BELL 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD] – proposes to require replacing the starter/generator power cable assemblies and their associated parts and performing continuity readings on certain helicopters. This proposal was prompted by the determination that the power cable assembly connector can deteriorate, causing a short in the connector that could lead to a fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
Embraer has secured Chinese government approval to assemble Legacy 600/650 business jets in China, extending a relationship that existed on the ERJ145 using the Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co. joint venture with Avic. The first aircraft is to be delivered next year. Embraer initially considered moving some E-Jet assembly to the site, but China balked because of its own ARJ21 program.
The Transportation Security Administration is working to devise means such as gateway airports that would enable business aviation to access restricted airspace during temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), says Zach Carder, who handles business aviation issues for TSA.
House aviation subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-Wis.) is seeking a congressional review of the IRS’s recent interpretation that would consider aircraft management fees and related activity as commercial transportation that should be taxed accordingly. Petri wrote a letter to House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.), noting industry’s concerns over the recent interpretation and says it raises questions of double taxation.
Bombardier Aerospace broke ground this month on a factory-owned service center for business aircraft at Seletar airport in Singapore. The facility, which will open in the second quarter of 2013, will include 31,500 sq. ft. of hangar space and 23,800 sq. ft. of office and backshops. The center will provide light and heavy maintenance on all Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. The facility will serve as a center for a full-service hub in the region. Plans call for Bombardier to move its Singapore Regional Support Office (RSO) to the hub.
Aerion Corporation in July will begin the next round of trials involving a test article positioned under NASA’s F-15B aircraft as the Reno, Nev., engineering firm moves to validate its supersonic flight designs and continues to search for a manufacturing partner. The newly built test article, which includes a 40-in. vertical span by 80-in. chord, will not look like Aerion’s wing design but will behave similarly aerodynamically, enabling the company to collect further data on laminar flow, says Aerion COO Doug Nichols.
Under the shadow of a second lawsuit, Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) and Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) have submitted their bids in the restaged competition to supply 20 light-attack aircraft to Afghanistan. Technical and cost proposals for the Light Air Support (LAS) program were submitted to the U.S. Air Force on June 18. HBC is offering its AT-6 and SNC the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano. Contract award is scheduled for mid-January, leading to first delivery to the Afghan National Army air force in July 2014 — a delay of more than a year.
June 12, 1972 — Pan Am and Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation agree to establish Falcon Jet Corp. in New Jersey, with each owning a 50% stake but enabling Pan Am to divest itself of the liabilities of its Business Jet Division that distributed and marketed Falcon business jets. June 7, 1982 — Gulfstream Aerospace joins other general aviation manufacturers forced to resort to employee layoffs, cutting 5-6% of its 1,150 workforce and imposing a four-week production shutdown at its Commander Division in Bethany, Okla.
Bell Helicopter plans to open its first authorized flight school in China in conjunction with Guanchen Aviation. Eric Cardinali, executive vice president, customer support and services for Bell Helicopter, said, “Partnering with Guanchen Aviation to provide a high-quality, local flight-training solution is an important first step in meeting our customer needs in the region.
Gulfstream Aerospace will soon support business aircraft operators in northern California, Colorado, and Nevada by using a specially outfitted Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) mobile maintenance vehicle. From its base at San Jose International Airport, the vehicle will service aircraft located in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and Fresno in California, and as far east as Reno, Nev. Also, from December through early March, the vehicle will be based at Denver’s Centennial Airport to serve operators in Colorado during ski season.
Rockwell Collins has won a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop the synthetic-vision avionics backbone for next-generation helicopter operations under the Multi-Function Radio Frequency Program. Rockwell Collins is teamed with BAE Systems on the first two phases of the $5.1 million contract. An optional third phase would bring the award’s total value to $6 million. The contract calls for Rockwell Collins to develop a 3D synthetic vision-based imagery system that will be used with multifunction radar.
June 20—National Business Aviation Association, the United States Aircraft Insurance Group and the Connecticut Business Aviation Group Runway Excursion Safety Forum, Key Air, Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Conn., www.nbaa.org June 20-21—World Aviation Event Ltd. Aviation Expo 2012, Bitburg Airport, Germany, www.expo.aero June 21-22—Business Aircraft Transactions Conference, Le Parker Meridien Hotel, New York, www.nbaa.org/events/atc/2012/
ROY AUKAI has joined Aloha Air Cargo as director of cargo operations, overseeing cargo and ground handling activities at the company’s five Hawaii stations. He has more than 39 years of transportation and airline experience, most recently with the Department of Transportation, Harbors Division. He also has been with Hawaiian Airlines.
The bottom in used business jet pricing “remains elusive,” says JPMorgan analyst Joseph Nadol. Average asking price fell 0.9% last month, with heavy jets down 1.5% and light jets down 0.3%. This brought May to “a new low for the cycle,” Nadol says. But medium jet prices inched up 0.6%. And, despite soft prices, inventory continues to shrink, down 10 bps in May. Used inventory of in-production models is now 10.6%, down from 11.1% in February, Nadol says.
Satcom Direct is expanding with a new business office and satellite testing and integration lab in Savannah, Ga. The office will house an avionics and testing lab, a training facility and support services for pilots, flight operations and maintenance staff. Satcom Direct provides satellite voice and broadband data products for business, military, government, and heads of state aircraft. The company is an Inmarsat Distribution Partner, Iridium Service Partner, and ViaSat Yonder’s preferred reseller.
WACO Models 2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, and 2T-1A-2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0578; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-019-AD; Amendment 39-17071; AD 2012-11-08] – requires inspection of the front and rear horizontal stabilizer spar assemblies with replacement of parts as necessary. This AD was prompted by cracking of the horizontal stabilizer spars, which could lead to failure of the horizontal spars with consequent loss of control. FAA estimates the AD affects 134 aircraft on the U.S.
ALPHA AVIATION Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0279; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-007-AD; Amendment 39-17073; AD 2012-11-10] – requires replacement of the oil lines with fire resistant lines. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. The MCAI cites reports of oil lines fitted to affected aircraft that are not fire resistant. FAA estimates the AD will affect 10 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $8,500 or $850 per aircraft. The AD takes effect July 12.
It is, without a doubt, a big win for an industry that has been waiting a long time for good news. In the largest business jet order ever tendered, NetJets agreed to buy up to 425 new business jets from Bombardier and Cessna as part of a 10-year plan to overhaul its fleet. The value of the deals would reach $9.6 billion, if the world’s largest fractional ownership operator exercises all of its options for Bombardier Challenger 300 series and 605s and Cessna Citation Latitudes.
Bombardier received a contract valued at $65 million from Canadian operator London Air Services (LAS) for five Learjet 75 aircraft. The contract for the aircraft, announced during last month’s EBACE in Geneva, is the follow on to the Learjet 45XR and slated for certification next year. Based in Richmond, B.C., LAS already operates five Learjet 45XR light jets, in addition to a Challenger 604 and two Challenger 605s. The company also has a Global 7000 business jet on order, due to arrive in 2017.
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has begun bird strike and ingestion tests on the PW1500G for Bombardier’s CSeries, marking the final phase of major certification tests for its first production geared turbofan. The engine remains “on a trajectory for certification in the fourth quarter,” says Bob Saia, vice president of P&W’s next-generation product family. Bird strike tests began on June 8 with the firing of a single 2.5-lb. bird.
Recognizing the growing use of electronic devices in the cockpit, FAA has issued a revised Advisory Circular, AC 120-76B, that provides guidelines on the certification, airworthiness and operational approval of electronic flight bags (EFB). While the information contained in the revised AC is consistent with previous FAA information on this subject, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) points out some new terms and concepts introduced in the revision.
JEFF KREIDE was promoted to vice president of business solutions for Gulfstream Aerospace. Kreide, who reports to Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, will be responsible for developing and managing integrated business solutions to support all facets of Gulfstream, including product life cycle management (PLM) and enterprise resource planning. A 30-year Gulfstream veteran, he most recently was director of PLM and, before that, director of Savannah final phase and standards engineering.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0588; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-017-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the wire harness along the leading edge for chafing damage, and repair if necessary; and relocating and installing new anchor nuts. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing between the wire harness along the wing leading edge and the inboard end rib of the wing leading edge due to insufficient clearance.
As Eclipse Aerospace loads the jig for its first new-production very light jet, the company’s ambitions are not those of its predecessor, which failed spectacularly in its bid to blacken the sky with low-cost air taxis. The new company instead aims to make a solid profit on modest production.
Key Air is hosting a Runway Excursion Safety Forum June 20 at its Waterbury-Oxford Airport location. The forum is co-sponsored by the National Business Aviation Association, the United States Aircraft Insurance Group and the Connecticut Business Aviation Group. The event, which qualifies for Certified Aviation Manager credit, will focus on mitigating the risks and reducing the occurrence of runway excursions. To register, contact Key Air’s Chris Little at [email protected] or NBAA’s Dean Saucier at [email protected].
