SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT signed a multiyear contract to serve as the preferred handler for NetJets Europe at fixed-base operation locations throughout Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The contract, which takes effect immediately, also includes Signature's base in Cape Town, South Africa.
A FEDERAL JUDGE in Brazil Friday indicted two U.S. pilots and four Brazilian air traffic controllers in connection with the September midair collision of a Gol Airlines 737 and an ExcelAire Legacy. The indictment came just one week after a Brazilian prosecutor said he planned to seek such action (BA, May 28/245). The indictment accuses the ExcelAire pilots and the controllers of exposing an aircraft to danger resulting in death, which officials said was similar to involuntary manslaughter.
Three people were killed and three aircraft were destroyed last week in North Carolina when a nearly new Columbia 400 was involved in a spectacular crash during a botched landing attempt.
Michel Wachenheim, the director general of France's civil aviation authority, has been tapped by the new government led by President Nicolas Sarkozy to be chief of staff to the secretary of state for transportation. As a result, Wachenheim has taken himself out of the running to replace Victor Aguado as the next director general of Eurocontrol when Aguado steps down by year's end, according to air traffic control industry executives.
The European Aviation Safety Agency Friday implemented a new fees and charges schedule that could exponentially increase costs for certification and other activities in Europe (BA, May 21/229). The European Commission late last month approved the proposed new fees, and EASA on Friday publicly posted the regulation detailing the changes. The regulation adopted a new schedule of flat fees based on aircraft weight or size and cost of products. The schedule replaced the previous approach of assessing a combination of fixed and variable fees.
Model EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28256; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-041-AD] - Proposes to require replacement of the valance panel lighting system wiring. This proposed AD results from MCAI from the aviation authority of Brazil. The MCAI cites a report of an occurrence of smoke in the passenger cabin that stemmed from the valance panel lighting system wiring. FAA estimates the AD would cover 15 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of between $161,700 and $172,350 for the fleet, or between $10,780 and $11,490 per aircraft.
AVIATION GROUPS are appealing to their members in the Leesburg, Va. area for a last-minute lobbying effort to help block a rezoning request for a new housing development adjacent to the Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO). The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote June 5 on a rezoning proposal that would clear the way for a large residential development directly under one instrument departure route.
PENTASTAR AVIATION, based in Waterford, Mich., signed a contract to install the SKYLink broadband communications system on a Dassault Falcon 2000 business aircraft. The contract is the first application for SKYLink outside of Gulfstream aircraft. Gulfstream was the launch partner for the system, which is designed to fit a range of mid-size and larger business jets. ARINC is seeking DO-160E approval for new SKYLink antenna hardware that will fit Falcon and Bombardier models. Approval is expected in June.
An Appeals Court decision Friday upheld the Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) applicable to certified commercial aircraft gas turbine engines, rejecting a request by a coalition of state and local government agencies which advocated stricter emission standards than those adopted by EPA.
CMC received FAA clearance to install the SureSight M-Series Enhanced Vision System (EVS) sensor on the Pilatus PC-12. Pilatus selected the sensor and the PilotView Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) as factory options on the PC-12. The EFB operates as a stand-alone system and as a display for the EVS sensor. The supplemental type certificate is expected shortly for the EFB.
Model R44 and R44 II helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-26696; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-19-AD; Amendment 39-15058; AD 2007-11-01] - Requires, for Model R44 and R44 II helicopters that have a certain seat belt buckle assembly installed, removing the buckle assembly and the buckle assembly spacer, and replacing them with airworthy parts. This amendment is prompted by an accident in which a seat belt failed, and also by reports of cracking in the buckle assembly stainless support strap.
JET-CARE is working with Honeywell to offer a Fault Code Reporting Service for TFE731 Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) engine operators. The service is offered as an option to Jet-Care's existing engine performance trend monitoring program. Honeywell has provided the engine-trend monitoring program for its MSP customers since 1993. The Jet-Care service reads the DEEC download and identifies any fault codes.
Promoted to executive vice president of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, which is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Klein formerly was ARSA's legislative counsel. In his new role, he will manage several ARSA programs, including public relations, preferred provider and industry analysis.
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD; Amendment 39-15057; AD 2007-10-16] - Requires incorporation of new life limitations in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. The MCAI stems from the revision of airworthiness limitations in the AMM. Some life limits have been amended and some new life limits have been introduced.
June 4-6 - American Helicopter Society's/IHST Latin American Regional International Helicopter Safety Symposium, Renaissance Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil, (703) 684-6777, fax (703) 739-9279, www.vtol.org June 11-15 - Bombardier Aerospace CRJ World Wide Operators' Conference & Trade Show, Montreal. Contact Laurence Villion at (416) 375-4208, [email protected] June 18-24 - Paris Air Show, Le Bourget Airport, Paris, http://www. paris-air-show.com/en/
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL plans to build a second Gulfstream G150 aircraft flight simulator to be installed at FSI's Dallas/Fort Worth learning center. The simulator is scheduled to enter service in the first quarter of 2009.
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD; Amendment 39-15063; AD 2007-11-06] - Supersedes an existing AD that currently requires removing from service certain serial number fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm in those FCUs. This AD requires replacing all FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with FCUs that incorporate modification Tf 55.
Named manager of Duncan Aviation's satellite shop in Denver, Colo. Hazy, a 21-year military veteran who held aviation maintenance posts in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, joined Duncan in 2000 in the company's satellite shop in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He moved to the Denver facility in 2004.
HONEYWELL secured FAA technical standard order approval for its new Primus Epic Control Display System/ Retrofit (CDS/R). The clearance will allow Honeywell to retrofit the latest system on dozens of aircraft. The newest system will display electronic charts and maps and satellite-based weather through an advanced file graphics server line replaceable unit that will be available in the third quarter of 2007. The system also incorporates features such as independent pan and zoom control and scalable architecture for two-, three- or four-display configurations.
Model 1329 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28255; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-023-AD] - Proposes to require determining the part number on the steering cylinder assembly for the nose landing gear (NLG), determining the total flight cycles accumulated on the NLG steering cylinder assembly, repetitive replacement of the assembly, inspecting for missing tow turning limit markings, and performing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of numerous failures of the NLG steering cylinder.
Model 750XL [Docket No. FAA-2007-27863; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-037-AD] - Requires inspection of the rudder trim tab upper pivot for any lateral movement of the bushing and modification, if necessary. This proposed AD results from MCAI issued by the airworthiness authority of New Zealand. The MCAI was intended to prevent the rudder trim tab upper pivot hole in the rudder rib flogging out, which may lead to aerodynamic flutter and possible loss of aircraft control. FAA estimates the AD would cover seven aircraft on the U.S.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week cited faulty maintenance and lack of oversight in the Dec. 19, 2005 crash of a Chalk's Ocean Airways Grumman Turbo Mallard seaplane in Miami. The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight to Bimini, Bahamas when the right wing separated from the fuselage shortly after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into the shipping channel next to the Port of Miami. "This accident tragically illustrates a gap in the safety net with regard to older airplanes," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker.
MILLION AIR recently celebrated the grand opening of two fixed-base operation facilities on the West Coast. Million Air Los Angeles, based at Hawthorne Municipal Airport, recently opened after more than $1 million in renovations. Million Air added the facility to its network last fall. Century Aviation Holdings owns the Hawthorne base. Million Air also dedicated a new facility at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. The Medford FBO, owned by Superior Air Charter, joined the Million Air network this year.
