European Aviation Safety Agency Executive Director Patrick Ky reiterated his organization’s commitment to rewriting regulations governing light aircraft (CS-23 in Europe/Part 23 in U.S.), and says based on experience from that effort, EASA would then like to turn its attention to CS-27/CS-29 governing rotorcraft. Ky, who spoke during the EASA 7th Annual Rotorcraft Forum last week, said EASA needs fewer rules, but better rulemaking. He highlighted the CS-23 effort as an example of improved rules.
Inmarsat confirmed a Dec. 8 launch date for the first of its Global Xpress (GX) satellites, the Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1). Built by Boeing Satellite Systems International, the satellite was to have launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite is the first of three that will be used for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band. Inmarsat teamed with Honeywell to bring its planned GX Aviation inflight connectivity services to the business aviation market.
Bombardier has conducted low-speed taxi tests on the all-new, all-composite Learjet 85 business jet, with a first flight from Wichita expected “in the next few weeks,” says Guy Hachey, president of the Canadian manufacturer’s Aerospace division. Deliveries of the Learjet 75 have also begun following delayed certification of the revamped version of the super-light Learjet 45 in mid-November.
Clay Lacy Aviation, working with Envoy Aerospace, is hoping to secure certification next year for a Universal Avionics package that would enable Gulfstream IV and IVSP aircraft to meet new equipment requirements for North Atlantic crossings.
Duncan Aviation, one of the largest family-owned aircraft support companies in the U.S., is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its facility in Lincoln, Neb., this month. Established Dec. 5, 1963 by Donald Duncan, the company began with 12 employees and has since grown to more than 1,200. Duncan had a varied background, ranging from working on the family farm to selling surplus government airplanes and involvement with a car dealership in Clarinda, Iowa, before he became a Beechcraft distributor in Omaha, Neb.
EADS CASA Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, CN-235-300 and C-295 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0870; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM- 166-AD; Amendment 39-17657; AD 2013-23-02] – requires inspection of the feeder cables of certain fuel booster pumps for damage (including, but not limited to, signs of electrical arcing and fuel leaks), and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report of an inflight problem with the fuel transfer system.
House lawmakers continue to move quickly to ensure that FAA conducts a formal rulemaking if it plans to require sleep apnea testing and treatment for pilots and controllers.
AERMACCHI Models F.260, F.260B, F.260C, F.260D, F.260E, F.260F, S.208, and S.208A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0939; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-043-AD; Amendment 39-17655; AD 2013-22-23] – for airplanes equipped with a Lycoming O-540 wide cylinder flange engine with a front crankcase mounted propeller governor, revises an AD prohibiting aerobatic maneuvers and calling for inspection of the propeller governor idler gear shaft set screw and corrective actions, if necessary.
Argus has partnered with CharterPad, an online charter marketplace, to provide customers access to the Argus Ratings. Customers visiting the CharterPad can search Argus ratings and link directly to the Argus CHEQ website. The partnership comes as CharterPad has increased the number of Argus-rated operators in its system. Nearly half of all Argus-rated operators have joined CharterPad.
Poor weather and forecast icing conditions prompted the General Aviation Manufacturers Association to postpone its latest General Aviation Rally. The event was to be held Dec. 6 at Bombardier’s Dallas service center at Dallas Love Field. GAMA, noting Texas is home to more than 50,000 FAA-certificated pilots and more than 2,000 civil use landing facilities, is working to line up a new date.
A group of House lawmakers sent a clear signal to FAA with a quickly introduced bill that would require the agency to conduct a formal rulemaking process if it plans to compel obese pilots to undergo testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before receiving a medical certificate.
SIKORSKY Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD; Amendment 39-17647; AD 2013-22-15] – requires certain inspections of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD requires replacing the cracked part. If there is no crack, this AD requires applying white paint to the inspection area to enhance the existing inspection procedure. This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the spindle cuffs.
EMBRAER Model EMB-505 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0936; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-033-AD; Amendment 39-17652; AD 2013-22-20] – adopts an emergency AD requiring an inspection to determine if the airplane has the affected part number (P/N) brake assembly installed and inspection for cracks of the affected brake assembly with repair or replacement as necessary. The AD stems from reports of cracks found in the stator pressure plate of the brake assembly of the affected airplane.
Air medical services specialist Air Methods is expanding its reach into the air tour business with a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and its affiliates. The acquisition will provide Air Methods with a strong presence in the Hawaii air tour market, complementing its Grand Canyon business that it acquired through the purchase of Sundance Helicopters late last year.
PILATUS Model PC-7 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0928; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-036-AD; Amendment 39-17645; AD 2013-22-13] – requires a one-time inspection of the wiring harness and flexible duct of the condenser for chafing. If major damage is found, the damaged parts must be replaced. If minor damage is found, this AD requires the installation of a protective sleeve on the wiring harness. The AD is prompted by a report of chafing of the wiring harness attached to the engine mounting frame on the RH side of the engine compartment.
Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, is adding two companies to its aviation training business – Montreal-based Mechtronix and Opinicus Corp. of Lutz, Fla. Textron signed an agreement to acquire both companies, which will be combined with Textron Systems training and simulation business that has been focused on the military aircraft market. Textron estimates the additional businesses combine for annual revenue in excess of $100 million.
HARDY BUTSCHI was appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s maintenance and fixed-base operations in Dubai. Butschi, who steps into his new role in January, will oversee Jet Aviation’s operations at both Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport, as well as at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He has been responsible for the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia as vice president of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia.
Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia received approval from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to provide on-site training to its fixed-base operation and maintenance team employees in Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina, as well as its commercial customers in Saudi Arabia. Jet Aviation offers courses on GACA regulations, maintenance human factor and hazmat (dangerous goods). The company also offers courses in ramp safety, aircraft ground handling and CPR/AED and first aid.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is adding Tip-to-Tail coverage for another relatively new aircraft, the Gulfstream G280 super midsized business jet, as the Chicago-based hourly cost maintenance program provider looks to substantially grow its entire aircraft business.
Dassault Aviation completed the first simulated flight of its new Falcon 5X, a key development milestone used to verify aircraft behavior in various flight configurations, including takeoff, cruise and landing. Philippe Deleume, Dassault Aviation’s chief test pilot, and Philippe Rebourg, test pilot, were at the controls of the Nov. 13 flight at the Falcon Simulation Bench in St. Cloud, France. The simulation tested conditions of an actual flight and included an initial run-through of the flight envelope.
Rockwell Collins received a multi-year contract from Alpha Star Aviation Services to provide its Ascend flight information capabilities and services. The Alpha Star Ascend system integrates Rockwell Collins Flight Operations System scheduling and dispatch software, flight planning, regional and international trip support, fuel pricing, Flight Watch meteorologist services, ground handling, regulatory compliance assistance, and data link communications. The services are accessible via online and or mobile devices.
Eurocopter has claimed two climb records for its twin-engine EC175 as it moves the aircraft closer to certification. Eurocopter’s two records for the EC175, which have been ratified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, are a time-to-climb to an altitude of 6,000 meters, performed in 6 min., 54 sec., and a time-to-climb to 3,000 meters, achieved in 3 min., 10 sec. The record-setting flights were performed in February of this year and are claimed by Eurocopter’s lead EC175 test pilot, Alain di Bianca.
TIMOTHY YOUNG has joined TWC Aviation as director of aircraft management sales. He has more than two decades of aviation experience, including serving as captain and aircraft manager for a number of Part 135 companies for 12 years. He has also served as a commercial airline pilot for America West and USAir Express, among others.
