Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) is joining other lawmakers in drafting legislation to protect U.S. citizens from being watched by loitering UAVs. “The only way to truly embrace these innovative, job-creating technologies is to assure the public that these technologies will not compromise Coloradans’ basic privacy rights,” says Udall, who is supportive of a bid from his home state to become one of six test sites for civilian-use UAVs.
Cessna Aircraft last week rolled out the 400th production CJ3 from its facility in Wichita. The milestone comes nine years after the light jet entered the market.
JOHN VAN MAREN was promoted to vice president, simulation for FlightSafety International. He will lead the company’s design, manufacturing, support and sales activities for flight simulators, visual systems and displays in Tulsa, Okla., St. Louis and Austin, Texas. He joined the company in 1984 and most recently was director of programs and customer support.
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT Models DA 42 M-NG and DA 42 NG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0247; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-001-AD; Amendment 39-17397; AD 2013-06-02] – requires revision of the aircraft airplane flight manual to incorporate updated Normal and Abnormal Operating procedures for alternate air valve operation during suspected rain, snow or visible moisture conditions. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency, citing reports that the engine air inlet filter is subject to icing.
RYAN MCGINN was appointed sales director for the New York City territory for Flexjet. He joins Flexjet following a 20-year career with Callaway Golf, where he held positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently he was sales director. He also served with America West Airlines.
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 (outer ring), 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.
While the newly formed Beechcraft has longer-term product development plans, CEO Bill Boisture says the top focus of the company in the short term remains stabilization. This means rebuilding the confidence of its current and prospective customers, along with its suppliers. Beechcraft is also staying cautious about expansion. “Our outlook in the short term is to take a business that’s been through restructuring and get it to a rate that is sustainable and appropriate to the market,” he says.
As the aviation community readies for a wave of contract air traffic control tower closings beginning next month, key House and Senate Republican lawmakers are questioning the decisions behind the closures.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND Tay 611-8 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-1031; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-17391; AD 2013-05-19] – requires inspection and replacement, if necessary, of affected bolts. This AD was prompted by a quality review determination that bolts with reduced material properties may have been installed in some engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained turbine disc fracture and damage to the airplane. The AD takes effect April 24.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, L and L1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD; Amendment 39-17395; AD 2013-05-23] – requires a one-time inspection of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate upper bearing for a non-smooth point (friction point). This AD was prompted by a report of the premature deterioration of the MRH bearing of the rotating star installed on a Model AS332L1 helicopter.
Bombardier is still struggling with the all-composite airframe of the new Learjet 85 business jet, which is moving toward a delayed first flight. In December, the Canadian manufacturer pushed back the Learjet 85’s entry into service by six months to summer 2014 because of delays in assembling the aircraft in Wichita. By mid-March, the first Learjet 85 was in the second-to-last assembly station before first flight, Guy Hachey, president and CEO of Bombardier, told investors last week.
BRIAN REID was named director – support and service sales for American Eurocopter. He will oversee all marketing for American Eurocopter’s customer support and service operations. Reid has more than 16 years of aviation experience, holding business development, sales, marketing and management positions with a helicopter manufacturer and several aviation aftermarket companies, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing businesses.
Cessna Aircraft continues to face weak demand in the first quarter, but expects to see improved results as the year continues, an industry analyst reports. And, the analyst expects as much as a 50% increase in business by 2015. Citing defense uncertainty and continuing sluggish metrics in the business jet industry, analyst JPMorgan downgraded Cessna parent Textron from “overweight” to “neutral.” At the same time, though, JPMorgan sees recovery in the next few years in the business jet market and says “this tantalizing upside … makes our downgrade difficult.”
SIKORSKY Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0085; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-004-AD; Amendment 39-17389; AD 2013-05-17] – requires replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel filter element with a 10 micron nominal (40 micron absolute) fuel filter element.
The congressional mandate that has created a backlog of foreign repair station applications also has forced operators to reconsider expansion and contract maintenance plans because desired locations do not have FAA-approved shops, industry executives report.
MARK SAXTON has joined TWC Aviation as director, sales and acquisitions. In his new role, Saxton will help clients purchase and sell Embraer business jet aircraft. He previously served as regional sales director for Embraer Executive Jets, managing West Coast sales for eight years.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1100; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-29-AD; Amendment 39-17385; AD 2013-05-13] – requires replacement of the affected fuel pump splined couplings. This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the airplane. FAA estimates the AD affects about 1,040 engines installed on U.S.-registered airplane at a cost of $1.6 million. The AD takes effect April 24.
The Aircraft Electronics Association released the first of what is to be an evolving series of avionics market reports, finding sales by 19 manufacturers reaching nearly $6.3 billion in 2012. The initial report, presented during the opening ceremonies of the association’s 56th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show at the MGM Grand Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, is designed to provide a picture of the value of the general aviation avionics market.
Malaysia’s Senai International Airport, which is located near the border with Singapore, is considering a VIP helicopter service to the city state’s Seletar Airport. Senai’s Assistant General Manager Commercial, Hariss Abdullah, speaking to Aviation Week on the sidelines of the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia, says a general aviation operator at Senai Airport has three helicopters and the airport may lease one more to support a VIP service.
Air traffic controllers are anxiously shifting duties and realigning workloads as they prepare for rolling furloughs beginning April 21 and the closures of up to 149 contract air traffic control towers beginning April 7. “It’s going to be rough in a month from now,” says Jim Marinitti, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) representative at the Miami Tower and Terminal Radar Area Approach Control (TRACON).
Beechcraft’s reaction to losing the U.S. Air Force’s Light Air Support (LAS) contract a second time reveals as much about the company’s post-bankruptcy financial worries as it does about the service’s contracting credibility.
Solairus, the San Francisco Bay area-based charter and management firm, is continuing its East Coast expansion with the addition of three new members to its sales team. Solairus has added Brain Velelis and Tony Ciaravino in its Manhattan regional sales office, along with Lisa Deny in Washington, D.C. The newest members of the sales team will help expand the company’s national and international retail client base. The East Coast regions are among 25 locations for the growing operator.
Tom Hendricks, who took the reins at the National Air Transportation Association late last summer, outlined a vision for the association to serve as the “Chamber of Commerce” for businesses at airports with an expanded membership. Speaking to a group of aviation business leaders in Teterboro, N.J. last week, Hendricks says he hopes to change association restrictions on membership to include many more businesses at airports that currently do not fall under the association’s reach.
