Daher-Socata, which last month formally unveiled the TBM 850 follow-on, the TBM 900, amassed more than 40 orders for the aircraft by the end of March and has handed over the first six to customers.
Eighteen years after Boeing and General Electric teamed up to develop the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) version of the Next Generation 737, the first corporate derivative of the follow-on 737 MAX has been launched by an undisclosed customer.
As the economy has taken its toll on flight operations, general aviation’s activity at the busiest airports has declined substantially over the past decade. General aviation activity at large hub airports has dropped 40.3%, 38.7% at medium hubs and 27.6% at small and non-hubs since 2005, FAA reports in its latest forecast. This comes even though activity at large hubs actually rose by 0.3% last year. General aviation activity at FAA en route centers is also down significantly, with 2013 levels 23% below 2005 levels.
Analysts foresee the newly formed Textron Aviation moving to profitability this year, with earnings reaching as much as $175 million in 2014 and improving to $400 million in 2016. This would mark a turnaround from the $48 million loss Cessna posted in 2013. Jeffries believes Cessna will contribute $75 million to earnings, while Beechcraft should post earnings of $85 million. Also boosting profitability will be about $50 million that should come from synergies and restructuring savings, the analyst estimates, offsetting the deficit at the beginning of the year.
The White House is projecting that the balance of the user-funded Airport and Airway Trust Fund will grow steadily over the next decade even as the Obama administration pushes to have it pay for nearly all of FAA’s activities.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 [Docket No. FAA-2013-0642; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-035-AD; Amendment 39-17777; AD 2014-05-04] – requires, for affected helicopters with a jettisonable sliding door installed, inspecting the lock release assembly and the middle and upper lever locking bolts of each door, replacing any damaged parts with airworthy parts, and ensuring the door is correctly installed. This AD was prompted by the uncommanded detaching of a door from an MBB-BK 117 C-2 fuselage.
Cessna Aircraft announced its first product refresh since coming under the umbrella of the newly formed Textron Aviation, an updated CJ3 that will incorporate the new Garmin G3000 avionics suite. The aircraft, which becomes the CJ3+, will also be fitted with a redesigned cabin and cockpit, along with new pressurization and a diagnostics system. Cessna has gained experience with the G3000 flight deck through its certification of the M2 aircraft.
Signature Flight Support is furthering its reach in the Caribbean through a licensing agreement with Blue Heron Aviation covering a new fixed-based operation at Providenciales International Airport (MBPV) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The FBO, which is currently under construction, will include a 6,800-sq.-ft. terminal with lounges and office space, 11 acres of aircraft parking and a hangar facility. The FBO, which will be branded Signature Turks and Caicos, will offer full ground handling, fueling and Signature’s service, including the Tailwins loyalty program.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD; Amendment 39-17796; AD 2014-05-23] – requires modification of the direct current power centers. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status indications on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays.
MIKE MORGAN has accepted position with Duncan Aviation’s avionics installation sales team. In his new role, he will provide technical sales and quote support for avionics installation projects. He joined Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich., facility in 1996 as an avionics installation technician and most recently was a team leader in the engineering department.
The British government is planning to propose new tax legislation that would increase fees on passengers who fly aboard large business aircraft that operate from U.K. airports. In a March 19 speech, Chancellor George Osborne notes, “private jets were not taxed at all under the previous government. Today they are, and I’m increasing the charge so they pay more.”
FAA took another look at options to buffer the $82.6 million cost of a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) covering Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive Engineering “Titan” cylinders found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 model reciprocating engines, but in a recent analysis says that it still finds the actions required in the proposed AD necessary to address its safety concerns.
FAA wants industry input on how a drug and alcohol (DA) testing program for certain employees at agency-certified repair stations outside the U.S. should be crafted. The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks industry input on a DA testing program requirement for so-called FAA foreign repair station employees who work on FAA Part 121 operator aircraft. The ANPRM is in response to a congressional mandate. FAA regulations cover such employees working in the U.S.
As Textron stitches together Cessna and Beechcraft under the newly created Textron Aviation, company executives still have a number of decisions left to make, from which facilities to merge to potential employee layoffs.
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services added a third fixed-base operation to its chain, a newly built facility at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK). The facility includes 30,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and a 10,000-sq.-ft. terminal that includes pilot lounges and conference facilities. The KPWK facility is a full-service Shell fueling station. The FBO opened this month after construction began in May 2013. Along with Chicago, Hawthorne operates FBOs at MacArthur Airport in Islip, N.Y. (KISP) and Lakefront Airport in New Orleans (KNEW).
A new European rule covering instrument ratings is receiving strong support from general aviation leaders, who call it an important first step to simplifying regulations for general aviation pilot licensing in Europe. The European Commission on March 14 published the update to its instrument rating requirements, providing a risked-based approach and easier path for general aviation pilots. The changes to the requirements take effect April 3.
GREG HART was named manager-general aviation for Phillips 66. Hart has 25 years of experience, most recently as manager, sales force excellence, planning and optimization for Phillips 66. He has also served as sales manager in both the mid-continent and Gulf Coast for Phillips 66 branded fuels business. He further was managing director for ConocoPhillips in Prague, Czech Republic, and has served with Shell Oil Company and Tosco Marketing Co.
Delays to the CSeries narrowbody airliner have not yet had a major impact on Bombardier’s business jet programs, from flight testing of the Learjet 85 to development of the Global 7000/8000. Entry into service for the CSeries has slipped to the second half of 2015, from mid-2014, increasing the overlap within the company’s engineering organization, which is also developing the Global 7000 and 8000 for service entry in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD; Amendment 39-17788; AD 2014-05-15] – prohibits use of the hydraulic hoist in helicopters equipped with certain parts and configurations until a hoist beam lower fitting protector is installed. This AD was prompted by a report that the hoist cable jammed during a rescue at sea.
The Experimental Aircraft Association settled its dispute with FAA over air traffic control (ATC) charges assessed for services during last year’s annual AirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh, Wis., signing a “reimbursable agreement” under which the association will continue to reimburse FAA for the services at actual costs.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0554; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-009-AD; Amendment 39-17774; AD 2014-05-01] – requires analyzing the main gearbox (MGB) oil for indications of metal chips or pieces, reviewing the MGB log or equivalent record, and inspecting certain teeth in the MGB after two chip indications. This AD was prompted by a partial tooth rupture found in an MGB that was returned to the manufacturer for repairs.
Satcom Direct received European Aviation Safety Agency approval, along with FAA and Transport Canada validation for its Satcom Direct Router (SDR) aboard Global 5000 and Global XRS aircraft. The SDR is part of a package that upgrades the Rockwell Collins SAT-6100/-2100 single-channel Satcom Swift64 to single channel Swift Broadband with the Satcom Direct SDR Wi-Fi Router. The SDR is Satcom Direct’s first certified hardware and enables multiple systems to operate on aircraft without additional wireless access points. The company is shipping the units to dealers in the U.S.
