CESSNA Model 525 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0880; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-004-AD] – revises an earlier proposal that applies to certain aircraft equipped with certain part number (P/N) air conditioning (A/C) compressor motors.
Signature Flight Support is continuing to expand its brand in Canada under its second licensing agreement with an established fixed-base operator (FBO). Signature last summer signed an agreement with Airside FBO Operations at Edmonton International Airport (CYEG) to become a fully licensed Signature Flight Support location. The FBO has now rebranded as Signature Edmonton and is participating in a range of Signature services, including the Signature TailWins pilot rewards program. Signature Edmonton, which includes four 20,000-sq.-ft. hangars and nearly 40,000-sq.-ft.
The Transportation Security Administration could issue foreign repair station certification rules early next year, a senior official says. The rules are “hopefully on track to be out in January,” Ann Zipser, director-global programs and engagement in TSA’s Office of Global Strategies, said last week at an American Association of Airport Executives aviation security summit.
PACIFIC AEROSPACE Models FU240-954 and FU24A-954 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-044-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD calling for operating limits. That AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information from the aviation authority of New Zealand, which cites reports of aircraft operating outside the aircraft aft center of gravity (C of G) limits during parachute-drop operations. Exceeding C of G limits could result in loss of control of the aircraft.
Piper Aircraft is pledging to maintain an employment base of at least 650 workers under an amended agreement with the state of Florida that will enable the company to keep incentive money it received as part of its original contract with the state.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week was participating in the investigation of the crash of a Learjet 25 jet, N345MC, operated by Starwood Management under Part 135, that killed all seven people on board, including Latin singer Jenni Rivera. The aircraft, which had departed Monterrey, Mexico around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 9 on a flight to Toluca, was operating at FL280 when it entered a tailspin, plummeting at a high speed and crashed into mountains at 9,000 ft. above sea level about 70 mi. south of Monterrey.
The Middle East business aviation market, which has more than doubled over the past five years, is expected to remain on that trajectory and reach $1 billion in the next five years, industry executives predict. The region took 246 business aircraft deliveries between 2006-2011, accounting for nearly 40% of the fleet in the Middle East, according to Hawker Beechcraft. This is a 132% increase from the 106 business aircraft deliveries that occurred between 2002-2006, the Wichita airframer says.
ERICKSON AIR-CRANE Model S-64F helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-1243; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-03-AD; Amendment 39-17267; AD 2012-23-11] – requires inspecting for cracking or working rivets in each left and right splice fitting, the pylon bulkhead assembly-canted, and the pylon steel strap. This AD was prompted by several reports of cracking in the transition fittings, the bulkhead assembly, and the pylon.
Eurocopter is delaying the certification of its EC175 medium-lift helicopter by six months, citing issues with the aircraft’s avionics system. First deliveries of the aircraft will now occur in September 2013, nine months later than planned. Deliveries will follow certification, expected in the summer of 2013. The announcement comes as the first production standard aircraft, S01, made its first flight from the company’s facilities at Marignane, near Marseille, France. S01 will act as a third trials aircraft and is fully fitted out with instrumentation.
The U.S. government is throwing its support behind the high-level working group on market-based measures to combat aviation greenhouse gas emissions that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convened last week in Montreal. The high-level group brings together delegations from 17 ICAO member states. The group, which met for the first time last week, is expected to present its findings to the ICAO Council in March and June next year.
Cessna Aircraft is hoping to have a $27.4 million arbitration panel award thrown out, saying the ruling ignored years of material breaches and imposed contractual terms that did not exist. Canadian supplier Avcorp in June 2011 sought the arbitration award after Cessna had moved to end its long-standing supplier agreement and said it would seek parts from other suppliers. An arbitration panel last month directed Cessna to pay Avcorp $27.4 million for lost profits as a result of a breach of contract.
Boeing now plans to announce its choice of a medium-sized business jet airframe for its new Maritime Surveillance Aircraft early next year, according to a company official. Boeing had hoped to announce the new partnership during the summer’s Farnborough air show and then pushed it back to year’s end. But final negotiations with the supplier are taking longer than planned, forcing the company to once again slip its unveiling. Onlookers suggest it is likely to be an Embraer platform, possibly the ERJ145.
EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1223; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-154-AD] – proposes to require replacing the striker and quick-release pin of the passive lock of the cockpit door, and replacing the upper and lower hinges of the cockpit door. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the cockpit door falling off the hinges when it is being open or closed. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent the cockpit door from falling off the hinges, which could cause injury to airplane occupants.
A new, satellite-based, 8-hr. weather forecast prototype covering remote areas of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is available to industry as a research tool on the website for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 helicopters (except P2+ and T2+) [Docket No. FAA-2012-0500; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-014-AD; Amendment 39-17263; AD 2012-23-07] – requires inspecting each upper and lower plain journal bearing and replacing the swashplate assembly with an airworthy swashplate assembly if a bearing is not correctly positioned. This AD was prompted by two reports of the bearings moving in relation to the main rotor swashplate sliding sleeve.
A U.S. bankruptcy court has cleared Hawker Beechcraft to sell off its remaining inventory of Hawker 4000 business jets. The approval, by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, comes after the court last month rejected Hawker Beechcraft’s request to expedite the inventory sale without meeting certain notice requirements under bankruptcy rules.
GIPPSLAND AERONAUTICS Models GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1007; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-17274; AD 2012-24-04] – requires replacement of the electrical connectors with a terminal block. AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority for Australia, which cites reports of burnt electrical connectors leading to the left-hand wingtip pitot heater, which may result in loss of airspeed indication. FAA estimates the AD will affect 29 aircraft on the U.S.
ALLAN STANTON was named Gulfstream Aerospace’s regional vice president for international sales in the Middle East, based in Dubai. Stanton previously spent seven years as a regional sales director for Hawker Beechcraft in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Before joining Hawker Beechcraft in 2006, he sold aircraft for Elite Jets Dubai and maintenance programs for JSSI International in Africa, the Middle East and India.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1222; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-134-AD] – supersedes an existing AD that requires a free-play check for excessive free-play of the shaft swaged bearing installed in the tailstock end of each elevator power control unit (PCU), and replacing any PCU on which the bearing exceeds allowable limits with a serviceable PCU. Since FAA issued that AD, the agency has determined that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) plans to renew efforts to pass legislation mandating curbs on helicopter operations over Los Angeles. Schiff, who met with FAA about the issue last week, says voluntary actions will not be enough “to address the real quality of life and safety issues raised by these persistent flyovers.”
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-366G1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1214; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-071-AD] – proposes to require modifying the fuel tank draining system. This proposed AD is prompted by a closed fuel tank drain that, in the event of a fuel leak, could result in fuel accumulating in an area containing electrical equipment. The proposed actions are intended to prevent accumulation of fuel in an area with electrical equipment or other ignition source, which may lead to a fire.
ASHMITA SETHI was named communications director for India for The Boeing Company. She will act as the company’s principal spokesperson in India. She previously was vice president-communications and public affairs for the India region for Rolls-Royce.
