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.
Airbus, Boeing and Embraer executives signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate to support the development of “drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels,” during the Air Transport Action Group’s environment summit in Geneva last week. Airbus CEO Tom Enders adds that “this is certainly not a closed shop. It is open to others.” The partnership will be led by each company’s chief technology officer and explore different feedstocks and delivery systems, says Boeing Commercial Airplanes President James Albaugh.
Landmark Aviation’s Aircraft Charter and Management Division recently obtained certification from the Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) for Department of Defense (DoD) passenger operations. The certification, combined with past approvals, clears Landmark to bid on a variety of contracts for all U.S. government agencies. Landmark Aviation sought certification at the request of longtime customer MedCenter Air, a division of Carolinas Healthcare System. The certification enables MedCenter Air to transport military personnel within the Carolinas.
40 Years Ago March 20, 1972 – Controversial aircraft emission controls are expected to be released to meet congressional clean air mandate. 30 Years Ago March 15, 1982 – Cessna suspends production of its Corsair and Conquest turboprop models and lays off another 1,000 employees. 20 Years Ago March 23, 1992 – FAA mandates installation of ground proximity warning systems in all turbine-powered aircraft with 10 or more seats.
Signature Flight Support signed a multiyear agreement for the National Car Rental brand to provide rental car and ground transportation services for Signature’s fixed-base operation network. National Car Rental will provide expedited pick up and drop off for Signature customers. Under the agreement, National Car Rental will include certain other benefits for customers enrolling in the rental car service’s Emerald Club. National Car Rental affiliate company Enterprise Rent-A-Car will provide services for Signature customers in Europe.
While Textron chief Scott Donnelly has repeatedly maintained that Cessna will remain focused on medium-sized and smaller business jets, at least one analyst believes the joint venture with China’s Avic “is added confirmation of a new larger jet in 2012.” Morgan Stanley Research notes it expects Cessna to unveil a new mid/large cabin aircraft at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention this fall.
Northrop Grumman and Quest Aircraft Co. of Sandpoint, Idaho, are teaming to explore civil, military and government applications of the Quest Kodiak aircraft integrated with a modular, reconfigurable C4ISR [command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] system.
Gama Aviation, a business aviation services provider based in the U.K., has received FAA Part 129 certification. The approval clears the way for unrestricted flights between the European Union and the U.S., Gama says, calling Part 129 certification “one of the most challenging approvals for commercial operators.”
BRIAN LINDQUIST has joined Dallas Airmotive as regional engine manager for the northwestern U.S. Lindquist will sell repair and overhaul services on Honeywell TFE731 engines and 36 series APUs and on Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305 engines in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and Alaska. Lindquist previously was MRO sales manager for Western Aircraft in Boise, Idaho.
The National Air Transportation Association has released updated versions of two of its guidebooks – one designed to help fixed-base operators negotiate agreements and the second to serve as a resource for stakeholders and airports in building community relations. NATA Negotiation Aviation Agreements: A Guidebook for Building and Protecting Your Business discusses common legal, business and insurance issues that come up when FBOs negotiate agreements to provide services at airports.
CAE and Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) have developed a web-based program designed to improve loss of control inflight (LOC-I) instruction. The companies are making the program available on the APS website (http://www.apstraining.com/cae/caeaps-ffs-ip-standardization-session-1-…) through April 28 for aviation industry input, which they say will help form a foundation for a global training standard for LOCI-I and upset recovery.
Business aviation groups have been working with the House General Aviation Caucus to build support for a repeal of the fuel fraud tax measure, which requires noncommercial jet fuel to be taxed initially at the highway tax rate. The groups are hoping to develop a measure that would be included in the House version of a comprehensive highway reauthorization bill.
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD] – proposes to require repetitive checks of affected nose landing gears (NLGs) and replacement of the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a serviceable bolt. This AD also would prohibit installation of certain affected NLG, unless the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle has been replaced with a serviceable bolt and the NLG has been marked with a green varnish line.
BAE SYSTEMS Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0189; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-133-AD] – proposes to require a repetitive high-frequency eddy current inspection of the stiffeners on the left-hand sidewall on the nose landing gear (NLG) bay for cracks, and repair or replace the sidewall if necessary. Replacing the sidewall with a certain sidewall part number constitutes a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal was prompted by a report of a crack found on the left-hand sidewall well on the NLG.
BizJet International Sales and Support, a Tulsa, Okla.-based provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) to pay an $11.8 million criminal penalty on charges that three of its senior executives and a sales manager bribed government officials in Latin America to secure contracts. None of the individuals involved were identified in court documents.
Embraer is seeing signs of stabilization of the business jet market in 2012 but still no significant recovery, particularly at the lightest end of the market, executives say. Speaking to analysts during the release of its fourth-quarter results on March 21, Embraer CEO Frederico Fleury Curado says the company is still experiencing cancellations – “not more, not less” than in late 2011. But cancellations overall are still much lower than at the peak of the down cycle, he says.
Bombardier and Chinese airframer Comac have signed a definitive agreement to collaborate in four key areas of their largest commercial aircraft programs, the 110- to 130-seat CSeries and the 168- to 190-seat C919. The agreement, which comes a year after the two companies first said they would work together on critical systems, includes a first phase where the manufacturers will aim for commonality on cockpit interfaces, electrical systems, joint technical publications and the combination of customer service teams.
