CHRIS HARANO was appointed CEO of Leading Edge Aviation Services. Harano, who formerly was president, succeeds Mike Manclark, who remains with the company as non-executive chairman. Harano has more than 20 years of experience in industrial services and manufacturing, previously as president of InsulTech and CFO of Day Software. He originally joined Leading Edge to spearhead the company’s strategic growth into new maintenance, repair and overhaul and manufacturing markets.
The U.S. Court of Appeals has set a timetable for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s petition seeking reimbursement from FAA for air traffic services, giving the association until Oct. 23 to file a brief on its case and providing the agency until Nov. 22 to respond. EAA filed the petition July 3 asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago to require FAA to refund more than $450,000 in payments that the agency charged for air traffic control services it provided during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., from July 29-Aug. 4.
GULFSTREAM Gulfstream 100 airplanes and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0093; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-109-AD; Amendment 39-17515; AD 2013-14-10] – supersedes AD 2010-11-02, which required amending the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to include additional procedures for verifying complete closure and locking of the main entry door (MED).
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has added GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems as its 84th member. A division of GKN Aerospace, GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems designs and manufactures glass, acrylic and polycarbonate transparency systems.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has agreed to a compromise solution on the introduction of global market based measures (MBMs) to tackle aviation emissions. The council accepted the principle of regional emissions trading schemes and agreed to have a single global MBM for aviation to be implemented from 2020. The principles for a global MBM should be adopted at ICAO’s assembly in 2016.
Business aviation leaders are encouraged by last week’s endorsement by transport ministers at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum of a set of core principles to foster business aviation in the region. The ministers, representing 21 economies, agreed to three core principles Sept.
BAE Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD] – proposes to require repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, repair of the pylon pick-up brackets. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cracked pick-up bracket of the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to stress corrosion.
VistaJet is partnering with Jet Aviation Flight Services and newly formed Wheels Up to expand into the U.S. Under the agreement, VistaJet will initially place 12 new Bombardier Global business jets valued at $600 million in the U.S. Jet Aviation will manage and operate the aircraft on its certificate. Wheels Up, meanwhile, a membership-based private aviation company unveiled in August by the founder of Marquis Jet, will market and sell the service, called the VistaJet Flight Solutions Program.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0679; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-015-AD] – proposes to require measuring the distance between the end of the main rotor collective pitch lever locking stud and the locking strip and repairing the locking stud if the clearance is insufficient. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that insufficient distance between the locking stud and the locking strip may cause the collective to become inadvertently locked in the low pitch position.
FlightSafety International is boosting its Cessna training with new training offerings and simulators at its facilities in Orlando, Fla., San Antonio, Texas, and Wichita. The Orlando center is now providing training for the full Citation XL series, including the addition of the XLS+, using a simulator equipped with a Collins Pro Line 21 suite. The simulator has received Level D approvals from the FAA, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil of Brazil; Mexico Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia.
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is hoping to provide a boost to the business aviation community in North Africa with a Middle East Business Aviation conference to be held Oct. 8 in Marrakech, Morocco. MEBAA says the event will provide a forum to cover common challenges and trends. MEBAA is hosting the event with the support of H.E. Abdullah Bouhouche, director general of civil aviation for the Kingdom of Morocco.
THIELERT TAE125-01 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD] – proposes to require applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing (crankcase assembly) opening. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of engine power loss due to engine coolant contaminating the engine clutch. The design of the engine allows the crankcase assembly opening to be susceptible to contamination from external sources.
Rolls-Royce has completed the sale of its share in the RTM322 turboshaft program to Turbomeca. The two companies announced Rolls-Royce’s sale of its 50% share in the engine program in April, formally completing the €293 million ($382 million) transaction on Sept. 2.
Beechcraft, which has been downsizing its properties, is selling its maintenance, repair and overhaul station in Broughton, U.K., that it had inherited through the original purchase of the Hawker aircraft program. Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group on Aug. 30 struck an agreement to buy the Hawker Beechcraft Services Chester facility and will rename the business as Marshall Aviation Services.
The acquisition of Flexjet assets by Flight Options owner Directional Aviation Capital will spur an evolution of both fractional ownership providers, with one positioned as the premium, high-end brand and the other selling a value proposition, company executives say.
TURBOMECA Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2 and 2K1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0381; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-16-AD] – proposes to require initial and repetitive inspections of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) high pressure pump drive gear shaft splines, cleaning and inspections of the sleeve assembly splines, and replacement of the HMU if it fails inspection. The proposed AD was prompted by inflight shutdowns caused by interrupted fuel supply at the HMU. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent inflight shutdown and damage to the engine.
YANNICK KERRIOU was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Paris-Le Bourget training facility. Kerriou first joined FlightSafety at the Paris center in 1990, leaving in 1998 to work with BA City Express as manager technical training, fleet technical manager, captain and type rating instructor. He also flew for EasyJet and Cathay Pacific. He returned to FlightSafety in 2011 as program manager for Embraer 170 training and most recently was director of training.
Piper Aircraft continues to test an autogas-fueled Piper Archer, recently completing a 2,100-nm roundtrip from Vero Beach, Fla. to Oshkosh, Wis. Powered by a single Lycoming 0-360-A4M engine producing 180-hp, the Archer was fueled by 93-octane unleaded automobile gasoline. The aircraft, which carries 48 U.S. gal., completed stops in Vidalia, Ga., Somerset, Ky., and Valparaiso, Ind. Piper completed the cross-country trip to demonstrate the capabilities with the autogas. Piper is working with Airworthy AutoGas LLC, Phoenix, Ariz., to test the fuel option.
CRAIG WINTERROWD has joined West Star Aviation as regional sales manager in California. Winterrowd will provide sales and support of West Star services for customers in California, with the exception of those at Burbank and Van Nuys airports. He has 40 years of corporate aviation experience, holding a range of technical, business and sales positions.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Flying Club Network has surpassed the 400 mark. AOPA’s network has grown to 415 clubs, with another 133 in the process of forming. AOPA created the network to encourage their formation, share information and best practices among clubs and provide a stronger collective voice. The association is also developing programs to assist flying clubs with marketing, insurance and legal support. The effort is part of AOPA’s larger initiative to attract new pilots and retain existing ones.
Dallas Aeronautical Services (DAS) Brazil is planning to move into a new, larger facility in São José dos Campos, Brazil, beginning in the first half of 2014. The facility will span 70,000 sq. ft. A subsidiary of Dallas Aeronautical Services, DAS Brazil produces, repairs and overhauls composites, structures and assemblies.
Jet Aviation is expanding its presence at Tegel International Airport in Berlin to add a new customer lounge and briefing offices at the General Aviation Center. Jet Aviation opened a fixed-base operation in February at Schonefeld International Airport to provide handling services at both Schonefeld and Tegel International airports. The new accommodations at Tegel will complement Jet Aviation’s existing crew and VIP passenger lounge and operations office at Schönefeld.
