BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0142; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-275-AD; Amendment 39-17188; AD 2012-18-11] — requires an inspection for part numbers; repetitive inspections for any cracking of certain hydraulic system accumulators, and replacement, if necessary; and revising the maintenance program to include a life limit for certain hydraulic system accumulators.
The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation elected John Petersen as its new chairman, succeeding Larry. Williams, who has completed his three-year term. Petersen, who has served on the foundation board for seven years, is the founder and CEO of The Arlington Institute.
Sao Jose dos Campos, BRAZIL — Embraer expects the business aviation market to remain down for the rest of the year, despite record corporate profits and a record number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). But Embraer Executive Jets President Ernest Edwards, speaking to reporters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, believes those trends will position the industry to take off in the future.
This month’s National Business Aviation Association 65th Annual Meeting and Convention in Orlando, Fla., is shaping up to come close to last year’s event in Las Vegas. The 2011 show drew 26,077 attendees and a total of 1,106 exhibitors. The latest NBAA report estimates that some 25,000-plus are expected in Orlando and more than 1,000 exhibitors have booked space.
Astronics Corp, which recently acquired enhanced vision system (EVS) specialist Max-Viz, handed over the 600th Max-Viz unit for installation on Cirrus SR22 airplanes. Cirrus offers the Max-Viz Model 600 as an option on SR22 aircraft, and more than 60% of customers have selected the system. The system relies on infrared technology to improve visibility in haze, fog, smoke, mist, rain and night.
Cleveland-based fractional ownership provider Flight Options is laying the groundwork to expand globally, beginning with a few long-range aircraft, and also is looking to add a new midsize type to its fleet. Flight Options, which has the second-largest fractional fleet—after NetJets—at nearly 90 aircraft, has been phasing out older models and building its base on the Embraer Phenom 300, Nextant 400XT, Cessna Citation X and Embraer Legacy 600.
PIPER Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0983; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-001-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires a detailed repetitive inspection of the exhaust system downstream of the turbochargers and repair or replacement of parts as necessary. Since FAA issued that AD, forced landings of aircraft have occurred due to exhaust system failures upstream of aircraft turbochargers and between recurring detailed inspections.
The Transportation Security Administration is warning the general aviation community to remain vigilant in its security, saying it “is everyone’s responsibility.” TSA released a broad General Aviation Security Awareness Bulletin warning that “While there is no known credible threat to general aviation, it is still considered by many to be a target of opportunity.” The bulletin urges use of the 1-866-GA Secur number or law enforcement contact if operators see something out of the ordinary.
The business aviation traffic malaise in the U.S. and Canada continued into September, according to the latest report from market analyst Argus, which found month-over-month traffic down 7.1% and year-over-year traffic down 2.9%. Large-cabin jet fractional traffic dropped 17.4%. All fractional traffic declined 11.6% in September, compared with August. Year-over-year, fractional traffic is down 6.2%.
Embraer is conducting final validation tests of the fly-by-wire system on its new Legacy 500 midsize business jet, and is hoping to finally obtain clearance for the aircraft’s first flight within weeks. Software issues with the fly-by-wire system have pushed back first flight by almost a year. But the system is fully installed, and executives are optimistic that those issues are well behind them.
An aging workforce, limited supply of newcomers and increased certification requirements are adding up to a looming pilot shortage, contends a new white paper by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). Industry will need 82,800 pilots over the next two decades but will have a smaller pool. And the regulatory environment is becoming tougher, as Congress has moved to require more training for commercial pilots, which adds cost.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association released the 22nd edition of the AOPA Foundation Air Safety Institute Joseph T. Nall Report, a comprehensive review on general aviation safety. The latest Nall report examines accident data through 2010, finding overall, that 2010 showed little change in the accident rate from previous years.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is hoping to help build, link and support a network of as many as 1,000 flying clubs over the next five years as part of its overall effort to attract new pilots and promote flying. The association has conducted comprehensive research on flying clubs, finding them to play a critical role in keeping aviation affordable and accessible.
Bell Helicopter is continuing to work with U.S. and European certification authorities in the hope of overturning their rejection of a gross-weight increase for the Model 429 light twin that takes the aircraft beyond the certification limit for its class. The 500-lb. increase, to a gross weight of 7,500 lb., allows the 429 to carry eight passengers and full fuel, but requires an exemption from certification rules that limit the gross weight of Part 27 normal-category helicopters to 7,000 lb.
COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNAM Model P2006T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0816; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-022-AD; Amendment 39-17180; AD 2012-18-04] — requires the installation of the new landing gear emergency accumulator (Part Number 26-9-9500-000) and an inspection after the installation of the LG emergency accumulator and the LG retraction/extension system.
Kansas officials Sept. 29 formally dedicated the opening of Rooks County Regional Airport in western Kansas. The facility is the first new airport in the state since 1989. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback attended the dedication, and a Bombardier Learjet 45 “officially” became the ceremonial first jet to land at the airport. The $6 million project included the development a 5,000-ft. paved runway. The airport essentially replaces two little-used grass strips in the area.
WAYNE THOMSON has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) as regional field service engineer for Australasia. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Thomson will support ERO’s customer base in the region, including operators of Honeywell TFE731 engines GTCP 36 series APUs, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 and PT6A. Before joining ERO, he spent 14 years at Pratt & Whitney Canada’s overhaul, repair and field service operation in Brisbane.
Elite Simulation Solutions recently handed over a Model iGate G602 advanced aviation training device (AATD) to Mexican air charter operator Aeronaves TSM. The AATD is configured for Beechcraft King Air B200 training and will be used for IFR currency and cockpit resource management instruction. The Elite device enables the instructor to simulate cabin depressurization, engine fires, engine power loss and failure, hot and hung starts, and GPS RAIM failures, among others.
Sikorsky has delivered the first two of 16 S-92 offshore-support helicopters to the U.K.’s Bond Aviation Group. Once completed at Sikorsky’s Coatesville, Pa., commercial helicopter facility, the aircraft will be delivered in January to new Bond subsidiary Norsk Helikopterservice in Stavanger, Norway.
BELL Model 407 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0337; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-090-AD; Amendment 39-17185; AD 2012-18-09] — requires replacement of the tailboom-attachment hardware and initial and recurring determinations of the torque on the nuts of the tailboom-attachment bolts at all four attachment locations.
Lessons learned from the fatal April 2, 2011, crash of a Gulfstream G650 test aircraft in Roswell, N.M., could bolster safety for airframers and flight test departments globally if recommendations handed down by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are adopted.
Honeywell is expanding its partnership with Inmarsat, signing a five-year agreement to serve as a “master distributor” of the GX Aviation inflight connectivity services for the business aviation market. Honeywell previously had signed an agreement to develop and provide hardware for the services using Inmarsat’s planned Global Xpress satellite system. But the new agreement marks Honeywell’s first entry into distribution of the actual service itself. Inmarsat has selected OnAir and Gogo to provide the service to the commercial airlines.
Duncan Aviation is investing in new dry ice blasting machine technology in response to a Bombardier service bulletin covering Bombardier Challenger 600 series aircraft. The bulletin (ATA 55-11),“Special Check/Modification – Passenger Door-Epoxy Ramp Removal and Corrosion Prevention,” calls for the removal of the epoxy ramp in the passenger door to prevent further corrosion and recommends use of dry ice technology to safely remove epoxy, corrosion and other materials without damaging existing aircraft surfaces.
FAA in August 2013 will flight test a prototype of its next generation traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) on a Convair 580. Called the airborne collision avoidance system X (ACAS X), the system is designed to allow for next generation air transportation system (NextGen) air traffic changes that include reduced separation procedures, while improving the number of resolution alerts that airlines are already experiencing with current separation criteria.
Bombardier is implementing a contingency plan to reduce disruption to production after more than one-quarter of the workers at its Learjet facility in Wichita went on strike Oct. 8. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM ) Oct. 6 rejected a five-year contract proposal, paving the way for the strike. The IAM represents 825 of the company’s 3,000-plus workers in Wichita, and 79% of the voting union members supported the strike.
