MAULE Models M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MT-7, MX-7, MXT-7, and M-8 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0725; Directorate Identifier 98-CE-01-AD; Amendment 39-17690; AD 98-15-18 R1] – revises an AD that applied to certain airplanes equipped with rear wing lift struts, part number (P/N) 2079E, and/or front wing lift struts, P/N 2080E. AD 98-15-18 required repetitively inspecting certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion and replacing of any wing lift strut where corrosion was found.
Honeywell is projecting 3%-5% organic growth in total 2014 aftermarket sales, driven by a bump in air transport and regional flight hours and continued solid demand for business aviation retrofits, modifications, and upgrades (RMU). The commercial aftermarket accounts for about 10% of Honeywell’s annual revenues, and the air transport segment generates about two-thirds of the aftermarket dollars. But Honeywell expects that a 6%-8% increase in large cabin business jet hours will also help drive growth.
PIPER Model J-2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0724; Directorate Identifier 99-CE-013-AD; Amendment 39-17691; AD 99-26-19 R1] – revises an AD, which applies to certain airplanes equipped with wing lift struts. AD 99-26-19 required repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for dents and corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any dented or corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at specified times for certain airplanes.
VARIOUS AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH WING LIFT STRUTS [Docket No. FAA-2013-0023; Directorate Identifier 96-CE-072-AD; Amendment 39-17688; AD 99-01-05 R1] – revises AD 99-01-05, which applies to certain Piper, FS 2000/2001/2002/2003 and Laviasa airplanes and which required repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at a specified time for certain airplanes.
BEECHCRAFT Models 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0753; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-025-AD; Amendment 39-17677; AD 2013-24-03] – requires inspections of the vertical stabilizer spar angles and hat section for cracks with corrective actions as necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the front spar cap angles and hat section structure of the vertical stabilizer. FAA estimates the AD affects 400 airplanes on the U.S.
Duncan Aviation has expanded its helicopter avionics testing capabilities as it sees a steady uptick in business from helicopter operators, the company says. Duncan added three new diagnostic tests to support Northern Airborne Technology (NAT) systems. Duncan has supported NAT avionics for six years.
A little more than a year after investment firm The Carlyle Group reacquired the Landmark network of fixed-base operations (FBOs) that it helped create, the chain has begun to aggressively move to expand. But Landmark President and CEO Dan Bucaro stresses that the growth is not just filling out “dots on a map.” Instead, he says, Landmark is hoping to take a disciplined approach to building its network in a manner that would best connect its customers. “We continue to grow the business and refine what we do,” Bucaro says.
Cessna is beginning deliveries of its M2 light jet and new “Sovereign+” midsize aircraft, following FAA approval for both programs. The certifications come a little later than Cessna had anticipated. Both were expected in the third quarter but a delay in the approvals of the new Garmin avionics pushed back the schedule. Cessna handed over the first M2 to launch customer Stuart Woods, who is stepping up from a Citation Mustang very light jet. Cessna also says it is beginning to deliver the Sovereign+, but did not name the launch customer.
Elite Simulation Solutions received FAA approval for its Model S623T twin turbine engine rotary-wing trainer. The trainer incorporates a full cockpit with dual-pilot training based on the performance of the twin-turbine Eurocopter AS355. The trainer simulates operation of a fully coupled automatic flight control system, electronic flight information system, Garmin GNS WAAS GPS, radar altimeter, autopilot, Wi-Fi tablet support and optional wheel carriage with retractable gear.
After shortlisting 25 proposals from 24 states, the FAA has selected six test sites across the U.S. to conduct civil unmanned aircraft system (UAS) research. Geographic and climatic diversity were key requirements for the selection. The six selected operators are: the University of Alaska, the state of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Flight Safety Foundation Chair-elect Ken Hylander is assuming the additional roles as acting CEO and president when Keven Hiatt steps down to become one of the top safety executives for the International Air Transport Association in February. Hylander recently retired as senior vice president of safety, security and compliance at Delta Air Lines. In addition, Bill Bozin, who recently retired as vice president of safety and technical affairs at Airbus Americas, will become acting COO.
StandardAero completed a licensing agreement to become an authorized maintenance, repair and overhaul center for the Rolls-Royce RR300 engine that powers the Robinson R66. The licensing agreement makes StandardAero the first independent entity with such a designation. StandardAero has already received its first three RR300 engines at its Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada repair facility. StandardAero is also a longtime service provider on Rolls-Royce M250 engines.
ROBERT WALTERS was appointed as a director of Biggin Hill Airport in London. Walters, who spent seven years as business development manager for the airport company, will continue to lead sales and marketing but will also manage customer service. Before joining the airport staff, he helped establish and manage the first civilian handling unit for business aircraft at RAF Northolt. He has also served in the Marine and Aviation Reinsurance section of Wellmarine, a Lloyds of London broker.
LYCOMING fuel injected reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-0218; Directorate Identifier 92-ANE-56-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2011-26-04, which requires inspection, replacement if necessary, and proper clamping of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. Since FAA issued AD 2011-26-04, the agency received revised service information that adds engine models to the applicability. This proposed AD would expand the scope of affected engine models, require inspection, replacement if necessary, and proper clamping of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines.
James Coon, who has served as executive vice president for the National Air Transportation Association for the past year, is joining the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as senior vice president of government affairs and advocacy. Coon brings a strong background on Capitol Hill, including serving as staff director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and majority staff director for the House aviation subcommittee. In his new role, Coon will manage the association’s advocacy team on a range of Washington issues.
SCOTT CLAREY has joined Gulfstream Aerospace as sales director, North American Sales, Southwest. Clarey is responsible for Gulfstream sales in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Utah. He is based in Tempe, Ariz. He previously served as regional sales director for Piaggio America.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0984; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-022-AD] – proposes to require measuring the operating load of the cockpit fuel shutoff controls and replacing the tangential gearbox if the operating load threshold is exceeded. This proposed AD is prompted by the jamming of the left-hand (LH) side of the fuel shutoff and general cutoff controls. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the jamming of the controls so that a pilot can shut down an engine during an engine fire or during an emergency landing.
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Despite a sluggish third quarter and a government shutdown that delayed $1.9 billion in deliveries, the U.S. general aviation aircraft manufacturing sector remains on pace for nearly double-digit gains in unit shipments this year and is poised to grow by at least as much next year, according to the Aerospace Industries Association. The gains, if they remain on track, would return the industry to a steady upward trend that began after U.S. deliveries hit a nearly 15-year trough in 2010 with 1,334 shipments valued at $7.9 billion.
Atlantic Aviation has reached a deal to acquire five fixed-base operations from Galaxy Aviation for $195 million. Atlantic Aviation parent Macquarie Infrastructure Company plans to fund the acquisition, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, through a combination of cash, proceeds of an equity offering and a credit facility.
The FAA will keep its minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates the same for calendar year 2014, testing at least 25% of covered employees for drugs and 10% for alcohol, the agency has determined. The decision, set to be formalized in a Dec. 20 Federal Register notice, is made each year based on full-year testing results from the last full calendar year. If positive test rates exceed 1.0% for drugs or 0.50% for alcohol in a year, FAA must boost the percentages of employees tested.
Senate passage of the budget deal on Dec. 18 comes as a relief to general aviation advocates worried that a prolonged impasse could have led to another costly government shutdown in January.
