1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21242; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-09-AD] - Proposes to revise an existing AD that currently requires initial and repetitive position checks of the gas generator 2nd stage turbine blades on all Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD also currently requires initial and repetitive replacements of 2nd stage turbines on 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines only.
THE NORDAM GROUP has expanded the size of its facility in Wales by more than 40 percent to 155,000 square feet. The expansion will help NORDAM Europe accommodate maintenance, repair and overhaul work on nacelles and reversers for customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The expansion comes as NORDAM celebrates the 10th anniversary of operations in Cardiff, South Wales.
The National Business Aviation Association asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to retain the current reporting method for personal use of company aircraft when the agency completes its review of executive compensation reporting requirements. SEC in February released a comprehensive proposal to update and clarify executive compensation and related party disclosure requirements. The agency proposed retaining the current aggregate incremental cost standard to value personal benefits, including personal use of corporate aircraft.
Boeing is considering adding a convertible passenger/ cargo version of the 737 to its business-jet (BBJ) lineup, the company said. The new BBJ would be based on the convertible 737-700C, which incorporates the 737-700 fuselage and the strengthened landing gear and wings of the -800. The aircraft would provide multi-purpose capability for business-jet customers, such as governments, heads of state and entrepreneurs.
SPECTRO and its U.S.-based affiliate Jet-Care in Cedar Knolls, N.J., have continued to pick up major contracts for their oil and debris analysis programs. Jet-Care won a deal to provide oil and debris analysis for more than 200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2CG engines powering the re-engined HH-65C Dauphin helicopters. Jet-Care also was selected to provide the services for Eurocopter Mexico engines and gearboxes.
PILATUS handed over the 600th PC-12 late last month to Aviation Sales, Inc. (ASI), which accepted the aircraft on behalf of a customer in California. The delivery comes a little more than one year after the Stans, Switzerland-based manufacturer passed the 500-aircraft milestone in the PC-12 program. Based at Centennial Airport in Denver, Colo., ASI has been an authorized Pilatus dealer and service center since 1994.
The Federal Aviation Administration is moving ahead with nationwide implementation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast system over the next decade and officials expect to sign a Memorandum Of Agreement with the Helicopter Association International in coming weeks that will outline a cooperative effort for providing ADS-B coverage in the Gulf of Mexico within the next few years.
PENTASTAR AVIATION expanded its catering division, FIVEStar Gourmet, through the acquisition of Chef In The Sky. The acquisition gives FIVEStar a base at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Pentastar is headquartered at Oakland County International Airport in Michigan.
Early noise tests of the Eclipse 500 show that the very light jet is not only achieving Stage 4 aircraft noise limits, but is "multiple orders of magnitude" better than the government standards require, Eclipse said last week. The company committed to ensure that the Eclipse 500 met Stage 4 noise standards, which would require operation at a maximum noise level of 88 decibels (dB) on approach. Initial testing of the Eclipse 500 is showing an average maximum noise range of 68 dB on approach.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT appointed Aero-Dienst Gmbh & Co. KG as a Hawker sales representative in Germany and Austria. Aero-Dienst will sell used Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft along with new Hawker 4000s, 850XPs and 400XPs. Aero-Dienst also is an authorized service center for Beechcraft King Airs and Hawkers.
Republican lawmakers Thursday urged House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) to schedule a vote on a bill that would force the Federal Aviation Administration to return to the bargaining table with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. In a letter signed by 49 Republicans, including several on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the legislators said the bill, H.R.4755, has 232 co-sponsors, including 59 Republicans.
Having enjoyed significant success selling executive-configured regional jets to corporate aviation users, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer is now adding a full-size airliner model to its growing family of corporate jets.
AIRCRAFT ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION attracted 1,650 attendees to its 49th annual international convention and trade show last month in Palms Springs, Calif. The three-day show drew more than 140 exhibitors and included 75 hours of training sessions. The association will host its 50th convention and trade show March 28-31, 2007 in Reno, Nev. Future dates and places are: April 23-26, 2008 in Washington, D.C.; April 1-4, 2009 in Dallas, Texas; April 7-10, 2010 in Orlando, Fla.; and March 30-April 2, 2011 in Reno.
Model SD3 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-23173; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-190-AD] - Revises an earlier proposal that would have required installing additional fuel tank bonding jumpers, performing an in-place resistance check of the float switches, inspecting certain internal components of the fuel tanks, and performing related corrective actions if necessary.
JetBird, a startup air taxi company to be based in Switzerland, announced ambitious plans last week to provide on-demand service across Europe - at prices significantly lower than those charged by existing operators - using a mixed fleet of Phenom 100 and 300 business jets built by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.
The National Transportation Safety Board wants passengers on Part 135 air taxi flights to have complete information on who is operating the airplane and who owns it.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR MARION BLAKEY last week remained resolute in pushing through a new contract agreement that holds the line on air traffic controller compensation. "We are at an impasse with [the National Air Traffic Controllers Association]," she told the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee. "Since 1998, the first year of the current NATCA contract, the increasing imbalance in compensation between NATCA and the rest of the agency has cost the taxpayer a total of $1.8 billion.
BLAKEY ALSO continued her push for an overhaul of the FAA funding system, telling the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee that the Airport and Airway Trust Fund is vulnerable because of its heavy reliance on the ticket tax. She also noted that the trust fund's uncommitted balance is expected to draw down to $1.7 billion by the end of the fiscal year. But she added, "Our belief in the need for funding reform for the FAA is not fundamentally about generating more money for FAA. It is about creating a stable and predictable funding system."
Address: Comments may be submitted via the Web: http://dms.dot.gov; by fax: (202) 493-2251; or by mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street S.W., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, D.C. 20590-001. Identify docket number. Petitions for Exemption Docket No.: FAA-2006-24262 Petitioner: Experimental Aircraft Association Section of 14 CFR Affected: Part 61.415(b)
Arizona's Williams Gateway Airport Authority is reviewing a proposal that would add the city of Phoenix to its membership group. Under the proposed plan, Phoenix would become the fifth member in the airport authority, joining the municipalities of Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and the Gila River Indian Community. Each member government has a single board seat and vote.
Helicopter Association International is alarmed that a State Department proposal could exacerbate the shortage of helicopter instructors and financially damage helicopter flight-training providers. The Exchange Visitor Program-Training and Internship Programs proposal, released last month, would limit the amount of time a foreign student could remain in the country for flight training. Currently, foreign students are able to train in the U.S. under a two-year visa.
MIDCOAST AVIATION and Bombardier Aerospace signed an "agreement in principle" that secures positions at Midcoast for the completion of 41 business jets over the next three years. The agreement provides for Midcoast to do interior completions of 15 Global 5000 and Global Express XRS aircraft, 18 Challenger 605s and eight Challenger 850 series aircraft. "This agreement marks the dawn of an exciting new era at Midcoast Aviation," said President Kurt F. Sutterer.
Joins The NORDAM Group as director, supply chain services. Thomas will be responsible for inventory control, shipping and receiving, and purchasing at the Tulsa, Okla., repair facility. He previously was vice president-supply chain at Garrett Aviation Service and held management positions with AlliedSignal Aerospace and GE.
FIRSTFLIGHT added a Challenger 601 and Learjet 55 to its Part 135 certificate. The aircraft, which will be based in White Plains, N.Y., increase FirstFlight's charter fleet to 16 aircraft. A wholly owned subsidiary of FBO Air, FirstFlight Management was established in 1987 and provides aircraft charter, management, sales, acquisition and maintenance services. The company is headquartered at Elmira Corning Regional Airport in New York.
Models AT-400; AT-401, AT-401B, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23646; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-05-AD; Amendment 39-14563; AD 2006-08-08] - Requires lowering the safe life for the wing lower spar cap for certain Models AT-402A and AT-402B airplanes and those that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises winglets. For Models AT-400, AT-401, AT-401B, AT-402, and certain AT-402A, airplanes, this AD requires repetitively inspecting the wing lower spar cap in order to reach the safe life.
