GIPPSAERO GA200 and GA200C airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0946; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-037-AD; Amendment 39-17187; AD 2012-18-10] – requires inspection on the wing strut bolts and replacement if necessary. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of Australia that cites reports of a failure of the strut bolt through the main spar. The actions are designed to prevent wing strut bolt failure and wing structural failure. FAA estimates the AD will affect three aircraft on the U.S.
Six general aviation associations are seeking more time to comb through a little-noticed draft 400-page order that would combine various FAA designee programs into one document.
Embry-Riddle is working on a system involving a new muffler and altered propellers that will reduce the noise of its fleet of Cessna 172 trainers by up to 5 db. The university, the first flight training organization to install a noise-reduction system on the fleet of Cessna 172s, has spent $250,000 so far and five years on the research to address the concerns of local residents about noise.
A substantial number of Part 135 operators must rewrite their training curriculum after FAA last month released guidance clarifying that operators cannot provide credit to new hires for training conducted by another operator. The agency released guidance, Notice 8900.197, to clear up confusion surrounding training requirements under an operator’s approved program.
AMANDA FARNSWORTH was named to the board of trustees for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Farnsworth recently retired following a 27-year career at J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC, a Louisville, Ky.-based investment brokerage where she remains a partner. She also has served on corporate boards, including National Safety Alliance, Consumers Insurance Group (current chairman), Franklin American Mortgage Co., Precision Energy Solutions and Optimum Solutions, Inc. She also serves on the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
FABIO MIGUEZ was promoted to manager of FlightSafety International’s learning center in Columbus, Ohio. Miguez, who has been with FlightSafety since 2004, moves to Columbus from the company’s Detroit Metro/Toledo learning center, where he was manager. He also has served as avionics instructor, program manager and director of programs for Dassault Falcon Jet training, along with assistant manager of Columbus Center.
John and Martha King were selected for the National Aeronautic Association’s (NAA) Frank G. Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education. The Kings were among several members of the general aviation community selected for upcoming NAA honors. Also to be honored are Henry Ogrodzinski, president and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), and Flying magazine’s Dick Koenig. The awards will be presented Nov. 13.
CESSNA Models 172RG, R182, TR182, FR182, 210N, T210N, 210R, T210R, P210N, P210R, and T303 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0962; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-033-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the aircraft’s hydraulic power pack wiring for incorrect installation, and if needed, correct the installation. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cockpit fire that appeared to originate from the area of the landing gear’s hydraulic power pack system. FAA estimates the AD would affect 2,961 aircraft on the U.S.
DIAMOND Models DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0633; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-018-AD; Amendment 39-17170; AD 2012-17-07] – requires the inspection of the affected aircraft to measure the voids in the adhesive joint between the center wing spars and the upper center wing skins. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency that cites reports of excessive voids in the adhesive joint between the center wing spars and the upper center wing skins.
Low-interest financing for automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and other next generation air transportation system (NextGen) retrofit equipment for private and business aviation operators could soon be available from a fund originally set up to help airlines equip.
In striking contrast to many business aircraft manufacturers, Bombardier Aerospace is on a building spree in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, where it is erecting facilities to fabricate, assemble, outfit and deliver new and larger models of business jets.
A coalition of 19 U.S. airline, general aviation and travel industry groups are urging the White House to formally challenge the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Although many of these groups have publicly expressed support for an ICAO complaint, known as an Article 84 motion, none so far has made a formal request to the Obama Administration.
A European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Management Board last week formally endorsed a government-industry developed General Aviation Safety Strategy that calls for a close look at how general aviation is regulated in Europe. The board had worked on the strategy with a number of general aviation industry groups since March, developing the formal proposal in June. The strategy includes a number of recommendations for improving general aviation regulations, some of which already are under way, others on the drawing board.
SCOTT MCKENZIE was named avionics technical representative for Duncan Aviation. McKenzie previously was an avionics line crew leader and has 12 years of hands-on experience working on aircraft. In his new role, he will provide technical service and troubleshooting for avionics and instruments.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) continues negotiations to hash out an agreement with would-be Chinese buyer Superior Air Beijing, but a potential agreement could be expected shortly since an exclusivity period granted by bankruptcy court in July is ostensibly up. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on July 17 granted HBC’s request to begin exclusive negotiations for a 45-day period after receiving a $1.79 billion proposal from Superior to purchase all but the defense business. That would mean the initial period should have expired.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD; Amendment 39-17166; AD 2012-17-03] – requires installing protection sleeves over certain forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses. This AD was prompted by an inflight fire caused by the ignition of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward servo-control hydraulic hose.
UNIVAIR Models (ERCO) 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, G; (Forney) F-1 and F-1A; (Alon) A-2 and A2-A; and (Mooney) M10 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0360; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-061-AD; Amendment 39-17023; AD 2012-08-06] – supersedes an existing AD that AD requires an inspection of the aileron balance assembly and ailerons for cracks and excessive looseness of associated parts with the required repair or replacement of defective parts as necessary.
RSS Enterprises Ltd. is purchasing the financially troubled Ocean Sky group. The acquisition includes the Jet Centre fixed-base operation chain, along with the aircraft interior and engineering groups. The U.K.-based Ocean Sky group will take on the RSS branding with Ocean Sky Jet Centre becoming RSS Jet Centre, Ocean Sky Jet Centre (Prestwick) becoming RSS Jet Centre (Prestwick), Ocean Sky Engineering becoming RSS Aircraft Engineering and Ocean Sky Interiors becoming RSS Aircraft Interiors.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, SA-366G1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0354; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-104-AD; Amendment 39-17165; AD 2012-17-02] – requires replacing the main rotor mast nut with an airworthy main rotor mast nut to prevent this scenario. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked main rotor mast nut. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to complete failure of the mast nut, resulting in failure of the rotor mast and loss of control of the helicopter.
FlightSafety International (FSI) founder Al Ueltschi has joined the Giving Pledge, becoming one of 92 individuals and/or families to commit half of their wealth to philanthropy. Launched in 2010 by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates, the Giving Pledge is a long-term initiative designed to encourage charitable giving in the U.S. The Giving Pledge is specifically focused on billionaires, but its creators hope it will spur more giving by people of all economic backgrounds. Ueltschi was one of 11 new signatories to the pledge.
Northrop is partnering with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, to compete for the proposed U.S. Navy’s Marine One presidential helicopter to replace the existing VXX. The companies will offer a U.S.-built variant of AgustaWestland’s 101. AgustaWestland specializes in making helicopters, while Northrop specializes in integrating complex aerospace aircraft and equipment.
Signature Flight Support is continuing to invest heavily in expansion and upgrades with its recent groundbreaking at Palm Beach International (PBI) in Florida and ribbon-cutting of a new facility at Chicago O’Hare International (ORD). The ORD ribbon-cutting, which took place Sept. 19, marked the opening of a new 9,150-sq.-ft. terminal at the airport. The new terminal replaces Signature’s existing facilities on the airport, where the fixed-base operation chain has held a base (formerly as its predecessor company Butler Aviation) for more than 50 years.
BAE SYSTEMS Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0489; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-229-AD; Amendment 39-17174; AD 2012-17-11] – requires inspecting to determine if a certain fire extinguisher bottle is installed, and repositioning the affected fire extinguisher bottle to the vertical position. This AD was prompted by reports that the fire extinguisher in the toilet vanity unit needs to be mounted vertically rather than horizontally.
Correction: An article in the Sept. 17 edition of BA detailing the White House’s Office of Management and Budget analysis of the near-trillion dollar sequestration measure that is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 2 should have said that 60% of the FAA’s operations account is exempt.
