General Aviation Manufacturers Association is alarmed because it appears that FAA plans to divert agency funds that Congress intended for supporting aircraft certification projects to other agency programs. FAA is grappling with a government-wide one percent funding cut, and is apparently eyeing the $4 million that Congress set aside for increased aircraft certification staffing to help cover the costs of other activities (BA, Nov. 21/237).
Sentient Jet, the business aviation services company that works with charter companies to offer membership programs, was named the "official private aviation/jet provider of the PGA Tour" under a four-year marketing agreement with the professional golfers' tour. Under the agreement, Sentient will craft a program that includes incentives for tour members to join, flexible billing options and guaranteed jet availability on short notice on tournament cut days.
National Business Aviation Association established a new Web-based tool, Forum for Enhanced Reliability and Maintainability Standards (FERMS), designed to provide business aircraft maintenance and performance information. NBAA described FERMS as a "central information clearinghouse" that compiles data on individual aircraft along with aircraft fleet information. Users can enter maintenance information that includes date of maintenance, flight hours, landings and downtime. Users also review performance data for other aircraft in the FERMS database.
Aerospace Industries Association board of governors elected Northrop Grumman Chairman Ronald Sugar chairman of the association for 2006. Sugar succeeds Robert Johnson of Honeywell Aerospace. Raytheon Chairman and CEO William Swanson was elected vice chairman.
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta didn't use the words "user fees" during his speech to the Aero Club of Washington, but he left little doubt that's where the Bush Administration is heading in its search for new sources of revenue to fund FAA. His remarks drew quick criticism from the Experimental Aircraft Association. See article below.
Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22873; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-197-AD; Amendment 39-14457; AD 2006-02-05] - requires replacing the Camloc fasteners on the sidewall of the center pedestal. This AD results from reports of the Camloc fasteners on the sidewall of the center pedestal disengaging and interfering with an inboard rudder pedal.
Honeywell T5309, T5311, T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B Series, and T53-L-9, T53-L-11, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 series turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2004-18038; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-01-AD; Amendment 39-14444; AD 2006-01-05] - requires implementing reduced life limits for certain parts, using cycle counting methods, and using draw-down schedules to replace components that exceed the new limits.
Rockwell Collins earned technical standard order approval for installation of its Pro Line 21 Integrated Display System on aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins AP-105 and APS-65 autopilot systems. The TSO will enable operators of certain King Air, Falcon 20 and 50 and Piaggio 180 aircraft to upgrade their flight decks. The Pro Line 21 IDS also interfaces with APS-85, APS-80 and SPZ autopilots.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association is warning its members about what may be one of the largest and most persistent Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas ever designated. The TFR, 17 miles wide in most places, stretches 300 nautical miles along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona and New Mexico. The TFR is in effect from 12,000 to 14,000 feet and is active from 1700 to 0700 daily. The area was designated to permit overnight operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol without risk of collision with other aircraft.
All four people aboard a Cessna Citation 560 were killed Jan. 24 when the aircraft ran off the end of a 4,600-foot runway at McClellan-Palomar Airport near Carlsbad, Calif. Witnesses said the aircraft landed long and apparently well above normal approach speed. After departing the runway, the airplane slid down a bluff and hit a self-storage building before bursting into flames. Weather is not believed to be a factor.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association last week urged FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to restore staffing in the Aircraft Certification Service to 2004 levels. In a letter signed by GAMA President Pete Bunce and Jack Pelton, Cessna president and chief executive and GAMA chairman, the association expressed concern that FAA is considering diverting funds that Congress gave to the agency to add scores of inspectors to its staff.
Fractional aircraft operators hired 68 pilots in December, bringing the total for the year to 816, up 69 percent from the new-hire total of 482 during 2004.
Doug Schwartz, the director of aviation for AT&T, expects to resign his seat on the National Business Aviation Association's board of directors in a few weeks when he is laid off by his employer.
Doug Oliver, the veteran public relations executive who most recently had handled communications in the U.S. for Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, was named director of communications for Cessna Aircraft, effective Feb. 6. Oliver, who will be based in Wichita, will report to Bob Stangarone, vice president of communications. In his new role, Oliver will have day-to-day responsibility for internal communications and media relations.
Embraer Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22871; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-191-AD; Amendment 39-14454; AD 2006-02-02] - requires installing a rivet and washer in the hole of the upper frame of the auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall. This AD results from a report indicating that, during production, a pinhole was left open at the upper frame of the APU firewall. FAA is issuing this AD to ensure that the APU compartment is isolated from the rest of the airplane in the event of an APU fire.
Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22917; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-157-AD; Amendment 39-14456; AD 2006-02-04] -- requires modifying the rudder balance spring assembly by installing a new adjustable balance spring, and rigging the assembly to suit the rudder of each airplane. This AD results from production inspections that showed that the spring assembly that controls rudder balance may not have the correct pre-load on some airplanes.
Rock group Bon Jovi escaped injury Jan. 20 when the Boeing 707 carrying the band was unable to stop on the runway after landing in heavy rain at the Hamilton, Ontario International Airport. The aircraft came to rest with the nose landing gear hanging over a downward incline at the runway end. The 14 people aboard the 707 were evacuated without incident.
Hal S. Spragins, 71, a veteran aircraft sales executive, died Jan. 16 in Sarasota, Fla. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Spragins completed flight training with the U.S. Air Force. He began his general aviation career with Southern Airways (later Hangar One), where he worked for nearly 20 years, becoming a leading King Air salesman, opening a number of FBOs for the company in Florida and eventually becoming president of Hangar One.
In a survey by the American Small Business Travelers Alliance, "24 percent of respondents reported that half or more of their travel is to communities of less than 200,000, confirming that small businesses need access to remote destinations," a conclusion that should cheer business aircraft salesmen across the country.
Jet Aviation officials, who have been busily seeking acquisition candidates since new management took over last year (BA, Aug. 15/65), are expected to make a major announcement this week. Sources say the likely target is Midcoast Aviation of St. Louis, the FBO and aircraft modification/completion arm of Sabreliner Corp. Adding Midcoast would give Jet an established location in the middle of the country, and one that's growing rapidly.
Mechtronix won European JAA approval for its ATR 42/72 Ascent full flight trainer based at the ATR Training Center in Toulouse, France. The Ascent is the first of a series of Aerosim-Mechtronix training devices for the ATR 42/72 family. The trainer can be configured for the 42-300, 42-500, 72-200 and 72-500 and can include GNSS, weather radar, traffic alert and collision avoidance system, and enhanced ground proximity warning system features.
Gulfstream Aerospace continued last year to book more orders for new aircraft than it delivered, setting the stage for a sharp increase in production over the next two years. Nicholas Chabraja, chairman of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, said the Savannah, Ga. manufacturer would deliver 111 new aircraft in 2006 and 127 in 2007, up significantly from the 89 new aircraft the company delivered in 2005.
Jose Manuel Perez De La Cruz was appointed general manager of TAG Aviation's Espana operation. Perez de la Cruz will oversee day-to-day management of the Madrid base, including the aircraft management and charter business and fixed-base operation services. He previously was general manager of a Spanish airport services company and served with the Spanish Civil Aeronautics Administration.
