Model G-159 airplanes [Docket No. 96-NM-143-AD] - revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required repetitive non-destructive testing inspections to detect corrosion of the skin of certain structural assemblies and corrective action, if necessary. The original proposal also would have required x-ray and ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion and cracking of the splicing of certain structural assemblies, and repair if necessary.
The National Air Transportation Association renewed its call for the Internal Revenue Service to ease its fuel tax collection procedures after the agency reassured lawmakers that it had taken steps to answer industry concerns. Eric Solomon, acting deputy assistant secretary of the treasury for tax policy, last month sent letters to key legislators saying that IRS has taken steps to reduce the burden that new fuel tax requirements have had on the industry.
Appointed regional engine manager for the Southwest for Dallas Airmotive. Freeman will sell Dallas Airmotive's TFE731 and PW300 engine services as well as Honeywell auxiliary power unit services. A licensed airframe and powerplant technician with experience in engine, airframe and electrical systems on business aircraft, Freeman formerly held positions with KC Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace and Western Aircraft.
Joins Wingspeed Corp. as vice president of worldwide sales. Borkowski will be responsible for sales of Wingspeed's XLLink Voice and Data Communications System line. He formerly served as director of sales and business development-the Americas for Rockwell Collins. He also has held sales and engineering positions at Thales, Federal Express, Northwest Airlines, Braniff Airlines, Midway Airlines and Capital Airlines.
RON BERTRAM, the leader of the Australian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, was killed in a light-aircraft accident April 5 at the Bankstown Airport, officials said. Bertram joined the Australian AOPA more than three years ago as a director and was subsequently named president. Bertram was "an active participant and champion for the general aviation community," said Greg Russell, CEO of Airservices Australia. "The association has lost a true reformer and a person dedicated to making AOPA more relevant and valuable to the aviation industry," Russell added.
Embraer reported record sales of $3.8 billion (U.S.) in fiscal 2005 despite a dip in the overall number of aircraft deliveries. The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 141 aircraft in fiscal 2005, compared with 148 the prior year. But sales climbed 11 percent as Embraer began delivery of the Embraer 175 and 190 regional jets. Net income jumped 17.2 percent to $445.7 million.
Named supervisor-customer relations for Wilson Air Center. Lirette formerly was customer service concierge for Atlantic Aviation Houston-Hobby. In her new role, Lirette will be responsible for customer relations and retention, business development, marketing and special programs and projects.
France Model EC 155B and B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-22697; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-46-AD; Amendment 39-14509; AD 2006-06-01] - requires inspecting an electrical cable bundle for wear. If wear is present, the AD requires installing an airworthy cable bundle and modifying the routing of the electrical cable bundles. This amendment is prompted by reports of a short circuit in the wiring, which led to failure of the normal and emergency landing gear operation modes.
Triumph Group, Inc., which has assembled a network of aerospace component manufacturers over the past decade, is adding another Wichita company, Excel Manufacturing, Inc., to its family of companies. Triumph, headquartered in Wayne, Pa., said it completed an agreement to purchase the assets of Excel Manufacturing, Inc. Excel, which has operated in Wichita for more than three decades, has 140 employees. Triumph said the acquisition is expected to add about $35 million in revenue to its balance sheet in fiscal 2007. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
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.
