Constant Aviation, which expanded into the Beechjet landing gear overhaul business last summer, has found demand for the business so strong that it is relocating the services from Birmingham Ala., to a larger facility near its Cleveland headquarters.
Eclipse Aerospace is hoping to secure a potential contract to replace the fleet of T-1A Jayhawks (Beechjet 400s) flown for the U.S. Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. The company responded Jan. 7 to an Air Force request for information (RFI) for a potential large fleet of very light jets (VLJs) to support the SUPT Multi-place Training Track.
SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1032; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-079-AD; Amendment 39-17296; AD 2012-26-01] – requires a general visual inspection to determine if certain fasteners are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions. FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct any chafing on the bottom panel of the center cabin, which could affect the structural integrity of the affected wing-to-fuselage connection. FAA estimates the AD would affect 10 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $3,400 or $340 per aircraft.
Embraer has selected Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G geared turbofan to power its soon-to-be-launched, second-generation E-Jet family, which is scheduled to enter service in 2018. The engine decision marks a key milestone in Embraer’s plan to formally launch the second-generation E-Jet family later this year. Provisionally outlined with 78 to 122 seats, the new aircraft will succeed the current E-170 and E-190 lines.
Chinese interests continue to build up their aerospace portfolios, this time in the U.S. helicopter market with the purchase of light helicopter manufacturer Enstrom. The Michigan-based helicopter manufacturer, which has been producing helicopters since the late 1950s, was acquired by the Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. (CQHIC). Enstrom hopes the move will enable it to expand its reach into China. At the same time, the new financial backing will permit the company to invest in its plant at Menominee to meet current and expected future demands.
JOAN POMPA was named interior refurbishment sales manager for West Star Aviation’s Grand Junction, Colo., facility. Pompa will be responsible to providing design and sales support for West Star customers. She has a 13-year career in interior, paint, design and other maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.
Hawker Beechcraft is furloughing workers on its T-6/AT-6 production line as it works through the most recent Joint Primary Aircraft Training Systems (JPATS) contract. The company is currently on the contract for Lot 18 aircraft, but is in negotiations for Lots 19 and 20, Hawker Beechcraft says.
Cessna is beginning delivery of its more powerful Grand Caravan EX following the receipt of FAA type certification. The Caravan, which sports the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, is the first of as many as six new or follow-on aircraft that Cessna expects to bring to market this year.
While business aviation struggles to regain its footing following the economic downturn, Gulfstream is rapidly expanding. The manufacturer in late 2010 committed to hiring 1,000 employees at its Savannah, Ga. campus over the next seven years. Within the following two years, Gulfstream not only met that seven-year goal, it exceeded it by 70% – hiring more than 1,695 workers in Savannah alone. But Gulfstream isn’t finished. The company signed a 12-year lease on a 70,000-sq.-ft.
DOUG MEADOR was appointed president of Dallas Airmotive, a BBA subsidiary. Meador joined Dallas Airmotive eight years ago, initially as vice president and general manager of operations for the company’s Forest Park maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. He has been chief financial officer since June 2005.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) plans to retire at the end of his term next year, concluding a more than 30-year career in the Senate. An outspoken proponent of NextGen, Rockefeller has had both spirited debates with and praise for the business aviation industry. He has strongly believed that business aviation operators should pay more into the national air transportation system, but was willing to compromise his position on a need for aviation user fees to ensure that long-term FAA reauthorization legislation would pass the Senate.
EUROCOPTER Model AS350BA helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0774; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-057-AD; Amendment 39-17302; AD 2012-26-07] – requires, for helicopters with certain Aerazur emergency flotation gear container assemblies installed, replacing each affected emergency flotation gear container assembly at specified time limits based on the date of manufacture. This AD was prompted because container assemblies with an intended operating limitation of 10 years may not have been replaced because the limit is no longer recorded in the Maintenance Program.
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has found that repair station executives are bullish on 2013 business prospects, with more than half the respondents to a recent AEA survey expecting revenue improvement in 2013. The survey generated 180 responses, the association says. Big-picture takeaways include a more bullish outlook than last year’s survey, and a range of services driving the growth. AEA’s survey results show that 56% of respondents expect business to increase in 2013, compared to 49% responding to last year’s survey on 2012 prospects.
Hawker Beechcraft is proposing to pay Swiss plane-maker Pilatus Aircraft $7.5 million to settle a dispute over Hawker Beechcraft’s production of the T-6/AT-6 military trainer. Hawker Beechcraft says the move is neither an admission that it is using “protectable intellectual property” of Pilatus, nor that it owes royalty payments. But Hawker Beechcraft says the proposed payment would be in its best interest because it would avoid a public dispute and prolonged lawsuit at a critical juncture of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) is planning a program to convert Bombardier CRJ200 passenger aircraft to freighters with a large cargo door. The program is just “a few weeks away from a formal launch,” says Robert Convey, AEI vice president-sales and marketing. AEI, a Miami-based conversion company, in October reached an agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to “explore market interest” in large cargo door-inclusive conversions of CRJ200s.
Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services (RECAS) acquired Westfield, Mass.-based fixed-base operator AirFlyte. Details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Rectrix called the acquisition a “strategic link” in its plans to expand on the East Coast. AirFlyte founder Gary Potts will remain as president of the Westfield facility. “An important factor in our decision to make this acquisition was the agreement of Gary to stay on as president of AirFlyte, thus assuring a seamless continuity of business,” says RECAS President and CEO Richard Cawley.
MARK TAYLOR was promoted to managing director of H+S Aviation, a BBA subsidiary. Taylor will oversee day-to-day activities of the engine repair and overhaul company. He joined H+S in 1990 as an engineer, and has since held roles in customer service, quality assurance, continuous improvement, operations and business management. He also spent several years with H+S affiliate Dallas Airmotive and most recently was general manager of H+S.
Sterling Partners, a Chicago-based private equity company, acquired an established aviation-maintenance college and plans to build partnerships with airlines, aircraft manufacturers and MRO providers, enhance the school’s Tulsa, Okla., campus and open new campuses. “We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to develop deeper partnerships with the industry,” says Jason Rosenberg, a principal with Sterling Partners.
For general aviation, the return on investment in NextGen aircraft equipage may not be as apparent as it is for commercial air transport operators, an industry analyst says. The U.S. NextGen air traffic control modernization program could yield $281 billion through 2035, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s 2013 Global Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook. This includes fuel efficiency gains and reductions in weather-related and congestion delays.
Business aviation veteran Jim Christiansen joined FlightSafety International as vice president, international business development. Christiansen will look for opportunities to expand FlightSafety’s programs and services globally. He joins FlightSafety after serving as vice president of sales for Hawker Beechcraft, where he managed Hawker business jet sales in the Eastern U.S. He also spent nearly 10 years with NetJets in senior executive positions, including as president of NetJets Aviation and senior vice president, national accounts.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S.-registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record.
MARK LEFEVER was named chief operating officer for Avjet Corp. Lefever joined Avjet in 1989 as executive vice president and became a partner in the company. He became president in 2005.
BRIAN SCHANK was appointed product support sales director for Gulfstream Aerospace. Schank, based in Savannah, Ga., will be responsible for maintenance sales to both Gulfstream and non-Gulfstream operators in Alabama, West Virginia and along the East Coast. He is a 24-year Gulfstream employee who most recently was director, business and program support, product support sales.
CESSNA Models 190, 195, 195A and 195B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-18033; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-16-AD] – proposes, for aircraft equipped with certain inboard aileron hinge brackets, to supersede an existing AD that requires repetitive inspections of the affected inboard aileron hinge brackets for cracks or corrosion and replace them if cracks or corrosion is found. Replacement with aluminum brackets would terminate the need for the repetitive inspections.
