Bombardier Aerospace has begun work on the two first flight test Learjet 85 aircraft, and the complete aircraft static test article is under way, with the production of composite components including the unique 32-ft. composite pressure fuselage. Joining the forward fuselage to the main pressure fuselage, as well as the assembly of the aft fuselage, vertical stabilizer and tailcone fuselage sections, are ongoing at Bombardier sites in Wichita and Querétaro, Mexico.
Embraer’s Phenom 100 has flown 100,000 flight hours, a little more than three years since it entered service in December 2008. The company has delivered 240 of the entry-level executive jets worldwide. “This is a significant milestone achieved in such a short time,” said Luciano Castro, Embraer vice president of executive jet programs. Designed for high utilization, the Phenom 100 can accommodate up to eight occupants.
Bombardier has developed a document management application for use on the Apple iPad. The Bombardier Flight Deck app provides an electronic flight manual capable of automatically receiving updates by Bombardier. The app further enables flight departments to independently manage and distribute their own documentation to their fleet. Bombardier test pilots worked with the Bombardier business aircraft technical publications team to test and refine the functionality over the past year.
Field Aviation has teamed with Hawker Pacific to collaborate on sales and installations of Field Aviation’s Bombardier DHC-8 flight deck upgrade. Developed in concert with Universal Avionics for classic Dash 8 100/200/300 series aircraft, the upgrade includes five Universal EFI-890R, high-definition flat panel displays. Four displays present navigation and flight information, while the fifth center display provides engine information. The system provides upgrade paths for synthetic vision, radio control units, flight management systems and weather radar upgrade.
London Oxford Airport and London Heliport, which recently came under single ownership, are partnering to coordinate interlining service during the London Olympics this summer. An exemption to the no-fly zone during the Olympics will enable travelers to fly into London via the heliport. London Oxford Airport is working with local operators including Capital Air Services and PremiAir to facilitate travel to the heliport during the Games. The airport expects a threefold increase in travel during peak periods of the Olympics.
Associated Aircraft Group (AAG) has established helicopter operations at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, which is a 10-min. flight to Manhattan aboard one of the company’s Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. AAG operates a fleet of S-76 helicopters in both fractional and full management programs with bases in the New York and Philadelphia areas.
A Secret Service-imposed temporary flight restriction (TFR) that shut down New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport May 14 with little advance notice is raising fears over airspace restrictions on the horizon as the presidential election season enters full force. The TFR shut down Teterboro for nearly five hr. on a Monday, when the airport – the nation’s busiest general aviation facility – typically experiences peak traffic. The TFR was issued shortly before it took effect, causing the rerouting of dozens of aircraft.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Helicopter Textron, Model205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD] – proposes to require creating a component history card or equivalent record for each affected crosstube, and determining and recording the total number of landings. The AD also requires inspecting each crosstube for a crack and replacing cracked crosstubes.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Models 58 and G58 airplane [Docket No.FAA-2012-0218; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-003-AD; Amendment 39-17051; AD 2012-10-02] -- requires inspecting for oversized or deformed fuel hose clamps and replacing as necessary. This AD was prompted by installation of oversized clamps on fuel vapor return and/or fuel vent lines in the outboard sections of the left and right wings. FAA is issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products. FAA estimates the AD affects 244 airplanes on the U.S.
MARYLIN THOMAS has joined business aviation sales and support firm Acass as director of contracts. Thomas has served in aircraft contracts for 10 years, working with both business and commercial aircraft transactions. An attorney, Thomas has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1991.
ALFRED MORENO was named as principal aviation architect for HNTB. Moreno, who will be based in the firm’s New York office, will be responsible for developing HNTB’s aviation architecture practice in the eastern U.S. He has more than 26 years of experience, working on a range of airport, housing, retail, commercial and health care projects. He has steered both design and management of projects. Most recently he had been involved in projects at John F.
The business aviation market in Europe remains a concern, even as the North American market appears to be climbing back. The relatively weak order environment was reflected at last week’s European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Geneva, where solid deals were few. But OEM chiefs agree that sales prospects in the U.S. are mounting. “April was a very good month for us,” says Embraer CEO Frederico Fleury Curado.
ZIPPORAH MARMOR was appointed as director of aircraft sales and leasing for business aviation sales and support firm Acass. Marmor returns to her native Canada from Monaco, where she was vice president of sales and marketing for New Jet International. Before that, she served with Bombardier Business Aircraft.
Nextant Aerospace is quadrupling its space at Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Airport to boost production of the Nextant 400XT remanufactured business jet. The newly acquired facility will accommodate an annual production rate of 48 aircraft. The facility includes a larger production hangar that can handle six aircraft simultaneously, a second hangar for delivery and completions and a third for aircraft painting.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 helicopters, except the EC 135 P2+ and T2+ [Docket No. FAA-2012-0500; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-014-AD] -- proposes to require, at intervals not to exceed five hours time in service (TIS), visually inspecting the upper and lower plain journal bearings of the sliding sleeve to detect a dislocated plain journal bearing on helicopters with swashplate sliding sleeve, part number (P/N) L623M2006101, installed.
June 7—National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Regional Forum, Teterboro Airport (TEB), Teterboro, N.J., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org June 11-13—National Air Transportation Association 2012 Air Charter Summit, Westfields Marriott, Chantilly/Dulles, Va., (703) 845-9000, www.nata.aero June 14–16—National Business Aviation Association 17th Annual Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, Chicago, Ill., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
AGUSTA Model A109S helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0448; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-016-AD] – proposes to require modifying the electrical power distribution system to carry a higher electrical load.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) is developing a new process to expedite financing for business aircraft and helicopter exports, providing a critical avenue for financing to business jet makers at a time when financing worldwide is still scarce. Speaking during the 12th annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) on May 14, Ex-Im Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg said Ex-Im Bank will work with industry experts on due diligence and credit analysis to speed up foreign-buyer financing.
In a bet on better times ahead, Bombardier is pressing on with its long-awaited replacement of the Learjet 40XR and 45XR with the launch of Learjet 70 and 75. Although this smaller end of the business aircraft market is still far from recovery, Learjet Vice President and General Manager Ralph Acs, notes: “The market will get better over time,” and the company is at a point where it should be “refreshing” its offering. “We want to come out of the down market with fresh, new products.”
Gama Aviation opened a new operation in Geneva to manage aircraft. The base is working toward obtaining a full Swiss air operator certificate by the end of the year. The office, located within Geneva Airport’s Executive Terminal, will be led by General Manager Hamish Ross. Ross previously was based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, as Gama Aviation FZE’s director of flight operations. Gama has more than 30 operational bases worldwide.
Industry organizations disagree on who should manage and operate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites, but they all believe a UAS test program should be used to gather critical safety data, develop certification and training standards and ensure sense-and-avoid capabilities.
NetJets Europe is making plans to quickly expand its operations with a move into aircraft management. The parent NetJets already has a significant management base in the U.S. with Executive Jet Management and is laying the groundwork for a management operation in Asia.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association board of directors has approved Air Tractor as the association’s newest member, bringing the association’s membership to 77 manufacturers. Air Tractor got its start as the Snow Aeronautical Company in 1951. In 1958, Leland Snow moved the production facilities to Olney, Texas, where Air Tractor is headquartered today. With more than 2,700 aircraft flying, Air Tractor manufactures a line of agriculture aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney piston or turbine engines.
