ROGERIO MULLER was named director of business development for South America for Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI). Muller, a Brazilian native who is based in Rio de Janeiro, previously was business sales manager for JSSI. He formerly spent more than two decades holding managerial positions with GE Celma, a General Electric Company responsible for aircraft engine and accessory overhauls.
IAN VICKERS has joined Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) as a technical services representative. Vickers is based at JSSI’s European headquarters at Farnborough Airport in the U.K. He has more than 25 years of business aircraft maintenance experience, specializing in avionics engineering. He formerly was engineering manager for Oceansky Engineering Ltd. at Manchester Airport.
JOE DRAKE was promoted to vice president, real estate and facilities for Gulfstream Aerospace. Drake oversees the company’s real estate transactions, including construction and development projects, along with worldwide implementation of the Gulfstream’s facility master plan. He previously served as director, real estate for the company. Before joining Gulfstream in 2007, Drake was executive vice president at Orr Partners in Falls Church, Va., where he managed large-scale commercial, institutional and retail projects.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), working with Build A Plane, has launched a nationwide Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational competition. The competition involves students designing an aircraft and competing in a virtual fly-off that will be scored on aerodynamic and performance parameters. GAMA member companies and Glasair Aviation are donating technical expertise, workspace, aircraft equipment and supplies to the competition. Winners will receive trips to the Glasair Aviation facilities in Arlington, Wash.
The National Transportation Safety Board is releasing five safety alerts for general aviation pilots and mechanics, warning of the need to improve decision-making, risk assessment and maintenance errors. The alerts, adopted during a March 12 board meeting, is part of the NTSB’s effort to raise visibility on one of its “Most Wanted” safety issues – general aviation safety.
Dassault is prepping the next two members of its Falcon 2000 family – the S and LXS – for initial deliveries after both received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification last week. The March 11 certification puts the 2000LXS ahead of schedule. It was originally anticipated to enter the market in 2014, but Dassault now expects the aircraft to enter service in the second half of this year. The 2000S, meanwhile, is slated for first deliveries in the second quarter.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) management board elected Patrick Ky as the new executive director. Ky will take up his position on Sept. 1. The selection was announced with a tweet from European Commission (EC) Vice President-Transport Siim Kallas congratulating Ky on last week’s vote. Ky was one of the two candidate shortlisted by the EC for the position of EASA’s executive director. Ky succeeds Patrick Goudou, who is reaching the end of his second five-year term, having led the agency since its establishment in 2003.
The emergence and strong sales of Frank Robinson’s R66 Turbine is causing helicopter manufacturers to think again about the light single-turbine market. For years, Robinson’s piston R22 and R44s were considered to be in a league of their own. But the development and certification of the R66—nearly 200 of which were delivered in 2012—has raised eyebrows, as it begins to impinge on markets that were previously strongholds of models produced by Bell, MD, Enstrom and to some extent Eurocopter.
CESSNA Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD] – revises a proposal to supersede an existing AD that currently requires an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch and, if applicable, replacement with an improved engine oil pressure switch.
Pilatus Aircraft has selected Million Air Houston and Northern Air and as satellite service centers for the PC-12 single turboprop. The newest centers joined the Pilatus service network as the fleet approaches 1,200 aircraft. Based at Gerald Ford International Airport (KGRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich., Northern Air will operate as a satellite service center under the sales and service region managed by Pro Star Aviation. Founded in 1943, Northern Air provides a range of maintenance and general aviation services.
ROBINSON Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44 and R44 II helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0159; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-010-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires inspecting each blade at the skin-to-spar line for debonding, corrosion, a separation, a gap, or a dent and replacing any damaged blade with an airworthy blade. Since FAA issued that AD, a terminating action for the inspection requirements of that AD has been developed.
Helicopter Association International (HAI) is mounting a legal challenge to what it sees as a potentially growing and unwarranted threat to airspace access for rotary craft over residential areas of the U.S.
AGUSTA Model 109E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0146; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-060-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires reducing the tail rotor (T/R) blade life limit, modifying a T/R hub and grip assembly, reidentifying two T/R assemblies, clarifying the never-exceed speed (Vne) limitation and reducing the inspection interval. Since FAA issued that AD, the manufacturer has redesigned a T/R grip bushing that reduces the loads, which caused the T/R cracking on the T/R blades.
Sam Aircraft’s Sam LS light-sport aircraft recently completed its first flight at Luchute Airport near Montreal. The Sam LS, powered by a 100-hp Rotax 921S engine, lifted off in about 300 ft., climbed at nearly 1,300 ft. per min. (fpm) and achieved its maximum speed of 127 mph. The tandem “retro-look” aircraft is fitted with a Sensenich ground-adjustable composite propeller. Sam is offering the aircraft in three configurations (short, long and standard wing). The aircraft will be available assembled or as a kit. Sam expects first kits to begin shipment by late summer.
GULFSTREAM 100 and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0093; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-109-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires amending the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to include additional procedures for verifying complete closure and locking of the main entry door (MED).
The FAA will ask its Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to look at engine bird ingestion requirements, a task it will describe in detail by mid-March in the Federal Register. Separately, the FAA will also ask ARAC to examine issues related to transport aircraft performance and handling characteristics. At an ARAC meeting March 5 in Washington, the panel also reported that a working group is nearing completion of proposals for rudder reversal training, but is still evaluating proposed rule changes for rudder-related aircraft structure and systems.
KEN ASO was appointed senior vice president, corporate strategy and customer development for Standard Aero. Aso will oversee long-term global strategic planning for the company’s products, services, customer support and sales support. He formerly has served with Oliver Wyman, a global management and strategy consulting firm. He also has held roles with Boston Scientific Corp., Bain & Company and Qwest Communications.
AgustaWestland is testing a fan-in-wing, tilt-rotor demonstrator as a technology incubator for advanced rotorcraft concepts. Measuring several meters in wingspan, the “Project Zero” subscale demonstrator has been developed and flown in secret since 2011 at AgustaWestland’s Cascina Costa facility in Italy. Revealing the initiative at Heli-Expo, newly-installed CEO Daniele Romiti says the unconventional vehicle represents how the manufacturer is “thinking today of how we could fly tomorrow.”
RICH BARLOW was named northeast region manager for Constant Aviation. Barlow joins Constant Aviation with more than 30 years of aviation experience, the majority spent in maintenance, repair and overhaul sales. He most recently served as regional sales manager for Hawker Beechcraft, where he was responsible for the Northeast region.
REIMS AVIATION Model F406 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1274; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-042-AD; Amendment 39-17359; AD 2013-04-02] – requires inspection of the nose landing gear (NLG) attachment bracket, and depending on the findings, replacement with a serviceable bracket made of steel. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which cites reports that some of the NLG attachment brackets were made of aluminum alloy instead of steel.
The Chinese parent of U.S. light helicopter company Enstrom is plowing $10 million into new infrastructure to help the manufacturer boost production levels.
Beechcraft has once again opted to protest its loss of the U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract to a Sierra Nevada/ Embraer team. The LAS contract is worth up to $950 million. Once the protest is filed with the Government Accountability Office, auditors have up to 100 days to review the case and make a determination.
