VARIOUS AIRCRAFT equipped with wing struts [Docket No. FAA-2013-0023; Directorate Identifier 96-CE-072-AD] – proposes to revise an existing AD that currently requires repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at a specified time for certain airplanes. The existing AD also currently requires incorporating a “NO STEP’’ placard on the wing lift strut.
FAA has released a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) warning about the potential for turbine helicopters to lose power from ice and/or snow ingestion. Ice and snow can accumulate around the airframe engine inlet while the aircraft is on the ground, the SAIB notes. The agency says the issue does not warrant an airworthiness directive, but the SAIB outlines procedures to guard against engine inflight shutdown. The SAIB also stresses that most helicopters are not approved or equipped for flight in icing conditions.
A 77% jump in operations in the second half of 2012 led Xojet, the San Francisco-based “closed fleet” on-demand carrier, to reach its target of 50,000 flight hours for the year. This is up from 30,000 in 2011 and comes as the carrier has grown into one of the larger operators in the country. The increase in operations comes as Xojet has increased its fleet to more than 50 aircraft – up from a little more than 40 a year ago. The company last year added a fleet of Hawker 800s as a third type, joining Citation Xs and Challenger 300s.
Two International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) groups charged with mitigating aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions will meet next week in Montreal. A meeting of the High-Level Working Group, comprising delegations of transport and climate experts from 17 countries, will take place Jan. 29-Feb. 1 in Montreal. Immediately following this meeting, the Technical Group will convene.
BELL Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0022; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-004-AD; Amendment 39-17322; AD 2013-02-01] – requires inspecting certain hydraulic servo actuator assemblies for a loose nut, shaft, and clevis assembly, modifying or replacing the servo as necessary, and reidentifying the servo. This AD is prompted by an investigation after an accident and the determination that there was a loose connection due to improper lock washer installation.
DANNY WILSON was named director, supplier performance and development for Gulfstream Aerospace. Wilson will oversee supplier delivery and quality. He has served with Gulfstream since 1996, acting as a senior buyer, subcontract administrator, purchasing and materials project manager and procurement supervisor.
Embraer has selected PTC to supply its product life cycle management (PLM) technology programs to help bring aircraft to market faster and more efficiently, PTC says. PTC is the supplier of record for Embraer’s entire aircraft development program, including commercial, executive and defense.
Middle East aviation services company Rizon Jet is publicly escalating its dispute with Qatar officials over its executive terminal in Doha, saying the Civil Aviation Authority is blocking its ability to operate and is taking steps to create unfair competition with rival company Qatar Airways.
EUROCOPTER Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0018; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-060-AD] – proposes to require determining if a certain serial-numbered bevel gear is installed in the tailrotor intermediate gear box (IGB). If such a bevel gear is installed in the IGB, this AD would require recording the bevel gear’s reduced life limit in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual and on the component history card or equivalent IGB record.
General Dynamics (GD) executives are confident that the issues plaguing Jet Aviation’s completion business are in the past and that the “completions processes are dependable going forward,” says Chairman Phebe Novakovic. At the same time, GD’s Jet Aviation unit was forced to take some aggressive moves in its maintenance facilities in Europe that led to a $191 million fourth-quarter impairment charge.
Bombardier Aerospace’s Global 6000 has received certification from the Brazilian Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil. With the approval, Bombardier has obtained Brazilian certification for its entire Learjet, Challenger and Global families.
CESSNA Models 172RG, R182, TR182, FR182, 210N, T210N, 210R, T210R, P210N, P210R, and T303 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0962; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-033-AD] – withdraws a proposal that would have required inspection of the aircraft’s hydraulic power pack wiring for incorrect installation, and if needed, correct the installation. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-evaluated this airworthiness concern and determined that an unsafe condition does not exist that would warrant AD action.
40 Years Ago Jan. 1, 1973 – General Aviation Manufacturers Association calls 1972 a year of rebound with shipments of 9,700 aircraft valued at $530 million. 30 Years Ago Jan. 10, 1983 – Dwane Wallace, the nephew of Clyde Cessna, abruptly resigns from Cessna Aircraft board of directors after holding a role with the company since 1934. 20 Years Ago
Rockwell Collins has added dynamic flight tracking and an electronic Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to its FlightManager.com website, which is part of its Ascend flight information portfolio. The flight tracker uses a Google Maps platform to provide Rockwell Collins data link subscribers with a worldwide view of their aircraft’s position in flight, along with flight paths of completed and upcoming flights. The page further enables an overlay of weather radar data to help users track an aircraft’s proximity to poor weather.
GEORGE KELEMEN was named senior vice president of government and political affairs for Airports Council International-North America. He currently is senior director of external affairs for the American Cancer Society. In his new role he will be ACI-NA’s chief lobbyist, managing the Government Affairs department.
GEOFF HECK was promoted to senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Signature Flight Support. Heck has served with Signature since 1995, and most recently was regional vice president, Midwest responsible for Signature St. Paul (STP) and Signature Minneapolis (MSP). In his new role, he will manage global sales and marketing, along with the Brand Extension department.
Sierra Industries in Uvalde, Texas, delivered it 50th Citation upgraded with the Williams FJ-44-2A turbofan retrofit. That comes in addition to the more than 20 Eagle 400 modifications involving the FJ44-3A on Citation II and SII models. The No. 50 “Stallion” upgrade went to Howard Tobin, who is a director of the Citation Jet Pilots Association.
Eurocopter has begun design work on a new helicopter that will incorporate the high-speed technology used in its X3 demonstrator. CEO Lutz Bertling told journalists at the company’s annual press conference in Paris Jan. 24 that the first designs are now on the drawing board, but he would not offer a timeline for when or in what form the hybrid rotorcraft would appear. “This concept is not about high speed, but high productivity and it delivers additional productivity to the operator,” he said.
A new alliance of aviation veterans and establish aircraft service providers are planning to enter the aircraft remanufacturing business with the Excalibur 421, a Cessna 421 that will sport Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprops, Garmin avionics, a redesigned cabin and new tires, brakes, de-icing, hydraulics and electrical systems. Jack Pelton, the former Cessna chief who is managing director of operations for the new Aviation Alliance, says, “The Excalibur 421 is essentially a brand-new airplane.”
PILATUS PC-7 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0025; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-048-AD; Amendment 39-17320; AD 2013-01-06] – Requires a one-time check to identify the material specification and inspect those affected engine mount fittings that are made of aluminium alloy AA2024-T351. Any engine mount fittings found to be cracked must be reported to Pilatus prior to further flight.
The uncertain political and economic climate took its toll on Cessna in the fourth quarter with a 21% drop in deliveries, and company executives expect deliveries to increase only modestly this year with most of the uptick occurring later in the year. At the same time, Bell continues to improve with increases in both military and commercial deliveries.
AgustaWestland and Embraer are examining the potential of helicopter production in Brazil. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) looking at establishing a joint venture that could lead to the production of AgustaWestland’s helicopters in Brazil for both military and civil use. Such a project would give the company a foothold into the Latin American market, currently dominated by Eurocopter and Bell, while Sikorsky has also managed to enter the fold with sales of its military and civil products.
Hawker Beechcraft is hoping to receive U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirmation of a reorganization plan to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week following last week’s approval from key creditors. The company announced Jan. 25 that the key creditors have overwhelmingly approved the proposed joint plan for reorganization, and that the confirmation hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31.
CHARLIE FERRARO was appointed regional vice president for Landmark Aviation. Ferraro, based in San Diego, will oversee Landmark’s locations in the West, including Laughlin, Ariz. (IFP), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), San Diego (SAN) and Scottsdale, Ariz. (SDL).
Piper Aircraft has realigned its sales organization to work with its growing dealer network and expand its international reach. The reorganization establishes three regional sales executives supported by three sales managers. Piper named Chuck Glass as director of sales for Asia Pacific. Previously director of global fleet sales, Glass will be supported by Jeremy Prost, who is Asia Pacific sales manager, located in Zhuhai.
