A U.S. district bankruptcy court, which this week denied Hawker Beechcraft’s request to sell off 20 Hawker 4000s in inventory without following normal bankruptcy procedures, has rescheduled a hearing until Dec. 11 on whether Hawker Beechcraft should be permitted to be released from certain Hawker 4000 and Premier I and IA warranty and support obligations.
Bombardier’s Wichita facility took delivery of the first wing shipment for the Learjet 85, bringing the company’s largest and first composite Learjet closer to roll out and first flight. Bombardier has not specified a first flight date, saying only it hoped to receive certification and begin delivery of the first aircraft in 2013. But to meet that target, Bombardier would have to stay on an aggressive certification flight test schedule given that the first production Learjet 85 is still in assembly.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), a provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, is partnering with China Business Aviation Group, to expand JSSI’s business through China. China Business Aviation Group, based in Beijing, provides a range of services to support aircraft purchases and operations. In addition to expanding hourly cost maintenance programs in China, the two companies will seek ways to promote the use of business aviation.
FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta endorsed the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Action Plan (ASAP) program as “an excellent step forward” in general aviation safety efforts and is encouraging general aviation leaders to participate in ASAP and other safety data-sharing programs that are typically used by Part 121 carriers.
Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), which recently expanded its membership to general aviation airports outside of commercial airport operating authorities, is forming a General Aviation Working Group. ACI-NA has represented local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the U.S., along with general aviation airports that are part of a larger airport system.
FAA is working to transition the industry away from the use of leaded aviation gasoline in a way that “has the least amount of impact as possible on aircraft owners and those who sell fuel at the airport,” acting Administrator Michael Huerta told the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Business Roundtable recently.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
MIKE ASKEW was named CEO of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. Askew previously had served as managing director of APPH Group, which designs and manufacturers hydraulic systems and landing gears. He also has held senior positions at Doncasters and GKN Westland Helicopters. GRANT BOAST was appointed regional sales manager for BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). Boast has spent the past three years as a field service representative for ERO.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
Eurocopter, the largest supplier to the Chinese civil helicopter market, expects the number of non-military rotorcraft in the country to more than triple by 2020.
Boeing plans by year-end to announce the medium-size business-jet platform for its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), which is being pitched for a market that company officials say could reach $10 billion over the next 10 years.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) denied the request of several general aviation groups to abandon its practice of assuming that FAA’s allegations are true for initial emergency enforcement appeals. But the safety board is moving forward with new protections mandated by Sen. Jim Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) Pilot’s Bill of Rights.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is increasing its strategic partnerships, teaming with a third entity to partner with the association to provide services to its membership. The latest partnership agreement is with Aero-Space Reports, an aircraft title and escrow services provider. Under the partnership, AOPA members will receive a special rate on bundled services. Aero-Space Reports also will be support AOPA’s mission and members through sponsorship and aircraft purchase-related education activities.
As part of efforts to develop low-emission, higher-efficiency combustors for its future engine family, General Electric (GE) is forming a joint venture with fuel nozzle and systems specialist Parker Aerospace.
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), who is running for the chairmanship of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is urging Congress to proceed quickly to confirm the next administrator of the FAA. Michael Huerta’s confirmation has been held up in the Senate by Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.) because of concerns about labor policy. DeMint will lead Republicans on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the next Congress. There’s a lot of good professionals over there, it’s still running.
Garmin is expanding its reach into the unmanned market, selected to supply the avionics for Northrop Grumman’s new Firebird optionally-piloted vehicle. Designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the Firebird is equipped with a tailored version of Garmin’s touchscreen-controlled integrated flight deck, including three 14-inch, high-definition, widescreen displays and two touchscreen display/controllers. The Firebird also is equipped with Garmin’s Synthetic Vision and GTS850 Traffic and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS I).
MIKE ASKEW was named CEO of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. Askew previously had served as managing director of APPH Group, which designs and manufacturers hydraulic systems and landing gears. He also has held senior positions at Doncasters and GKN Westland Helicopters. GRANT BOAST was appointed regional sales manager for BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). Boast has spent the past three years as a field service representative for ERO.
Industry officials believe the Department of Transportation is close to releasing a long-awaited notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to regulate charter brokers, but are still unsure of what that regulation will entail. DOT has been contemplating regulating charter brokers for nearly a decade and had hoped to release an NPRM this fall. But few regulations moved forward in the months leading up to the elections, pushing off most rulemakings into 2013.
Cessna is widening its engagement with Chinese industry with an agreement to assemble Citation XLS+ business jets jointly with Avic general aviation subsidiary Caiga. A joint facility at Caiga’s base at Zhuhai in southern China will make its first delivery of a Citation XLS+ in 12-18 months, says Cessna CEO Scott Ernest. Cessnas assembled at Zhuhai will be delivered only to Chinese customers.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1128; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-064-AD; Amendment 39-17225; AD 2012-21-09] – requires, for EC225 helicopters with certain epicyclic modules installed, inspecting the epicyclic module for the presence of a through-hole upstream of the magnetic plug. This AD is prompted by a report of a missing through-hole between the integrated collector and the magnetic plug, which would prevent the flow of chips from the integrated collector to the magnetic plug.
Business aviation officials welcomed the European Union’s (EU) decision to suspend the application of its emissions trading scheme (ETS) to international operations, especially in light of the U.S. congressional vote Nov. 13 to permit a ban on U.S. participation. But European business aviation advocates believe the EU also needs to suspend the program for flights within Europe.
