PIPER AIRCRAFT President and CEO James Bass won't discuss the research and development budget for the company's new $2.2 million single-engine PiperJet, citing competitive reasons. But he said Piper, which is owned by American Capital, has funds available now for the early stages of the program and is in the progress of getting all the money needed to ensure production and certification of the PiperJet. Piper has a record of getting new aircraft to market on schedule and on-budget, he told BA, including most recently the Piper Meridian single-engine turboprop.
THE FORMER Signature Flight Support fixed-based operation in Oxnard, Calif. (OXR) was purchased by Harold Lee, the president and owner of Million Air Burbank and Million Air Van Nuys. The OXR facility is now known as Golden West Jet Center. Lee's son, Steve Lee, is the general manager at OXR. A recent graduate of San Luis Obispo University, Steve Lee has seven years of FBO experience.
Piper Aircraft officials are moving forward with development of a new single-engine jet aircraft, a possible consolidation of the company's product line and a comprehensive review of whether Piper should move its headquarters and manufacturing facility from Vero Beach, Fla.
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended the Federal Aviation Administration require inspections on Cessna 150 and 152 models to ensure that the rudder bumpers are correctly installed on the rudder horn assembly. The recommendation stemmed from the April 11, 2005 crash of a Cessna 152, N24779, near Williamsburg, Ohio, that killed a certificated flight instructor and a student pilot.
Models C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27071; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-004-AD] - Propose to supersede AD 2006-23-02, which requires inspecting the flight controls for improper assembly or damage, and if any improperly assembled or damaged flight controls are found, taking corrective action. Since FAA issued AD 2006-23-02, the agency determined the need to add airplane serial numbers that were not previously included in the applicability.
THE CONTINUING DRUMBEAT of opposition to the Bush Administration's FAA reauthorization proposal, and the growing likelihood that Congress will toss out that proposal and write its own FAA reauthorization bill, appears to be taking a toll on FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. Administrator Blakey, whose five-year term is scheduled to end in September, complained last week "It's mighty frustrating when you've got people out there saying our bill didn't get it right, but no one is saying what 'right' looks like."
AND THE CRITICISM KEEPS COMING. Colorado aviation director Travis Vallin told the House aviation subcommittee last week that much of the Administration's proposal "is not in the public interest," citing efforts to prevent judicial review of items such as user fees and tax increases.
A TRIP TO WICHITA could soon become more expensive. The Kansas legislature is debating gaming legislation, which if adopted, could see construction of a casino in or near the "Air Capital of the World."
Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-27496; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-37-AD] - Proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting each affected tail rotor blade forward tip weight retention block and the aft tip closure for adhesive bond voids, and removing any blade with an excessive void from service. That AD also requires modifying certain blades by installing shear pins and tip closure rivets.
Brazilian plane-maker Embraer late last month was readying its first Phenom 100 Very Light Jet for final assembly in time for a first flight by mid-2007. The aircraft's fuselage and wing were completed at the Embraer factory in Botucatu and then shipped to the Sao Jose dos Campos facility for wing-fuselage mating and final assembly. Pratt & Whitney Canada delivered the first two PW617F engines to Embraer for installation last month.
ATR received an order from Canary Islands-based Islas Airways for six new ATR 72-500s valued at $110 million. Islas Airways currently operates one ATR 42-300 and four ATR 72-200 aircraft. ATR will deliver the first two Islas ATR 72-500s this year followed by two more in 2008 and the final pair in 2009. The aircraft will be equipped with 70 seats and ATR's "Elegance Cabin" interior. Islas will use the aircraft to increase frequency and expand routes.
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week called on the Federal Aviation Administration to step up its efforts to ensure the accuracy of medical certificates, citing "egregious" cases of fraud. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) released a report compiled by the T&I Committee that found that 10 percent of pilots involved in fatal accidents had a neurological, mental or cardiovascular condition that was not reported on their applications for medical certificates.
Australian banking and investment conglomerate Macquarie Group, which began acquiring fixed-base operations in the U.S. about three years ago, would become the country's largest FBO owner if a deal to purchase the 22 Mercury Air Center locations now owned by Allied Capital Corp. goes through. Officials of the two investment groups are believed to have had exploratory talks for more than a year, but those discussions turned serious over the past month or six weeks.
Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo 2007, held earlier this month at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., drew 14,806 attendees. The event included 536 exhibitors that occupied nearly 215,000 square feet of space on the convention floor. HAI will hold Heli-Expo 2008 Feb. 24-26, 2008 in Houston, Texas.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association last week continued its appeal to Congress to reopen the contract that FAA imposed on the agency's air traffic controllers in September, warning that morale is "extremely low" and retirements are numbering about three per day. Controllers have turned to the grievance process to voice their dissatisfaction with the situation, filing some 250,000 grievances since the most recent contract was implemented. "One of the only recourses we have is the grievances," a NATCA spokesman said.
Embraer received an order from Italian carrier Alpi Eagles for five Embraer 195 jets. The order includes options for five more 195s and purchase rights for another six. Embraer valued the contract, including options and purchase rights, at $584 million. Alpi Eagles is launching the 122-seat high-capacity variant of the 195 for use on the carrier's intra-European routes. The 195 is the largest of Embraer's E-Jets family. Embraer has reported 619 firm orders and 568 options for the E-Jet line.
ALBANY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY is soliciting bids for T-hangars and nearby infrastructure improvements. The infrastructure includes a new access roadway, two car parking areas, aprons, signage and security fencing. The T-hangar project calls for two prefabricated metal T-hangar buildings - one single-engine 10-unit hangar and one twin-engine 10-unit hangar with an additional 84-foot by 60-foot hangar. Bid documents may be obtained beginning March 29 at the Albany County Airport Authority Purchasing Office, Administration Building, Room 204, Second Floor, Albany, N.Y.
Piaggio Aero Industries signed an agreement to sponsor Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, both drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team. The latest agreement expands the partnership, which previously covered Massa. Under the sponsorship deal, the Piaggio Aero logo will be displayed on the drivers' racing uniforms throughout the 2006-07 season. The Scuderia Ferrari team will travel to races in a Piaggio P180 Avanti bearing the Ferrari "prancing horse" trademark.
Models M20M and M20R airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26071; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-14965; AD 2007-05-04] - Requires removing of the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware, cutting out and removing the upholstery and insulation between the fuselage tubular frame and the firewall, and replacing the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware with the new parts kit.
Duncan Aviation expects to receive a supplemental type certificate this week for installation of Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated display systems in the Hawker 800A. The avionics upgrade, which includes four displays, has a base price of $700,000 and is expected to take eight weeks or less to complete. Optional equipment includes FSU-5010 file server units and an XM weather receiver.
Federal Aviation Administration, along with the Air Transport Association and the International Air Transport Association, has scheduled the Fourth Annual International Aviation Safety Forum Nov. 29-30 at the Westfield's Marriott in Chantilly, Va. The forum is designed for government and industry leaders to discuss safety risk management information and other international issues as well as provide an opportunity to expand partnerships.
Bombardier reorganized its business aircraft sales team to keep up with the growth in the market both in the U.S. and internationally, the company said. Bob Horner was named vice president of international sales, adding Asia Pacific, Central and South America to his sales responsibilities. Horner, based in Montreal, already was responsible for a sales territory that included Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Model F406 [Docket No. FAA-2006-26693 Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-90-AD; Amendment 39-14970; AD 2007-05-09] - Requires inspection of the nose landing gear and main landing gear locking devices and replacement to comply with the manufacturer's approved design. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority for France. This AD is issued following a nose landing gear collapse during takeoff roll.
NATCA President Patrick Forrey told the House aviation subcommittee Thursday that he believes a return to the bargaining table could "fix this critical problem immediately before the margin of safety...is further compromised." NATCA appeared before a sympathetic audience as House aviation subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) said, "It is clear to me that the contract negotiation process as currently designed does not promote good faith negotiations and gives an unfair advantage to the FAA.
