Was appointed manager of product sales for International Communications Group, Newport News, Va., which specializes in sophisticated communications integration projects. Lange will work with ICG dealers, service and completion centers. He has 16 years of aviation industry experience, formerly as a senior design engineer for Gulfstream/GDAS. He also has served as a design/certification engineer for Avhar Services, which worked under contract with Raytheon Aircraft. Lange has a background in business jets, including Hawker, Challenger and Embraer Legacy.
Model 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C airplanes, and Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28016; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-227-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting for unsealed gaps on the pylon side of the engine firewall and cleaning/sealing any unsealed gap; and, for certain airplanes, inspecting for unsealed gaps of the pylon trailing edge and cleaning/sealing any gap. This proposed AD results from a report that unsealed gaps of the engine firewall were discovered during production.
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY has developed some new test facilities that should be of special interest to airframe and component manufacturers. The National Institute for Aviation Research at WSU recently opened a Susceptibility Test Lab, one of several environmental test labs scheduled to open at NIAR over the next nine months. The labs are designed to perform a series of tests required to obtain RTCA DO-160 certification.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) this month on Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.-manufactured UH-1H surplus military helicopters. There have been failures of the quick connect system involving the engine and transmission flexible hose lines, FAA said, adding that it is believed the quick-connect fittings may become worn over time due to vibration and fatigue, allowing either an internal mechanism failure or inadvertent disconnection.
Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co. (BAAC) officials expect to achieve FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency certification of the BA609 civil tiltrotor in 2010, followed by first customer deliveries in 2011. BAAC reports signing purchase agreements for 70 of the combination helicopter/airplane aircraft from 40 customers. If the program remains on track, Michael Cuppernull, managing director of BAAC, expects FAA and EASA pilots would begin flying the BA609 in 2010.
Was promoted to vice president, service facilities for Cessna Aircraft. Younger will manage Cessna's 10 Citation service centers and a network of about two dozen authorized service centers worldwide. A 28-year Cessna veteran, Younger began his career as an airframe and powerplant mechanic in Wichita and has since held positions of increasing responsibility at Cessna centers in Wichita and San Antonio, Texas. Most recently, he was director, Citation service facilities.
The Senate Commerce Committee decided against moving forward with the Federal Aviation Administration's proposal to impose a host of aviation user fees to cover a range of services, but did propose a lone $25 "per flight" user fee for air traffic control services. The Commerce Committee proposal was part of a comprehensive bill introduced Thursday that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration's programs and address a number of other aviation issues.
CHC Helicopter Corp. completed the sale of its Survival-One unit, which manufactures, repairs and distributes cold-water survival suits and other safety equipment, to Montagu Private Equity Ltd. for gross proceeds of approximately $33 million. The eventual net proceeds and gain on sale will be reduced by taxes payable, transaction fees and other post-closing adjustments. CHC is one of the world's largest providers of helicopter services to the offshore oil and gas industry, operating aircraft in more than 30 countries.
Named vice president of engineering for Mooney Airplane Company. McCoury has 24 years experience working with aircraft development programs for a number of companies, including Eclipse and Aviation Technology Group. He also has held engineering roles with Northrop, LTV Aircraft Products, Raytheon Systems Company (now L-3 Communications) and the Universities Space Research Association. He is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative in Structures.
Ranger Jet Center, based at the Kissimmee, Fla. Gateway Airport (ISM), began construction of three more hangars, which will add more than 12,600 square feet of office space and more than 36,000 square feet of hangar space. Because of high customer demand for hangar space, the company also has initiated planning and permitting for two additional hangars. Ranger Jet Center also has started leasing space in its 60,000-square-foot corporate office facility-terminal building.
(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.
