FlightSafety International plans to install a Gulfstream G550 and a Bombardier Challenger 300 simulator at its Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington, Del. learning center by the end of the year. Both simulators are slated to receive FAA Level D approval following installation. FSI offers training for a range of Bombardier aircraft, and the Challenger 300 trainer will increase the number of Bombardier aircraft simulators at FSI to 50. FSI also offers Gulfstream training at its learning centers in Savannah, Ga., Dallas, Texas and Long Beach, Calif.
CharterX, an online marketing network for the air charter industry, released a new online service, CharterX Trip Board, which will help connect potential customers with charter providers. The service allows customers to submit their trip requests and charter operators to submit quotes for those requests. Charter customers will be able to view the submissions and select the charter provider that best matches their needs. More than 3,000 charter professionals who are members of the CharterX Industry Xchange will have access to the Trip Board.
Jet Aviation signed an engine service center agreement with Rolls-Royce under which Jet Aviation is authorized to provide complete engine management, warranty work, CorporateCare and other maintenance for Rolls-Royce engines. The agreement covers Jet Aviation's facilities in Basel and Geneva, Switzerland; Dusseldorf, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Dallas, Texas; Palm Beach, Fla.; and Teterboro, N.J.
ROLLS-ROYCE (formerly Allison) 250-B17B, -B17C, -B17D, -B17E, -C20, -C20B, -C20F, -C20J, -C20S, and -C20W turboprop and turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2004-19648; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-14090; AD 2005-10-13] - requires, for certain models that do not have turbine energy absorbing ring, RRC part number (P/N) 23035175, or an equivalent FAA-approved serviceable turbine energy-absorbing ring, installed, installation of a turbine energy-absorbing ring in the plane of the 1st Stage turbine wheel.
FAA PROJECTS SEE $1.7 BILLION COST HIKE SINCE 2003, IG SAYS - The combined cost estimates for FAA's largest modernization programs have increased by $1.7 billion since they were last calculated two years ago, the Transportation Department Inspector General said last week.
Omni Energy Services signed a letter of intent to sell off its aviation unit, including its entire helicopter fleet, to Rotorcraft Leasing, L.L.C. for $11 million in cash. The sale includes 20 helicopters, spare parts and related equipment and one fixed-wing aircraft. "Because of the low equipment utilization and the high fixed costs associated with aviation, it was difficult for us to attain and sustain the level of profitability necessary for us to continue this business unit," said OMNI CEO James Eckert.
SIKORSKY PLANS TO FLY NEW TWIN-ROTOR HELICOPTER NEXT YEAR - Sikorsky Aircraft Company launched an ambitious program to develop a new twin-rotor helicopter capable of significantly higher speeds than conventional rotary-wing aircraft and plans to fly a technology demonstrator next year.
CONGRESSMAN SEEKS TO TAKE FEES OUT OF TOY MODELS - Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) is on a mission that hobby enthusiasts young and old could thank him for: cutting some of the cost of toy military aircraft and ship models.
National Air Transportation Association hopes Congress will grant relief to operators of fuel trucks covered under rules that call for installation of costly secondary containment systems. The Environmental Protection Agency determined in March that mobile refuelers need spill and leak prevention protections similar to those that apply to stationary fuel tanks. While EPA officially made that determination only in March, the agency has been assessing fines for non-compliance against fuel truck operators for months (BA, March 21/134). Sen.
Wings Field Preservation Associates is offering a 190-page "autobiography" of the historic Philadelphia-area airport. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Wings Field is where airport lighting began; where the first navigation radios for small aircraft were tested and built; and where the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association was born. Written by Wings Field officials in collaboration with veteran aviation writer Charles Spence, the Wings Field Autobiography traces the history of the airport and includes 131 photographs.
FOKKER Model F.28 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20594; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-14084; AD 2005-10-07] - requires a one-time inspection of the area underneath the auxiliary power unit (APU) enclosure to determine if drain tubes in the area are correctly installed and to detect damaged wiring, and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of a fire under the APU enclosure.
NEW HONEYWELL AEROSPACE PRESIDENT LAUNCHES REORGANIZATION - Honeywell Aerospace told its employees last week that the company will undergo a significant reorganization aimed at building a "structure that focuses more on customers." The new organization will take effect July 5, but it probably will be close to the end of the year before all of the changes will be implemented.
JOHN MARINO was promoted to vice president of government relations for FlightSafety International (FSI). Marino previously was FSI's sales and marketing manager for Asia, based in Beijing, China. He joined FSI in 1979 and has held flight operations and marketing position at the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Fla., and also helped grow FSI's Airline training programs in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Before joining FSI, he had a 10-career as a U.S. Army officer and aviator.
REP. J. RANDY FORBES (R-Va.) formed the Congressional China Caucus because of China's burgeoning economic and military capacity. "China's economic output is expected to triple over the next 15 years, and its militarization efforts have raised concerns worldwide," he said. The Congressional China Caucus is intended to raise awareness on and serve as a forum of discussion for U.S.-China interests in the House of Representatives. Eight other House members also joined the caucus.
SAAB Model SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-14086; AD 2005-10-09] - supersedes an existing AD, which currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20293; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-34-AD; Amendment 39-14091; AD 2005-10-14] - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires replacing certain main or combiner gearboxes with airworthy gearboxes. Further investigation has shown that the main gearbox is not affected, and this amendment requires replacing a certain combiner gearbox with a modified airworthy gearbox. This amendment is prompted by a report of a freewheel unit slipping, resulting in an engine overspeed and shutdown.
Jet Source added a Cessna Citation CJ3 to its charter fleet. The aircraft is based at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif., where Jet Source runs a full-service fixed-base operation and has more than 120,000 square feet of hangar space.
FirstFlight Management formed an alliance with Tech Aviation Services under which FirstFlight will market and sell charter services on Tech Aviation's Gulfstream IV-SP. FirstFlight will add the GIV-SP to its charter certificate. The agreement also calls for any new Tech Aviation aircraft to join the FirstFlight charter fleet. The G IV-SP is based at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, where Tech Aviation runs a fixed-base operation. FBO Air, Inc.
June 6-8 - Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association Spring Conference, Scottsdale Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Ariz., http://www.racconline.org June 8 - National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association Annual Aviation and Transportation Law Conference, Washington, 202-331-1955, Fax 202-293-2309 June 13-19 - Paris Air Show, Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France, (609) 987-1202, Ext. 248 or (703) 522-5000
TIGER Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-AD] - proposes to revise AD 95-19-15, which currently requires inspecting the wing attach shoulder bolts for fretting, scoring, wear, or enlarged or elongated mounting holes; replacing any damaged parts; repairing any damaged areas; inspecting the wing spar at the center spar clearance gap for excessive clearance; and shimming the spar if excessive clearance is found.
BOMBARDIER BACK IN BLACK; BEAUDOIN SAYS RESTRUCTURING IS WORKING - Canadian manufacturer Bombardier reported a small profit for the quarter ended April 30, and officials expressed optimism the improved results will continue.
TURBOMECA ARRIUS 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21155; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-14-AD; Amendment 39-14099; AD 2005-09-51] - publishes an amendment adopting emergency AD 2005-09-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires, before further flight, replacing the Module 2 on certain engines listed by serial number in this AD.
FAA, NPS ROUND OUT PARK GROUPS TO HASH OUT OVERFLIGHT ISSUES - The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service after years of delay have filled open slots on national park overflight advisory groups and scheduled meetings to hash out issues surrounding air tours over national parks in general and over the Grand Canyon specifically.
