COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNAM Model P2006T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1173; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-038-AD; Amendment 39-17367; AD 2013-04-09] – requires inspections for crack on all aileron hinge supports and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which cites reports of multiple cracks found on the outboard aileron hinge support of a P2006T airplane during an inspection. FAA estimates that AD will affect seven aircraft on the U.S.
While the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) early March 15 hadn’t yet acknowledged its receipt of the long-overdue repair station security rule, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole says the rule has been forwarded to OMB for the beginning of a 60- to 90-day review. OMB review is usually the final hurdle before a rule can be issued. “For the first time in a while, we are making progress,” Pistole told the House transportation security subcommittee during a March 14 hearing when asked for an update on the rule.
The Senate Monday will resume its consideration of a short-term, government-wide funding bill that aviation groups are hoping will serve as the vehicle for an amendment designed to prevent mass closings of contract towers. FAA has stated plans to shutter up to 189 contract air traffic control towers, or roughly 75% in the program, with the bulk of the closings to occur on April 7.
CHRISTIAN MARRONE joined Aerospace Industries Association as vice president for national security and acquisition policy. Marrone formerly held a number of positions within the Department of Defense, including special assistant to former Secretary Robert Gates. He has also served as acting assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. Most recently, Marrone served as an executive for defense markets for 3M.
Embraer is remaining cautious about the outlook for the executive jet market, even as the company’s revenues from the segment grew 15.5% last year. Embraer has been encouraged by the growth of American corporate profits and the number of millionaires worldwide. But the company says slow growth of some economies and uncertainty in Europe, as well as lower utilization of business jets are factors “that jeopardize a full recovery of the demand for business jets.”
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling is leaving the EADS-owned company to head up the rail division of Bombardier. Bertling, who took the helm of Eurocopter from Fabrice Bregier in 2006, will take on the role of president and chief operating officer of Berlin-based Bombardier Transportation, effective June 3, 2013. He will be replaced at Eurocopter by the current head of research and development at French automotive company PSA, Guillaume Faury.
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.
