(Type Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26494; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-79-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the visible parts of the spar web and the upper and lower boom angles (top and bottom spar caps) for corrosion and correcting as necessary. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the aviation authority of New Zealand.
Aircraft Bluebook Price Digest is now online at www.aircraftbluebook.com. Previously, the guide, which provides information on the value of business and general aviation aircraft, was only offered in print or CD-ROM editions. The online database, which is available via a yearly paid subscription, enables aircraft dealers, bankers, pilots and aircraft owners to quickly access information covering more than 3,000 model years of identification and value-related data, including avionics, airworthiness directives, conversions and overhauls.
Cessna Aircraft delivered the first Citation Encore+ to an unidentified customer. The Encore+ incorporates Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) equipped engines, a payload increase of 340 pounds to 1,170 pounds, a new integrated Collins Pro Line avionics suite and other improvements over the original Encore. The Encore+ is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535B engines.
Appointed vice president and chief financial officer for Mooney Airplane Company. Greenwood previously was vice president of finance for M7 Aerospace in San Antonio. He also has held senior financial positions with MDI, Inc. In his new role, he will be responsible for accounting, finance and information systems.
National Air Transportation Association will highlight charter brokering, security and safety issues at the association's first NATA Air Charter Summit that will be held June 27-29 at the Landsdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va. Co-sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, the event is expected to draw representatives from several hundred small, medium and large charters as well as other industry executives and officials from the Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration, FAA and Capitol Hill.
The National Transportation Safety Board has concluded that the probable cause of a small airplane crash into a New York City high-rise last autumn was the pilots' "inadequate planning, judgment and airmanship in the performance of a 180-degree turn maneuver inside of a limited turning space."
Model MD600N helicopter [Docket No. FAA-2007-27343; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-15030; AD 2007-05-51] - Adopts an AD sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of MDHI Model MD600N helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, a visual and eddy current inspection of each lateral mixer output link assembly (mixer link) and replacing any cracked mixer link. This AD also requires performing an eddy current inspection on each mixer link before installing it on any helicopter.
Joined the board of directors for Aviation Technology Group Inc. Moshier has a background in business startups and acquisitions in a number of industries including aerospace, contract manufacturing and retail e-commerce. He is managing partner of MOPAR Investments, a private partnership that provides investment and counseling to early-stage companies.
Chinese ATC reform, which is expected to begin in 2010 (BA, April 23/183), is "a positive development for both commercial and corporate aircraft demand," say the aerospace/defense market analysts at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Experts at the research arm of the financial services firm believe that airlines, corporate operators and manufacturers of commercial transports and business jets will all benefit from the Chinese military's handover of ATC responsibilities to civilian authorities.
ATR delivered the first of three ATR aircraft to Cape Verde, Praia-based TACV (Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde). TACV in October signed a contract valued at $50 million for one ATR 42-500 and two ATR 72-500s. The first of those aircraft, an ATR 72-500, was presented during a ceremony at ATR facilities in Toulouse. The remaining two will be delivered later this year. TACV has operated ATR aircraft since 1994. ATR said sales continue to remain strong, with the Franco-Italian consortium taking in orders for 27 new aircraft so far this year.
Business jet-makers are expected to deliver an average of almost 1,000 business jets annually over the next 10 years, compared with the 572 delivered on average between 1997 and 2006, according to a new Bombardier forecast. Last fall, Honeywell predicted in its 15th annual Business Aviation Outlook that business-jet makers would top 1,000 deliveries in a single year for the first time ever in 2007 (BA, Oct. 16/171). Manufacturers appeared on pace to reach that mark, reporting first quarter 2007 business jet shipments of 211 (BA, April 30/193).
Named director of aircraft certification at Associated Air Center in Dallas, Texas. Farsi will oversee the Certification Department and Designated Alteration Station (DAS). He also will develop training curriculum for staff members to pursue FAA certification. Farsi has more than 22 years of industry experience and previously was DAS administrator for L-3 Communications. He has held positions with Lockheed, United Airlines, Galaxy Aerospace and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Eclipse Aviation hired J. Mark Borseth, a 23-year veteran of 3M Company, as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Borseth most recently was vice president of global business process at 3M, where he managed the development of a worldwide IT application and deployed several global processes. Other posts he held included corporate treasurer and president and general manager of the company's Canadian operation.
The Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Raytheon a multiyear, potentially $14.4 million contract to develop an improved composite material for infrared windows and missile domes. The goal is "significantly" enhanced materials and manufacturing processes compared with those currently in use for windows and aerodynamically shaped domes in the 3-5 micron mid-wave infrared band, according to Mark Russell, vice president of engineering at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems.
Eclipse Aviation, which struggled for months to win a Production Certificate from FAA, achieved that milestone late last month, improving the prospects for increased production and delivery of the company's Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet (BA, April 30/193).
The National Transportation Safety Board said it believes a Piper PA-46-310P Mirage crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last month shortly after taking off from the Bahamas. The aircraft, N444JH, had departed Nassau International Airport for the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fla. International Airport April 10 at about 1650 EDT. The pilot and the controller had several communications about altitude and heading before the pilot was advised to contact Miami Air Route Traffic Control after being cleared to climb to 12,000 feet.
William G. (Bill) Robinson, who held senior public relations posts at all three of Wichita's major business aircraft manufacturers, died April 27 in Topeka, Kan., where he had resided for a number of years. A journalism graduate of Butler University in his native Indiana, Robinson subsequently joined the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Panama Canal Zone and later was a public relations officer at McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita.
Schubach Aviation added a King Air 350 to its charter fleet. The addition comes shortly after Schubach moved into a new 30,000-square-foot hangar and 3,000-square-foot office space at Premier Jet's facility at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif. The aircraft will be available for charter this month. Schubach also expects to add a Challenger 601 and Hawker 800 to its fleet by late spring. Schubach currently has a fleet of 12 business aircraft ranging from King Airs and CitationJets to Hawkers and a Bombardier Challenger.
Models 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, and 182R airplanes equipped with Air Plains Services Corporation Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA00152WI [Docket No. FAA-2007-27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-15031; AD 2007-09-01] - Requires disconnecting or removing the electrical cable between the forward ground power relay and the starter relay, installing a placard, inspecting the fuel line between the auxiliary electric fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump for chafing, and replacing the fuel line if chafing is found.
AirShares Elite expanded to the West Coast with the opening of new bases in the Los Angeles area. AirShares Elite will initially operate from John Wayne-Orange County, Santa Monica and Van Nuys airports to build the foundation for the West Coast expansion of its shared ownership program. AirShares Elite sells shares in new Cirrus SR22 GTS airplanes, and will add the SR22 G3 airplane to the fleet when Cirrus begins delivery later this year.
Models 150 and 152 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27747; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-030-AD] - Propose to require replacing the rudder stop, rudder stop bumper, and attachment hardware with a new rudder stop modification kit. This proposed AD also requires replacing the safety wire with jamnuts. This proposed AD results from two accidents in which the rudder was found in the over-travel position with the stop plate hooked over the stop bolt heads.
Joined the training staff of Jet Stream Aviation University. Based in Dallas, Jet Stream provides a three-day certification program for aircraft interior and exterior detailing. Pierce has more than 20 years of aviation detailing experience.
The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, scheduled for May 22-24 in Geneva, Switzerland, is on pace to become the largest yet, organizers said. Co-hosted by the European Business Aviation Association and the National Business Aviation Association, the 2007 EBACE so far has attracted more than 340 exhibitors who have contracted for 1,410 booth spaces. EBAA and NBAA said only a limited amount of indoor exhibit space remains at the Geneva PALEXPO; the static display at Geneva International Airport is sold out.
