LYCOMING (L)O-360, (L)IO-360, AEIO-360, O-540, IO-540, AEIO-540, (L)TIO-540, IO-580, and IO-720 series reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-24785; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-20-AD] – proposes to revise an earlier proposed AD calling for replacing certain crankshafts. This action revises that early proposal by including the IO-390, AEIO-390, and AEIO-580 series engine models having affected crankshafts.
GARY WOOD was appointed corporate sales and marketing representative for Canada-based Flying Colours Corp. Based at the company’s Peterborough, Ontario facilities, Wood will focus on expanding a worldwide sales and marketing presence. He has more than 25 years of corporate aviation experience, serving with Cessna Aircraft, Cessna Pacific, Australia and Field Aviation.
AgustaWestland and the German fashion design house Karl Lagerfeld will partner for the design of VIP helicopter interiors and exteriors. The first project will initially focus on the development of an AW139 medium twin helicopter VIP exterior and interior design. The companies plan to expand the partnership to include other AgustaWestland commercial helicopter models.
Hawker Beechcraft received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for its newest Beechcraft King Air derivative, the 250. EASA approval follows FAA certification in June 2011 and validation from the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil in November. Hawker Beechcraft expects to begin King Air 250 deliveries to Europe shortly. Europe has proven to be a key market for the King Air line, the company says, noting that, according to Eurocontrol data, the King Air B200 series was the most flown business aircraft in Europe over the last four years.
The Senate version of the FAA funding bill includes a number of other provisions that business and general aviation advocates are watching, including a measure that maintains limits on large aircraft at Teterboro, N.J., and another that continues a ban on attempts to dismantle the Block Aircraft Registration Request program.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, SA-366G1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0354; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-104-AD] – proposes to require replacing the main rotor mast nut with an airworthy main rotor mast nut. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked main rotor mast nut. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to complete failure of the mast nut, resulting in failure of the rotor mast and loss of control of the helicopter.
Lawmakers appear to be rejecting the Obama administration’s push to increase the community share of the contract tower program. The Senate’s fiscal 2013 transportation funding bill, which was approved by the Appropriations Committee last week, keeps the limits of the local cost share at 20%. The administration had pushed for upping the local share to 50% and cutting $2 million from the federal funding for the cost-share program. Industry groups had urged lawmakers to preserve the cost-sharing program and fund it at $10.35 million.
DASSAULT AVIATION Model Falcon 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1164; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-084-AD; Amendment 39-17002; AD 2012-06-21] – This AD requires inspecting to determine fuel quantity sensors part numbers and replacing of certain fuel quantity sensors with new fuel quantity sensors. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of fuel leakage from a defective fuel high-level sensor located in the wing front spar. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent internal fuel leakage with significant fuel vapors, which could result in a fire hazard.
NANCY RITTER was promoted to manager of FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Fla. Ritter joined FlightSafety in 1994 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including as assistant chief pilot, flight instructor, Seneca (Part 61) program manager, JAA program manager and flight instructor program manager. Most recently, she was assistant manager responsible for all Part 141, 142 and 61 flight training.
SunState Aviation, a flight school based at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Florida, is building a new 16,000-sq.-ft. facility for its growing training business. The facility is slated for completion in August. SunState, which recently added a new Tecnam P2006T multi-engine aircraft to its training fleet, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
LISA TROXELL was named regional sales manager for component repair, modification and overhaul in Gulfstream Aerospace’s product support sales organization. Troxell will be responsible for sales in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK C-1 helicopters equipped with a certain external-hoist system (hoist system) [Docket No. FAA-2012-0356; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-067-AD] – proposes to require either deactivating the entire hoist system or deactivating the hoist system cable cutter function on the hoist system operator control handle. This proposed AD was prompted by an uncommanded activation of the hoist cable cutter function on an MBB-BK117 C-1 helicopter.
China’s Capital Helicopter has acquired authorization to run air taxi services. With China gradually opening its low-altitude airspace to civilian use, the Beijing-based company is aiming at a broad range of rotary wing operations across the country, with capital of 300 million yuan ($48 million). Capital Helicopter has three Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrels in service and two on order, while also awaiting delivery of two EC135P2+ helicopters.
ANNETTE VITELLO has joined American Jet International as director of operations. Vitello will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the flight department, including management of business development and growth of the company. She has 28 years of corporate and air carrier experience with seven years in management. She has 8,200 hr. as a pilot, including time as a Boeing 727 captain. She also has served as the director of operations with air carriers operating a range of aircraft, and has held management positions at Million Air Medford.
Rockwell Collins is providing its Head-Up Guidance System with synthetic and enhanced vision technology for FAA NextGen research efforts. The technology will be installed on a Boeing 737 flight simulator in the FAA’s Flight Operations Simulation Laboratory (FOSL) in Oklahoma City. FAA will study potential benefits for use of head-up technology, such as lower landing minima. The research also will be used to support the approvals and development of the guidance material necessary to implement use of the technology in operations.
Business aviation advocates are warning that a new levy on private aircraft in Italy is discouraging operators from flying in the European country, and they have appealed to Italian authorities to repeal the tax. Italy, facing dire economic straits, late last year adopted a new levy on aircraft that spend more than 48 hr. in the country. The levy is a sliding scale, ranging from 1.50 euros per kg for aircraft up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.) up to 7.55 euros per kg for aircraft above 10,000 kg (22,000 lb.), which could add up to 300,000 euros in annual taxes.
Clarification: The April 9 edition of BA reprinted an outdated airworthiness directive (AD) and proposed AD – one covering the Bombardier Challenger 300 (final rule) and another on the Dassault Falcon 7X (proposed).
Hawker Beechcraft’s 2011 annual report and 10-K, filed late Friday afternoon, makes several mentions of the possibility of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing “if we are not able to refinance our indebtedness or reach a restructuring agreement with our lenders.” The company has been upbeat about ongoing negotiations, but a Chapter 11 filing is widely expected among analysts, considering the company’s heavy debt load. The annual report notes backlog has further slid from $1.4 billion at the end of 2010 to $1.13 billion as of Dec. 31.
Now in sole control of the civil tiltrotor program it began with Bell Helicopter, AgustaWestland plans to begin certification flights of its renamed AW609 next year with the goals of obtaining FAA certification and beginning deliveries by mid-2016. The company reports cash-backed orders in hand for 70 units from 40 customers in 15 countries. Two prototypes have been involved in initial flight tests. A third aircraft is being assembled in Italy and will fly next year. A fourth is expected to follow in 2014.
A new pan-Africa association of business aviation interests is taking form and may be formally announced at the upcoming European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva. Jack Olcott, former president of the National Business Aviation Association, said Friday that the groundwork has been laid for an African Business Aviation Association and that nearly $250,000 has been raised to help launch the group.
