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.
FAA has awarded Harris Corporation a seven-year, $331 million contract to provide air/ ground data communications (datacomm) services in the national airspace system, a key element in the transformation of the air traffic control system from voice to automated air traffic management. The NextGen contract includes 10, one-year options that could extend the duration of the program to 2029.
FAA, citing a need to keep rulemaking transparent, has restored language on an engine component vibration testing rule that triggered industry opposition after being adopted without public comment. Opposition to the change came from the Modification and Replacement Parts Association, which filed a suit seeking to have the July 5 revision dropped. That change would have required on-engine tests as part of certification process “surveys” for components, such as fan blades. FAA last week formally reverted to the previous rule.
CORY HANKINS was named West Coast regional sales manager for Constant Aviation, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility headquartered at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Hankins previously was business development manager for the Western U.S. for Universal Aviation. He also has sold maintenance, avionics, interiors and engine agreements for Pentastar Aviation.
THIELERT TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0885; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-18-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the oil filler plug vent hole at the next scheduled maintenance or within 110 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. If chips are found to be blocking the vent hole, additional corrective action is required before next flight. This proposed AD was prompted by an inflight shutdown of an airplane equipped with a TAE 125-02-99 engine.
Hawker Beechcraft, hoping to bolster its case for the $355 million U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract, has completed a weapons assessment that involved the launch of laser-guided rockets and bombs. The Phase III weapons assessment, at Eglin AFB, Fla., involved more than 265 bombs and rockets and 3,000 rounds from AT-6 .50-caliber guns.
The Carlyle Group is set to retake ownership of one of the nation’s largest fixed-base operation chains that it helped create over nearly three decades. But its reacquisition of Landmark Aviation is coming at a price that is believed to be $200 million more than when Carlyle sold the chain five years ago.
Associated Air Center reached an agreement to conduct maintenance and interior refurbishment work on a Boeing Business Jet for a West African head of state.
Piper Aircraft struck an agreement with Aircraft Technical Publishers to provide customer access to all Piper maintenance publications and regulatory documents through ATP’s Aviation Hub online service and NavigatorV desktop platform beginning Dec. 5. Until then, Piper customers will access Piper manuals through Avantext.
HONEYWELL Models TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5R, -5AR, and -5BR series turbofan engines. [Docket No. FAA-2011-1045; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-32-AD; Amendment 39-17168; AD 2012-17-05] – requires replacing affected LPT1 rotor assemblies. This AD was prompted by a report of a rim/web separation of a first stage low-pressure. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained disk separation, engine failure, and damage to the airplane. FAA estimates the will affect 1,550 engines installed on U.S.-registered airplanes at a cost of $35.2 million per year. The AD takes effect Oct. 2.
ADA FURANO was named vice president of finance for Key Air. Furano has a background in accounting management, accounting systems and integrations in the aviation industry. She spent 20 years with Wayfarer Aviation as accounting supervisor and later served as director of accounting for TAG Aviation.
China’s HNA Group is outlining ambitious plans to expand its Hongkong Jet business aircraft management operations to fill what its sees as a void in service and quality in the emerging Chinese market. China’s business aircraft management companies have begun to proliferate, thanks to easier regulation and a growing awareness among the country’s wealthy and big companies that private jets are attainable and useful. But service quality has not matched that of Western standards with a number of carriers.
Comlux America’s opening of its new facility in Indianapolis marks a rapid expansion that helps cement the company among the major completion centers for Airbus Corporate Jets and Boeing Business Jets. The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 12 to formally open the 129,000-sq.-ft. facility, a celebration that occurred a little more than four years after Comlux established a presence in the U.S. to get into the completions business.
Tom Hendricks, who completed his first weeks at the helm of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), is picking up a common theme that general aviation leaders have stressed in recent years: the vital importance of working together to educate the public on the value of aviation. But Hendricks has a slightly different perspective, having just left his position as senior vice president, safety, security and operations at Airlines for America (A4A) to succeed James Coyne as president and CEO of NATA.
FAA is creating a new Fuels Program Office to coordinate aviation fuels activity, including efforts to transition to an unleaded aviation gasoline, FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta says.
House General Aviation Caucus co-Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is hoping to ensure that the White House’s $100-per-flight user fee proposal remains derailed, holding a House Small Business Committee hearing last week to underscore the damage such proposals could inflict on general aviation.
