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.
PETER PURCELL was hired to serve as King Air and Beechjet captain for Aero Charter, a charter and fixed-base operation at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Mo. Purcell has 14 years of aviation experience, including eight as a corporate pilot.
Eurocopter is calling the main gearbox issue afflicting the North Sea fleet of EC225 helicopters the most serious technical problem that the company has encountered, but maintains that fixing it is a top priority. CEO Lutz Bertling described the problem as “more severe than any technical issue than we have had in the past,” during comments at the company’s annual press conference in Paris Jan. 24. “We are conducting test flights to find those sets of parameters that caused the issue, but it is not easy,” he said.
LEN LIOTTA has joined West Star Aviation as Northeast regional sales manager. He has 25 years of maintenance, business development, aircraft transactions and financial management experience, most recently as director of maintenance for an aircraft management company. He will provide technical and sales support in the Northeast region, a new territory for West Star.
FlightSafety International has added BoldIQ to its partners in the training company’s Extended Advantage Program. The program is designed to offer additional services that provide more safety or operational assistance to the operators. BoldIQ offers flight operations management platforms. As a participant in Extended Advantage, BoldIQ will offer preferred pricing.
The European Commission (EC) in November proposed to temporarily exempt non-European flights from the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), but the 27 member states and the European Parliament (EP) must legally endorse the decision, which is not yet a done deal. More worrisome is that many operators might have misinterpreted the “stop the clock” message of EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and wrongly believe they are no longer required to comply with the scheme at all.
The first Russian-built AgustaWestland AW139 has begun flying, bringing the AgustaWestland/Russian Helicopters joint venture HeliVert a step closer to its goal of producing up to 20 of the medium helicopters a year for the Russian market. The first flight, announced Jan. 15, actually took place on Dec. 19 following the aircraft’s rollout the day before. The aircraft flew for 37 min. and completed a series of tests for Russian aviation authorities. It is now involved in a short flight test program before delivery to the as-yet-to-be-announced customer.
MATTHEW CZUBA has joined St. Louis-based Aero Charter as a line pilot. Czuba is qualified on the Sabre 65 and Beechcraft Baron and King Air. He formerly was a supervisor for the University of Central Missouri’s flight program and check pilot for the Department of Aviation.
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), a vocal supporter of the FAA’s NextGen air traffic management initiative, was named chair of the House aviation subcommittee. LoBiondo’s congressional district is home to the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center, which conducts extensive NextGen research and development. Across the aisle, aides close to Rep. Rick Larsen (Wash.) expect the Democrat to lead his party on the aviation panel and that an announcement is expected Jan. 22.
Chile has become the 14th country to accept the increased gross weight exemption for the Bell 429 light helicopter. The country’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC, cleared the exemption to raise the maximum gross weight of the light-twin from 7,000 lb. (3,175 kg) to 7,500 lb. (3,402 kg). The DGAC has also certified the type’s operation in Chile. The move follows Venezuela’s green light to the weight exemption, announced early this month.
Business jet deliveries appear to have remained flat or even dipped slightly in 2012, according to early manufacturer and analyst reports. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association will release its yearend shipment report and annual industry review Feb. 12. But initial reports are indicating that deliveries remained sluggish in 2012, particularly for the light and midsize end of the market.
FlightSafety International is expanding and renovating its Teterboro, N.J. facility. The project will begin in the spring and continue into early 2014. FlightSafety is reconfiguring the building and adding a wing for flight crew emergency training that will include a pool and other specialized equipment. When the project is completed, the Teterboro center will have eight simulator bays, classrooms, debriefing areas, accommodations for flight-deck simulators and customer service and office areas.
TSA Administrator John Pistole is remaining quiet on the progress of the long overdue repair station security rule. Speaking last week to the International Aviation Club, Pistole declined to detail whether the rule was ready for Office of Management Budget review – typically the final review before a rule is released. A TSA official late last year hinted that the rule could be released in January.
BBA is realigning the leadership in its various aviation units with the appointment of Maria Sastre as president and COO of Signature Flight Support and Pat Pearse as managing director of BBA Aviation Flight Support Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA). Both Sastre and Pearse report to S. Michael Scheeringa, who has become president and CEO of BBA Aviation’s Flight Support division, which includes both Signature and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG).
TURBOMECA Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0901; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-17314; AD 2012-27-02] – requires performing a high gas generator speed (NG) rating vibration check. This AD was prompted by several reports of uncommanded inflight shutdown on Arriel 1 engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded inflight shutdown of the engine, which could result in an emergency landing.
