KEITH MARKLEY was promoted to chief operating officer of Liberty Aerospace, with responsibility for most of the Melbourne, Fla. light aircraft manufacturer's domestic operations. Markley joined Liberty Aerospace in September 2005 as vice president of sales and marketing. Anthony Tiarks, CEO, said Markley "has a tremendous track record with both sales and production." Markley previously held senior executive posts with communications firms and also served two terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Fractional operator NetJets, which already operates the world's largest fleet of Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Hawker business jets with 119, has doubled the size of an existing order for the new Hawker 750 and 900XL.
Cessna Aircraft will build a new Citation business jet service center at the Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, Ariz. The new facility will replace Cessna's existing Citation service center in Long Beach, Calif.
Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25851; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-133-AD; Amendment 39-14872; AD 2007-01-01] - Requires determining the part number of the lift spoiler actuators/jacks. The AD requires determining the date of manufacture of certain lift spoiler jacks, repetitively inspecting the eye-end assembly of the affected lift spoiler jacks to detect discrepancies of the assembly or associated parts, and performing corrective actions if necessary.
GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION is concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration's certification staff continues to shrink, with little chance the situation can be corrected this year. FAA is funded through Feb. 15 via a continuing resolution passed in the waning days of the 109th Congress. The new 110th Congress is expected to begin work soon on a bill that would fund the agency through the remainder of fiscal 2007.
Avitat Westchester officials have completed their move into the company's remodeled and expanded facilities at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y. following a $9 million renovation and expansion program by the longtime fixed-base operator.
BRETT FORRESTER was promoted to sales manager for General Aviation Services, L.L.C. Forrester, who joined GAS in 1994 as a market researcher, most recently headed the aircraft acquisitions department.
Models EMB-110P1 and EMB-110P2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26598; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-87-AD] - Proposes to require inspections for corrosion in the following areas: the wings-to-fuselage attachments, vertical stabilizer to fuselage attachments, Rib 1 half-wing, and passenger seat tracks, and repair, if necessary. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the aviation authority of Brazil, citing cases of corrosion found in the affected areas.
THE GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION retained APCO Worldwide, an international communications consultancy, to provide analytical, information and strategic services in Europe. Paul Feldman, a director in APCO's Brussels office, will serve as the primary representative for GAMA and provide information and strategic advice on general aviation regulatory and policy issues. Feldman joined APCO with a background in international regulatory agency experience. He was formerly FAA's regional director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where he led U.S.
COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT said it managed to deliver a record number of new aircraft last year despite obstacles presented by certification delays and Mother Nature. "No doubt we endured more than our fair share of challenges in the first half of 2006," said Randy Bolinger, vice president of marketing and business development, noting delays early in 2006 in getting the Garmin G1000 glass panel avionics suites certificated and then a freak hailstorm that damaged 60 aircraft parked outside the Bend, Ore. factory, making it necessary to refinish them (BA, June 26/285).
Models EMB-110P1 and EMB-110P2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26598; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-87-AD] - Proposes to require inspections for corrosion in the following areas: the wings-to-fuselage attachments, vertical stabilizer to fuselage attachments, Rib 1 half-wing, and passenger seat tracks, and repair, if necessary. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the aviation authority of Brazil, citing cases of corrosion found in the affected areas.
(Aviation subcommittee members noted with asterisk) Democrats * James Oberstar (Minn.), chairman of com- mittee, ex officio member of aviation sub- committee * Jerry Costello (Ill.), chairman of aviation subcommittee * Nick Rahall (W.Va.) * Peter DeFazio (Ore.) * Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) * Corrine Brown (Fla.) * Bob Filner (Calif.) * Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas) * Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.)
DAN FRAHM was named vice president of sales and marketing for Elliott Aviation. Frahm has served with Elliott for 26 years, beginning as a chief bench service technician in 1980. Most recently, he was director of business development. In his new role, Frahm will manage all sales and marketing for the business aviation services company.
General Electric Company has agreed to pay $4.8 billion to purchase Smiths Aerospace, a United Kingdom supplier of integrated systems for aircraft manufacturers and components for engine builders. The agreement is subject to approval by Smiths Group shareholders and various regulatory agencies.
The Homeland Security and Transportation departments are seeking public input on the fate and future of the four-decade-old, low-frequency hyperbolic radionavigation Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) system, including whether to simply cancel it altogether, maintain the current system or spend funds to jump to a high-technology "enhanced" version.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT delivered the 500th Hawker 400XP/Beechjet 400A to Slam Lavori Aerei S.r.l., an Italian charter operator. Based in Naples, Slam Lavori Aerei owns two Beechjet 400As and a Diamond. More than 800 Diamond/Beechjet/Hawker 400XPs have been produced. Operating in 29 countries, the models collectively have amassed 3 million flight hours.
Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-26797; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-14878; AD 2006-20-14] - Publishes an amendment adopting an AD sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires modification of certain flight deck door electronic equipment. This AD is prompted by a report indicating that this equipment is defective. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of this equipment, which could jeopardize flight safety.
The Homeland Security and Transportation departments are seeking public input on the fate and future of the four-decade-old, low-frequency hyperbolic radionavigation Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) system, including whether to simply cancel it altogether, maintain the current system or spend funds to jump to a high-technology "enhanced" version.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) this month to alert owners of thousands of Cessna Aircraft piston-powered airplanes and maintenance technicians who work on them about "the possibility of cracks in plastic or non-metallic control wheels." The airplanes in question were built between 1960 and 1964. The issue of cracks in the control wheels was addressed in Cessna Service Letter No. 64-8, dated Feb. 14, 1964.
GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION is concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration's certification staff continues to shrink, with little chance the situation can be corrected this year. FAA is funded through Feb. 15 via a continuing resolution passed in the waning days of the 109th Congress. The new 110th Congress is expected to begin work soon on a bill that would fund the agency through the remainder of fiscal 2007.
ELLIOTT AVIATION was selected by Garmin International to perform aftermarket installations of the G1000 integrated avionics suite in King Air C90 aircraft. The retrofit package is expected to win certification on the C90 in the second half of 2007. The G1000 system uses 10-inch primary flight displays, a 15-inch multi-function display and dual integrated radio modules that provide IFR-approved WAAS GPS, VHF navigation with ILS and VHF communication.
Jim Christiansen, a veteran business aviation executive who has held high-profile posts with several charter and fractional aircraft operators, was named president of fractional provider NetJets. The company also named Peter S. Richards chief financial officer. Both will report directly to Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of NetJets, which is owned by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway. Christiansen has been associated with NetJets, and its predecessor company Executive Jet Aviation (EJA), off and on for nearly 20 years.
Aircraft Electronics Association topped 1,310 members at the end of 2006, an all-time high. AEA set the record as it prepares for its 50th anniversary, which it will celebrate at the AEA International Convention and Trade Show March 28-31 in Reno, Nev. More than 130 companies joined the association in 2006, another record. AEA represents facilities that maintain, repair and install avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft.
Aviation security got a lot of attention in the first days of the 110th Congress. As one of its earliest actions, the House, now controlled by the Democrats, adopted a bill to implement many of the 9/11 Commission recommendations, including a host of new requirements for aviation security (see article below). The Senate this week will turn its attention to the subject in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on aviation security and the 9/11 Commission recommendations.
Eclipse Aviation, which has burned through more of its cash reserves than expected because of delivery delays for the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet, probably will seek another round of financing from investors later this year. See article below.
