Sentient Jet, the Boston-based jet card and charter sales provider, is expanding its product portfolio, a move the company says is a response to sales that have reached levels not seen since before the financial crisis in 2008. “We started to see a sharp increase in jet card sales at the beginning of the year – a trend that continued throughout the summer,” says Sentient Jet President Andrew Collins.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0527; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-014-AD; Amendment 39-17577; AD 2013-18-04] – requires inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fitting (LHF) and, depending on findings, replacement of the MLG. This AD stems from reports that during scheduled maintenance, cracks have been detected at the joint between the hinge pin subassembly and the lock pin of the MLG LHF. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cracks were initiated by an unforeseen friction in the MLG wheel lever subassembly.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-65N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0399; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-064-AD; Amendment 39-17574; AD 2013-18-01] – requires inspecting the collective pitch lever for correct locking and unlocking conditions. This AD was prompted by two separate reports of inadvertent collective pitch lever locking and unlocking. The actions of this AD are intended to detect an incorrectly adjusted collective pitch lever, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
Cessna’s new midsized Latitude is continuing to take shape as the company mated the wings late last month, keeping the business jet on pace for first flight in early 2014. The wing-mating took place two years after Cessna unveiled plans to develop the midsize Latitude, a nine-passenger aircraft that is positioned between the company’s Citation XLS+ and Sovereign aircraft.
Aircell this month is rolling out a new Gogo Biz inflight Internet equipment package targeting smaller operators, including light jets and turboprops. The ATG 2000 system was developed to bring Internet services to aircraft that have lighter passenger loads, the company says.
Magellan Jets recently introduced a new 25-hr. Wi-Fi Jet card, underscoring the importance of Wi-Fi capabilities on charter aircraft. The card guarantees flights aboard a later model midsize or super midsize jet that is equipped with Wi-Fi. “Wi-Fi is arguably the biggest market driver in charter today, and the 25 Hour Wi-Fi Jet Card addresses that demand perfectly,” says Magellan CEO Joshua Hebert.
Business aviation officials are welcoming the deal on a global system to limit aviation emissions, agreed to on Oct. 4 at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, saying it provides a pathway toward a single global standard. Approved on the closing day of the Assembly, held once every three years, the resolution commits ICAO to determining the details of a global system of market-based measures (MBM) by 2016, for implementation from 2020.
MARK HOOD was promoted to global market director for general aviation transparencies for PPG Aerospace, based in Huntsville, Ala. Hood has served with PPG since 1984, beginning in product support engineering. Most recently he was original equipment manufacturer market segment manager for commercial transparencies covering Canadian, South American and European airframe customers.
The business and general aviation community has already begun to feel the ripple effects from the U.S. government shutdown, with a range of critical services coming to a standstill – from FAA’s registration branch to an accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Not only have more than a dozen new aircraft transactions been delayed, but an investigation of one major business aviation accident has been halted.
The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for the FAA to release its enforcement investigative reports (EIRs) to parties appealing emergency enforcement actions. The notice of proposed rulemaking, released recently, expands on requirements of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (PRIA) that was passed last year and designed to provide pilots greater protections during enforcement actions.
BELL Model 206A, 206B and 206L helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD; Amendment 39-17576; AD 2013-18-03] – requires replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system.
BELL Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0400; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-48-AD; Amendment 39-17579; AD 2013-18-06] – requires inspecting each bearing to determine if it has been properly staked and replacing the bearing or assembly if it has not been properly staked. This AD was prompted by bearings not being properly staked and migrating out of their proper position, which may limit the functionality of the affected part.
SCOTT NORDSTROM was appointed director of business development for Zenith Aviation. Nordstrom previously has served as vice president of corporate sales and services for AvCraft Support Services, the former distributor of the Dornier 328 regional aircraft. Most recently, he was president of the International Trade Group.
Duncan Aviation’s base in Provo, Utah, recently received approval from the Brazilian civil aviation authority (ANAC) as an approved aircraft maintenance organization. Brazilian approval follows similar certification for its Battle Creek, Mich., location from Argentina. The Battle Creek and Provo locations hold certifications from 10 international civil aviation authorities, along with FAA approval.
ARTHUR SCOTT was named global market director for commercial transparencies for PPG Aerospace. Scott, who joined PPG’s automotive glass business in 1977, had served as global director for general aviation transparencies since 2010. He joined the aerospace transparencies group in 1987 and in 1991 directed operations at the Wichita office. He returned to Huntsville, Ala., where he is now based, in 1996.
The Department of Transportation is considering a proposal to strengthen consumer protections for the use of charter brokers and charter transportation.
Jet Aviation Hong Kong received authorization from the Hong Kong Business Aviation Center to provide maintenance services for third-party aircraft, along with those in Jet Aviation’s aircraft management division in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong base serves as an authorized factory warranty center for Gulfstream and an authorized service center for Dassault Falcon. Jet Aviation also has a 24/7 aircraft management and charter operation in Hong Kong and 25 aircraft in its Asian Management fleet.
Oct. 8-10—Latin American & Caribbean Engineering & MRO Summit, Bogota, Columbia, www.alta.aero/2010/ Oct. 10-12—2013 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Summit, Fort Worth, Texas, www.aopa.org Oct. 20–21—National Business Aviation Association Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference, Las Vegas, Nev., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Oct. 20–23—ATCA 58th Annual Conference and Exposition, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Washington, D.C., www.atca.org/58annual
MD Helicopters is making performance enhancements to its MD540F as it prepares to move toward certification in 2015. The new aircraft, an updated and modernized variant of the MD500 family, will get a new anti-torque system. Engineers are studying a number of options including a four-bladed tail rotor to improve the aircraft’s performance in conjunction with the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E turboshaft, which the company announced it had selected for the MD540F during Heli-Expo 2013 in Las Vegas.
Bombardier Aerospace has begun construction on a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility at the Midparc Casablanca Free Zone in Nouaceur in Morocco. The facility, scheduled to open in mid-2014, is producing simple structures, including flight controls for the CRJ. Bombardier in January began operating out of a transitional facility in Nouaceur. The company expects to employ more than 100 workers there in December. Bombardier says it is investing about $200 million in its new plant, which will eventually employ 850 workers.
PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC seat restraint rotary buckle assemblies [Docket No. FAA-2013-0752; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-44-AD] – proposes to require, within 30 days, inspecting each buckle for a crack and replacing any cracked buckle with an airworthy buckle. Also, within six months, this proposed AD would require inspecting the thickness of the buckle handle vane and replacing any buckle with a handle vane thickness of 0.125 in. or greater. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit installing an affected buckle on any helicopter or airplane.
ASIG Panama, S.A., a joint venture including Aircraft Service International Group, is expanding its services in Panama, providing aircraft fueling services at Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC) for all general aviation and domestic commercial flights. ASIG, which is managing and operating the airport’s sole fuel facility, received a contract to provide these services on behalf of PAC’s fuel suppliers, including Petróleos Delta, S.A.
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) is urging the Small Business Administration (SBA) to weigh in on FAA’s proposed airworthiness directive (AD) calling for inspections and replacement of Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive Engineering “Titan” cylinders found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 model reciprocating engines.
