SHELDON EARLY was named president of Tempus Jets in Greenville, S.C. Early, formerly senior vice president, has been with Tempus since it was established in 2007 and became a partner in 2012. He will be responsible for worldwide flight options.
40 Years Ago April 9, 1973 – Lockheed-Georgia Co. gives go-ahead for production of JetStar Two, growth version of original JetStar. 30 Years Ago April 25, 1983 – Gulfstream decides to move forward with new Gulfstream IV after gathering 45 commitments for the aircraft. 20 Years Ago April 19, 1993 – Pilatus Aircraft contemplates buying financially struggling Piper with letter of intent that would have moved production of the PC-12 to the Piper plant in Vero Beach, Fla.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA (P&WC) PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0197; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-09-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the first stage PT blades and the removal from service of those blades that fail the inspection or their replacement with blades eligible for installation. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fractures of the first stage power turbine (PT) blade.
China’s first business aircraft, the five-seat Primus 150, is progressing toward first flight following the delivery last year of its GE Aviation H85 turboprop engine. “It’s in the process of being installed in the airframe” by Avic general-aviation subsidiary Caiga in Zhuhai, says Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of business and general aviation for GE Aviation. Ranging from 750- to 850-shp, the Czech-built H80 family has been selected on three programs in China, including the Primus 150 and Hongdu N5B crop duster.
An international government/industry group is putting the finishing touches on recommendations for a comprehensive rewrite of Part 23 certification standards and expects to deliver the final proposal to FAA within the next few weeks, the group’s co-chair says.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s backlog softened in the first quarter, continuing a trend that began with deliveries of the G650. But executives are encouraged by a pickup in orders for the G450/G550 large cabin aircraft that will keep the program on production targets this year and perhaps next.
FAA is hoping to finish its review and release a determination in June on TAC Air’s Part 16 complaint filed against the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority (CMAA), says Randall Fiertz, a director in FAA’s Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis. TAC Air filed the complaint in late 2011 over CMAA’s decision to build a competitive fixed-base operation (FBO) at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA). CMAA in December 2010 selected Wilson Air Center to manage the new FBO, saying the facility will spur economic growth.
Bombardier is expanding its training offerings with the addition of a Level D full-flight simulator for Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft equipped with the Bombardier Vision Flight Deck. The CAE-built simulator was installed at Bombardier’s center in Dallas and will be ready for training in June. Bombardier also offers Global 5000/6000 training at its center in Montreal. In addition to the Montreal and Dallas facilities, Bombardier business aircraft training is offered through a network of authorized training providers.
GERRY MODGLIN was named CFO for aerospace supplier Herndon Products. He has 20 years of finance and accounting experience, including as director of finance and administration at Aurora Trailer Holding, corporate controller at Brand Scaffold Services, corporate finance manager Silgan Plastics Corporation and senior auditor at Arthur Andersen.
Gulfstream is moving to protect one of its strongest assets in the flourishing Chinese business aircraft market — its brand. Among the best known business jet brands in China, Gulfstream is investing in support services to ensure that its early advantage translates into long-term strength in the country. The phenomenon that has boosted Gulfstream in its early years is a familiar one in China, say industry officials outside of the company. When mainland Chinese buyers enter an unfamiliar foreign market, they reach for a known brand.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta maintains that closing contract air traffic control towers will not jeopardize safety, but warns that efficiency will be sacrificed as a result. “We’re not doing anything that isn’t safe,” he told the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee on April 18.
B-N GROUP Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, BN2A MK. III-3, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN-2T, and BN-2T-4R airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0314; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-004-AD] – proposes to require a one-time inspection of the fuel filler cap and fuel filler receptacle to determine whether they are at the same modification state and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1014; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-058-AD; Amendment 39-17404; AD 2013-06-07] – requires revising the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or night visual flight rules (VFR) for each helicopter with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1 installed upon a non-reinforced shelf in the rear cargo compartment.
Chinese interest in smaller aircraft is growing, says Dassault Falcon, noting strengthening sales of its Falcon 2000 aircraft in the country. In some cases, operators of large business jets, such as the 32-metric-ton (70,000 lb.) Falcon 7X, are interested in the Falcon 2000 because they realize that, while they require a second aircraft, they need it only for domestic and Asian regional flying, says Jean Michel Jacob, senior vice president for international sales at Dassault Falcon.
Cessna Aircraft is cutting light jet production and reducing costs as the company is now facing the prospect of another down year. The moves follow a first quarter in which Cessna posted an $8 million loss and its business jet deliveries fell to 32. The loss eclipsed the $6 million segment loss in first quarter 2012. And, first quarter 2013 deliveries were down by six jets over the same period in 2012.
RON HIGBY was appointed vice president, sales and marketing for StandardAero’s Airlines and Fleets business. Higby will lead engine business sales efforts, including for the CFM56, CF34, PW100, PT6, PW600 and AE3007, along with a range of auxiliary power unit platforms. He previously was vice president, worldwide airlines sales for GE Aviation.
Former Cessna aircraft executives Tim and Dianne White have acquired the aircraft sales and consulting firm Kansas Aircraft Corporation. Based at the New Century Air Center (IXD) in the Kansas City area, Kansas Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1990 by Michele Stauffer, who will remain in an advisory and sales capacity. Under the new ownership, Kansas Aircraft will continue to focus on new Cessna single-engine, high-end piston, heavy twins, and turboprop aircraft. It will also provide consultancy services for business jet operators.
TYSON GOETZ has joined Landmark Aviation as vice president. Goetz has more than 10 years of industry experience, most recently as senior regional manager for Atlantic Aviation. In his new role, he will focus on service operations, finance and business development, among other areas.
Business jet operations marked an improved accident record in the first quarter, but the overall business aviation safety record was mixed, with the number of turboprop fatal accidents and fatalities increasing, according to safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates.
The Embraer/Avic joint company in Harbin, China, has begun assembling its first Legacy 650 business jet, on schedule for delivery late this year. Workers who will assemble Legacy 650s at Harbin are the same as those who formerly assembled ERJ-145 regional jetliners at the plant, says Guan Dongyuan, president of Embraer’s Chinese operation. The Legacy 650 is based on the ERJ-135, a shortened ERJ-145. Guan says that the program is on track. Capacity will be 20 a year, with a plan to ramp up to six aircraft delivered in 2015.
Beechcraft received orders from Qingdao Jiutian International Flight Academy (JTFA) in China for a King Air C90GTx turboprop and from Nakanihon Air Service in Japan for a King Air B200. JTFA is one of two Civil Aviation Administration of China CCAR-141 certificated domestic flight schools in China. This King Air will be used to help expand the academy’s high-performance pilot training program in China.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has named Mary Lynn J. Rynkiewicz director of communications. Rynkiewicz joins GAMA from the NextGen Institute, where she was communications and contract manager, writing and managing quarterly newsletters, website articles, and the annual report. She also has served as editorial manager for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she edited scholarly publications and placed opinion pieces in The Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and Foreign Policy.
