Buoyed by greater-than-anticipated activity in the single-utility turboprop market, Honeywell is supporting a range of additional applications for its TPE331 family, as well as studying potential new engine developments to compete with Pratt & Whitney Canada’s ubiquitous PT6 and its planned successor.
The National Business Aviation Association rolled out a new initiative to encourage operators to file flight plans earlier and with more accurate information. The FileSmart initiative, discussed last week during the association’s regional forum in White Plains, N.Y., is designed to educate operators on the importance of filing early, filing accurately and checking conditions in the National Airspace System.
Fresh off its Wisconsin rally that drew hundreds of attendees, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is orchestrating its next jobs rally in Albuquerque, N.M., as part of its continuing effort to build public and political support for the industry at a grass roots level.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0367; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-177-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator components; corrective actions if necessary; and, for certain retraction actuators, installation of a new jam nut.
While the fractional market has remained slow throughout the economic downturn, Flexjet is seeing the market strengthen this year—both in terms of sales and flying. Overall, the company reported new business growth of 83% in the first quarter, compared with a year earlier. While jet card sales helped buffer the slow fractional business in recent years, FlexJet’s fractional sales increased 108% in the first quarter.
The French Securite Civile’s aerial firefighting department will evaluate the Air Tractor AT-802 this summer to see if the aircraft could replace the agency’s fleet of Conair-modified Grumman Trackers. Three pilots have been trained to fly the aircraft for this summer’s fire season and the aircraft are due to begin operations later this month, according to Thierry Laurent, the head of aviation bureau at Securite Civile, speaking to Aviation Week in Marseille on June 1.
With the contract air traffic tower program protected in the current fiscal year, aviation groups are now turning their attention to fiscal 2014 to guard against potential cuts that could threaten the program. Leaders from nearly a dozen associations wrote House and Senate appropriators seeking $150 million for the program in the next fiscal year, and a provision that would ensure the continued operation of the towers.
Although the HondaJet is not expected to reach customers’ hands until late 2014, Honda Aircraft is hoping to have the first few customer aircraft completed by the end of this year and at least a half-dozen more of the light jets in process, says President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0399; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-064-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the collective pitch lever for correct locking and unlocking conditions. This proposed AD is prompted by two separate reports of inadvertent collective pitch lever locking and unlocking. The proposed actions are intended to detect an incorrectly adjusted collective pitch lever, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
DON ALVORD was appointed vice president of human resources for Beechcraft. Alvord will manage all aspects of human resources, including hiring, management and succession planning, diversity initiatives, employee relations and compensation and benefits management. He has 27 years of aviation industry experience, holding manufacturing, engineering and completions roles with General Dynamics, Gulfstream Aerospace and McDonnell Douglas/Boeing.
MD HELICOPTERS Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369F and 369FF helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0401; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-047-AD] – proposes to supersede an AD that currently requires reducing the retirement life of each tail rotor blade, performing a one-time visual inspection of each blade’s pitch horn for a crack or corrosion, and replacing any cracked blade or any blade that has exceeded its retirement life with an airworthy blade. The AD also requires reporting information to the FAA within 24 hours following the one-time inspection.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is hosting a field hearing June 10 to review a new FAA report that suggests a series of voluntary measures to ease helicopter noise over the Los Angeles region, but recommends against mandating those measures through regulation. Schiff is among a number of lawmakers pushing FAA to develop rules to impose helicopter operating restrictions over Los Angeles.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+,EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0398; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-065-AD] – proposes to require, for affected helicopters with certain fire extinguishing systems installed, modifying the fire extinguishing system injection tubes. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the injection tubes are deforming due to heat.
FAA’s now-retired general aviation chief thinks risk-management tools and methods do not get enough emphasis either in initial or recurrent GA pilot training, even though his own research suggests as many as 75% of personal GA flying accidents can be traced to poor risk-management decision-making.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-0951; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-52-AD; Amendment 39-17437; AD 2013-08-19] – requires visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the rear roller support shaft and rear fitting of the sliding door, and replacing the shaft or fitting if there is a crack.
Nextant Aerospace sold a second Nextant 400XTi to Time Air, a Czech charter, management and aircraft acquisition specialist. Time Air becomes the first fleet operator in Europe of the Nextant 400XT line.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-1303; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-049-AD; Amendment 39-17434; AD 2013-08-17] – requires an initial and recurring inspection of the 9-deg. frame for a crack, and repair of the frame if there is a crack. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a crack in the 9-deg. frame of a Eurocopter Model AS-365N2 helicopter, and these cracks could develop on the other specified model helicopters because they contain the same 9-deg. frame.
June 6—National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Regional Forum, White Plains, N.Y., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org June 17-19—National Air Transportation Association 2013 Air Charter Summit, Marriott Dulles, Dulles, Va., 703-845-9000, www.nata.aero Jun 21–22—National Business Aviation Association Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, Washington, D.C., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org July 11—National Business Aviation Association, Business Aviation Regional Forum, Denver, Colo., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
CAE is expanding its training offerings on Dassault, Gulfstream and Bombardier business jets. These include maintenance training for the new Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS and 2000S aircraft platforms, which are equipped with the EASy II avionics suite. The new training supplements the initial Dassault Falcon 2000 EX EASy training with additional model-specific content. The company also will begin offering Gulfstream G450/G550 training at its London training center in Burgess Hill, U.K. in 2014.
PIPER Models PA-18 and PA-19 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD] – withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have required either moving all toggle-style magneto switches located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat, away from this position; or replacing these switches with FAA-approved, non-keyed, rotary-style switches. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-evaluated this airworthiness concern and determined that an unsafe condition does not exist that would warrant AD action.
Gulfstream Aerospace has bolstered its product support network resources in Europe, where more than 180 Gulfstream operators are based. Gulfstream increased its spare parts and materials inventory in the region to a value of $125 million. The company’s London Luton facility, which moved into a larger hangar in September 2011, has since grown to include 190 employees. Gulfstream also added a sixth member to its mobile repair team unit in Europe.
Jet Aviation reports adding 23 aircraft to its global management fleet so far this year, three of which are available for charter. The new aircraft comprise seven in Europe, two in the Middle East, two in Africa, four in Asia and eight in the U.S. The charter aircraft include a Falcon 900EX in Europe and a Global 5000 and Challenger 604 in the U.S. A General Dynamics subsidiary, Jet Aviation provides aircraft maintenance, completions and refurbishment, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and personnel services.
Gulfstream Aerospace received FAA approval for its G650 Flight Operations Risk Management Service (FORMS) program. The FORMS program meets European Aviation Safety Agency flight data monitoring requirements for commercial operations. FORMS collects data during all phases of flight and identifies when certain criteria have been exceeded. The system analyzes the conditions present and provides a summary to the operator. Operators receive both event-based and quarterly reports. The system also provides safety-improving data to Gulfstream and its training partners.
