign object debris. If debris is found, operators would be required to return the unit to the manufacturer for replacement. This proposed AD, which resulted from reports of certain GSM 85 servo gearbox units having debris inside the assembly, is designed to prevent jamming of the gearbox, which could require the pilot to apply excessive manual force to control the airplane.
Who formerly oversaw customer support for Raytheon Aircraft Company, was named senior vice president, operations for Aviall Services, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. "We're very pleased to have someone of Ed's caliber join our company," said Dan Komnenovich, president and chief operating officer of Aviall Services.
A longtime veteran of Epps Aviation in Atlanta, Ga., was named by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR). As a DAR, Lane is approved to perform various functions on behalf of FAA such as export of aircraft, engines, propellers and components. He also can issue recurrent standard airworthiness certificates and special flight (ferry) permits. Epps said Lane is one of only 15 DARs in the state of Georgia.
Was promoted to assistant center manager of FlightSafety International's London Farnborough training center. Van de Geest has served as product marketing manager at the London Farnborough center since 1994. Before that, he was manager for Africa operations for National Airways Corporation in Johannesburg, South Africa.
