40 Years Ago Oct. 9, 1972 – General aviation aircraft deliveries are forecast to reach 9,700 units valued at $525 million for all of 1972. 30 Years Ago Oct. 25, 1982 – Gate Learjet looks to diversify business, discusses Air Force aircraft reconditioning work, to protect against slow economy. 20 Years Ago Oct. 12, 1992 – Piper plans to submit reorganization plan within weeks to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by early 1993.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) elected former Cessna Chairman Jack Pelton to serve as chairman of the board to oversee a leadership transition after Rod Hightower formally resigned Oct. 22, citing personal reasons. The board on Oct. 21 apparently discussed the resignation, which did not come as a complete surprise.
Embry-Riddle is opening its new Jim W. Henderson Administration and Welcome Center, marking the return of the administration that had been displaced when a 2006 tornado destroyed the previous building. The $13 million, 37,000-sq.-ft. building holds office and meeting spaces for Embry-Riddle President John Johnson, the cabinet and board of trustees. The center is named for Embry-Riddle Chairman Jim Henderson.
DAVID MCMILLAN , director general of Eurocontrol, was named the new chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) Board of Governors. McMillian, the first FSF chairman outside of the U.S., will remain director general of Eurocontrol until 2012. Before assuming that role, he was director general civil aviation at the U.K. Department of Transport. He also served in the U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a diplomat in various postings.
Gulfstream Aerospace, completing its strongest quarter of the year in terms of new orders, expects sales to grow further in the fourth quarter and is increasing its delivery estimates for 2012 slightly to as many as 124 aircraft. Gulfstream led General Dynamics’ (GD) Aerospace group to a 30% increase in third-quarter revenues and a 20.3% increase in operating earnings. The GD Aerospace group includes both Gulfstream and Jet Aviation. These returns come as Gulfstream’s large-cabin deliveries increased by 45% in the third quarter.
A research advisory group is cautioning the FAA “to avoid the temptation to compromise safety” as the agency attempts to meet a congressionally mandated 2015 deadline to integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system.
National Air Transportation Association is surveying members on changes included in FAA’s proposed rewrite of regulations governing certificated repair stations. NATA notes the proposal makes significant changes to repair station ratings and would require existing repair stations to update their manuals, incorporate certain changes in their business and reapply for certification. The survey will be open to until Nov. 2. To participate, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nata145survey.
Cessna Aircraft last week signed agreements renewing Jet Aviation’s facilities in Dusseldorf, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, as Citation authorized service facilities. The extension comes as Cessna has been expanding its customer support network in Europe with new Citation Service Centers in Doncaster, U.K. and Valencia Spain. Cessna also operates service centers in Paris and Prague. Cessna estimates that more than 1,000 Citation business jets operate in Europe.
CESSNA Model 500, 501, 550, 551, S550, 560, 560XL and 650 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1001; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-020-AD] – proposes to require an inspection to determine the accumulated hours on certain A/C drive motor assemblies; repetitive replacement of the brushes in the drive motor assembly, or as an option to the brush replacement, deactivation of the air conditioner; and return of replaced brushes to Cessna.
SHERMAN COLLINS was named field service representative for Gulfstream Aerospace. Based in the San Francisco area, Collins provides technical and maintenance assistance to Gulfstream owners and operators in northern California. He has 22 years of experience in Gulfstream aircraft maintenance, most recently spending 12 years as director of aircraft maintenance for a Dallas-based operator of Gulfstream aircraft. He also held various positions for Gulfstream in Savannah, Ga.; Dallas and Long Beach, Calif.
While flight activity overall has remained relatively stagnant, it has improved this year for Part 135 and the fractional markets, notes Honeywell Aerospace. But those hours have not translated into fleet expansion this year in the fractional market, with major operators shedding more aircraft than they have taken in delivery.
Gulfstream expects to deliver the first completed G650 within the next few weeks, says Jay Johnson, chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics. Speaking to analysts last week, he says the first and possibly the second of the pilots training classes are completed, and Gulfstream is working to obtain certificates of airworthiness for each aircraft. “We’re marching along smartly, but yes, we’ll be delivering aircraft here within weeks. Anxious to do it.”
DASSAULT Falcon 50 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1037; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-008-AD] – proposes to revise the maintenance program to incorporate new or revised maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. The proposal was prompted by a manufacturer revision to the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) that introduces new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 253 aircraft on the U.S.
TRISTIENE PICKETT was appointed director of administrative services for TAC Air. Pickett previously served as customer service supervisor at TAC Air’s Knoxville, Tenn., facility, and also has held a number of other commercial and private aviation positions over the last 15 years. In her new role, she is the point of contact for all customer service supervisors’ operations, procedures and policies. She also will steer customer service training and standards throughout all TAC Air operations.
Just more than a year ago, Piper Aircraft was executing a major strengthening of its worldwide dealer network and focusing on its core piston and turboprop product line, dropping its PiperJet program and matching production to forecast deliveries. The effort seems to be paying off in steady growth in sales and deliveries, according to the company’s third-quarter sales and delivery report released last week.
Business jet billings are expected to reach $250 billion over the next 10 years as a growing number of customers gravitate toward long-range, large-cabin models. But 2013 is shaping up as another flat year as lingering market sluggishness continues to hold down deliveries of small and midsized business jets, says Honeywell Aerospace. In its 21st annual Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell forecasts a market for 10,000 new business jets valued at $250 billion through 2022.
Colbalt Aircraft Industries selected Esterline CMC Electronics’ (CMC) SmartDeck integrated avionics suite for its Co50 five-place, single-engine aircraft. Powered by a 350 hp FADEC-equipped, Continental TSIOF-550-D2B piston engine turning a three-blade pusher propeller, the aircraft is designed to fly at 250 kt. up to 25,000 ft. and have a 1,150-nm range. The SmartDeck system will include two 12-in. primary flight and multifunction displays with dual air data/altitude/heading reference systems (ADAHRS) and WAAS GPS, a third 6.5-in.
JOEL MILLER was named director of properties for TAC Air. Miller has served with TAC Air parent Truman Arnold Companies for nearly 10 years, handling real estate. In his new role, he is shifting focus to TAC Air.
CESSNA Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch and, if applicable, replacement of the engine oil pressure switch. Since FAA issued that AD, FAA has received new reports of internal failure of the engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power or fire.
ROBINSON Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with emergency floats [Docket No. FAA-2012-1088; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-005-AD] – proposes to require replacing the inflation valve assembly. The proposed AD is prompted by failure of the emergency floats to deploy during a factory test because a needle was binding within the inflation valve assembly. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the failure of the floats to inflate during an emergency landing. FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 165 helicopters on the U.S.
The number of business jet accidents increased even as traffic numbers remain steady, but the turboprop safety record has dramatically improved this year, according to the latest statistics released by business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc.
Hawker Beechcraft continues to weigh outside options for its nearly shuttered jet lines, but is not “marketing” other segments of the company, says Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Chairman Bill Boisture. The company, which on Oct. 18 announced that its proposed $1.79 billion sale to Superior Air Beijing was off, expects to file an amended plan for reorganization that would enable it to move forward as a standalone company owned by its major debt holders.
Gulfstream Aerospace has plans to increase employment at its Brunswick, Ga., facility to support a growing volume of completions work. Completions work includes the design, selection and installation of the cabin interiors. The facility, which currently employs 174 workers, including 90 technicians, designs and installs cabin interiors in its 55,000 sq. ft. of hangar space. The facility serviced more than 100 aircraft in 2011.
