Honeywell is set to receive initial certification of a combined satellite-based communications and helicopter health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), which will send real-time alerts of exceedances and maintenance issues to ground personnel. The development, which will be offered initially as an option under a supplemental type certificate on the Sikorsky S-76C++, combines the company’s Zing HUMS and the latest Sky Connect III version of Honeywell ’s satcom and aircraft tracking system.
Anchorage-based avionics engineering and services firm One Sky Aviation is working with Astronics and the Pilatus authorized service center network to develop a supplemental type certificate (STC) package to install the Max-Viz 1500 enhanced vision system (EVS) on Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12NG aircraft.
The FAA, releasing its final list of contract towers slated to close beginning April 7, shaved off 24 of the original air traffic control towers from the closure list and then postponed the closure of another 16 towers in the cost-share program until Sept. 30. But the remaining list of 149 contract towers still represents 60% of the entire contract tower program.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0721; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-076-AD; Amendment 39-17356; AD 2013-03-22] – requires replacing the existing cargo compartment liners with liners that comply. This AD was prompted by reports that airplanes with a Class C cargo (baggage) compartment have liners that do not meet flammability requirements. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inadequate fire protection in the cargo compartment and consequent uncontrolled fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week launched an investigation into the third Beechraft 390 Premier crash in a month. Two of four people aboard died in the March 17 crash, including former University of Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis. The aircraft, N26DK, crashed on approach to South Bend Regional, Indiana. According to initial information compiled by Flight Safety Foundation’s Aero-Safety Network, the pilot had reported electrical problems, made a number of attempts to approach and then stalled on the final approach attempt, crashing into a home.
SIKORSKY Model S-64F helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0689; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-065-AD; Amendment 39-17301; AD 2012-26-06] – supersedes an existing AD, which requires inspections, rework, and replacement, if necessary, of the main gearbox (MGB) second stage lower planetary plate (plate). Since FAA issued that AD, the manufacturer has conducted a configuration review and analysis, and a review of the service history of certain components.
DAVID BOWMAN was named vice president of operations for Constant Aviation’s Cleveland facilities. Bowman formerly spent more than 28 years with Honeywell in a number of senior roles. He most recently was senior business manager, site leader, responsible for multiple locations in the Aviation Electronics Aftermarket Repair and Overhaul business.
BAILEY SIEGFRIED was promoted to vice president, global marketing, and added to the board of directors for Nordam. Siegfried joined the sales team for the company’s Repair Division in 2008, and most recently was director, global marketing and customer service. Before joining Nordam, Siegfried worked with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.’s commercial risk management group.
Canadian regional carrier Air Tindi has made significant safety upgrades in the wake of an October 2011 Cessna C208B Caravan accident that killed the pilot and one passenger. Two seriously injured passengers were rescued several hours later from the crash site in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
JODI HACKLER was promoted to vice president, ethics and compliance for Nordam. Hackler joined Nordam in 2011 as director, compliance and integrity. Before that, she held controller posts with Laredo Petroleum and Flint Energy Services, along with spending more than 12 years with IBM Business Consulting Services, all in Tulsa.
Heavy-lift helicopter specialist Erickson Air-Crane is acquiring operators in the U.S. and Brazil in a move to diversify from its niche in firefighting into a global aviation services business. The acquisition of Oregon-based Evergreen Helicopter (EHI) and Air Amazonia of Brazil for up to $350 million will double Erickson’s revenues and operating earnings. The deals will also take the Portland, Ore.-based company into new commercial and government markets, halving its dependence on seasonal firefighting revenues.
Beechcraft is showing little sign of backing down from its fight for the Light Air Support (LAS) contract, filing suit in the Court of Federal Claims to object to the U.S. Air Force’s decision to move ahead with work on the program during a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of the LAS contract award.
The European Business Aviation Association is stepping up its efforts to curb illegal flight activity, outlining plans to seek more stringent regulation. Illegal charter flights have been a priority for the association in recent years, and it launched a formal campaign in early 2011 to help curb the activity.
PHIL MARSHALL joined Nordam as vice president and general manager for the Interiors and Structures Division. Marshall formerly was vice president of production operations for United Launch Alliance and general manager for Boeing facilities in Decatur, Ala. and Pueblo, Colo. He has held roles in industrial engineering, manufacture, assembly, testing and product support of space-launch vehicle components and commercial aircraft parts.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0240; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-060-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the tail rotor control stop screws to determine if they are correctly aligned and adjusting the screws if they are misaligned. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of a loose nut on the tail rotor control stop and a misaligned tail rotor control stop screw.
The FAA, releasing its final list of contract towers slated to close beginning April 7, shaved off 24 of the original air traffic control towers from the closure list and then postponed the closure of another 16 towers in the cost-share program until Sept. 30. But the remaining list of 149 contract towers still represents 60% of the entire contract tower program.
Eclipse Aerospace took a step toward returning new production Eclipse very light jets to market in the third quarter with the first power up of an Eclipse 550. The March 14 power up of the first production Eclipse 550 followed the launch of the production line in June. “This event is another key signal to the world that we continue on our methodical and well-executed plan to reintroduce production and delivery of the Eclipse 550 jet this year,” says CEO Mason Holland.
New Hampshire Gov. Margaret Hassan declared March 2013 “General Aviation Appreciation Month,” in a proclamation recognizing that general aviation and local airports “play a critical role in the lives or our citizens as well as the operation of our businesses and farms.” Aerospace accounts for 8.8 out of every 1,000 workers in New Hampshire, which is home to 118 registered airports and 2,055 general aviation aircraft, the proclamation says.
StandardAero President and CEO Rob Mionis resigned from the firm to pursue other opportunities. Firoz Tarapore, a director and member of the StandardAero Executive Committee since 2007, stepped in as interim president and CEO until a permanent successor can be found. Tarapore credited Mionis with helping make “strong progress across all our core markets.” Mionis helped form the current company, when he led the acquisition of the legacy Standard Aero, Landmark Aviation and TSS and merged them into what is now branded as StandardAero.
KRISTEN KING was named director of marketing for Metro Aviation. King previously served as director of communications for the Bossier City Chamber of Commerce in Bossier City, La., where she oversaw the design, creation, dissemination and publication of all chamber marketing and communications pieces and events. She also was a reporter and producer for ABC affiliate KTBS in Shreveport, La.
AAR received FAA repair station certification for a facility in Albuquerque dedicated to maintaining the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) fleet of aircraft.
Robinson Helicopter is set to deliver as many as 40 turbine-powered R66s to Russia before the end of the year following receipt of long-delayed type certification from Russian authorities. Type approval follows the U.S. FAA’s recent clearance of the R66’s hydraulic control system to an equivalent level of safety (ELOS), and could clear the way for similar recognition from Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Pending partial furloughs will force FAA inspectors to prioritize current activities and put new projects on the back burner, says FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Speaking to maintenance executives at the Aeronautical Repair Station Association’s annual symposium March 22, Huerta said inspectors will focus on “the most pressing priorities” and that work on new projects will be very limited. While Huerta did not elaborate, new projects could include everything from an aircraft or product certification to work on a repair station application. Both U.S.
