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.
Garmin has received Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) validation for its GTN 650 and GTN 750 series touchscreen avionics and GPS antennas. The approval enables the installation of the equipment in hundreds of makes and models of Brazilian-registered general aviation aircraft, the company says, noting Brazil accounts for the second largest GA fleet worldwide. The GTN 650 and GTN 750 series succeed Garmin’s GNS 430W and 530W series GPS/NAV/COM avionics. They combine the function display features with touchscreen data entry and integrated radio tuning.
Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer may eventually gain access to U.S. Export-Import Bank export credit support for aircraft coming off the company’s Melbourne, Fla., production line. “I think it is something we would be willing to consider,” says Bob Morin, vice president of Ex-Im’s transport division.
BELL Model 412 and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0082; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-036-AD] – proposes to require creating a component history card or equivalent record and begin counting and recording the number of accumulated landings for each high aft crosstube assembly. Also, this proposal would require installing “caution’’ decals regarding towing of a helicopter at or above 8,900 lb., confirming the crosstube is within the horizontal deflection limits and replacing it if it is not.
FLOYD RONEY has joined Becker Avionics as a sales account manager. Roney will be responsible for expanding Becker’s business in the fixed-wing market, as well as strengthening existing relationships. He has more than 30 years of aviation experience, most recently as channel sales manager for EMS Aviation. He also has served with EDMO Distributors and Kannad Aviation.
A corporate turnaround specialist appointed to the top job at Hawker Beechcraft says his top priority is to revive – not sell – the struggling manufacturer of business jets, general aviation turboprops and military trainers. Robert S. “Steve” Miller was appointed CEO on Feb. 7, replacing longtime chief executive Bill Boisture, who will remain as chairman of the company’s operating subsidiary. Miller, the chairman of AIG, has more than three decades of experience as a senior executive at Chrysler, Ford, Delphi, Bethlehem Steel and Waste Management.
BELL Model 427 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0084; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-089-AD] – proposes to require, within 150 hr. time-in-service (TIS) or 90 days, removal of the left upper bolt, washers and nut and installation of new parts. The proposal further would require checks of the torque of each nut until torque stabilizes at each attachment location.
PTC was selected as a strategic partner for developing a reliability and maintainability management program for Mitsubishi Aircraft’s Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft program. PTC will furnish its Windchill Quality Solutions (formerly called Relex) and Arbortext Service Information Solutions to centrally manage product improvements and enhancements (including a detailed product history), gather and analyze field data, and communicate necessary improvements to internal organizations and external partners.
Landmark Aviation recently added three aircraft to its managed charter fleet: a Hawker 800XP based at Landmark’s Washington-Dulles location, an Embraer Phenom 100 based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a King Air C90 based in Sioux Falls, S.D. Landmark has a combined managed fleet of 71 aircraft throughout its network. Headquartered in Houston, Landmark operates a chain of fixed-base operations and provides charter, management and maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
General aviation groups are urging U.S. regulators to withdraw LightSquared’s conditional waiver for a broadband wireless network, saying the GPS system must be protected from all sources of interference. Their comments are in response to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) request for input on LightSquared’s December petition for a ruling that commercial GPS receivers are not entitled to protection from interference caused by a broadband wireless network operating within technical parameters set by the government.
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
FAA is requesting comments on a notice of intent to release from federal obligations 12.4 acres of airport property at Orlando Executive Airport in Florida. Currently designated for nonaeronautical use, the property is located on the south-southwest portion of the airport, adjacent to State Road 408. FAA estimates fair market value at $2.24 million. Comments are due by Feb. 27 to Rebecca Henry, program manager, Orlando Airports District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, Fla. 32822-5024.
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Continuous Monitoring and Oversight (CMO) section was recertified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard for quality management systems. It is the first section within ICAO, and one of the few within the United Nations, to receive such compliance. The CMO manages the development, implementation and quality of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program and its transition to the Continuous Monitoring Approach.
Eurocopter and Bell Helicopter are both claiming victory in a Canadian patent infringement lawsuit, but the long-running battle is expected to continue in U.S. and French courts. Canada’s Federal Court has ruled that Bell Helicopter “intentionally infringed” on a Eurocopter patent by copying the “sleigh-type” skid gear of the European’s manufacturer’s EC120 when designing the landing gear for its Bell 429 light twin.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 [Docket No. FAA-2011-0956; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-23-AD; Amendment 39-16928; AD 2012-02-05] – requires removal of the friction disk. This AD was prompted by inflight engine shutdown incidents reported on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inflight engine shutdown, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. FAA estimates the AD will affect 206 engines on U.S.-registered airplanes at a cost of $362,530. The AD takes effect March 2.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0010; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-03-AD] – proposes to require removing certain power-turbine (PT) blades from service before reaching a new reduced life limit. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of nonconformities of certain PT blade fir-tree roots. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent PT blade rupture, which could result in an uncommanded inflight engine shutdown, forced autorotation landing, or accident.
