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.
Bell Helicopter obtained its 17th international approval of a 500-lb. weight increase for the Bell 429. The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the latest aviation authority to approve the increase, which boosts the helicopter’s maximum gross weight to 7,500 lb. The approval validates the original Transport Canada OK. The hike provides operators increased payload, giving them the option of either carrying more fuel for increased range or carrying more passengers and equipment for specific mission requirements.
While business aviation is still in its infancy in China, a key regional lender is beginning to see the market evolve. ICBC Financial Leasing has approached business jet leasing not as a form of equipment financing, but rather as part of its service to its wealthiest clients. Those clients have opted for the largest, long-range models.
BELL Model 412 and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1016; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD; Amendment 39-17386; AD 2013-05-14] – requires establishing a lower life limit on certain swashplate outer ring assemblies, revising the retirement life on the components’ history card or equivalent record, and revising the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). This AD also prohibits installing these outer rings on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the outer rings.
The aviation community is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to shelve its newest plan to phase out use of 121.5 MH emergency locator transmitters (ELT), saying the proposed rulemaking is misleading, has a hidden agenda, demonstrates a lack of knowledge of aviation safety and overreaches into FAA’s regulatory authority. FCC earlier this year released a proposal considering “whether to prohibit the certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs, and, if so, under what timetable.”
The FAA, facing a growing number of legal challenges, is putting off the planned closure date for up to 149 contract air traffic control towers until June 15. The agency had planned to end federal funding for the towers in three phases over the next month as it seeks to shave $637 million from the remainder of its fiscal 2013 budget, as required by sequestration. The first group of towers was set to close April 7. The FAA, however, is now scrapping the phased approach and plans to end funding for all 149 towers on June 15.
Pilatus Aircraft ended 2012 with its lowest sales total in at least five years, but a series of contracts for its military, trainer and special mission aircraft propelled the company to its strongest year ever in order intake and positions the Swiss airframer for growth.
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
The FAA, facing a growing number of legal challenges, is putting off the planned closure date for up to 149 contract air traffic control towers until June 15. The agency had planned to end federal funding for the towers in three phases over the next month as it seeks to shave $637 million from the remainder of its fiscal 2013 budget, as required by sequestration. The first group of towers was set to close April 7. The FAA, however, is now scrapping the phased approach and plans to end funding for all 149 towers on June 15.
With the signing of the U.K. government’s search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopter deal on March 26, Bristow is set to become the launch customer of the AgustaWestland AW189 medium helicopter.
Whether and where to build a new plant is one of the issues that Cessna, Avic and the Chengdu city government are negotiating as they work toward agreeing on assembly of the U.S. company’s Citation Sovereign business jet in China. The first Citation Sovereign delivery in China may not take place by year’s end, as originally planned, says a person involved in the complex talks, which also include the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the FAA.
The Friends of the Earth (FOE) is evaluating its next steps after a district court dismissed its lawsuit to compel the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a finding that lead emissions from general aviation may endanger public health. Despite the ruling, the environmentalist group says it plans to continue to put pressure on EPA until it takes action.
Jet Aviation has expanded its support offerings to help operators comply with the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) requirements. These services include assistance with opening a Union Registry Account for emission allowances. Affected operators must submit allowances by April 30. EU is penalizing operators 100 euros ($130) per ton of C02 emissions that are in excess of the allowances set aside. “Opening a Union Registry Account is a long and complex procedure,” says Matthias Gruber, manager EU ETS Services.
AGUSTA Model A109, A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, and A119 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1453; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-46-AD; Amendment 39-17394; AD 2013-05-22] – requires inspecting the link assembly for freedom of movement of the links and, if a rotation resistance or binding occurred, either replacing it with an airworthy link assembly with a “T’’ marked after the serial number, or inspecting it for the torsion value force of the ball bearing before further flight.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) are hoping to convince the IRS to put a hold on audits of aircraft management companies until the agency can develop better guidance on the application of the commercial federal excise tax (FET).
Cessna Aircraft is kicking off a 19-city tour with a mock-up of its new Citation Latitude as the company stays on pace for first flight in early 2014. Cessna, which announced the midsized aircraft in October 2011, expects to complete full airframes this year. “We’ve started building engineering test articles,” says Terry Shriner, business leader for the Citation Latitude. “We’ve moved from engineering, analysis and modeling to cutting metal and driving rivets.” The company is using production tooling to build the experimental airframes.
Asset Insight, Inc. has increased its Asset Grading System Process (AGSP) program to encompass more than 65 aircraft. The program appraises aircraft based on a variety of factors to help buyers, sellers, and financial services companies to accurately evaluate projected maintenance costs of an aircraft. The AGSP covers a range of heavy, medium, and light jets, as well as many turboprops and helicopters.
Sheltair has become the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s newest member, increasing overall membership to more than 100. Sheltair operates 15 fixed-base operations throughout Florida, Georgia and New York.
