LYCOMING Model TIO-540-A [Docket No. FAA–2011–0691; Directorate Identifier 2011–NE–26–AD; Amendment 39– 16909; AD 71–13–01R1] – rescinds an AD (AD 71–13–01) that requires a on-time visual inspection of external fuel injector lines for fuel stains, cracks, dents and bend radii under 5/8 in., and replacement, if necessary. The AD was prompted by a report of a failed fuel injector tube assembly. Since FAA issued AD 71–13–01, the agency became aware that Lycoming Engines no longer supports Service Bulletin (SB) No. 335A, which was incorporated by reference in AD 71–13–01.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES high landing gear aft crosstube assembly [Docket No. FAA-2012-0083; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-022-AD] – proposes to require certain recurring visual, dimensional, and fluorescent penetrant inspections of each aft crosstube and replacement if necessary. The AD applies to assemblies installed in certain Bell and Agusta helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by three reports of failed crosstubes because of cracks.
SureFlight has opened a new aircraft completion center in Coatesville, Pa. The center will enable the company to expand its completion capabilities, including both interior and exterior services. The company added Andy Waynick as manager of interior completions to lead the team at the new center. He previously has held interiors management roles with West Star, Atlantic Aero and StandardAero.
The U.S. Transportation Department wants to develop new spectrum interference standards to protect GPS signals from transmissions in adjacent bands as the battle between broadband-wireless hopeful LightSquared and the GPS industry enters a new phase.
Comprehensive FAA reauthorization awaits President Barack Obama’s signature after the Senate approved the bill 75-20 on Feb. 6, ending a nearly five-year stalemate that led to 23 short-term extensions of FAA’s operating authority.
RYAN GIBBS was promoted to Falcon technical sales manager for West Star Aviation’s East Alton, Ill. (ALN) location. Gibbs joined West Star in 2004 and has technical knowledge on Falcon 10, 20, 50B (EX), 900B (EX), and 2000(EX) aircraft. He will be responsible for sales to new Falcon customers, along with maintaining relationships.
A decision by CitationAir to exit the fractional business reflects the prolonged economic turmoil of the industry, but experts believe the model is firmly entrenched even if on a smaller scale. The move also comes as its Jet Card product has begun to improve. CitationAir, which began selling shares in 2000 and grew into the fourth largest fractional program, notified customers that it was suspending sales of its Jet Shares fractional program and Jet Access membership program to focus solely on its Jet Card and Jet Management businesses.
A new law will increase penalties for the use of ultralight aircraft in smuggling operations, particularly along the U.S. border. President Obama on Friday signed H.R.3801, the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012, into law after the bill was unanimously passed by the House and Senate late last month. The bill was the last piece of legislation sponsored by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was wounded in a shooting rampage last year.
Feb. 13-15—The Trinity Forum, Organized by The Moodie Report and Airports Council International, Seoul, Korea, http://www.aci.aero/cda/aci_common/display/main/aci_content07_banners.j…^45095_725_2 Feb. 13-16—Practical Aeronautics Short Course: “Introduction to Jet Engines—A Practical Perspective,” The Aero Institute, Palmdale, Calif., (970) 887-3155, www.practicalaero.com Feb. 14-15—JDA Aviation Technology Solutions Regulatory Affairs Training, American Airlines Training and Conference Center, Ft. Worth, Texas
Jettech received FAA supplemental type certification for installation of the Garmin G600 glass panel electronic flight instrument system on legacy Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft, including Models 500, 501, 550, 551 and S550. Jettech will offer modification kits, through certain Garmin authorized dealers. The installation will add features such as synthetic vision, terrain awareness, traffic collision avoidance systems, digital weather radar, satellite weather radar and lightning strike information.
SIKORSKY Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0085; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-004-AD] – proposes to require replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel filter element with a 10 micron fuel filter element. This proposed AD is prompted by a National Transportation Safety Board review of in-service events where engine performance degradation occurred and the review determined that some of these events were caused by contaminants larger than 10 microns present in the engine fuel control units (FCUs).
Correction: Greg Kinsella has joined Key Air as vice president of business development. Kinsella has more than 20 years of aviation experience, holding positions with airframe and engine manufacturers – including British Aerospace/BAE Systems, Saab and Rolls-Royce – along with financial institutions, charter providers and private and commercial business aircraft operators. Most recently, he was chief operating officer for an aircraft management company. The Feb. 6 edition of BA incorrectly identified Kinsella.
Finding a strong market for large-cabin aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace has decided to expand its used aircraft sales to include full aircraft brokerage services for sellers and buyers. Jim Ross, vice president, Pre-owned Aircraft Sales, will head the Gulfstream Pre-owned Brokerage group. The group intends to leverage its worldwide customer and prospect database to present sellers’ aircraft to decision makers.
Schubach Aviation, a San Diego-based charter, has added a Gulfstream G-IV SP to its fleet. The addition increases Schubach’s fleet to 13 aircraft, including two Bombardier Challenger 601s; five Hawkers; a Learjet 35; two Citation Jets and two CJ3’s.
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) named four nominees for the 2011 Collier Trophy: the Boeing 787, C-5M Super Galaxy, Gamera human-powered helicopter and Taurus G-4 electric-powered aircraft. The trophy is awarded annually for “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.” NAA added former Collier Trophy recipients Dick Rutan (1986), Joe Lombardo (Gulfstream - 2003), Bobby Sturgell (ADS-B - 2008), and Jeff Pino (Sikorsky Aircraft - 2010), to the selection committee. Led by NAA Chairman Walter J.
KAREN HEIN-JONES was appointed fixed-base operation (FBO) manager for ExecuJet Cambridge, the company’s first full-service FBO in the U.K. Hein-Jones formerly was operations controller for another FBO company at Stansted Airport in the U.K. She began her aviation career as a cabin crew member with Monarch Airlines in 1986.
RON KOEPP was named senior research engineer and manager for the Environmental Test Lab at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research. Koepp recently was lead test engineer at Tinker Air Force Base’s Structural Integrity Lab. He also has served as advance composite program manager test engineer at Tinker. In his new role, he will manage employees and programs at the Environmental Test Lab, including vibration, temperature, humidity, altitude bleed air, mass flow testing, high temperature (ht) fuel and explosion proofness.
Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) recently added a new capability – explosion proofness testing. The lab recently performed verification runs in its explosion proofness chamber, which will be used to test equipment on aircraft that may come into contact with flammable fluids or flammable vapors. The institute places a test unit in the chamber, which will circulate a flammable mixture of gas and vapor around the equipment. The equipment must then operate without igniting the flammable mixture.
Operators of about 9,000 business aircraft and commercial airliners must upgrade the software on Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems (ACSS) traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) units by March 13, 2015 under an airworthiness directive (AD) issued last week.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is proposing to alter the review procedures for FAA enforcement applications and to facilitate electronic filings. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published in the Feb. 9 Federal Register, follows a December 2010 advanced NPRM (ANPRM) that covered the standard of review for emergency determinations, discovery and information exchange, and electronic filing of documents.
The contract tower and Essential Air Service programs are expected to face cuts as the Department of Transportation unveils the Obama administration’s fiscal 2013 budget proposal today (Feb. 13). In addition, the administration is expected to renew its call for the $100 per-aircraft air traffic control charge. But industry leaders believe the proposal will receive a cold reception on Capitol Hill, especially since lawmakers eschewed previous user fee attempts as they passed the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. See story on Page 2.
Few details about the merger are being disclosed, but if approved, it will create a company with more than 40,000 employees and operations to 115 destinations in 23 countries. The combined entity will be named LATAM Airlines Group, although the two companies will operate as separate brands.
