LOBBYING over the reauthorization package continues at a hectic pace. The National Business Aviation Association established an online advocacy center designed to encourage members to contact their congressmen on the issue. The recently formed Alliance for Aviation Across America, which now tops 2,800 member organizations and individuals, said its lobbying efforts are increasing. The National Farmers Union, an Alliance member, wrote to leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week, urging them to oppose user fees.
ECLIPSE AVIATION finally received its long-awaited Production Certificate from FAA last week, opening the door for the Albuquerque, N.M. company to increase shipments of its Very Light Jet. The company also signed up two firms to help train Eclipse pilots.
Has taken on new duties with The NORDAM Group as vice president, global aftermarket sales and marketing. She will add military sales to her domestic and international commercial aftermarket responsibilities and continue to lead NORDAM's corporate marketing group.
Gulfstream Aerospace continued to post strong numbers during the first quarter, achieving new highs in revenues, earnings and margins for its parent, General Dynamics.
MILLENNIUM CONCEPTS, based in Wichita, Kan., received an order from Quest Aircraft for 10 shipsets of production seats for its new Kodiak single-engine turboprop utility aircraft. The first fully conforming aircraft flew March 16. Millennium, which designed the interior for the Kodiak, will produce an initial run of 20 crew seats and 80 passenger seats.
PILOTS attempting to use the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport this coming weekend should be aware of some planned runway closures...but they might also get an opportunity to see the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform. The airport said its main Runway 9L-27R will be closed for departures for one or two hours on May 4, 5 and 6 to permit the precision flight team "to practice and perform offshore, east of the airport."
TIMCO, a major provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for airlines, leasing companies and other users of large airline aircraft, said the former TIMCO Engineering Group is now a new subsidiary called TIMCO Aerosystems. The renamed unit is "the only independent Designated Alteration Station (DAS) integrator with both extensive OEM and integration capabilities dedicated to the retrofit commercial aircraft market," TIMCO said. Rick Salanitri, a TIMCO veteran since 1994, was named president of the Aerosystems unit.
ALLEGRO AIR CHARTERS expanded its reach in the charter and management business with the acquisition of Nevada-based operator New Vectors Aviation. In addition, Allegro, which is headquartered at Santa Ana, Calif., operates two Cessna Citation II jets.
Joined Executive Jet Management (EJM) as charter service manager. Tamkus will be based in EJM's Chicago Midway Airport office. He has more than 12 years of business aviation experience, and previously served as director of sales for an aviation support services company and division manager for an aviation cargo charter operator.
An RTCA special committee in the U.S. has delivered its first report to FAA outlining how unmanned aerial vehicles might be allowed to fly more freely in civil airspace, and a similar European committee expects to finish its working plan next month. FAA's Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) office in turn expects to issue its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) roadmap next month.
OPERATORS of certain Bell and Agusta helicopters are being cautioned by FAA about possible problems with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. high skid gear crosstubes. The agency said the crosstubes may develop cracks and fail prior to reaching their approved life limit. The notice, contained in Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SW-07-29, applies to Bell Model 412, 412EP and 412CF and Agusta AB412 and AB412EP helicopters equipped with AAI Part No. 412-321 crosstubes installed in accordance with AAI's Supplemental Type Certificate No. SR01052AT.
Model HC-E4A-3( )/ E10950( ) propellers [Docket No. FAA-2007-27552; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-15019; AD 2007-08-02] - Requires initial and repetitive inspections and rework of the propeller blade retention radius, and replacement of the propeller blade thrust bearing, for each blade. This AD results from reports of excessive propeller vibration and of damaged or broken propeller blade thrust bearings found during routine and investigative propeller disassembly.
Models 3A32C406/82NDB-X and D3A32C409/82NDB-X propellers [Docket No. FAA-2005-22898; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-10-AD; Amendment 39-15021; AD 2007-08-04] - Requires adding an operational revolutions per minute (RPM) restriction on McCauley 3A32C406/82NDB-X and D3A32C409/82NDB-X (C406 and C409) propellers installed on Teledyne Continental Motors IO-520, TSIO-520 or IO-550 reciprocating engines. The AD also requires installing an RPM restriction placard in the cockpit and adds a 10,000-hour total time-in-service (TIS) life limit for these propellers.
(LAVIA) S.A. (Type Certificate Data Sheets No. 2A8 and No. 2A10 previously held by The New Piper Aircraft) Models PA-25, PA-25-235, and PA-25-260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27109; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-005-AD; Amendment 39-15024; AD 2007-08-07] - Requires repetitive inspections for corrosion or cracks in the rear and forward horizontal stabilizer supports and modification of the horizontal stabilizers. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority for Argentina.
The European Commission has OK'd the proposed takeover of Smiths Aerospace by General Electric. When first announced, the deal raised some eyebrows among European aerospace prime contractors about potential ramifications for them as GE gained increasing power to bundle products. But the EC says "the proposed transaction would not significantly impede competition" in its area.
ATR secured an order from Swiftair for three ATR 72-500s valued at $55 million. Swiftair, based in Madrid, currently operates 16 ATR aircraft and has plans to increase its ATR fleet to 30 aircraft by 2010. The 68-seat ATR 72s just ordered will be delivered beginning in December.
The Meisinger family, which has been in the fixed-base operation business for nearly 70 years, signed a definitive agreement to sell its Executive Beechcraft network of four Midwest FBOs to BBA Aviation, the British firm that is the parent company of Signature Flight Support.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y., its airport and County Executive Andy Spano were recognized by the Corporate Angel Network last week for their support of CAN, which arranges free transportation on corporate aircraft for cancer patients traveling to and from treatment centers. Since its founding 25 years ago, CAN has been headquartered in rent-free space at the airport.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT named two men to chief pilot posts with the company. Dan Weatherford is chief pilot for Hawker sales demonstration, and Peter Kennedy holds the same title for Beechcraft sales demonstration. Weatherford has been a training captain for the Hawker 800 and 4000 business jets and was extensively involved in the Hawker 4000 flight test program. Weatherford joined predecessor company Raytheon Aircraft in 1997 after heading the flight department for another Wichita, Kan.-based company.
The National Business Aviation Association Thursday said it is switching the venue of its 2008 convention from New Orleans, La. to Orlando, Fla. because of concerns about inadequate airport facilities to display aircraft in New Orleans.
Increased his responsibilities with The NORDAM Group as vice president, general aviation and OEM sales. In his new role, he will broaden his responsibility from general aviation OEM sales to all OEMs.
