General aviation groups are expressing frustration that the Obama administration’s fiscal 2014 budget resurrects controversial proposals such as user fees and business aircraft depreciation extensions, saying that combined with planned contract tower reductions, it gives the appearance of “a widespread attack on general aviation.”
India is about to relax rules that severely restrict the flexibility of business jets to visit or overfly that country. The application time for a landing permit will be reduced from seven working days to three, and for an overflight from three days to one, according to local reports.
Pilatus, working with Garmin, has secured FAA supplemental type certification to retrofit the Garmin G600 New Perspective avionics systems in PC-12 aircraft produced between 1994-2008 (pre- PC-12 NG models). The retrofit provides a flat-panel glass cockpit for the single turboprop aircraft. Pilatus says the new suite will reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness, reduce maintenance costs, and boost aircraft value. The system combines the primary flight display and multifunction display in a single 10-in.
The Obama administration’s fiscal 2014 budget plan halves its previously proposed cuts to federal grants for airport improvements by narrowing the reduction’s impact primarily to large hub airports. But the administration also wants to impose a new cost on airports, and it still is counting on an unlikely increase in the airport passenger facility charge (PFC) to help offset the reduction in grant money.
Jet Aviation’s facility in Hong Kong has become the latest in the network to receive FAA approval to provide line and base maintenance for Gulfstream G650 aircraft. The Hong Kong maintenance facility also supports Gulfstream 400/450/500/550 aircraft. The approval comes as Jet Aviation’s charter and management operation in Hong Kong adds a G650 to its fleet.
BOMBARDIER Model DCH-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0209; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-127-AD] – proposes to supersede an AD that currently requires replacing certain parking brake accumulators. Since FAA issued that AD, the agency has determined that it is necessary to protect the hydraulic system and airplane structure from possible damage by any faulty screw cap or end cap of any accumulator. This proposed AD would require installing restraint devices around the parking brake accumulator end caps.
MIKE SHONKA is joining West Star Aviation as CFO. He formerly spent 14 years as CFO for Cessna and has a long background as an executive in financial services and aviation.
Piper Aircraft, announcing two of its larger fleet orders back to back during last week’s Sun ’N Fun in Lakeland, Fla., is beginning to see the results of a new direction put in place almost 18 months ago to rebuild a stable and steady backlog through its trainer aircraft, company President and CEO Simon Caldecott says.
DOMINIC DUFFY was appointed vice president, sales - Asia for aircraft interiors supplier Muirhead. Duffy formerly served with cabin interiors specialist Zodiac, where he was territory manager, Asia. He has four decades of industry experience, beginning with British Aerospace.
SAMEER REHMAN was appointed director of international trade support for commercial sales and marketing for Bell Helicopter. Rehman will assist with an expansion of Bell Helicopter’s globalization strategy, working with the global sales, marketing and customer support and service teams. He joined Bell parent Textron in 1999, holding leadership positions at both Cessna Aircraft and Textron Financial, and most recently was managing director for Bell Helicopter’s commercial business in Asia Pacific.
AUSTRO ENGINE Model E4 engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-10-AD] – proposes to require removing from service certain part number (P/N) waste gate controllers. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of several power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate controller lever. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent engine power loss or inflight shutdown, which could result in loss of control and damage to the airplane. FAA estimates that the proposed AD affects 72 engines installed on U.S. registered aircraft at a cost of $6,120.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is seeking a ban on “non-operational” use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) for pilots while flying under Part 135 and 91 Subpart K. The recommendation was one of nine the safety board issued following its investigation of the Aug. 26, 2011 crash of an Air Methods Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter that was on an emergency medical services (EMS) mission.
LEARJET Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0213; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-207-AD] – proposes to require modifying the fire seal on the baggage door, including doing inspections of the fire seal for correct contact and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the fire barrier seal on the external baggage door does not seal the surrounding door structure due to incorrect positioning of the barrier.
Nextant Aerospace appointed Jet Aviation Singapore as an authorized service center in Asia for its 400XTs. Jet Aviation Singapore will provide maintenance service for Nextant aircraft based in Southeast Asia. The appointment follows Nextant’s entrance into the Asian market in August. Nextant says it continues to see strong interest in the region.
The White House’s fiscal 2014 transportation budget recommendation does not assume budget cuts required by sequestration. While FAA is planning to cut funding for 60% of the contract air traffic control towers beginning June 15, the budget appears to fully fund the program – at current levels – in fiscal 2014. See articles inside.
The Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2013), which opens April 16 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, was on pace to draw at least the same if not more attendees as last year’s event. ABACE returned in 2012 after a five-year hiatus, drawing 6,375 attendees, nearly triple the 2,200 who attended the previous event in 2007. The attendance, which exceeded expectations, underscored the rapid growth of business aviation in the region. This year, early registrations appear to be slightly ahead of last year’s event.
Beechcraft’s venerable King Air fleet has surpassed 60 million flight hours. More than 7,000 of the twin turboprops are operated in 127 countries worldwide, and are flown with all U.S. military branches. Beechcraft has seen a strengthening market for its turboprops, delivering 85 of its King Air 350is, 250s and C90GTxs in 2012.
The Canadian government has issued a request for proposals to replace its aging fleet of Coast Guard helicopters. The Canadian Coast Guard has a requirement for up to 16 light helicopters, with the option of an additional four. The Canadian Department of Fisheries & Oceans, the umbrella agency for the Coast Guard, issued a tender for the aircraft on April 3. It is looking for procurement proposals by June.
April 16–18—Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2013), Shanghai, China, (703) 783-9000, www.abace.aero April 16-18—Aviation Week MRO Americas 2013 Conference & Exhibition, George World Congress Center, Atlanta, www.aviationweek.com/events April 22-23—National Air Transportation Association Aviation Business and Legislative Conference, Renaissance Capital View, Arlington, Va., 703-845-9000, www.nata.aero April 29-30—Aircraft Electronics Association Regional Meeting, Munich, Germany, www.aea.net/events.asp
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC130 B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0772; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-053-AD; Amendment 39-17393; AD 2013-05-21] – requires, for helicopters with a cabin vibration damper installed, installing a vibration damper casing assembly on both sides of the helicopter. This AD was prompted by a crack and failure of a cabin vibration damper blade.
HARTZELL PROPELLERS Models HC-(1, D)2(X, V, MV)20-7, HC-(1, D)2(X, V, MV)20-8 and HC-(1, D)3(X, V, MV)20-8 [Docket No. FAA-2013-0130; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-07-AD] – proposes to require replacement of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm. This proposed AD was prompted by failures of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm and resulting engine oil leak. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture, loss of engine oil, damage to the engine, and loss of the airplane.
A growing number of lawmakers are urging FAA to consider alternatives to pulling funding for 149 contract towers. FAA plans to eliminate funding for the towers as part of its effort to slash $637 million from the remainder of its fiscal 2013 budget, but on April 5 postponed the funding cutoff date until June 15.
The FAA’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget of $15.6 billion cuts $351 million from fiscal 2012’s actual level largely by trimming airport grants, a move that failed in recent years. The budget, released last week by the Obama administration, includes $9.7 billion for operations, $2.8 billion for facilities and equipment (F&E), $166 million for research and development, and $2.9 billion for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund-backed Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Helicopter operator Bristow Group is making long-term plans to extend its U.K. Search and Rescue contract beyond its initial multiyear length. The Houston-based company signed a £1.6 billion ($2.46 billion) deal with the U.K. Department for Transport to provide a search-and-rescue helicopter service from 10 U.K. bases for up to 12 years beginning in 2016. But company officials say they are looking beyond the basic contract and believe they may be able to extend the deal.
