Avfuel is expanding its international network with the addition of Ocean Sky Jet Center at London Luton Airport. Ocean Sky will provide Avfuel fuel and participate in Avfuel incentive programs. The fixed-base operation is part of the Ocean Sky Private Jet Group chain of five FBOs in Europe. The Luton facility includes a VIP lounge with crew areas, conference suites and a 46,000-sq.-ft. hangar.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD; Amendment 39-16942; AD 2012-03-01] — requires changes to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to follow certain procedures while in flight. This AD results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of the Federal Republic of Germany; The MCAI states that in the past, the FADEC FAIL caution light illuminated on a few EC135 T1 helicopters.
Gulfstream Aerospace is putting the final upgrades into the first production G280 in preparation for delivery later this year. The super midsized G280 aircraft, which achieved provisional type certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel on Dec. 29, is expected to achieve FAA certification and enter service by midyear. Three Gulfstream G280 aircraft in the flight-test program have flown more than 1,800 hr. during more than 685 flights. The fatigue test article has completed more than 12,500 of 40,000 cycles.
Hawker Beechcraft, along with its distributor Hawker Pacific, recently handed over a fleet of five King Air turboprops – two 350Cs (cargo door variants) and three B200Cs – to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Eastern Division in Australia. The aircraft will be operated by New South Wales Department of Health for air ambulance purposes.
HONEYWELL TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0789; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-04-AD; Amendment 39-16929; AD 2012-0206] — This AD requires inspecting certain serial number first stage turbine disks (Part Numbers 3101520-1 and 3107079-1). This AD was prompted by a report of an uncontained failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk and damage to the airplane.
Increases in Piper Meridian deliveries are helping drive stronger revenues for Piper Aircraft. The Vero Beach, Fla.-based airframer reported a 9% increase in sales in 2011 to $131.2 million. The increase comes as Piper’s deliveries of its single turboprop Meridian jumped from 25 in 2010 to 32 last year. Unit shipments overall, however, dropped from 160 to 136 last year. Piper says this reflects a shift of its production focus from its light pistons to its top-end M-Class pistons (including the Mirage and Matrix), as well as the turbine M-Class Meridian.
PAUL WITT was appointed general manager of Stevens Donaldson Center (GYH) facility in Greenville, S.C. Witt, who holds an airframe and powerplant license, formerly spent 17 years with Cessna Aircraft, where he managed a Citation Service Center. He will lead Stevens’ jet maintenance operations.
Eclipse Aerospace has developed an Eclipse Quick Reference Application (Eclipse QRA) for the Apple iPad. Eclipse QRA provides flight-planning capabilities and inflight reference, weight and balance calculations, interactive flight checklists and performance planning. In addition, the Eclipse QRA provides digital copies of the Aircraft Flight Manual and the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, including updated downloads of temporary revisions and other customer communications.
CPAC Models 112, 112B, 112TC, 112TCA, 114, 114A, 114B, and 114TC airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1128; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-16933; AD 2012-02-10] – supersedes an existing AD that requires a one-time inspection of the elevator spar for cracks and, if any crack is found, either replace with a serviceable elevator spar that is found free of cracks or repair/modify the elevator spar with an FAA-approved method. That AD also requires reporting to the FAA the results of the inspection.
40 Years Ago Feb. 7, 1972 – Union and management negotiators reach an agreement in the 95-day-old International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers strike against Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven, Pa. 30 Years Ago Feb. 1, 1982 – FAA Administrator J. Lynn Helms unveils a 20-year plan to overhaul the nation’s air traffic and air navigation system that relies on automation and higher taxes. 20 Years Ago
Rockwell Collins has secured an unidentified launch customer for a lower-cost version of its Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, aimed at light and medium-sized business aircraft. The deal to supply the Fusion Embedded Display System (EDS) cockpit was won in “head-to-head” competition against Garmin, says Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer for commercial systems.
FAA will increasingly rely upon collaboration with the helicopter community to improve safety as its regulatory efforts are concentrated on the dozens of congressional mandates issued in the most recent FAA reauthorization bill and a pilot safety bill adopted 18 months ago, FAA Flight Standards Deputy Director John McGraw says.
Investment firm Reuben Brothers is taking over the London Heliport in Battersea, the U.K. Reuben Brothers acquired the heliport from Andrew Davis, who also owns PremiAir Aviation. Reuben Brothers calls PremiAir Aviation one of the most significant customers of the heliport and expects to collaborate with PremiAir on issues affecting the heliport. The facility is the only Civil Aviation Authority-licensed heliport in London and provides services to business, emergency medical and police operators.
Gulfstream is expanding its support and training network in Asia, with the first factory-owned OEM maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) factory in China and the first dedicated business jet flight simulator in the region. The Gulfstream fleet is rapidly expanding in the Asia-Pacific region, which now accounts for 27% of the Savannah, Ga., manufacturer’s $17.9 billion backlog, Gulfstream President Larry Flynn says. Gulfstream has worked to increase its presence in the region, opening a sales office in Beijing late last year.
Garuda International is adding 18 Bombardier CRJ1000s to its fleet under two separate deals that sees the Indonesian airline purchase six of the twinjets and lease an additional 12 from Nordic Aviation Capital. The widely expected Garuda announcement includes options for 18 more CRJ1000s. The first five aircraft, a mix of owned and leased, are scheduled for delivery this year. A further 12 CRJ100s are expected to be delivered in 2013 and the remaining one aircraft follows in 2014. A decision on the options will come before 2015, says Pak Emirsyah Satar, president and CEO.
Hawker Beechcraft received an order for two Hawker 900XPs and options for two more from Jakarta-based Lion Air. Lion Air, which will operate its new Hawkers for charter services, held a contract signing ceremony with Hawker Beechcraft and its dealer Hawker Pacific during last week’s Singapore Air Show. The aircraft will be delivered in the second and third quarters. The deal was one of two that Hawker Beechcraft announced for the 900XP last week.
BLAIR DESCOUROUEZ was named regional sales manager for Jet Works Air Center. Descourouez has 17 years of experience, holding sales and marketing roles with Signature Flight Support, Fairchild Dornier and Business Jet Center. In his new role, he will develop programs, including interior refurbishments, paint and avionics upgrades for Falcon 900, Falcon 2000 and Legacy 600 business jets and maintenance inspections for the Cessna Citation product line.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE EC130B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0086; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-045-AD; Amendment 39-16936; AD 2012-02-13] – requires, for models that have not incorporated Eurocopter Modification 073880, repetitive inspections for cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame, and corrective actions, if necessary.
ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services China, based at Binhai International Airport in Tianjin, was named an authorized avionics dealer for Honeywell International in mainland China. Under the agreement, ExecuJet will sell and support the range of Honeywell’s avionics products, warranties and protection plans for Chinese business jets and build on the relationship that has existed between Honeywell and ExecuJet Aviation for more than two decades.
Dassault Falcon has developed a supplemental type certificate (STC) kit for the installation of ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out) on Falcon 50EX aircraft equipped with Pro Line 4 avionics. The STC data package involves replacement of existing transponders with upgraded units that support the new ADS-B protocol, along with wiring and other related components. The kit can be installed at the Dassault service center, along with authorized service centers.
EADS CASA Model CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2011-1091; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-037-AD; Amendment 39-16916; AD 2012-01-04] – requires an inspection to determine the part number of the engine condition control cable, repetitive inspections for excessive wear of the affected engine condition control cable, and replacement of the affected part. This AD was prompted by reports of failures of the engine condition control cable, which led to an engine shutdown.
WILLIAM GREENWALT has joined the Aerospace Industries Association as vice president of acquisition policy. Greenwalt brings to the position a background of procurement policy experience in both the legislative and executive branches. He formerly was deputy director for the Surveys and Investigations staff of the House Appropriations Committee. He also was director of federal acquisition policy for Lockheed Martin and served as deputy undersecretary of defense industrial policy.
CESSNA Models 172R and 172S airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1245; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-033-AD; Amendment 39-16925; AD 2012-02-02] – supersedes an existing AD that requires inspection of the fuel return line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; and inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure, adjusting as necessary.
