Model F406 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26691; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-88-AD] - Requires repetitive inspections of the ribs and repair before further flight, if cracks are found. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the French aviation authority. The MCAI cited reports that during maintenance, cracks have been discovered near the left and right rib at the connection of the center wing and the fuselage localized at Fuselage Station FS160.80. Cracks spread in the rib could result in structural failure.
THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION recently met with industry groups to solicit feedback on possible new security rules for operators of large general aviation aircraft and indicated that a proposal could be ready for release by the end of June. TSA Director Kip Hawley told the Senate Commerce Committee in January that the agency was working on a "more robust" plan to ensure increased security for large general aviation aircraft (BA, Jan. 22/35).
Teams of Federal Aviation Administration inspectors are visiting air taxi operators to conduct detailed inspections to assure that Part 135 certificate holders are in compliance with new requirements contained in OpSpec A008 aimed at clarifying the issue of operational control of aircraft (BA, Jan. 15/23).
Model F406 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26692; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-89-AD] - Proposes to require inspection of the rudder brackets-hinge and bearings for corrosion and lubrication of the rudder bearings in accordance with the accomplishment instructions of REIMS Service Bulletin No. F406-57, dated April 25, 2005. If corrosion is found, the AD would requirement replacement before further flight. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the French aviation authority.
THE NORTHEAST Schedulers and Dispatchers organization will hold its spring lunch and networking meeting April 4 at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y. The agenda includes a FlightSafety International presentation on U.S. airspace and route planning and severe weather operation. The event begins at 11:30 in Room 201 of the Main Terminal. For more information, contact Dianne Tarantino at [email protected].
JETDIRECT, the Philadelphia, Pa.-based charter services firm, continues to pursue expansion of its portfolio of businesses. The company recently acquired Presidential Aviation, a charter, management and maintenance company with bases in Fort Lauderdale, New York and Los Angeles (BA, Feb. 19/89). Company executives said they are looking at other possibilities, but declined to discuss specifics.
Bombardier secured a contract from Pinnacle Airlines for up to 45 Q400 75-seat turboprops, a deal that carries a potential value of $1.2 billion if all conditional orders and options are exercised. The contract includes firm orders for 15 Q400s valued at $381 million and conditional orders for 10 more. The contract also includes options for a further 20. Pinnacle subsidiary Colgan Air will fly the 15 airplanes on firm order as part of its Continental Connection operation from the Continental Airlines hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board said accidents in nearly all segments of aviation declined during 2006, with "general aviation recording the lowest number of accidents and fatal accidents in the 40 years of NTSB record keeping."
CESSNA AIRCRAFT, which just announced plans to significantly boost production of its Citation X business jet over the next four years, is partnering with an outside vendor to explore a winglet retrofit program on the existing Citation X fleet. See article on Page 131.
Is the new chief operating officer at Jet Aviation for Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America. He will be based at company headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Wall previously held posts at Rolls-Royce and Toyota Motorsports. Since 2004 he had been president and chief executive officer at MTU Maintenance in Berlin, Germany.
Models SC-7 Series 2 and Series 3 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25926; Directorate Identifier 2000-CE-17-AD; Amendment 39-14946; AD 2003-17-05R1] - Revises an existing AD that establishes a technical service life for these airplanes and allows incorporation of modifications, inspections, and replacements of certain life limited items to extend the life limits of these airplanes.
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26647; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-194-AD; Amendment 39-14957; AD 2007-04-24] - Requires repetitive inspections of the bolts that attach the exhaust nozzle to the aft engine flange to determine if any bolts are missing or fractured, and replacement of the existing bolts with new, improved bolts. This AD results from reports of the engine exhaust nozzle and fairing departing from the airplane in flight due to missing attachment bolts.
EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT opened a charter services and sales office offering bilingual capability at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport to serve South Florida, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The new office, which will be headed by Margarita (Kuky) Salazar, will support a growing fleet of EJM aircraft based in the area including two Falcon 2000s, a Challenger 601, a Hawker 800A and a Citation III.
Joined Bank of America to oversee the company's helicopter financing business. McGuire has 30 years of helicopter industry experience, including 15 years with Textron's Aerospace Finance Division and 10 years with Bell Helicopter.
PILATUS BUSINESS AIRCRAFT, the U.S. subsidiary of Swiss-based Pilatus Aircraft, secured FAA approval as an organizational designated airworthiness representative (ODAR) to support the PC-12 program. ODAR designation allows Pilatus Business Aircraft to determine the conformity of the inspection, certification and issuance of recurrent Standard Airworthiness Certification for U.S.-registered Pilatus aircraft, engines and parts.
A veteran manufacturing manager at Ford Motor Company, joined Eclipse Aviation as vice president of manufacturing, the third person to hold that post in the past six months. Fierro spent 18 years at Ford, rising through the ranks to become plant manager of the car maker's 3.5 million square-foot facility in Sterling Heights, Mich. where he oversaw production activities by 2,500 hourly employees. "A central element of our strategy is to bring modern automotive manufacturing technologies and processes to aviation," said Peg Billson, chief operating officer at Eclipse.
Less than six weeks after announcing an agreement to buy CMC Electronics of Montreal, Esterline Corp. said Thursday it had completed the deal (BA, Feb. 5/59).
BBA Aviation, the British holding company that disposed of other business lines to concentrate on the business aviation market, posted operating gains for 2006, although costs related to selling off non-aviation assets resulted in a net loss for the year.
PRESTOSIM, a Part 142 authorized simulator training company, won FAA approval to provide training for Cessna Citation Ultra and Encore aircraft equipped with the Primus 1000 avionics suite. The company previously received approval for the Citation Bravo. PrestoSim offers initial ATP/type ratings, recurrent training as well as differences training for the Bravo, Ultra and Encore. Established in 2004, PrestoSim provides training from its 30,000-square-foot facility in Grapevine, Texas, focusing on owner pilots and small flight departments.
NEW FLIGHT CHARTERS, a Los Angeles, Calif.-based charter broker, added a Learjet 60 and King Air 300 to its portfolio of charter aircraft offerings. Both aircraft are based at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif. Founded in 2003, New Flight Charters brokers charters in a range of turbine aircraft, including Gulfstreams, Challengers, Falcons, Hawkers, Learjets, Citations and King Airs. The company brokers locally-available aircraft for both one-way trips and roundtrips.
Thomas E. Haueter, a long-time accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, was named director of the agency's Office of Aviation Safety last week by Chairman Mark Rosenker.
Honda Aircraft Company selected Garmin International to provide the avionics suite for the company's new 6/7-place HondaJet. Garmin was one of three suppliers the Greensboro, N.C.-based start-up named last week for the HondaJet program. GKN of Tallassee, Ala., signed an agreement to provide the fuselage subassembly, and Avcorp, of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, will produce the wing structural subassembly.
Was named vice president for properties and line service at KaiserAir, Inc., in Oakland, Calif. "Beth brings a wealth of aviation background to KaiserAir," said President Ronald Guerra. "She served as general manager of the Oakland-based maintenance facility for United Airlines and as vice president of plans and programs for AAR Aircraft Services in Indianapolis." Medlen earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical operations from San Jose State University, a private pilot license and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.
SKYTRAC Systems was selected to supply its Satcom system for the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Air Operations Section as well as Canadian Helicopters Limited's fleet of aircraft. The SkyTrac system provides automatic flight following, two-way text messaging, data transfer and SatPhone voice capabilities via the Iridium satellite system. The L.A. Air Operations Section provides aerial fire suppression, EMS transportation and search and rescue operations over a 4,000-square-mile territory in Los Angeles County.
