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.
While many business jet makers initially believed 2013 is shaping up to be another flat year, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is seeing recent strength in the market and believes there could be moderate growth next year. But AIA’s Year-end Review and Forecast, released last week, notes that 80% of those looking to purchase general aviation aircraft over the next five years are planning to do so in the latter part of the time frame.
Jan. 22–25, 2013—National Business Aviation Association 24th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, San Antonio, Texas, (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Feb. 10-12, 2013—Routes Online, Routes Americas 2013, Cartagena de Indias, Columbia, www.routesonline.com/events/153/routes-americas-2013-/ Feb. 26-28, 2013—Air Charter Safety Foundation 2013 Air Charter Safety Symposium, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, Va., (888) 723-3135, www.acsf.aero
Rizon Jet has become a founding member of The Luxury Network Qatar. The Luxury Network was founded in 2007 to provide a venue for marketing, event coordination and other collaboration efforts of luxury brands. Members include Silversea Cruises, Ferrari, Gucci, Aston Martin, Cartier, Lotus, Embraer Jets, B&O, Lamborghini and NetJets, among others. The Luxury Network Qatar will initially comprise five companies across various industries in Qatar.
Hawker Beechcraft received formal bankruptcy court approval of the disclosure statement for its revised reorganization plan Dec. 5, putting the manufacturer on pace to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February. The Wichita airframer filed a revised disclosure statement and amended joint plan of reorganization to incorporate certain changes that were requested by Judge Stuart Bernstein of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
More than six dozen associations and companies from across a range of industries are pushing lawmakers to extend 50% bonus depreciation for capital equipment purchases before it expires at the end of the year. A letter sent to House and Senate leaders this week warns that overall U.S. investment has rapidly declined every quarter since the third quarter of 2011 and almost half of the nation’s largest investors are planning to curb capital expenses.
CitationAir, the former fractional aircraft program that has refocused on its charter, management and jet card programs, recently was awarded an Argus Platinum rating, the highest level of rating from the Cincinnati-based business aviation research and safety specialist. CitationAir is among 107 commercial operators to obtain such recognition.
MARGRIET BREDEWOLD has joined Baldwin Aviation Safety & Compliance as European representative based in Basel, Switzerland. Bredewold formerly founded Co-Guard GmbH, which provided training and support in safety management systems, human factors and organizational development. Before that, she was a professional development coordinator and trainer at Jet Aviation’s Basel facility.
SIKORSKY Model S-70, S-70A and S-70C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1206; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-021-AD; Amendment 39-17269; AD 2012-23-13] – requires reducing or establishing life limits for certain listed helicopter parts. This AD is prompted by a review of the U.S. Army’s analysis of their Model UH-60 fleet (a variant of the S-70), which determined it necessary to establish or reduce the life limits of certain parts. The actions are intended to prevent fatigue failure of a part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Landmark Aviation has signed a purchase agreement to acquire First Aviation Services (FAS) at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, marking a return to the acquisition trail a little more than month after it came under new ownership. The acquisition is expected to close by year’s end. Landmark did not reveal terms of the agreement, but a spokeswoman says purchase details likely will be revealed once the acquisition closes.
EDGAR MAIMON was appointed general manager of Elbit Systems EW and Sigint-Elisra Division. Maimon joined Elisra in 2004 and currently is vice president-markeitng.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is backing up to $23.2 million in financing for the sale of AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters that will be operated by Brazil’s Omni Taxi Aereo (OTA). The Ex-Im Bank guarantee covers about 85% of the U.S. content of the export.
Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The U.S. subsidiary of Dassault Aviation was founded on Dec. 1, 1972 when Pan American Airways partnered with Dassault Aviation to form Dassault Falcon Jet. Pan American, the launch customer of the Falcon 20, joined the partnership to help accelerate the expansion of its market. “The history of Dassault Falcon Jet is quite remarkable. Some of the most recognized names in aviation have their history intertwined with ours,” says John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.
An International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) group charged with creating a framework for market-based measures (MBM) to mitigate aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions will have its first meeting this week in Montreal. The council has selected 17 member states to send delegations to the high-level working group, which will meet Dec. 12-13. The delegations, which were selected on the basis of geography and size of their aviation market share, include Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Singapore, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K.
CESSNA Model 402C and 414AA airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1084; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-056-AD; Amendment 39-17257; AD 2012-23-01] – requires, for aircraft modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA927NW or STCSA892NW, inspections of the flap control system and modification if necessary. This AD was prompted by report of a Cessna Model 414A airplane modified by STC SA892NW that experienced an asymmetrical flap condition causing an uncommanded roll when the pilot set the flaps to the approach position.
