DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0269; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-105-AD] – proposes to require modifying the routing of and, if necessary, replacing, the oxygen pipe. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a passenger oxygen pipe at frame 10 was chafing against the forward lavatory rear structure, raising the risk of the oxygen pipe developing a crack. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent rupture of the oxygen pipe which, in case of a cabin depressurization, would impair operation of the passenger oxygen distribution system.
Piper Aircraft has landed a contract valued at $90,000 to provide complex multi-axis machined parts for Triton Submarines, which like Piper, is based in Vero Beach, Fla. Piper Aircraft’s Services Business unit, which was formed in part to build up engineering expertise originally developed for the now-shelved Altaire single jet, is providing the work for Triton.
Business Aviation Asia (BAA) is planning a dedicated maintenance center for business jets in Tianjin, about 70 mi. southeast of Beijing. BAA is investing about $53.3 million (U.S.) to build maintenance hangars, a paint facility, workshop and offices. Plans also call for 1,100 meters of taxiway on a 67,000-sq.-meter site within the airport’s bonded free-trade zone. Construction is set to start next month and is expected to be completed by October 2013. BAA also plans to eventually establish training there.
Gulfstream Aerospace detailed three more orders that will expand its growing fleet in Asia: Nanshan Jet, which is taking delivery of its second G450 long-range jet, with an additional G450 and G550 on order; AllPoints Jet, which signed an order at last week’s Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition for a G450 and G550; and Asia Jet, which is expanding its Shanghai charter fleet with a G200. “Asia, and particularly China, remains our leading export market,” says President Larry Flynn. “Twenty-seven percent of our current backlog is in Asia-Pacific.
CAMO4jets in Basel, Switzerland, has received European Aviation Safety Agency authorization to perform airworthiness review and management services for all Cessna Citation and Embraer aircraft. The authorization expands CAMO4jet’s line of CAMO services, which include airworthiness review and management on a range of Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream models.
Jeppesen has completed a successful rapid decompression test of a third-generation iPad, verifying its integrity in the event of sudden cabin pressure loss. The test, completed to an altitude of 51,000 ft., is part of the program used by operators to obtain FAA authorization for inflight use of Jeppesen’s mobile apps, including for navigational charts, on the iPad. Jeppesen completed similar tests of a representative iPad and iPad 2. No anomalies were detected during testing of any of the three iPad models.
Cessna Aircraft has begun the production line for its upgraded Corvalis single-piston – the TTX. Announced during the 2011 Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Fla., the TTX will replace the Corvalis TT and incorporate new capabilities such as optional Flight Into Known Icing and upgraded Cessna Intrinzic avionics suite that is based off the Garmin 2000 system and incorporates Garmin GTC touch screens. The first aircraft are in early production with bonding processes beginning on the fuselage, as well as work on the wing skins and internal components.
NetJets is planning to begin charter and management service in China through a joint venture with a consortium of Chinese investors led by Hony Jinsi Investment Management (Beijing) Ltd and Fung Investments. The fractional ownership provider is planning to begin service once it receives regulatory clearance from Chinese authorities, but could not specify when that might happen. NetJets executives, however, have been hopeful that it would take place sometime this year.
The overturning of the “fuel fraud” measure has been slowly gaining support with lawmakers, who are reluctant to touch any tax measure during an election year. National Air Transportation Association members, who convened last week for the association’s “Capital Week,” visited more than 120 House and Senate members to discuss the fuel fraud tax and other issues. NATA Vice President Eric Byer notes that nearly a dozen lawmakers have committed to write letters and/or submit language on the fuel fraud issue.
Wall Street remains wary and rumors are heightening about a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the wake of Hawker Beechcraft’s announced agreement with lenders that provides a short-term reprieve from upcoming interest payments.
Hawker Beechcraft’s Global Customer Support (GCS) group is making final preparations for first engine run of the Williams FJ44-4A-32 turbofans aboard the Hawker 400XPR upgrade program. The company recently mounted the first engines to the Hawker 400XPR, replacing existing Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5R engines, and first run was expected within days, the company says. The new engines, which are slated for certification aboard the Hawker 400XPR in June, produce 3,600 lbst, flat rated at 3,200 lb. each – an 8% improvement over their predecessors.
With proposed reductions to the contract air traffic control tower program, Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) had a question for the FAA’s top official: “Is there a move to discourage general aviation?” The White House has asked for a $2 million cut to the public-private cost-sharing program to provide operations for air traffic control towers to 249 airports in 46 states.
MATT MINNICK was promoted to national account representative for Phillips 66 Aviation. Minnick has 22 years of fuel industry experience. He has been involved in branded and unbranded fuels marketing with ConocoPhillips and also has worked with Mobil Oil.
NetJets has reached Level III of FAA’s safety management system (SMS) pilot program, becoming the first fractional operator to do so. The pilot program is structured in four levels, based on the development of a company’s program in relation to FAA’s expectation and international SMS standards.
Wyvern Consulting is expanding its on-site audit program into the Asian market. Over the next several months, Wyvern will conduct on-site audits for carriers in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and New Zealand. Wyvern’s Wingman onsite audit program is a two-three day process, which includes assessments of an operator’s maintenance, operations and safety management systems. The Wyvern audit also includes background checks. Operators must keep up with certain reporting requirements following the audit. Wyvern notes its international audit business has begun to increase.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD] – proposes to require, within 30 days, installing protection sleeves over the forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses. This proposed AD is prompted by an inflight fire caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hose.
Embraer is looking at various options for placing 39 American Eagle ERJ-135s that the carrier is returning as part of parent AMR’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer is on the hook to find new homes for the aircraft under a remarketing agreement. Embraer expects 18 aircraft to be returned this year and 21 in 2013, Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer president for commercial aviation, tells Aviation Week. The aircraft will not be placed with one customer.
RANDY ANNETT was named assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Cessna learning center in Wichita. Annett joined FlightSafety in 2001 at the Hawker Beechcraft learning center in Wichita and most recently was assistant director of training. Before joining FlightSafety, Annett was a pilot for Air Wisconsin Airlines, served as chief pilot for TMC Transportation, owned and operated a Part 61 flight school, and managed an airport and fixed-base operation.
Textron’s Cessna Aircraft and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) are hoping two new agreements will address the People’s Republic of China’s desire to develop its general and business aviation manufacturing capability, as well as the infrastructure needed to grow aviation throughout that nation.
PIPER Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires correcting a model identification error on the aircraft data plate. Since FAA issued that AD, the agency has become aware that some owner/operators of the affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because of confusion in the serial number applicability. Because of the confusion, the manufacturer has issued new service information to clarify affected airplane serial numbers.
Flexjet recently was recognized with FAA’s Diamond Award for Excellence for its maintenance training, marking its 13th consecutive year to receive such recognition. The fractional ownership provider also recently presented the National Air Transportation Association Five-Star Award for excellence in aircraft technical training.
Key Air, which operates a charter, management and fixed-base operation (FBO) business at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Connecticut, signed a memorandum of understanding with Pentastar Aviation to establish a maintenance and support base. Pentastar will operate a repair station at Key Air’s OXC FBO facility. The agreement will provide a greater range of services for Key Air’s management clients and FBO tenants, Key Air says, noting Pentastar has capabilities that extend to heavy maintenance.
FAA is planning to hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed policy clarification on certain foreign-owner aircraft registrations as the agency continues to grapple with the issue of the non-U.S. citizen trusts to obtain N-numbers. FAA released the proposed clarification last month after holding a nearly two-yr. dialogue with the industry on how to improve the accuracy, transparency and timeliness of aircraft registrations involving non-U.S. trusts.
