PPG AEROSPACE - TRANSPARENCIES recently won sole-source contracts to provide cockpit windows for the Embraer Phenom 100 Very Light Jet and Phenom 300 jet as well as the Cessna Citation CJ4. The Embraer contract covers the life of the aircraft programs, which could reach more than 1,000 aircraft. The windows will include the PPG Surface Seal rain-repellent coating, which eliminates the need for wipers. The windshields also will be equipped with the Aircon heating system for anti-icing and temperature control.
EMBRAER named four men to its Executive Jets sales team in North America and the Caribbean, bringing to 12 the number of regional salesmen in those markets. The new additions and their territories are: Cameron Gowans, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama; Gregory Babcock, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, the Dakotas and Nebraska; Michael Payne, Canada; and Timon Huber, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Model Falcon 900DX and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27849; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-249-AD; Amendment 39-15094; AD 2007-12-16] - This AD requires inspection and repair of aircraft in accordance with the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-308 (dated Oct. 18, 2006) and Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-133 (dated September 28, 2006). The bulletins call for inspection of skin panels on each side of the fuselage between Frames 9 and 10, including holes and structures.
Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28245; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-047-AD] - This proposed AD would require replacement of the cabin door rod ends located at the upper and lower hinges of the cabin door with newly designed rod ends. To perform this task, operators should follow Cirrus Design Corporation Service Bulletins SB 2X-52-07 and SB 2X-52-07 (both dated May 3, 2007). This proposed AD results from two known occurrences of in-flight cabin door separation. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 1,562 airplanes on the U.S.
Was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International's Cessna Learning Center in Wichita, Kan. Brasfield is a 19-year veteran of the U.S. Army who has been a member of the Army Reserve since 1999 when he went to work for FSI as an instructor. Since then he served as program manager for the Beechjet, Hawker 800 XP and Hawker Horizon training programs and most recently was director of programs.
NetJets, the world's largest fractional aircraft operator, placed an order for 96 Citation business jets from Cessna Aircraft at last week's Paris Air Show, the Wichita manufacturer announced. The NetJets order includes 50 Encore+, 37 XLS+ and nine Citation X aircraft, valued at more than $1 billion.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he's worried that terrorists may try to sneak operatives or weapons of mass destruction into the country on a U.S.-bound international general aviation flight. Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups are "going to try to find people that they think they can slip in under the radar screen" and "techniques they think we haven't discovered yet," Chertoff told attendees at the DHS National Small Vessel Security Summit last week, where he noted that small airplanes, as well as small boats, are a security concern.
FAA on July 1 is slated to begin a round of special emphasis inspections on Part 135 operators to ensure they are in compliance with new operational control requirements. FAA released its latest guidance on operational control at the end of May, and the new guidance takes effect July 1 (BA, Jan. 8/13). The inspections will take place over the next six months, and a National Business Aviation Association official warns that operators need to be prepared to answer detailed questions.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (ICG) teamed with Thrane & Thrane, a manufacturer of global mobile satellite terminals and earth stations, to integrate ICG's ICS-200 dual-channel satellite communication terminal with the Thrane & Thrane Aero-HSD+ system. The compact, lightweight system will have an expanded number of voice channels and permit the use of the same communications devices over both the Iridium and Inmarsat satellite networks.
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A signed an agreement with Saraya Private Aviation to deliver six P.180 Avanti II aircraft for delivery in 2008-2009. Saraya Private Aviation plans to commence private jet charter flights across the Middle East and Northern Africa next year.
Business aviation advocates were pleased last week that a new Internal Revenue Service proposal would clarify the process for deducting expenses related to senior-level executive travel for entertainment on company aircraft. But industry officials still plan to appeal to IRS for further relief from business aircraft deduction limitations.
The National Aeronautic Association has concluded its search for a new leader, naming aviation veteran and Washington area resident Jonathan Gaffney president, effective July 9. For the past 12 years, Gaffney was vice president for communications for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which operates Dulles International (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) airports.
Was named president of Geneva Aviation. Joseph has more than 30 years of aviation experience, including more than 15 years in engineering management and engineering flight test. He also has a background in product design and FAA certification activities.
Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D and AS355E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20863; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-36-AD; Amendment 39-15100; AD 2007-12-22] - This new AD requires replacing the hydraulic fluid at a specified interval when operating in cold weather. The rule is prompted by reports of ice forming due to condensation in some parts of the hydraulic system during cold weather operation.
The Salina, Kan. Airport (SLN) and its adjacent industrial park, already home to scores of businesses with thousands of employees, plans to seek bids on a new hangar/office complex next month as part of a long-term plan to keep economic activity flourishing at the middle-of-the-country airport.
Adam Aircraft secured $105 million in additional financing that the company will use to accelerate the production rate of the A500 twin-piston aircraft and complete certification of and ramp up production for the A700 Very Light Jet. The financing included a senior secured credit facility. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding was the lead arranger on the credit facility.
HOUSE T&I leaders are still striving for an agreement on labor measures before they introduce their FAA reauthorization package. The leaders had hoped to introduce the legislation two weeks ago, but have been waiting while the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association hash out differences over provisions in the existing controller contract as well as discuss procedures for negotiating future contracts. The committee still hopes to introduce and consider the bill this week, but action may continue to slide.
Was elected to the NORDAM Group's board of directors. Schofield has nearly 40 years of aviation industry experience, having held senior executive posts with Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies. In 2001 he retired as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Airbus North America Holdings.
Ron Swanda, who has played a number of key roles for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association over the past quarter century, plans to leave the organization at the end of the month. Swanda told BA last week that it has been "an honor and a pleasure to serve general aviation for 25 years."
THE NORDAM GROUP delivered the first mockup set of CJ4 executive cabinetry to Cessna Aircraft Company. The mockup units, which include the refreshment center, laboratory, closets, aft dividers and bulkheads, armrests, side ledges and tables, will be used to conduct the initial aircraft fit-check at Cessna. When that process is completed, the mockup set will undergo final finishing at Nordam's new 120,000-square-foot facility in Wichita, Kan. The preliminary set was completed in the two months following Nordam's announcement of winning the $100 million program in April.
MILLION AIR expanded to Paris through a partnership with European business jet operator FLYINGGROUP. The companies opened a new terminal at Paris Le Bourget airport. FLYINGGROUP was founded in 1991 as a fractional ownership business and charter service in Belgium. The company operates a fleet of 14 owned and managed business jets and plans to add five more jets this year.
The crew of a departing Avantair Piaggio P180 twin turboprop averted a potential collision at the Teterboro, N.J. Airport (TEB) last week when the pilots managed to stop the aircraft to avoid another airplane taking off on an intersecting runway.
