THE NATION'S top airlines last year posted their worst customer service numbers since the industry was plagued by problems of congestion and delays in 2000, according to the 16th annual Airline Quality Rating (AQR) study released last week. Developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and Wichita State University, the AQR uses Department of Transportation data from the Air Travel Consumer Report to rate airline customer service. The AQR is based upon on-time performance, denied boardings, mishandled baggage and consumer complaints for U.S.
Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23785; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-10-AD] - proposes to require inspections, visually and using fluorescent dye penetrant, of the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings for cracks and replacing any cracked support structure. This proposed AD would require reinforcement of the support structures for the inboard and center aileron hinge fittings on both wings.
Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-23023; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-49-AD; Amendment 39-14533; AD 2006-07-06] - requires inspecting the fuel line and wire bundles for any chafing damage; replacing any damaged fuel line and repairing any damaged wires or sheathing of the wire harness if any chafing damage is found; and installing (to prevent any chafing damage to the fuel line and wire bundles) the forward loop clamp, fuel line shield, aft loop clamp, and anti-chafe tubing.
Following the collapse of nine months of negotiations between FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association last week, the parties declared a stalemate and FAA sent its pay proposal to Congress Wednesday for review. Unless Congress intercedes within 60 days, FAA will able to impose its contract terms on the union.
Model GV and GV-SP series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22034; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-182-AD] - revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required a one-time inspection of the left and right aileron and elevator actuators to determine the part and serial numbers of each actuator, repetitive inspections of suspect actuators to detect broken damper shafts, and replacement of any actuator having a broken damper shaft. The original proposal also would have required that operators report any broken damper shaft they find to the FAA.
Bombardier last week flew the Learjet 60 XR for the first time, launching the flight-test program for the follow-on to the Learjet 60. The aircraft departed from Eastern Iowa Airport at Cedar Rapids at 1:47 p.m. CST and landed at 4:07 p.m. April 3. The aircraft reached an altitude of 17,500 feet and a maximum true airspeed of 310 knots during the two-hour and 20-minute flight.
Swiss plane-maker Pilatus Aircraft named Thomas Hunziker president and chief executive officer of the company's U.S. operation in Broomfield, Colo. Hunziker takes over for Thomas Bosshard, who had served as president and CEO of Piltaus Business Aircraft Ltd. since 2002. Bosshard was named chief operating officer of Pilatus Aircraft and is moving back to company headquarters in Stans, Switzerland. Hunziker has served with the company since 1999, beginning as an assistant and rising to project manager and then group controller.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION expects its April 13 Business Aviation Regional Forum at Dallas Love Field will draw 1,200 attendees, 75 exhibitors and more than 25 aircraft at the static display, making the event NBAA's largest regional gathering yet. In addition to exhibits and the aircraft static display, this week's forum will include informational sessions on very light jets, aircraft acquisition, safety best practices and business aviation legislative priorities.
HOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS couldn't reach a final agreement late last week on a tax package that potentially could include two measures increasing the tax on use of corporate aircraft. The measures are included in the Senate version of the tax package and essentially would eliminate the Standard Industry Fare Level valuation for personal travel as well as limit company deductions for corporate aircraft used for recreation (BA, Dec. 5/259). The measures, however, are not included in the House bill.
AVIDYNE was selected to provide its TAS600 active-surveillance traffic advisory system as a factory option on Diamond DA20, DA40 and DA42 aircraft as well as on Symphony 160 aircraft. The TAS600 system uses Ryan Active Surveillance technology, Heads-Up Audible Position Alerting and top and bottom antennas. The Heads-Up Audible Position Alerting calls out target bearing, range and relative attitude. The system can display traffic information on all Diamond factory-installed multi-function displays as well as on the Symphony EX5000 multi-function display.
NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT long-standing dealer Piper Generalvertretung Deutschland AG (Piper AG) is taking over the territories formerly represented by Senate Aviation Limited. Piper AG will sell and provide parts and service for Piper aircraft in the United Kingdom, Spain and related territories. Piper AG established a new subsidiary, Piper Parts and Sales U.K., to support the expanded territory. The new unit will be based at Bournemouth International Airport in Christchurch, U.K. Piper AG also represents New Piper in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary.
Lufthansa Technik AG signed an agreement with The Mexmil Company, Santa Ana, Calif., licensing the U.S. firm exclusively to manufacture the German company's patented cabin acoustic insulation system.
Signature Flight Support, continuing its European expansion, said last week it won the concession to operate a new fixed-base operation at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (RHADS) in England. Located on the site of the former Royal Air Force Finningley airbase, RHADS serves the communities of central and northern England.
May 3-5 - European Business Aviation Association Convention and Exposition EBACE2006, Geneva, Switzerland, (202) 783-9000 May 9-11 - Flight Safety Foundation/National Business Aviation Association Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, Phoenix, Ariz., (202) 783-9000 May 17-19 - National Aircraft Finance Association 35th Annual Conference, St. Regis Resort, Laguna Niguel, Calif., (410) 571-1740 May 22-25 - Regional Airline Association Annual Convention, Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas, (202) 367-1170
ASSOCIATED AIR CENTER signed an agreement last month to complete its 10th Airbus Corporate Jet aircraft. Associated, a Landmark Aviation company, has delivered four ACJs to customers and has six more in process at its Dallas Love Field facility. Of the aircraft being worked on now, one is destined for Comlux, a VIP charter operator based in Switzerland, and another for the UB Group of India, the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines, one of the region's fastest growing carriers.
The Federal Aviation Administration delayed for six months a rule that would expand the scope of the agency's drug- and alcohol-testing program. The FAA action comes less than a month after the Aeronautical Repair Station Association filed suit in federal court to block implementation of the rule.
EMB-120 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24120; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-021-AD] - proposes to require replacing the protective tubes and conduits of the wiring harnesses of the refueling vent and pilot valves with non-conductive hoses; modifying the harness wiring and supports; and rerouting the harnesses to prevent interference with adjacent strobe light connectors; as applicable. This proposed AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer.
AEIO-360, IO-360, O-360, LIO-360, and LO-360 series reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-23269; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-50-AD; Amendment 39-14525; AD 2006-06-16] - requires replacing certain crankshafts. This AD results from a crankshaft failure in a Lycoming LO-360-A1H6 reciprocating engine. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which could result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft. An estimated 282 engines installed on aircraft on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this AD.
Joins Midcoast Aviation as southeast regional sales manager. Eldredge will be based in Atlanta and responsible for Midcoast sales and customer service in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina. Eldredge, who has 25 years of aviation industry experience, formerly was national director of sales and marketing for Raytheon Aircraft Services and general manager of Raytheon's Fulton County, Ga. fixed-base operation in Atlanta. He also spent 13 years managing operations, sales and engine programs for Sabreliner Corp. and its Premier Turbines division.
CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE between a Cessna 185 Skywagon, a Helio Courier and a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter at first glance? If not, you may need the just published third edition of A Field Guide To Airplanes. Designed to help airplane watchers identify aircraft by type and model, the 304-page paperback contains information on more than 400 factory-built civil and military aircraft, including more than 80 added since the second edition was published in 1992.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION named Greg Pecoraro vice president of regional affairs. Pecoraro will oversee AOPA activities at the state and local levels, including working with 13 regional representatives and the AOPA Airport Support Network. Formerly vice president of a Washington-based consulting firm, Pecoraro has a background in public service.
Landmark Aviation acquired Corporate Jets, Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz., the second FBO Landmark purchased this year. "Scottsdale is a strategic acquisition for Landmark Aviation in a key market, expanding our maintenance, repair and overhaul and FBO network throughout North America," said Roger Wolfe, chief executive officer. The Scottsdale facility is an authorized service center for Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell engines and it also holds a Part 135 certificate with a number of Bombardier and Learjet business jets on that certificate.
Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20628; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-AD; Amendment 39-14529; AD 2006-07-02 - requires replacing the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door. This AD results from reports that the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door is susceptible to freezing. FAA is issuing this AD to ensure that the pressure control valve does not freeze and prevent the door seal from deflating, which could result in the inability to open the door in an emergency.
The Federal Aviation Administration extended through Oct. 28, 2006 the reservation system in place at Chicago O'Hare International Airport for business aviation and other unscheduled operations. The reservation system was first implemented as a "voluntary" program in November 2004 and later was formally mandated through the July 8, 2005 release of Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 105. In addition to implementing a reservation system, SFAR 105 essentially caps the number of unscheduled operations at O'Hare.
KOHLMAN SYSTEMS RESEARCH won a contract to support Duncan Aviation's reduced vertical separation minima certification program for three Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 aircraft. Kohlman will be responsible for flight tests to ensure air data and autopilot systems are RVSM-compliant as well as to generate the required static source error correction. Kohlman will develop the approval data package that includes the flight test report, compliance report, initial and continued airworthiness report and airplane flight manual supplement.
