Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-26219; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-49-AD] - Proposes to require certain checks and inspections of each tail rotor blade assembly (T/R blade) at specified intervals and repairing or replacing, as applicable, any unairworthy T/R blade. This proposal is prompted by eight reports of T/R blade failures. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. An estimated 388 helicopters on the U.S.
Cessna Aircraft is encouraged by the "overwhelmingly favorable" response its Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) is attracting, but the Wichita plane-maker plans to stick to its original schedule of making a go-ahead decision in early 2007. At the same time, the Wichita manufacturer continues to test the market for a new family of piston aircraft and is improving its current line of piston aircraft.
Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26217; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-209-AD] - Proposes to require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) of the maintenance requirements manual to require additional inspection requirements of the maintenance requirements manual for certain principal structural elements (PSEs) related to fuselage cutouts and to reduce an inspection threshold for an existing ALI task on the aft entry door. This proposed AD results from data obtained from the manufacturer's fatigue testing.
Several business jet manufacturers reported during the recent China International Aviation and Aerospace Exposition (Airshow China 2006), that sales to Asia's largest nation have been on the rise recently. The manufacturers - from Airbus and Boeing to Bombardier, Cessna and Dassault - all noted increased activity in China, according to BA affiliate Aviation Week Show News.
SheltAir Aviation Services, the Fort Lauderdale-based fixed-base operation chain that operates facilities in Florida and New York state, plans to increase its presence in the Northeast through the acquisition of Long Island Jet Center's Farmingdale (FRG) FBO. Two years ago, SheltAir, which operates seven FBOs in Florida, took over the LaGuardia Airport (LGA) facility formerly operated by Signature Flight Support (BA, July 5, 2004/1).
The National Transportation Safety Board, following up after recently concluding its investigation of the second of two high-profile business jet accidents, will take a long look at the role charter brokers play in the burgeoning jet charter market.
SR305-230 and SR305-230-1 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-26102; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-36-AD; Amendment 39-14820; AD 2006-23-08] - Requires, before further flight, determining the serial number (S/N) of the electronic control unit (ECU) installed on the aircraft and not operating the engine if the ECU S/N is 131 and below, except S/N 70, 71, 83, and 88. If the ECU S/N is 131 and below, except 70, 71, 83, and 88, the AD requires removing and replacing the ECU with an ECU having a S/N of 132 and above.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR Marion Blakey, who appeared before an AOPA EXPO audience the next day, again pitched a need for changes in how the aviation system is financed. Blakey, however, said, "There are multiple ways to recover a given amount of costs, and we do not believe that a 'one size fits all' solution is necessary." Blakey stressed that the Administration does not want a funding system that would stifle GA, and said, "We're listening to your concerns back in Washington. We've heard from Arnold Palmer on down.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE signed an agreement with Midcoast Aviation in St. Louis for 48 more completion positions for Bombardier business aircraft. The agreement boosts the total number of Bombardier completions reserved with Midcoast to 90 aircraft positions through 2012. Midcoast will complete Global 5000, Global Express XRS, Challenger 605 and Challenger 850 executive aircraft. The contact continues a 20-year relationship between the two companies.
PILATUS won a contract to provide its PC-21 Advanced Turboprop Trainer for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Basic Wings Course (BWC). Lockheed Martin, which won a 20-year contract to operate the RSAF BWC from the Singapore Ministry of Defense, selected the PC-21 turboprop for the BWC. The contract calls for 19 PC-21 trainers and a 20-year engineering and logistics support package. The training will be provided at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce, north of Perth in Western Australia.
PC-6 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25929; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-54-AD] - Proposes to require repetitive inspections of wing strut fittings, repair of minor corrosion, and if necessary, replacement of corroded fittings with retrofit fittings. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the aviation authority of Switzerland. An estimated 49 aircraft on the U.S. Registry are affected by the AD. The estimated cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators is $350,840, or $7,160 per aircraft. Submit comments by Dec.
VISTAGY teamed with Japanese service provider TAC to provide design engineering software support for aerospace and automotive manufacturers in Japan. TAC will support VISTAGY's software, including FiberSIM composite design software and Airframe Design Environment. TAC also will provide VISTAGY product training at its facilities in Tokyo as well as at customer locations.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT CORP. (RAC) last month handed over the 500th Beechcraft King Air 350 to Spartan Chemical, a producer of chemical specialty maintenance products and industrial degreasers with a network of more than 500 distributors. The twin turboprop is the fourth King Air 350 in the Spartan Chemical fleet. Spartan Chemical also has owned a King Air C90 and a King Air 200. The newest 350 in the Spartan King Air fleet was upgraded with a new air conditioning system that includes an improved vapor cycle refrigeration and distribution system.
General aviation advocates were sifting through the changes that lie ahead in Washington following the elections last week, but were hopeful that one result would be a tougher road for any potential user-fee proposal. "This shift in power in the House changes the picture for us on the user-fee fight," said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Phil Boyer, "but it doesn't mean we've won the battle."
PIAGGIO AMERICA is moving into a larger warehouse that will increase the company's spare parts inventory space. The new warehouse, three miles from Piaggio America headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla., has more than 2,200 square feet, effectively doubling the spare parts distribution center.
Was named vice president of program management at Associated Air Center. Moore previously served as vice president and general manager at TIMCO Aviation Services, and before that, he was director of operations at Northwest Airlines. He also served as director of inspection and inspection manager for the airline.
Some two decades after aeronautical engineer Ed Swearingen began designing a small business jet, the SJ-30 program reached a long-awaited milestone last week with formal delivery of the first production aircraft, S/N 006, to San Antonio, Texas businessman Douglas Jaffe, one of the early investors in the program.
November 9-11 - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Expo 2006, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, Calif., (301) 695-2000, www.aopa.org/expo November 15-16 - Regional Airline Association Fall Membership Meeting, Washington, D.C. Contact: Scott Gordon at (202) 367-1170. December 4-6 - National Agricultural Aviation Association Convention, Orlando, Fla. Contact: Peggy Knizer (202) 546-5726.
Mooney Airplane Company (MAC) is still building single-engine airplanes in Kerrville, Texas, but the company's ownership now appears to be made up largely of investment groups registered in several countries outside the U.S.
BOMBARDIER signed a memorandum of understanding with Aerodynamics Inc. of Waterford, Mich. to offer corporate shuttle services for flight departments. Under the MOU, ADI will offer fleet management services for Bombardier Corporate Shuttle customers. These services include day-to-day aircraft management, flight crew, catering and entertainment. ADI also will provide security screening, aircraft handling and maintenance, scheduling, ground transportation and charter potential.
Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25332; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-40-AD; Amendment 39-14808; AD 2006-22-11] - Requires lubricating the elevator trim tab actuator rods without removal. The AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of France. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as unsatisfactory initial elevator trim actuator greasing, which may lead to the icing of the elevator trim and generate an untrimmed nose-up attitude after an autopilot disconnection.
CORPORATE ANGEL NETWORK (CAN) arranged 257 patient flights in October, a record for the White Plains, N.Y. charity that arranges transportation for cancer patients aboard business jets. Last month's activity eclipsed the previous monthly record of 253 flights set last year. The 257th flight transported a patient to Houston for treatment of a rare type of cancer. CAN was formed 25 years ago and now has 530 participating corporations, five paid staff members and a team of 50 part-time volunteers. The organization has arranged nearly 25,000 flights.
PIAGGIO'S P.180 Avanti II turboprop set a speed record en route to last month's National Business Aviation Association annual meeting and convention in Orlando, Fla., Piaggio said. The Avanti II flew from Denver Jefferson County Airport to Orlando Executive Airport in three hours and nineteen minutes, averaging a ground speed of 477 miles per hour. Piaggio claims 17 speed records for the Avanti and Avanti II. The Avanti II can fly more than 1,800 miles at 398 knots (450 mph) and a maximum cruising altitude of 41,000 feet.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S Aviation Safety organization last month became the first federal agency of its size to earn ISO 9001:2000 certification from the International Organization for Standardization. FAA's Aviation Safety organization began working toward ISO 9001:2000 in 2001. The organization created a Quality Management System to adopt standardized processes designed to assure continual improvement and recognize employee contributions.
