Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28645; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-059-AD] - This proposed AD would require checking for proper operation of the locking handle for the upper access door and modification of the adjacent window trim panel in accordance with instructions contained in EADS Socata's Mandatory Service Bulletin TBM Aircraft SB 70-150 (dated May 2007).
EMBRAER recently broke ground on a business jets service center that will be built at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn. The groundbreaking came three weeks after the Brazilian plane-maker held a groundbreaking ceremony for a facility at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, Ariz. (BA, July 9/14). The Windsor Locks facility, which will service the Phenom and Legacy business jet lines, will be completed in mid-2008. The 45,000-square-foot Embraer facility will include a hangar, workshops and office space. Embraer is planning a third facility at Ft.
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC (HBC) posted a second-quarter loss and lower sales, but a strong surge in orders for new aircraft dramatically increased the company's backlog.
EAGLEPICHER TECHNOLOGIES, which produces batteries and other energy producing devices for commercial, defense and space industries, achieved AS9100 at its facilities in Joplin and Seneca, Mo., and Pittsburg, Kan. Established by the International Aerospace Quality Group, the standard recognizes achievement, quality and safety for suppliers in the aerospace industry.
RTI International Metals reported higher earnings and revenues for the quarter and first half of 2007, but said it took a $3.4 million charge for the quarter to establish a reserve in case the firm has to return import duty reimbursements it received earlier. Those reimbursements are the subject of an investigation by federal officials.
TRIUMPH GROUP plans to sell off two of its manufacturing units. Effective June 30, Triumph said it designated as discontinued operations Triumph Precision Castings and Triumph Precision, a build-to-specification manufacturer and supplier of high-precision machined components and assemblies. Triumph expects to complete the sale of those two units by the end of September. For the three months ended June 30, the discontinued operations posted a loss of $3.9 million.
Air Methods Corporation, the largest U.S. provider of air medical transport services for hospitals with a fleet of more than 200 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, plans to complete by Oct. 31 its acquisition of all the outstanding common stock of FSS Airholdings, Inc., the parent company of CJ Systems Aviation Group, Inc. CJ, headquartered near Pittsburgh, is one of the larger private U.S.
XL INSURANCE is offering a new pollution insurance program specifically designed to protect fixed-base operators. "General liability insurance offers businesses very limited, if any, protection against an environmental incident such as a fuel oil spill," said Richard Corbett, chief environmental underwriter for XL Insurance's Global Environmental unit. The company's pollution policy offers coverage for loss, remediation expense and legal defense at covered airport locations. XL Insurance is part of XL Capital Ltd. of Exton, Pa.
Cessna Aircraft's Citation XLS+ flight testing is continuing in Wichita, following the successful first flight of the business jet on Aug. 2 at Rockwell Collins' facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The first flight, which lasted one hour and 30 minutes, went as planned, with the aircraft "performing as expected," according to Cessna Citation XLS+ Program Manager Kevin Steinert.
Models S2R series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-051-AD] - This proposed AD would require repetitive visual inspections of the vertical and horizontal stabilizer attach fitting, attach fitting bolts, and the vertical fin aft spar for cracks or corrosion. It also would require immediate replacement of cracked or corroded parts and, as the terminating action for the repetitive inspections, eventual replacement, even if no cracks or corrosion were found.
WHEN ASKED about a possible dues hike and what the increased revenues might be used for, an NBAA spokesman noted that the association has not raised dues in five years. "New member services are being rolled out, and advocacy has been stepped up to confront the millions [of dollars] the airlines are spending to secure their legislative agenda, which would do permanent harm to business aviation," he said in a written response.
EMBRAER received an order for two Legacy 600 executive jets from China Sonangol International Holding Ltd., an oil business enterprise. The aircraft will be registered in China and used primarily for corporate travel.
Named sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Corporation Navigation Systems Division. Myers will be responsible for navigation systems business areas, programs and activities at company facilities in Woodland Hills, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Freiberg, Germany; and Pomezia, Italy. He joined the company in 1997 as vice president of the former TRW Space and Electronics unit.
Promoted to vice president, customer service, FKI Logistex North America, which provides material handling for airports, manufacturing operations, warehouse and distribution facilities. Roach will be responsible for North American parts sales, parts order fulfillment operations, and hotline technical support. Formerly director of the Parts Group for FKI Logistex Manufacturing Systems North America, Roach has 17 years of engineering and management experience.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION issued a Call for Papers Invitation for presentation at the organization's 53rd annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar April 29-May 1, 2008, which will be held at The Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla. Persons interested in making a presentation at the seminar should submit a 200-word abstract and a one-page resume no later than Oct. 5. For more information, contact Millicent Wheeler at [email protected] or call (703) 739-6700, Ext. 109.
AIR METHODS CORP., Denver, Colo., was selected by American Eurocopter, LLC of Grand Prairie, Texas to provide medical interiors, avionics and airframe modifications and equipment for the helicopter manufacturer's single-engine emergency medical services customers. American Eurocopter builds the AS-350 and EC-130 helicopter models, which are used by a number of EMS providers. Air Methods Corp. said the average EMS modification of those model helicopters exceeds $500,000 per aircraft.
September 5-6 - 19th FAA/Air Transport Association International Symposium on Human Factors in Maintenance and Ramp Operations, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Fla., International Airport Hotel, www.airlines.org/2007hfsymposium September 11-14 - International Civil Aviation Organization's Introduction to Performance Based Navigation seminar, ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand, (514) 954-8219 ext. 7117, fax: (514) 954-6759, www.icao.int/pbn
AVFUEL added Encore-Frederick, based at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland, to its network of branded dealers. Encore will offer Avfuel's Commercial Contract Fuel Program and the Avtrip incentive program. The fixed-base operation provides charter, management, maintenance, ground services, aircraft sales and avionics. The FBO also hosts events including a Celebration of Avionics seminar and an Aviation Education Expo that will allow high school and college students to explore career opportunities in the aviation industry.
HONEYWELL said its TPE331-12JR turboprop won FAA approval for installation in Cessna Caravan Model 208 utility aircraft. The engine manufacturer worked with Aero Twin of Anchorage, Alaska to win approval for the retrofit installation. Aero Twin plans to provide complete retrofit kits, installation and support services. Operators of float-equipped Caravans with the TPE331 powerplant will see a significant reduction in takeoff distance, said John Bolton, vice president of Business and General Aviation Aftermarket for Honeywell Aerospace.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT said it has taken orders for 720 of its new SkyCatcher light sport aircraft. Cessna, which valued those orders at more than $75 million, formally unveiled the SkyCatcher during the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture 2007 last month in Oshkosh, Wis. (BA, July 30/44). Launch of the SkyCatcher came one year after Cessna announced it was testing the market for a proof-of-concept LSA. The SkyCatcher will be powered by a 100-horspower Teledyne Continental O-200D engine and include a Garmin glass cockpit.
John D. Wolf took over as chairman and chief executive of Adam Aircraft last week after Rick Adam announced his decision to step down as chief executive from the company he founded in 1998. Adam, who invested $26 million of his own money to establish the company, will retain four seats on the board of directors. Adam did not specify his future plans, but has said in the past that he sees himself as an entrepreneur who likes to seek out new opportunities.
KEVIN LANCASTER, head of True Flight Holdings, LLC in Valdosta, Ga., won U.S. Bankruptcy Court clearance to buy the assets of Tiger Aircraft, including the type certificates, the tooling, intellectual property rights, parts and inventory. Lancaster told the American Yankee Association, which represents owners and operators of Grumman American aircraft, that Tiger Aircraft likely would be moved from its current headquarters in Martinsburg, W.Va. to Georgia. But Lancaster, who has owned two Tigers, added he was still evaluating offers from other locations.
A NOISE COMPATIBILITY PROGRAM FOR BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT is being reviewed by the FAA, which recently approved the noise exposure maps submitted by the management of the Louisiana airfield. The agency expects to render its judgment on the Part 150 program by Jan. 25, 2008. Comments on the plan are due by Sept. 27. For more information, contact the FAA's Lance Key, ASW-615, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 76137-4298; phone, 817-222-5681.
Honeywell Aerospace, seeing sales opportunities and increasing competition from other manufacturers for new-technology avionics that are affordable for lower-end aircraft operators, is developing two new products to target that market niche.
EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT (EJM) added five more jets to its charter fleet, including three Gulfstream G450s, a Bombardier Challenger 604 and a Global 5000. The G450s are based in Dallas, Las Vegas and Portland. The Challenger 604 is based in White Plains, N.Y. and the Global 5000 is in Farmingdale, N.Y. EJM manages aircraft at 60 locations throughout the country.
