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.
Avantair is stepping up its yearlong efforts to cut costs and raise new capital as the fractional ownership provider attempts to regain its footing after grounding its fleet for several weeks. The Clearwater, Fla., operator began returning its Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service last week after completing comprehensive nose-to-tail inspections of its fleet and reviewing and overhauling its maintenance records and operational procedures.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, says the nomination of Michael Huerta as the next FAA administrator should go forward. The question is when that will happen. Even if a hold on the nomination by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), the man who next year will lead Republicans on the committee dealing with aviation policy, is lifted, it may not proceed until next year. “I think getting a lot of stuff done in the few days that we have is going to be tough,” Rockefeller says.
Eric Byer, vice president of government and industry affairs for the National Air Transportation Association, is leaving the organization at the end of the year to pursue other interests. In a notice to members, new NATA President Tom Hendricks praised Byer’s leadership and guidance during his 13 years with the association.
Avfuel Corp. continues to grow its extensive network of branded dealers with the additions of fixed-base operations (FBOs) in Minot, N.D., Burbank, Calif., and Montreal. Minot Aero Center becomes a dealer after seeing business grow thanks to activity in the Bakken Oil Region. The Bakken formation, underlying parts of North Dakota, Montana and Saskatchewan, has made the region the second largest oil-producing state in the union, after Texas.
JAMES MORRISON was appointed CEO of Partner Jet. Morrison succeeds Ian McDougall, who retired. He joined the company in 2011 as managing director. In his new position, Morrison will be responsible for the day-to-day management, oversight and direction of all business in addition to managing the growth, development plans and activities of Partner Jet.
A troublesome safety record for general aviation (GA) has landed the sector on the NTSB’s “Most Wanted” transportation safety improvements list for the second consecutive year.
Piper’s Archer and Seminole trainers are getting a makeover with new Garmin G1000 cockpits. Piper announced plans for the new equipment during its 75th anniversary and fly-in celebration held Nov. 10 in Vero Beach, Fla. The Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics is the launch customer for the program, with plans to take delivery of eight of the aircraft next year. The G1000 integrates primary flight information, navigation data, communications, terrain awareness, traffic, weather and engine instruments on two 10.4-in. displays.
Pilatus next spring is planning to unveil its PC-24 twin jet, the company’s first twin-engine business jet, company executives confirm. The company has publicly acknowledged development of the PC-24 over the past couple of years, but would not say whether the aircraft would be a twin or a jet. But Pilatus last week verified that the aircraft would be a twin jet as part of its announcement that COO Markus Bucher was named CEO, succeeding Oscar Schwenk, who remains chairman of the board.
TONY GRINDBERG has joined Appareo Systems as aviation business unit manager. Grindberg has more than 20 years of business development and aviation experience. Most recently, he launched the NDSU Research & Technology Park, Inc. as a startup entity, where he steered $70 million in private investment that created nearly 900 jobs.
Hawker Beechcraft, which originally expected to receive U.S. Bankruptcy Court consideration on Nov. 15 for its disclosure statement on the amended joint plan of reorganization, has rescheduled that court date for Nov. 29. But the Wichita airframer last week filed a motion formally seeking court approval to cut off warranty support for Hawker 4000 and Premier business aircraft. That motion also is expected to come under court consideration on Nov. 29.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association appointed Steve Hedges director of media relations. Hedges has 20 years of media experience, covering national security, foreign, domestic, and aviation issues. He also has managed public affairs and media relations for a number of clients in Washington, D.C.
West Star Aviation in East Alton, Ill., installed the first set of Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) blended winglets on a Dassault Falcon 50EX. API received FAA supplemental type certificate approval for the winglets in September 2012, and European Aviation Safety Agency approval is pending. West Star has completed a number of API winglet installations on Falcon aircraft and also has installed spiroid winglets on a Falcon 50 as a research project. The blended winglets reduce wingtip vortex, resulting in less drag, lower fuel burn and improved climb and cruise.
WAYNE THOMSON has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) as regional field service engineer in the Asia Pacific region. Thomson previously spent 14 years at Pratt & Whitney Canada in Brisbane, Australia, where he was a mobile repair lead technician. In his new role, he will be based in Brisbane to support regional field service efforts integrated with ERO’s Singapore-based First Support service.
SCOTT MCDONALD is joining West Star Aviation as director of sales. McDonald has more than 20 years of aviation experience, holding mechanic, planning, scheduling and regional sales manager roles. Most recently, he was director of sales for Gulfstream Product Support.
