Bombardier executives report that the first flight of the company’s all-new Learjet 85 is “very close,” but the manufacturer does not plan to determine a certification and delivery schedule until the aircraft has flown for a few months. While the company makes final preparations for the first flight, it continues to progress toward certification this year of the Challenger 350 and final designs for its top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 programs.
Quest Aircraft Company appointed Quest Aircraft Do Brasil in Sao Jose dos Campos as its Kodiak dealer for Brazil. Quest delivered its first Brazilian-bound Kodiak to the dealer this month. The Kodiak will be used as a demonstrator. Quest obtained Brazilian certification for the aircraft in 2012. The aircraft is certified in 16 countries, and Quest says several other approvals are imminent. Quest sees substantial market potential for its single-turboprop utility aircraft in Latin America.
Rep. Frank LoBiondo’s (R-N.J.) bill to require FAA to conduct a formal rulemaking process before imposing sleep apnea testing requirements is heading to the Senate for consideration after the House passed the measure, H.R. 3578, by voice vote on Feb. 11. LoBiondo, who chairs the House aviation subcommittee, introduced the bill in November after FAA Federal Air Surgeon Frederick Tilton outlined plans to require pilots and air traffic controllers with a body mass index (BMI) to undergo testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Bombardier, which missed its targets for business jet deliveries in 2013 with the delays in the Learjet 70/75 program, is expecting those shipments to increase by more than 10% in 2014. Bombardier is forecasting that it will deliver 200 business jets in 2014, up from 180 in 2013.
Yasava will unveil in May the prototype of what it says is the first fully electric seat for business aircraft that is not adapted from a mechanical seat. The Swiss-based interiors design firm created the clean-sheet-design aïana seat, which includes wireless remote control and swivel and recline functionality. When in the full flatbed option, the bed measures 6.5 ft. (2 meters). The cocoon shape with surrounding shell also enables internal mood lighting.
BELL Model 407 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0070; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-062-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the aft fuselage upper skin for a crack and the upper left longeron assembly for a crack, corrosion, or defect. This AD would require replacing or repairing a part or section, depending on the inspection’s outcome. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the upper left-hand longeron.
AgustaWestland’s AW189 and the Airbus EC175 super-medium have been certified within days of each other. The 7.5-metric ton EC175 was the first to get EASA’s nod, receiving its certification two days after the company announced at its annual press conference on Jan. 28 that it completed the certification process. EASA awarded the documentation to the EC175 on Jan. 30.
BBA Aviation’s Asia-Pacific arm has been pursuing a strategic development plan to tap into what the company sees as strong growth potential in the region. One of its best known companies, Signature Flight Support (SFS), which has FBOs at 110 locations worldwide that are focused on regions with high business jet populations, has now opened a facility at Changi International Airport.
Embraer Executive Jets signed an agreement with Hawker Pacific for maintenance and support of Legacy 450 and 500 aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. Hawker Pacific joins a network of 21 repair stations authorized to work on the Embraer 500. Embraer has been building up its network in anticipation of the Legacy 500’s entry into service in the first half of this year, followed by the 450 a year later. Hawker Pacific has supported Embraer aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region since 2007.
Feb. 24-27, 2014—Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo, Anaheim, Calif., www.rotor.org/Events/HELIEXPO2014.aspx Mar. 3, 2014—SpeedNews 28th Annual Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Beverly Hills, Calif., speednews.com/all/conference Mar. 4-5, 2014—Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2014 Air Charter Safety Symposium, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, Va., www.acsf.aero Mar. 4-5, 2014—Defense Technology & Affordability Requirements, Washington, D.C., www.aviationweek.com/events
COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNAM P2006T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0888; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-024-AD; Amendment 39-17735; AD 2014-02-07] – requires, for affected airplanes equipped with NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-1417-000, a one-time inspection of the NLG lower link and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective action. This AD also requires installation of the improved NLG lower link assembly P/N 26-8-8000-000.
Bombardier is stepping up its links to Singapore’s support industries with a plan to open a new regional refurbishment center for its business jets. Simon Wayne, general manager at Bombardier’s existing Singapore Service Center, tells Aviation Week that the firm has well-developed plans to open a new workshop “within months” that will offer “a very important regional facility to offer complete interior refurb capacity to regional customers.
While Beechcraft Corp. delivered only a few residual jet products in 2013, the Wichita airframer completed its first year as a stand-alone company with a 35% jump in its civil aircraft deliveries, which increased to 211 last year, compared with 157 in 2012. But of the 157 deliveries in 2012, 32 involved Beechcraft’s now-shuttered jet product lines. Last year there were just six shipments of the remaining Hawker 4000s.
Duncan Aviation has been awarded a three-year contract to maintain Reva’s fleet of air ambulance aircraft. The contract builds upon an ongoing relationship that Duncan has had for the past several years with Reva, a medical transportation services company operating throughout North America. The contract covers 29 scheduled Honeywell TFE731 engine events, AOG engine Rapid Response support, avionics satellite services, component repair and overhauls and aircraft paint.
The ambitious schedule to build Jet Aviation’s new mega hangar and merge it with its existing hangar and fixed-base operation at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park is on schedule for completion by the end of March. This marks a significant achievement, given that the facility triples Jet Aviation’s footprint there, and groundbreaking only took place in April 2013.
LEARJET Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0010; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-218-AD] – proposes to require doing a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the metallic components of the thrust reverser’s attach flange for any corrosion; inspecting the thrust reverser flange for damage to the sealant, as applicable; installing sealants and gaskets, as applicable, to the thrust reverser flanges and service island flanges; and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary.
Part 135 operations, which posted a “banner year” in 2013, are on pace to carry that momentum into 2014, but Part 91 and fractional operations are expected to remain flat to down in the early part of 2014, business aviation analyst Argus forecasts. Argus, which tracks business aircraft arrival and departure information in the U.S. and Canada, found that despite a strong end to 2013, flight operations for the year were still down overall 0.3% from 2012.
DANIEL IRESON was promoted to assistant chief pilot for Executive AirShare. Ireson, a captain in Executive AirShare’s Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft, most recently was base manager for the fractional ownership company. He is based at its facilities at Fort Worth Meacham Airport (FTW) and Love Field in Dallas (DAL). He was formerly a contract pilot for Business Air in Denton, Texas and owned a Part 141 flight school.
Bell Helicopter completed the first delivery of a Bell 407GX to a customer in India. The helicopter was handed over to charter operator SpanAir. SpanAir took delivery of its first Bell, a 407, in 1996, a year after the operator was established. It also had since added a Bell 429. The 407GX incorporates the Garmin G1000H flight deck.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-725A1-12 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0882; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-29-AD] – proposes to require removal of the affected fuel metering units (FMUs). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear on the receptors of the double-ended unions in FMU housing on BR700-725A1-12 engines, causing fuel leakage. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the FMU, which could lead to damage to one or more engines and damage to the airplane.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0039; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-058-AD; Amendment 39-17737; AD 2014-02-09] – requires, before the next overwater flight, inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct installation. If a strap is installed under the hinged rod median plate rather than over it, reinstalling the strap is required. The AD is prompted by incorrect routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear rear cradles.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0501; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-036-AD; Amendment 39-17732; AD 2014-02-04] – requires repetitively inspecting the lower and upper front and rear fittings that attach the upper fin to the fenestron for a crack and, if there is a crack, removing all four fittings from service. This AD also requires, within a specified time, removing all fittings from service, and the fittings would not be eligible to be installed on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by the loss of an upper fin in flight.
TAG Farnborough Airport in the U.K. has begun soliciting public input on an “Airspace Change Proposal” (ACP) that would introduced some areas of controlled airspace in the vicinity, which currently is Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. The airport, which is undertaking the formal Civil Aviation Authority to implement the plan, is accepting public feedback through May 2 on the airspace redesign. Airport officials say the changes will provide more predictable and consistent operations while reducing noise and emissions.
