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.
Lord Corporation, the Cary, N.C.-based manufacturer of aerospace mechanical and electromechanical systems, completed the acquisition of the assets of MicroStrain, a Williston, Vt., provider of electronic sensing systems. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. MicroStrain has been involved in programs to flight test a range of energy harvesting and wireless devices embedded in helicopter rotor head key components, as well as vibration measurement devices on platforms such as the V-22.
In a defeat for local anti-aviation communities, Oberpfaffenhofen’s special-use airport just 28 km from Munich has won a battle that will allow it to grow into the region’s business jet airport. Bavaria’s top court ruled recently to ease restrictions on noise limits and opening hours and to allow 10,000 movements a year.
M7 AEROSPACE Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-AT, and SA227-TT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0917; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-030-AD; Amendment 39-17177; AD 2012-18-01] – requires repetitively inspecting the left and right forward (main) and aft spar wing-to-fuselage attach fittings for cracks and replacing any cracked fitting. This AD also requires reporting certain inspection results to the FAA.
FAA is proposing to adopt International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) noise certification standards for helicopters. In a notice of proposed rulemaking released last week, FAA says that incorporating these more stringent noise certification standards into U.S. regulations is consistent with the agency’s goal of harmonizing U.S. regulations with international standards. A helicopter certificated under this standard would be designated as a Stage 3 helicopter.
Rizon Jet Doha in Qatar was named an approved aircraft maintenance organization by the civil aviation authorities for Aruba and the United Arab Emirates. The base already has security approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency, Qatar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Saudi Arabia Part 145 clearance is pending. The approvals come as Rizon Jet expands its capabilities, including adding Bombardier Learjet 45 services to its offerings.
It is not certain that the U.S. national airspace system (NAS) will be ready to accommodate unmanned aircraft by the deadline set by Congress, says the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In February, Congress set a series of deadlines to accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the NAS. In a new report, the GAO says the FAA “has missed one deadline and could miss others.”
40 Years Ago Sept. 11, 1972 – Grumman announces merger with American Aviation. 30 Years Ago Sept. 13, 1982 – U.S. International Trade Commission schedules vote on charges levied by Fairchild Swearingen that it has been harmed by aircraft imports from Brazil supported by below-market financing. 20 Years Ago Sept. 7, 1992 – Gulfstream plans Gulfstream V business jet with a range of 6,300 nm.
DOLORES JOHNSON was appointed director of sales and marketing for Million Air Interlink. Johnson will be responsible for working with current and future customers and individual fixed-base operations to support growth and business development. She has more than 30 years of industry experience, serving in marketing and sales roles as well as general manager for the Santa Barbara FBO. She also facilitated the startup of the previous Million Air Monterey and worked with other FBOs that joined the chain.
