BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0146; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-115-AD] – proposes to require inspecting to determine if certain oxygen pressure regulators are installed and replacing oxygen CRAs containing pressure regulators that do not meet the required material properties. This proposed AD would also require inspecting for damaged wiring and repairing or replacing wiring if necessary.
The Teamsters Local Union 1108 has terminated negotiations with CitationAir management on a furlough letter of agreement as the fractional ownership provider prepares to phase out its fleet and furlough pilots, beginning this month. CitationAir announced last month it would exit the fractional business, but continue to support its existing shareholders–which numbered about 400 last month–for the life of the current contracts. Instead, CitationAir will focus on its Jet Card and Jet Management Business.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1092; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-111-AD; Amendment 39-16946; AD 2012-03-05] – requires an inspection to determine if a certain oxygen CRA is installed and the replacement of oxygen CRAs containing pressure regulators having a certain part number. This AD was prompted by a report of deformation at the neck of the pressure regulator body on certain oxygen cylinder and regulator assemblies (CRA).
JEFF CURRY joined Business Jet Access at Dallas Love Field as managing director. Curry will oversee both the technical and business divisions for the company, which operates a repair station, charter and management business at the airport. A 25-year aviation services veteran, Curry formerly had served as business unit manager at Pratt & Whitney’s Grand Prairie, Texas facility. He also has held a number of positions with Gulfstream Aerospace, including as aircraft completions manager.
With a new FAA reauthorization act provision mandating the creation of an alternative jet fuel center of excellence, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), is asking the FAA to follow through. Cantwell, the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation aviation subcommittee, wrote a letter to FAA Acting Director Michael Huerta highlighting Washington state’s work in alternative jet fuels.
Government and industry officials need to collaborate on ways to mitigate runway incursions before another disaster happens, says Christopher Hart, vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. “If we don’t get our hands around this problem—and we don’t have our hands around this—sooner or later it’s going to happen again,” Hart told the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2012 Air Charter Safety Symposium this week.
FAA is working with its inspector base to ward off minor compliance issues that could be addressed directly with companies before enforcement actions are taken, says FAA Flight Standards Service Director John Allen.
DAMON DANNEKER was promoted to director of operations for JetFlite International. Danneker joined JetFlite in 2008 as director of training and subsequently was named chief pilot. He also has served with JetDirect’s facility at Van Nuys Airport in California. He also has been a lead flight instructor and check airman for Sierra West Airlines.
DRU MILKE is assuming the role of president and CEO of Gulf helicopter operator RLC with the planned retirement of Rodger Bagwell. Bagwell had been with the company for 10 years, helping grow it from a small Part 135 operator focused on the refurbishment and maintenance of aircraft to one of the largest independent helicopter services operators in the Gulf of Mexico with a fleet of 75 aircraft. Milke joined RLC in September after serving as chief financial officer for energy service provider Moreno Group Holdings.
FltPlan.com, an online flight-planning specialist, has teamed with Corporate Angel Network (CAN) to make it simpler for corporate flight departments to notify CAN of the availability of empty seats in the aircraft they fly. CAN arranges free transportation for cancer patients to treatment using donated space on corporate aircraft. Since its founding in 1981, the organization has arranged nearly 40,000 patient flights. FltPlan modified its software to enable CAN participants to automatically send flight schedules into CAN’s database.
CHRIS PAUL was named general manager of Landmark Aviation’s facility at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Paul has 20 years of industry experience, mostly with Landmark. He began working at YVR in 1993 as a line service technician and was most recently operations manager for the facility.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) continues its growth in membership and scope in announcing four new member companies. The additions, which bring the international trade association’s membership to 77, underscore the continued growth of its membership base beyond that of traditional manufacturers, including fuel supplier Avfuel Corp. and flight planning specialist Foreflight among them.
FAA concedes that the costs of the requirements in its pilot-training proposal far exceed the benefits, but says about 75% of the costs come from congressional mandates, making the costs unavoidable. FAA published the proposal in the Feb. 29 Federal Register, significantly increasing the training, experience and type rating requirements for first officers and captains flying in Part 121 operations.
Embraer delivered the first medevac version of its Phenom 300 light jet to Amil Resgate Saúde in Brazil. The aircraft, tail number PP-UTI, is the 100th Embraer executive jet to be delivered in Brazil. Embraer received supplemental type certification for the installation of a medical rescue equipment package aboard the 300. This included a new interior design and assembly, including horizontal space for a stretcher, and four seats for the medical team and companion, and a private aft lavatory.
Cessna expanded its sales leadership team to strengthen its position in established markets, along with growing its base in new markets. Tim White, based in Wichita, was appointed senior vice president-the Americas, responsible for sales in North, Central and South America. White has 19 years of experience, include 14 with Cessna. Kriya Shortt was promoted to vice president, sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Shortt, who has 15 years of experience with Cessna’s sales and customer service groups, will be based in a new sales office in Geneva.
Magellan Jets, the Quincy, Mass.-based jet card and charter service broker, has begun offering a 25-hr. Hawker 800XP jet card special after the company recently purchased a significant number of hours on the business jet. The special includes two additional hours. The company notes the Hawker 800XP has been among its client’s top choices for aircraft selection.
AeroPremier Jet Center opened its renovated fixed-base operation at New Orleans Lakefront Airport. The opening marks the continued rejuvenation of the airport since the devastation of the floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
HONEYWELL Models TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5R, -5AR, and -5BR series turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1045; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-32-AD] – proposes to require replacing affected first stage low-pressure turbine (LPT1) rotor assemblies. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a rim/web separation of a LPT1 rotor assembly. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent uncontained disk separation, leading to fuel tank penetration, fire, personal injury and damage to the airplane.
FAA Flight Standards Service Director John Allen is working to help expedite the process for business aircraft operators to obtain approvals for reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM). Allen, speaking during the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2010 Air Charter Safety Symposium last week, agrees the agency has fallen behind on the work, but says, “I’ll expect improvements,” moving forward. Agency officials met with industry leaders last week on the issue.
Lawmakers are lining up to show their opposition against the White House’s proposed $100-per-flight tax charge. The leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.), gathered signatures from 195 House members for a letter to President Barack Obama opposing the user fee proposal. “Imposing a $100-per-flight fee on commercial and general aviation is the wrong approach, and we respectfully request that you abandon this idea once and for all,” the letter says.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) finds little evidence of any difference in the safety records of general aviation aircraft with glass cockpits compared with those equipped with analog instruments. ASI last week released a study, the Accident Record of Technologically Advanced Aircraft, which tracks the safety records of more than 20,000 certified piston airplanes produced between 1996 and 2010.
Jet Aviation expanded its network to 14 fixed-base operations (FBOs) with the acquisition of Enterprise Jet Center at Hobby Airport in Houston. Opened in 2006, Enterprise Jet Center provides fuel, catering, aircraft cleaning and maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The company’s facilities include a 28,500-sq.-ft. terminal/office built, an 85,000-sq.-ft. hangar and a 30,000-sq.-ft. maintenance facility. The facility is Jet Aviation’s sixth FBO in the U.S., joining locations in Boston/Bedford, Dallas, Palm Beach, Fla., St. Louis and Teterboro, N.J.
