Beijing and Shanghai are likely to get dedicated airports for business aviation, boosting growth prospects for the industry while relieving commercial airports of the accompanying airspace congestion. The director-general of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Li Jiaxiang, says building the two airports will be part of a set of policies that the agency is working on for the promotion of business aviation.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model G58 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0829; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-024-AD] – proposes to require replacement of the incorrect gauge wiring with the correct wiring required by type design and the aircraft’s circuit protection. This proposed AD was prompted by notification from Hawker Beechcraft that certain affected aircraft were produced with the incorrect gauge wiring installed. FAA estimates the proposal affects 40 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $56,400, or $1,360 per aircraft.
Sept. 9-12—22nd Airports Council International World-North America Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Canada, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Sept. 10-11—National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Events: Fall Committee Meetings, Wyndham Dallas Love Field, Dallas, Tex.(703) 845-8176, [email protected], www.nata.aero/Event.aspx?page=2075§ionid=1449 Sept. 11-13—Airline Engineering & Maintenance: Asia Pacific Conference, Crowne Plaza Mutiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysa, www.airlineengineering-asiapacific.com/
SIKORSKY S-76A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0517; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-73-AD; Amendment 39-17137; AD 2012-15-08]—requires modifying the electric rotor brake (ERB) and inserting changes into the ``Normal Procedures’’ and ``Emergency Procedures’’ sections of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. This AD was prompted by a fire in the main gearbox area as a result of a hot electric rotor brake (ERB).
The deadline for the FAA to start a pilot project to build six UAV test sites around the U.S. has passed, putting bidders around the country on hold. That includes places like Ohio, which is investing $1.5 million in hopes of capitalizing on the military and industrial resources of the state’s southwest corner. The Ohio Aircraft Systems Center and Test Complex will use a “military operating area” managed by the Air National Guard. The site is close to Wright Patterson AFB, where the Air Force Research Lab and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center are located.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model C90GTi (King Air) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0830; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-026-AD] – proposes to require replacing incorrect gauge wires in certain electrical power wiring bundles, inspecting associated wiring bundles and components for heat damage, and taking all necessary corrective actions. Model C90GTi (King Air) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrect gauge wires used in certain wiring bundles for the cockpit electrical power for backlighting and instrument panel components.
Piedmont Aircraft has signed a deal to take over the operational control of the aircraft maintenance operation at Moore County Airport (SOP) at Pinehurst/Southern Pines, N.C.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1418; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-187-AD; Amendment 39-17157; AD 2012-16-10]—requires installing spring clips and repositioning the lanyard attachment points at the forward end and the forward firefloor of the lower cowl. This AD was prompted by chafing on high pressure fuel lines due to improper installation of an expandable pin on the lower cowl assembly. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the high pressure fuel lines, which if not corrected, could cause fuel leakage in a fire zone.
STEFAN BENZ was named vice president-MRO and fixed-base operation services for Jet Aviation’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Benz joined Jet Aviation in January 2011 as vice president-MRO sales EMEA and Asia. He oversees Jet Aviation’s MRO and FBO operations in Dubai, Dusseldorf, Jeddah, London Biggin Hill, Moscow Vnukovo, Riyadh and Zurich.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) named safety expert Robert E. Breiling as the recipient of the 2012 NBAA John P. “Jack” Doswell Award. The award, to be presented during NBAA’s 65th Annual Meeting & Convention Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Orlando, recognizes lifelong individual achievement on behalf of and in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce believes time is running short for FAA to make substantial changes to the certification process, which he says is resulting in up to 18-month delays in products reaching market and costing jobs. Given potential budget cuts that Congress may be facing, he says changes in the way FAA operates – including using the designee program the way it was designed – must be made soon.
Gogo was granted a subordinate license from Industry Canada for Canada’s air-to-ground radio frequency spectrum. The license enables Gogo to provide commercial and business aircraft inflight connectivity over Canada. Gogo will operate on the same frequency over Canada as it does in the U.S., providing a seamless transition across the borders. Gogo plans to begin cell site construction later this year and to be operational by the end of 2013. Gogo will initially focus on routes served by existing U.S. and Canadian commercial airline customers.
Cessna is promising to certify its new Citation Ten as the fastest business jet on the market with a speed of Mach 0.935, eclipsing the Gulfstream G650’s Mach 0.925. Formal announcement of the speed of the Ten comes shortly before Gulfstream is expected to receive full certification of the G650. Gulfstream recently updated progress on the program, saying all certification flights were complete.
A government-industry committee drafting recommendations to improve the consistency of the FAA’s certification and approval processes is asking for input from aviation groups to help meet its year-end deadline. The Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) will offer an online survey to stakeholders until Sept. 25.
BAE SYSTEMS Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series [Docket No. FAA-2012-0332; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-130-AD; Amendment 39-17155; AD 2012-16-08] – requires repetitive detailed inspections for bulging, surface anomalies, and cracking of the fuselage skin adjacent to the discharge valves, repair if necessary, and application of additional sealant in the affected area if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and surface anomalies of the fuselage skin at the water trap/air dryer unit of the forward discharge valve due to corrosion.
NetJets is adding Aircell’s Gogo Biz Service to nearly 100 more aircraft, representing a nearly 40% expansion of its connected fleet. NetJets in 2010 signed an agreement to offer in-flight Internet service aboard more than 250 aircraft, which had been Aircell’s largest ever business aircraft inflight connectivity order. The service provides high-speed Internet access above 10,000 ft. in the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska through the use of Wi-Fi enabled laptops, tablets, smartphones, electronic flight bags and other mobile devices.
Executive AirShare, the Kansas City-based “regional” fractional provider, is expanding its business portfolio with two new programs that fill a gap between fractional programs and jet card businesses. Unlike fractional, under which owners buy a stake in an aircraft, Executive AirShare’s new programs are based on a leasing structure. The “Launch” program calls for a one-time payment ($99,895) that provides up to 25 days or 60 flights over up to a two yr. period. Like most fractional programs, the hourly rates are billed separately.
Eurocopter is the latest aircraft manufacturer to invest in a Chinese joint venture anticipating that the Peoples Liberation Army will lighten prohibitive airspace restrictions that has put a damper on general aviation development. Helicopter operations typically have been limited to below 300 meters with requirements to land and depart from the same airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is faulting deteriorated locknut inserts found in a “highly modified” World War II-era North American P-51D for the Sept. 16, 2011, crash during the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. The crash, which killed the pilot and 10 other people on the ground and caused and injuries to 60 other people, captured national attention and has led to evaluations of the safety of experimental aircraft and air racing, along with alterations of the Reno course.
FAA is laying the groundwork to implement the new “Pilot’s Bill of Rights,” beginning with a new website that will facilitate access to air traffic data. President Obama Aug. 3 signed Sen. Jim Inhofe’s ( R-Okla.) Pilot’s Bill of Rights (S.1335) into law, following House passage late last month and Senate passage in June. Nearly two-thirds of the Senate co-sponsored the bill, which strengthens protections of pilots’ rights in cases of FAA enforcement actions.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0422; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-177-AD; Amendment 39-17146; AD 2012-15-16]—requires replacing the affected pushrod assembly. This AD was prompted by reports that various pushrods had been manufactured with tubes having the incorrect heat treatment. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of rudder control, reduced directional control of the airplane on the ground, or a jammed nose landing gear (NLG) door that could prevent the NLG from retracting or extending.
Nextant Aerospace has delivered its first European-registered 400XT remanufactured aircraft to a buyer in the Czech Republic. The aircraft, the 16th 400XT overall to be delivered, will be managed by Time Air, which specializes in charter, aircraft acquisition and management. Time Air, along with the owner, will work with Nextant to provide demonstration flights for prospective buyers in Europe. Beechcraft Sales and Service GmbH (Beechcraft Augsburg) will support the aircraft. Nextant begin delivery of the aircraft in October 2011, following FAA certification.
The Transportation Department‘s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is calling on FAA to improve management of a program that requires airports to assess potential wildlife aircraft strikes.
