FAA is restarting and refocusing a government, industry and academia center of excellence (COE) aimed at improving general aviation safety. The agency plans to spend at least $500,000 per year for 10 years on the program, called the partnership to enhance general aviation safety, accessibility and sustainability (PEGASAS). The cost-sharing partnership will include 16 universities led by Purdue University, the Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Industry participants include Rockwell Collins, GE Aviation, Cessna and Gulfstream.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has added Eurocopter and Nextant Aerospace to its membership. The additions – helicopter manufacturers representing the latest expansion for the association – increase GAMA’s membership to 80 companies worldwide. Eurocopter manufactures a range of civil turbine helicopters available, from the five-seat EC120 light single to the 19-seat EC225 heavy twin. It accounts for 33% of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Nextant Aerospace was founded in 2007 and produces the 400XT remanufactured aircraft.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Eurocopter Kazakhstan, a joint venture between Eurocopter and state-owned Kazakhstan Engineering, has received its first EC145 light utility helicopter kits, and expects to have eight kits to assemble by mid-November, says EADS Kazakhstan General Director Silvere Delaunay.
DANIEL MACLELLAN was promoted to regional operations manager based at FlightSafety’s Dallas/Fort Worth learning center. MacLellan will oversee six FlightSafety learning centers in addition to Dallas/Fort Worth: Hong Kong; Lafayette, La.; Long Beach, Calif.; San Antonio; Savannah, Ga.; and West Palm Beach, Fla. He joined FlightSafety in 1994 and has held a number of roles, including worldwide sales director at FlightSafety Boeing, and regional marketing manager and assistant manager of the Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington learning center.
Robinson Helicopter Company received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine Police Helicopter. Robinson’s R66 Police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations. The four-place R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with the latest in surveillance systems.
VARIOUS RESTRICTED CATEGORY restricted category Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters with certain main rotor (M/R) [Docket No. FAA-2012-0896; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-070-AD; Amendment 39-17173; AD 2012-17-10] – requires inspecting the grip plates, doublers, and upper and lower surfaces of the M/R blades in the area between blade stations 24.5 and 40 for an edge void, corrosion, or a crack. This AD is prompted by several reports of fatigue cracks on M/R blades installed on Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
Hypersonic researchers from Europe and Japan are set to join forces on a study of a high-speed aircraft, with the aim of developing a road map for common technology goals and development. The project, dubbed high speed key technologies for future air transport – research and innovation (Hikari), is co-founded by the European Commission under its Framework 7 plan, and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
AGUSTA Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters with certain hoist hook assemblies (hook) installed [Docket No. FAA-2012-0927; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-052-AD; Amendment 39-17178; AD 2012-18-02] – requires inspecting the hook for correct assembly of the nut and body. This AD is prompted by a report that a hook separated from the cable of a helicopter. These actions are intended to prevent detachment of the hook from the helicopter and subsequent loss of an external load, possibly resulting in personal injury.
ROBERT MCMAHON , a retired U.S. Air Force major general, has joined the Nordam board of directors. He replaces USAF Maj. Gen. Donald Sheppert, who is stepping down from the board after providing military expertise to Nordam since 2004. McMahon retired in September after serving in the Air Force for 34 years. During that time, he had oversight of a maintenance wing, a logistics group and two maintenance squadrons, and most recently was commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center within the Air Force Materiel Command at Robins AFB, Ga.
Industry advocates are hoping the Internal Revenue Service will revisit its recent approach to taxing aircraft management fees and draft new guidance. But they stop short of saying any progress has yet been made. Industry officials have continued a dialogue about recent tax changes stemming from a March agency memorandum, and sources say that they expect some IRS movement on the issue in upcoming weeks. But whether any IRS action will provide the relief they have been seeking is still unclear.
Piper rolled out its 500th Meridian single-turboprop aircraft, which was handed over to a Florida-based owner. The company began delivery of the Meridian, stepping into the turbine class of aircraft, in 2000. Piper distributor Flightline Group/SouthEast Piper delivered the milestone aircraft during Piper’s 75th anniversary year and Flightline’s 30th.
Eclipse Aerospace has begun offering an anti-skid braking system (ABS) as a new option for the Eclipse twin-engine very light jet. The new ABS is available as an option on new production Eclipse 550 jets and will be offered as a retrofit to the existing fleet. In-aircraft testing is complete, with certification and availability expected within six months. ABS allows for maximum braking energy and skid control without the need for a conventional hydraulic system, which is unique to the Eclipse Jet.
Van Nuys, Calif.-based Jet Edge, bought a year ago by former Sentient and NetJets executive Bill Papariella, is transforming its operation into a midsize charter operator that is extending its reach into Asia. Founded in 2006, Jet Edge had built its business around a handful of older Gulfstream models, along with its maintenance, repair and overhaul operation that specialized in Gulfstream services.
Cessna Aircraft is growing its service capabilities with the recent acquisition of a facility in the U.K. and the opening of a center in Valencia, Spain. The company acquired a 50,000-sq.-ft. facility at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield and rebranded the facility Doncaster Citation Service Center. Formerly Kinch Aviation Services, the facility had been operating for 15 years, and for the past four as a Cessna authorized service facility.
DAVID DAVENPORT was named to the senior management team of FlightSafety International. He was promoted to vice president and is based in the corporate offices in New York. He formerly was manager of FlightSafety’s Savannah, Ga., facility and regional operations manager. In his new role, Davenport will focus on development and expansion of the company’s corporate aviation training programs. He will also be involved in strategic planning, business and financial decisions. He joined FlightSafety in 1996 as assistant manager of the West Palm Beach, Fla., learning center.
The CitationJet Pilots Association honored Russ Meyer, Jr., Cessna chairman emeritus, as the first person to be inducted into its new Hall of Fame on Sept. 26.
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.
