Bombardier Aerospace says in its most recent annual market forecasts for the business and commercial aircraft markets, which were released last week, that "overall demand for aircraft in the segments in which Bombardier competes will remain strong." Michael McAdoo, vice president of strategy and business development at the Canadian airframe manufacturer, believes that the company is "well-positioned for continued success," and he anticipates that Bombardier's business jets and regional aircraft will "continue to generate strong interest."
Gulfstream late last month handed over the 150th Gulfstream G200 mid-range business jet. Gulfstream acquired the G200 product line in 2001 and has since redesigned the interior, reduced the aircraft weight by 600 pounds and began offering installation of the Safe Flight Enhanced AutoPower automatic throttle system. The G200 fleet has accumulated 200,000 flight hours and has achieved a 99.75 percent dispatch reliability.
In a series of safety recommendations issued last week, the National Transportation Safety Board asked the Federal Aviation Administration to require that current and future traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS) "provide an enhanced aural and visual warning requiring pilot acknowledgment" if the system loses functionality "for any reason."
CAE sold a new CAE 7000 Series Embraer 190 simulator to Flight Training Finance LLC. The Canadian simulator manufacturer and training firm also will provide FTF with a used CAE-built Embraer 145 simulator, which is being upgraded.
Aircraft Electronics Association is calling for a moratorium "on all but essential changes to Part 145." In comments on the FAA's proposal for a new repair station rating system and stronger quality system requirements, AEA said, "The repair station industry has been administratively burdened by regulatory action almost continuously since 2001." AEA acknowledged FAA's belief that the number of changes to repair station rules is necessary because of the effect on Part 121 carriers.
Gulfstream Aerospace says a Gulfstream 550 set two new city-pair flight records in March. The aircraft departed Auckland International Airport, New Zealand on March 26 and flew 5,097 nautical miles to Hong Kong in 11 hours, 32 minutes. Four days later the aircraft flew from Hong Kong to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in 13 hours, 9 minutes. Gulfstream is seeking confirmation of the record flights from the National Aeronautic Association.
Liberty Aerospace is hoping to expand its presence in Asia, placing an XL2 with Patrick Carroll, the company's regional representative in Japan. Carroll hopes to tap into the flight training market with the single-piston aircraft, and will fly the aircraft between Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Carroll formerly spent 25 years in Asia, holding posts with Airbus and BAE Systems.
Model SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27866; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-055-AD; Amendment 39-15027; AD 2007-08-09] - Requires repetitive inspections of the cable assembly end fittings for corrosion and replacement, if necessary. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency.
The most recent effort by the Federal Aviation Administration to define "known icing" is improved over past interpretations, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said, but AOPA also worries that the newest determination leaves open the door for enforcement action. FAA last month sought comments on a revised interpretation of what constitutes "known icing" (BA, April 9/165).
Bombardier continued the evolution of its customer support programs with the creation of customer support teams to provide customers a single point of contact 24 hours a day for aircraft-on-ground (AOG) situations. The Canadian plane-maker opened Customer Response Centers (CRCs) in Montreal and Wichita to serve as the single contact for customers. Operators of Bombardier-built aircraft previously might have had three or four contacts within Bombardier to answer concerns, but the CRCs combine various customer support activities, the company said.
While the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday released its version of an FAA reauthorization bill, the general aviation industry is still waiting for second bill that could contain a substantial tax increase for business jet operators. The Senate Commerce proposal addresses a basic $25 air traffic control user fee, but does not discuss the aviation excise taxes that currently go into the aviation trust fund. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to address those taxes in a separate bill.
Clay Jones, the chairman, president and CEO of Rockwell Collins, was awarded the James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award by the National Defense Industrial Association.
CAE plans to increase its simulation and modeling capabilities with an agreement to acquire MultiGen Paradigm from Parallax Capital Partners, LLC for $16 million. The acquisition, which must receive U.S. clearance, is expected to be completed in May. MultiGen supplies real-time, commercial-off-the-shelf software for creating visualization and simulation products. CAE said the acquisition will enable the company to offer a "one-stop shop" for modeling and simulation along with professional services.
Gales Industries, Inc., a holding company that is seeking small companies supplying the aviation and aerospace industries, acquired Sigma Metals, Inc., a strategic metals distributor based in Deer Park, Long Island, New York. Sigma, which had 12-month revenues of approximately $18 million, will continue operating from its current location.
172R, 172S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27709; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-028-AD; Amendment 39-15020; AD 2007-08-03] - Supersedes AD 2006-17-04, which requires inspecting the two end fittings on each of the flexible fuel hoses located in the engine compartment for the correct torque values, and, if any incorrect torque values are found during the inspection, tightening the hose end fittings to the correct torque values. This AD results from four reports of loose fuel lines connected to the fuel servo or fuel flow transducer.
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD will hold a public meeting May 1 to discuss the circumstances of the Oct. 11, 2006 crash of a Cirrus Design SR-20 single-engine airplane into an apartment building in New York City. The aircraft was carrying New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and a flight instructor. The NTSB session begins at 9:30 a.m. in the NTSB Board Room, which is located below L'Enfant Plaza in southwest Washington, D.C.
AVCRAFT SUPPORT SERVICES retained the services of aviation consulting firm BACK Aviation Solutions to help attract customers to its service facility in Myrtle Beach, S.C. AvCraft currently provides service to operators of 328Jet and Do328 turboprop aircraft, but is attempting to attract operators of other types of regional airline aircraft. AvCraft's Myrtle Beach maintenance and repair base has more than 180,000-square feet of newly renovated hangar space, repair shops and a completion center. The facility is an FAA 145 and EASA 145 repair station.
EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT added a Citation Excel based at the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, Calif. to its charter fleet. The eight-place cabin is configured with a variety of amenities, including two DVD players, a CD player, four data ports, a flight phone and a galley with a microwave oven.
Was promoted to vice president, aircraft certification, engineering and interior design for Associated Air Center at Dallas Love Field. Reid, who joined Associated Air Center in 2006, has 30 years of industry experience. He has held engineering positions with Gulfstream Aerospace, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, Martin Marietta and British Aerospace.
The Federal Aviation Administration Thursday proposed requiring new standards to ensure timely activation of airframe ice protection systems on Part 25 aircraft. The proposal would require Part 25 manufacturers to provide a means to clearly alert the flightcrew when an ice protection system (IPS) should be activated.
A STRENGTHENING business jet and turboprop market helped offset a slight decline in piston aircraft shipments in the first quarter of 2007, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Manufacturers delivered 554 piston aircraft in the first quarter of 2007, down from the 600 shipped a year earlier. Turboprop deliveries, however, were up 30.5 percent to 77 and business jet shipments climbed 12.2 percent to 211 in the first quarter for a total of 842 deliveries. That compares with 847 general aviation aircraft shipped in first quarter 2006.
M7 AEROSPACE of San Antonio, Texas introduced a continuous rail cargo net option for the interior of its passenger-to-freight cargo conversions. The option allows cargo carriers to easily move the location of the cargo nets in the aircraft, creating zones of different sizes to accommodate different size loads without having to deal with screw fasteners. Attachment points for the cargo nets are located in three parallel rails or channels on the sidewalls of the freight compartment.
Massport has unveiled incentives to encourage passengers and taxis going to Boston Logan Airport to drive hybrid, alternative-fuel and alternative-powered vehicles. Announced on Earth Day, Massport will offer more than 100 preferred parking spots to customers driving hybrid and alternative fuel cars at Logan's Central garage, Terminal B garage, Terminal E surface lot and economy parking, starting May 1. Cab drivers will receive head-of-line privileges at the airport's taxi pool for cars that qualify as a clean-fuel vehicle.
THE ALREADY SHORT LIST of cities capable of accommodating the National Business Aviation Association convention officially got shorter last week as NBAA announced it is moving the 2008 show from New Orleans to Orlando, Fla. See article on Page 194.
