FAA agreed to a two-year extension of Exemption 6002, which permits properly trained medical evacuation pilots to remove and reinstall liquid oxygen system containers under certain conditions, the Helicopter Association International says. The exemption, granted at the request of HAI, was originally scheduled to expire Jan. 31, but was extended until Jan. 31, 2015.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman has risen to the top of the list of contenders to replace Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Hersman has an important source of support in Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. She served as a staff member on the panel from 1999 to 2004, and before that worked for West Virginia Democrat Rep. Bob Wise. Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa), chairman of the House Appropriations aviation subcommittee, says, “All I’ve heard are good things about her.”
Rockwell Collins has found a new home for its 1964 Sabreliner 50 flight test aircraft – the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore. The museum houses a number of historic commercial and military aircraft, including the Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose.” Rockwell Collins acquired the Sabreliner, N50CR, in 1976 and used it to test some of its most significant commercial and military avionics development programs. The aircraft was flown about 8,000 hr. with more than 5,000 landings.
Used business aircraft transactions reached record levels in 2012, but at depressed prices that are unlikely to change in the next couple of years, industry analysts agree. The number of business aircraft transactions reached a record 2,240 in 2012 industry analyst Jetnet had reported (BA, Feb. 4, pg. 4). This bested the previous record of 2,181, set in 2007. Used market transactions had plunged after the 2007 record, reaching a low point of 1,539 in 2009.
TED FARID was appointed vice president of sales for the Asia-Pacific region for Hawker Beechcraft. Farid will oversee sales activity in North and South Asia and India. He has served with the company since 1996, most recently as senior vice president of international sales and new business development. He has also held international sales and marketing positions with Bombardier Learjet and Cessna.
PEG BILLSON was appointed president and CEO of Aftermarket Services for BBA Aviation. Billson joined BBA Aviation in September 2009 as president, Legacy Support. She has more than 25 years of aerospace experience, previously serving as COO for Eclipse Aviation. She also has held senior roles with Honeywell.
Gulfstream has obtained its next major approval for G280 – European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation – clearing the way for the super midsized business jet to be registered in an EU country. EASA clearance, awarded Feb. 7 follows U.S. FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of Israel type certification on Aug. 30. Gulfstream delivered the first G280 to a U.S.-based customer Nov. 13. Gulfstream and its affiliate Jet Aviation have prepped both the London Luton and Basel, Switzerland centers to support the G280.
EUROCOPTER Model AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0794; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-04-AD; Amendment 39-17319; AD 2013-01-05] – requires revising the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to reduce the starter generator operating current to 180 amps and installing a placard in the instrument panel indicating the revised limitation. This AD was prompted by the determination that the manufacturer-installed Aircraft Parts Corporation starter generator has exceeded the shaft horse power extractions allowed for Turbomeca engines.
PIPER PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0731; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-020-AD; Amendment 39-17334; AD 2013-02-13] – requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. FAA estimates the AD will affect 34,103 aircraft on the U.S.
Key Democrats are supporting an effort to lengthen business aircraft depreciation schedules, but Republicans in the House and Senate are resisting, with one calling the push a “poll-tested gimmick.”
Gulfstream’s G280 set 15 new city-pair speed records while it completed a 250-hr. reliability demonstration program. The program encompassed pilot check rides, maintenance on auxiliary power units, engine run qualifications, technical operations, publication validations and basic servicing and handling at fixed-base operations. The 15 speed records set during the trials have been certified by the National Aeronautic Association. The speed records include a 3 hr. and 21 min. flight between Aspen, Colo., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and an 8 hr. and 19 min.
Cobham Commercial Systems in Mineral Wells, Texas, has received Civilian Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) supplemental type certification for the HeliSAS stability augmentation system and autopilot on the Bell 407 helicopter. Cobham says the CAAC approval clears the way for installation of the system on hundreds of 407s in the country. The system has been installed on more than 100 helicopters in the U.S., Australia and South America.
DASSAULT Mystere Falcon 900 and Falcon 900EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1322; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-155-AD] – require modifying the tail strobe power supply wire routing. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing between the tail strobe power supply and a hydraulic line. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent chafing between the tail strobe power supply and a hydraulic line, which could result in hydraulic fluid leakage and possible fire due to arcing, and consequent loss of control of the airplane due to structural failure of the tail.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2D turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-AD; Amendment 39-17321; AD 2013-01-07] – requires replacing the hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) at a reduced life. This AD was prompted by a low fuel pressure event caused by deterioration and a loss of the low-pressure drive function within the HMU. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded inflight shutdown of the engine and possible loss of the helicopter.
Pres Henne, who led the design of the Collier Trophy-winning Gulfstream V and G550 and oversaw development of the new G650, is set to retire from the business-jet manufacturer on March 31. Henne joined Gulfstream in 1994 from McDonnell Douglas (MDC), where he began his career in 1969. At MDC, Henne was responsible for the aerodynamic design of the C-17 wing, and was later vice president and general manager of the MD-90 program. At Gulfstream, he has overseen the introduction of six products and advances such as enhanced and synthetic vision displays.
Xojet promoted Bradley Stewart to CEO, succeeding Blair LaCorte, who will remain a member of the board of directors. Stewart, formerly an executive with Parthenon Capital Partners and McKinsey & Company, has served as president of Xojet since 2010. In addition to remaining on the Xojet board of directors, LaCorte will continue as senior advisor to Xojet investor TPG. “Blair is a true friend and mentor. We are fortunate that he will remain involved with the company and on its board,” Stewart says.
Importing business aircraft into India is becoming more difficult because of increased bureaucracy, a business aviation advocacy group says. As well as the monthly aircraft acquisition committee meeting, India’s civil aviation minister is now said to be scrutinizing every application personally. Rohit Kapur, president of the Business Aviation Operators Association of India (BAOA), says this has been going on for about five or six months and the backlog has reached around 40 aircraft.
California lawmakers reintroduced companion bills in the House and Senate to establish flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Feb. 4 introduced a bill in the House, while Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) are pushing similar legislation in the Senate.
Embraer expects its 2013 delivery schedule to remain at about the same level as in 2012, but its mix will shift with growth in business jet deliveries. With an outlook for 195-215 deliveries this year, the Brazilian manufacturer expects rates to roughly match the 205 deliveries for 2012 reported in January. However, in contrast to last year, business jet deliveries in 2013 will exceed those of commercial jets.
Corporate Angel Network (CAN) recently transported its 42,000th patient, a milestone reached nearly 32 years after the organization flew its first patient. CAN arranges free flights using empty seats of corporate aircraft for cancer patients traveling to or from treatment. The 42,000th patient was 1-year-old Alexander Hopper, who was flown home to the Denver area after he received treatment for Retinoblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. Hopper traveled with his mother, Andrea Reitzel.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0639; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-005-AD; Amendment 39-17329; AD 2013-02-08] – requires inspecting the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) trunnions and upper and lower pins for gouges, scratches, and corrosion, and replacing the trunnions if necessary; and adding serial numbers and new part numbers to certain trunnions, and upper and lower pins.
FAA is calling for horizontal stabilator control system inspections on more than 34,000 older Piper piston aircraft. In an airworthiness directive (AD) published in the Feb. 4 Federal Register, the agency is mandating inspections and repair or replacement of damaged or corroded control cable assembly parts on Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34 and PA-44 (Cherokees, Warriors, Archers, Lances, Saratogas, Senecas and Seminoles) that are 15 years old or older. The AD, which takes effect March 11, permits the work to be accomplished during the next annual inspection.
