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.
The European debt crisis, Southern European recession and the U.S. dollar’s appreciation against the euro are beginning to take their toll on U.S. exports, which is a bad sign for the near-term growth of U.S. international outbound business traffic, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation says. In a quarterly business travel outlook, the foundation says it now expects the number of U.S.-initiated international business trips to reach 6.8 million in 2012, just 0.4% higher than in 2011, and total travel spending on those trips to rise by 2.9%.
Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia received a $3.97 million grant from FAA, along with a $353,309 grant from the Virginia Department of Aviation, to lengthen the airport’s runway by 500 ft. to 6,200 ft. Manassas executives say the extension would enable aircraft to take on more fuel for coast-to-coast flights, reduce noise levels north of the airport and enhance landing safety during inclement weather. The project is slated for completion in November.
Jazz’s parent company Chorus Aviation has exercised six of 15 options for Bombardier Q400s to replace 50-seat jets. Chorus Aviation in 2010 placed an order for 15 Q400s and took options for 15 more of the 74-seat turboprops. These 21 aircraft, which Chorus leases to Jazz, will replace the carrier’s entire fleet of CRJ100s, which as of this month had been reduced to 10 aircraft. The final nine CRJ100s will be replaced by the Q400s between December 2012 and May 2013.
Contract air traffic control towers are more cost-effective and appear as safe as those operated by the FAA, but the agency’s watchdog still recommends additional measures to improve oversight.
PHILIP ANSON has taken the role of CEO of STS Aviation Group in Jensen Beach, Fla. Anson, who has been with STS since 1997, previously was president, where he helped develop the company from a mechanic staffing specialist to a diversity aerospace support firm. In his new role, he will identify new prospects for acquisitions, steer overall growth and be responsible for the vision of the company.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) has established the metric that will be used to measure emissions for the first global aviation carbon-dioxide standard. Developed by the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations, along with ICAO member states, intergovernmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations, the metric will be based on fuel used per unit distance at three different cruise conditions. It will allow for varying aircraft sizes.
The Aviation Security Advisory Committee’s General Aviation Working Group later this year is expected to release updated guidelines for general aviation airports. TSA worked with the committee in 2003 and 2004 to issue the original guidelines. The effort is one of “several important actions” that TSA and the general aviation industry have taken to improve general aviation security, the Government Accountability Office says in a new report.
JEFF TABERNER has joined Latitude Technologies as senior account manager for the U.S. market. He formerly was director of sales for the Honeywell Technologies Sky connect brand. He has 12 years of aviation sales and services experience, working with offshore air fleet operators, law enforcement agencies and emergency medical transport operators. He also has served with EDMO Distributors.
TOM COVELLA was promoted to group president of STS Aviation Group’s Component Solutions unit. Covella has steered the division’s revenue, product lines, customer base, staff and inventory offerings.
EMBRAER Model EMB-505 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0441; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-011-AD; Amendment 39-17106; AD 2012-13-04] – requires visually inspecting the control surfaces (rudder, elevator, and aileron) and their tab surfaces for the existence of required drain holes and modifying the control surfaces by drilling drain holes.
AGUSTA Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0695; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-031-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting the pilot and co-pilot engine rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) control box assemblies to determine if the control gear locking pin is in its proper position. Since FAA issued that AD, Agusta has developed a terminating action for this inspection.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to issue a notice “shortly” that explores potential options for strengthening regulations and/or standards surrounding the use of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) on general aviation aircraft, an FCC official told the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last week. The safety board held a two-day forum on general aviation search and rescue that members hope will highlight the agency’s decades-long concerns about the adequacy of current search and rescue policies.
July 23-29—Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wis., www.airventure.org Aug. 13-16—Airports Council International-North America, 2012 Public Safety & Security Fall Conference, Arlington, Va., www.aci-na.org/event/1753 Aug. 16—4th Annual BALA Summit, Business Aviation in Latin America, LABACE, Sao Paulo, Brazil, www.aeropodium.com/cp/bala.html Aug. 18-22—54th NEC/AAAE Annual Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, www.necconference.org
DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0265; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-216-AD; Amendment 39-17098; AD 2012-12-18] – supersedes an AD that currently requires revising the Abnormal Procedures and Limitations sections of the Dassault Falcon 7X Airplane Flight Manual. This new AD requires a test of the power distribution control units (PDCU) cards and generator control units (GCU) cards to detect faulty components, and if any faulty components are found, replacing any affected PDCU or GCU card.
Now that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has secured the tactical and strategic airlift that it wanted, the service airlift group’s next procurement is for VIP air transportation.
