CARLOS MONSALVE was appointed vice president of sales, Commercial Aircraft Systems for International Communications Group. Monsalve formerly has been a consultant to ICG over the past several years and represented the company to commercial air transport customers. He has more than 30 years of experience.
Eurocopter Deutschland 105, BK 117 and EC135 series helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1305; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-041-AD; Amendment 39-17475; AD 2013-11-15] –requires modifying and identifying the cyclic stick cantilever or lock. This AD, which was prompted by pilots inadvertently taking off with the cyclic locked, is intended to prevent such an event, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 416 helicopters on the U.S. Registry, with a cost of $43 per helicopter. This AD is effective July 26.
Anthony Foxx officially became the 17th U.S. transportation secretary after he was sworn in July 2 during a private ceremony at Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington. In a message to staff, Foxx noted that “safety will remain our top priority at DOT. At the same time, I will work to improve the efficiency and performance of our current transportation system while building the infrastructure we need for future generations.” Shortly after the ceremony, Congress already began to weigh in on issues it wants addressed. Rep.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) in September will launch a second review of the interoperability of the Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) and FAA’s NextGen at the request of the House aviation subcommittee. “Interoperability” refers to the ability of European and U.S. aircraft to use each other’s air traffic management systems as next-generation air traffic control systems come online.
Bell Helicopter Model 206L-3 and 206L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0489; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-003-AD] – proposes to require installing a placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer and revising the “Limitations” section of the rotorcraft flight manual. This proposed AD was prompted by several incidents of third-stage engine turbine wheel failures that were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations.
An FAA final rule prohibits the use of Stage 2 business jets in the contiguous U.S. after Dec. 31, 2015. The rule, published in the July 2 Federal Register, essentially implements a ban that Congress made law as part of the FAA Modernization Reform Act of 2012. Since Congress directed the phaseout, FAA bypassed the notice of proposed rulemaking stage and issued a final rule effective Sept. 3. But FAA is still accepting comments on the rule through Aug. 1.
FAA is proposing a series of regulations to permit greater use of enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) during landing, address training for EFVS and facilitate installation without the need for special conditions. The agency touts the proposal as a means to help achieve NextGen goals of increasing access and efficiency at airports in low visibility, while maintaining safety.
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) has appointed Rudy Toering president and CEO. Most recently he served as vice president, operations and business development for FlightPath International. Earlier in his career Toering worked for CAE Industries and FlightSafety International, and he also has experience with business aviation groups, including the European Business Aviation Association, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations Board and the British Business and General Aviation Council.
AgustaWestland and ENAV, the Italian air navigation company, have successfully completed the first stage of qualification and authorization tests for the creation of the first helicopter localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) IFR approaches.
STEVE GENTRY has joined regional fractional provider Executive AirShare as senior sales director, based at the company’s Love Field (DAL) facilities in Dallas. Gentry formerly served as regional sales manager with a fractional program that concentrated on turboprop flight. He has also held sales and management positions with CitationAir and Bombardier Flexjet.
Avantair remains grounded with its workforce furloughed, but it is presenting “a new business model” to its owner group and says it is “optimistic that a viable and sustainable business plan will encourage owners to support the new program.” The company adds that it is validating the fees it charges. “Avantair has recently faced significant liquidity issues. Our business model assumed efficiencies that never materialized and a pricing schedule based on those efficiencies,” Avantair tells its fractional owners in a letter.
Signature Flight Support’s facility in Dublin, Ireland acquired the assets of gategroup’s aircraft deicing business at Dublin Airport. The acquisition follows the purchase by its parent group BBA Aviation of gategroup’s deicing, washing and cabin cleaning business at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The London services are operated by BBA’s Aircraft Service International Group unit. In Dublin, Signature will provide deicing services for business and general aviation aircraft, along with commercial airliners.
A resurgence of interest in the updated Dornier 228 NG from commuter airlines has prompted RUAG Aviation to consider producing another batch of the twin-turboprop multirole aircraft. “We want to pre-sell the next batch before we go ahead with it, but then keep on selling for another batch afterward,” a company executive says.
BRYAN TRAINUM was promoted to vice president, program services for International Communications Group (ICG). Trainum will be responsible for development and management of ICG core programs and lead the team that works with customers in both ICG’s Commercial Aviation Systems and Business Aviation Systems groups. He joined ICG in April 2008 as director of internal systems development, and also has served as a senior business consult in MetLife’s Systems Project Management Group.
Bombardier Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0420; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-284-AD; Amendment 39-17315; AD 2013-01-01] – supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that requires revising the airplane flight manual, deactivating and removing certain hydraulic accumulators, inspecting for cracks on accumulators and screw caps, and replacing certain accumulators. For certain airplanes, this new AD reduces the compliance time.
Cessna Model LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1330; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-006-AD; Amendment 39-17470; AD 2013-11-10] – requires inserting information into the pilot’s operating handbook and the airplane maintenance manual regarding proper use of the brakes. This AD also requires inspection of the aft fuselage.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-725A1-12 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0458; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-17480; AD 2013-12-03] – requires removal of the FW64852 fuel pump tube and replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the affected fuel pump tube between the fuel metering unit and the main fuel pump.
Duncan Aviation’s flight department has achieved Argus Gold and International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 1 certifications. The Argus rating means that an operator meets or exceeds certain standards for equipment and crew experience. IS-BAO Stage 1 approval confirms that an operator’s safety management system infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted.
Bell Helicopter Model 206L, L-1, L-3 and L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0525; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-063-AD] – proposes requiring operators to measure each main-rotor blade spar spacer to determine whether it is oversized. Operators would need to reidentify the blade and reducing its life limit if the spar spacer is oversized. This proposed AD, which was prompted by the manufacture of certain main-rotor blades with an oversized spar spacer, is intended to prevent failure of a main-rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Piaggio Aero Industries Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0527; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-014-AD] – proposes required inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fittings (LHFs) for cracks. If any cracks were found, the affected fitting would need to be replaced since such cracks could lead to a structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane during takeoff or landing. FAA estimates that this proposed AD will affect 109 aircraft on the U.S. Registry.
Piper Aircraft PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2012-0983; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-001-AD; Amendment 39-17457; AD 2013-10-04] – supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that requires a detailed repetitive inspection of the exhaust system downstream of the turbochargers and repair or replacement of parts as necessary. This new AD requires repetitive visual inspections and expanding the inspection scope to include the entire airplane exhaust system.
Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2, N and NP helicopters with sliding doors (except those with modification AL.4262) [Docket No. FAA-2013-0523; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-091-AD] – proposes to require removing from service certain part-numbered nuts and washers from the lower ball-joint bolt.
Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0477; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-015-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive that requires repetitive visual inspections of the tail gearbox (TGB) control lever for cracks and replacing any cracked TGB control lever with an airworthy one. Since the original AD was issued, FAA has received reports of cracking on the opposite area of the TGB control lever.
