PIPER Models PA-24, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0639; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-016-AD; Amendment 39-17169; AD 2012-17-06] — requires replacement of the stabilator horn assembly and/or repetitive inspections of the stabilator horn assembly for corrosion or cracks, as applicable. Corrosion or cracks could lead to failure of the stabilator horn. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks developing in the stabilator horn assembly. Consequently, failure of the stabilator horn could lead to a loss of pitch control in flight.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1408; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-17184; AD 2012-18-08] — requires cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating each tangential gearbox and adjusting, as necessary, the fuel shut-off control lever. This AD was prompted by the jamming of one of two fuel shut-off control levers because of solidified grease in the gearbox. A companion gearbox had extensive corrosion.
GREGG SLOW was appointed senior vice president of sales and national accounts for Xojet. Based in New York, Slow will be responsible for new client business and national strategic account management. He formerly served as senior vice president at NetJets, where he was responsible for sales in the New York City region, the company’s largest territory. Slow, who spent 11 years with NetJets, also managed its Northeastern and Canadian territories.
Rolls-Royce and Scott’s–Bell 47 Inc. (SB47), a Minnesota-based upgrade and modification specialist, have signed an agreement to study the potential development of a new build version powered by the RR300 turboshaft.
Gama Support Services (GSS), a U.K.-based business aviation services provider, expanded its access to spare parts, signing an agreement for Professional Aviation Associates to hold a consignment stock for European-based Hawker Beechcraft aircraft. Gama is a Hawker Beechcraft service center, providing maintenance for King Air series, Premier jets and piston-engine aircraft. Gama says the agreement with Professional Aviation Associates significantly increases its access to spares for those aircraft.
House Democrats again are predicting job losses at the FAA if Congress fails to prevent the budget penalty known as sequestration. FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) would have to lay off more than 2,200 employees, including air traffic controllers, technicians and support staff, says Rep. Norm Dicks (Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, in a letter to Congress. The ATO’s web site says it employs more than 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers and support personnel.
TONY GILBERT was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Gilbert, who is based at Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich. facility, has served with Duncan since 1988. He formerly has handled a number of Duncan initiatives in Europe and South America. An aeronautical engineer, he has 33 years of aviation experience.
Thrush is beginning to ship out the first of its newly certified Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft, which is the first application for GE’s H80 turboprop. Certification follows a two-year development program with both GE and Albany, Ga.-based Thrush Aircraft and comes just a few weeks after Thrush obtained type inspection authorization from FAA. GE obtained certification for the H80, which is based on the Walter M601 engine, earlier this year.
MARTYN LEWIS was appointed senior regional director, EMEA and India, and vice president, marketing for CIT Aerospace. Lewis, who most recently was vice president, marketing focused on European markets, retains his current accounts, in addition to planning and executing CIT Aerospace strategy for India and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. He joined CIT in 2001.
BEN CLOUSE joined Executive AirShare as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Clouse most recently was assistant vice president, audit services for H&R Block. He has 16 years of experience in finance, including serving as an assurance and advisory services manager with the Kansas City office of Deloitte & Touche, and vice president of finance and corporate controller for Gold Bank Corporation, along with 10 years with H&R Block.
Business aviation is playing a key role in helping with the economic recovery in Europe, a new study finds, saying that each passenger flown on a business aviation flight generates the same gross domestic product as nine business passengers on a scheduled flight.
MARKUS WEINSEISS was appointed managing director and head of planning and strategy for CIT Aerospace. Weinseiss will continue to serve as managing director of CIT Aerospace International. He joined CIT in 2000 as a credit officer, and most recently was chief credit officer.
Hawker Beechcraft, while working through its financial struggles through Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is continuing to invest in one of the strongest areas of the company – customer support – with the opening of a new factory service center in Mexico. The company late last month celebrated the grand opening of the facility based at the Aeropuerto Internacional del Norte (MMAN) in Monterrey. The 48,000-sq.-ft.
FAA issued special conditions for installation of enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) on some older model Bombardier Challengers, including CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL-604. The special conditions apply to aircraft that incorporate an Atlantic Aero modification for the EFVS. Atlantic Aero applied for a supplemental type certificate in October 2011 for the installation and operation of a head-up display (HUD) and EFVS in the Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16, including the -3A, -3R and 604 variants.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-016-AD; Amendment 39-17182; AD 2012-18-06] – requires the installation of a covering cage on the screwjack, as a temporary corrective action, which does not allow the disengagement of the affected gear. The AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information from the European Aviation Safety Agency that cites reports of failures of the Main Wing Outboard Flap external actuator.
JENNIFER VILLA-TENNITY was named chief credit officer for CIT Aerospace, where she will oversee the risk function for the business. Villa-Tennity joined the company in 1998 as an analyst. Most recently, she served as director, credit/risk management with responsibility for the Americas.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) secured another short-term extension – through March 31, 2013 – of its “Small Aircraft Exemption” that was set to expire Sept. 30. The exemption – for NBAA members – permits operators to use small aircraft under certain conditions and receive cost reimbursement under Part 91, Subpart F. Originally written for aircraft that weigh more than 12,500 lb., multi-engine aircraft or fractional aircraft, Part 91, Subpart F permits the use of time sharing, interchange, joint ownership and other cost-sharing agreements.
SIKORSKY Model S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD] – revises an earlier proposal that calls for a revision of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), Operating Limitations section, to prohibit Class D external load operations, including human external cargo (HEC), because this model helicopter was not certificated to one-engine inoperative performance standards for carrying Class D external loads.
Democratic opposition has made it unlikely that a Senate bill barring U.S. carriers from participating in the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) will be considered by the House of Representatives before the Nov. 6 general elections, industry and Capitol Hill sources say.
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Honda has broken ground on a 90,000-sq.-ft., $20 million major repair and service facility on a 54-acre extension of the company’s campus in Greensboro, N.C. The planned occupancy of the new facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) is set for the second half of 2013, “prior to the HondaJet aircraft’s entry into service,” Honda says. The HondaJet development program has encountered a series of delays over the years, including a reworking of its GE Honda HF120 turbofan engine, which has yet to be certified.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0267; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-174-AD; Amendment 39-17192; AD 2012-18-15] – requires replacing the timer and monitor unit (TMU). This AD was prompted by reports that the automatic deicing mode became unavailable due to a failure of the TMU. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of the automatic deicing mode and consequent increased workload for the flight crew, which, depending on additional failures, could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
Oryx Jet, a London-based aircraft management and charter operator, added a Challenger 605 to its fleet. The aircraft is based at Rizon Jet’s facility at Biggin Hill Airport. Ory Jet also operates Hawker and Falcon 50 aircraft, along with single and twin-engine helicopters.
