FAA exponentially beefed up its control tower staff to prepare for the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure in Oshkosh, Wis., bringing in 60 controllers – out of 150 applicants – 18 supervisors and three operations managers. FAA calls its tower “the Busiest Air Traffic Control Tower in the World.” That slogan hangs on the tower, just below the controller cab. The reason is that during Oshksosh, the tower handled as many as 3,400 flights in 10 hr.
The North American market is returning to dominate Gulfstream’s orderbook, but overall market softness has “elongated” order cycles, says Jay Johnson, chairman, CEO and president of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics (GD). “Gulfstream continues to enjoy a sizeable, multiyear, large-cabin backlog and a robust order pipeline,” Johnson maintains, noting that the second quarter turned in the lowest number of defaults since the economic downturn began in 2008.
The machinists union is attempting to block an effort by Hawker Beechcraft to award up to $5.3 million in bonuses to company executives under the Key Employee Incentive Plan (KEIP).
Daher-Socata will not have a new twin-engine aircraft in its portfolio in the near future, according to company executives. They say the company has decided against moving forward with the Grob G180 SPn aircraft for the time being, and that announcements on a new platform may still be 18 months away.
PATS Aircraft Systems has secured a contract to complete a “VVIP” variant of the 737-800 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ2). PATS will complete the work at its Georgetown, Del., facility on behalf of an Asia Pacific-based head of state.
JEFF BAUM , president and CEO of Wisconsin Aviation, was selected as vice chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), succeeding Keystone Aviation President Bill Haberstock. Baum is a founding member of the ACSF, and has served on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors since the foundation’s inception. He also serves on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association, Wisconsin Business Aircraft Association, and the Transportation Development Association.
TWC Aviation in San Jose, Calif., rolled out two guaranteed revenue services as it moves to increase its charter and managed fleet. The programs, TWC RevenueFlex and TWC RevvenueMax, are designed to ensure predictable revenue for clients every month, the company says. Under RevenueFlex, TWC works with owners to set a maximum number of hours for the owner, and makes up the difference between the amount the owner flies and that maximum. TWC works around the owner’s schedule for use of the airplane when planning charter flights.
GULFSTREAM Model G-IV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0677; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-105-AD; Amendment 39-17114; AD 2012-13-12] – requires measuring to determine paint thickness on the flight control surfaces and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD was prompted by reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane.
Cessna continues to refine its Citation M2 light twin-engine business jet as the program progresses toward Part 23 certification and delivery in 2013. The Wichita airframer, which announced the M2 program nine months ago, has incorporated upgrades based on customer feedback. These include a shortened throttle quadrant pedestal and extended crew seat tracks to increase legroom. Cessna also is integrating more switches into the Garmin G3000 touch screens for a cleaner, more intuitive interface, the company says.
Rockwell Collins obtained certification for its Ascend Aircraft Information Manager (AIM) aboard Dassault Falcon 2000, Hawker Beechcraft B300 series King Airs and Piaggio Avanti II P-180 aircraft. AIM previously had been certified for Bombardier Challenger 300/604/605, Hawker 750/800XP/850XP/900XP aircraft and Falcon 50/50EX aircraft last year. Further certifications are anticipated for Cessna Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3 and Raytheon Premier I/IA aircraft by the end of the year.
Chinese firms are showing interest in even the lightest end of the industry, with a delegation holding a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony last week at a pavilion along the flightline at EAA’s Airventure in Oshkosh, Wis. Beyond the ceremony, their interest was shown in a more concrete manner with the acquisition of a kit builder and an investment to bring flight training into China (see articles inside). The reaction to a potential Chinese investment in Hawker Beechcraft remains mixed. Some analysts have been skeptical about the prospects for the sale.
PZL SWIDNIK Model PZL W-3A helicopter with a certain generator air outlet collector installed [Docket No. FAA-2012-0703; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-019-AD; Amendment 39-17112; AD 2012-13-10] – requires modifying the generator air outlet collector attachments. This AD is prompted by an incident where cyclic control stick movement was restricted due to rotation of a loose collector, resulting in locking of the longitudinal control system hydraulic actuator fork end.
Facing uncertain budgets and possible steep cuts from sequestration, FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta says the agency is considering a number of scenarios and is trying to be “nimble and creative.” Huerta, speaking to Aviation Week, could not detail what the impact of sequestration may be, but says a lot of speculation is circulating about the future budget environment. His job, he says job is to remain focused on the mission and management of the agency.
Piper Aircraft is renewing its focus on the training market – a niche the company had once decided to walk away from – as the Vero Beach, Fla., manufacturer decides to concentrate on its existing product line while the economy remains soft.
CESSNA Model 750 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD] – proposes to require replacing the auxiliary power unit (APU) generator control unit (GCU). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator overvoltage events. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent DC generator overvoltage events, which could result in subsequent smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical systems. FAA estimates that the AD would affect 58 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $149,060, or $2,570 per aircraft.
The U.S. government on July 31 is hosting a meeting in Washington, D.C. of about a dozen countries opposed to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). The meeting follows up on a gathering in February in Moscow, where more than 20 countries agreed to a number of potential retaliatory measures against the EU for pressing ahead with EU-ETS, Helicopter Association International says.
SIKORSKY Model S-64F helicopters (now under Erickson Air-Crane type certificate) [Docket No. FAA-2012-0689; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-065-AD] – proposes to supersede an AD that requires inspections, rework, and replacement, if necessary, of the main gearbox (MGB) second stage lower planetary plate. Since FAA issued that AD, the manufacturer has conducted a configuration review and analysis, and a review of the service history of certain components.
Garmin is unveiling the first dual-link units, the GDL 88, that will meet Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) compliance for aircraft that operate below 18,000 ft. Aircraft operators are facing a 2020 deadline for installing ADS-B “Out” capabilities aboard their aircraft. Garmin is expecting to receive FAA approved model list supplemental type certification later this year, and says the units, starting at $3,995, will be approved for most Part 23 fixed-wing aircraft.
DAVID DAVENPORT was promoted to vice president, center manager for FlightSafety International. He will continue to manage FlightSafety’s Gulfstream learning center in Savannah, Ga., and serve as regional operations manager. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Davenport served in the Air Training Command. He joined FlightSafety in 1996 as assistant manager of the West Palm Beach, Fla., learning center and held positions of increasing responsibility.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is agreeing to strengthen the vetting process of its foreign flight training program after a government report discovered students who have entered the U.S. illegally but were able to obtain flight training and others who received training without all the required background checks.
Bombardier is continuing to progress toward a 2013 entry-into-service for its largest Learjet yet, the 85, with four test aircraft in “various stages of fabrication,” the company says. The first complete composite pressure fuselage, including the nose and aft portions, is undergoing final validation before it is shipped from Bombardier’s facility in Queretaro, Mexico to Wichita, where the aircraft will be assembled and flight tested. Wing manufacturing is under way in Queretaro.
BOB GREENE was named executive chairman of STS Aviation Group. Greene previously was CEO. In his new role, he will be responsible for leadership throughout the group, remain involved in operational issues, and act as a liaison between the executive team and board of directors.
Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee are renewing a proposal to extend corporate aircraft depreciation schedules to seven years as a means to help offset the costs of a research and development tax credit. The committee Democrats recently introduced the legislation, the Investing in American Innovation Act of 2012, to renew the 20% credit for certain research expenses, at least through the end of this year.
MARK SMITH was promoted to president of STS Aviation Group’s AeroStaff Service, Line Maintenance and Engineering Solutions units. A 12-year company veteran, Smith previously was senior vice president. STS credits Smith with playing an instrumental role in the purchase, startup and continued growth of the three units that he now oversees as president.
Hawker Beechcraft’s service center in Chester, U.K., has secured a multimillion pound contract to covert two BAe 146-200QC aircraft for the U.K. Ministry of Defense.
