The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is taking the next step in its ongoing initiative to increase the pilot population with an awards program designed to encourage flight schools to adopt practices that have greater success in retaining students. The association in 2010 launched a study on flight training as part of an effort to grapple with the growing problem of a diminishing pilot population, and says the awards program is a result of that study’s findings.
Claims by Hawker Beechcraft that the U.S. Air Force’s choice of Embraer’s AT-29 Super Tucano over its AT-6 for the Light Air Support (LAS) contract is “fundamentally flawed” and will cost U.S. jobs are being dismissed as misinformation by winning bidder Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC). The normally closed-mouthed SNC has issued a public rebuttal of the claims as Hawker Beechcraft’s (HBC) lawsuit challenging the Air Force’s decision works its way through federal court, accusing its rival of using delaying tactics.
Cessna Aircraft rolled out its 400th Citation Mustang at its Independence, Kan., facility. Cessna reached the 400th marker a little more than five years since the Mustang’s first delivery in November 2006. Primarily targeted for corporate or personal travel, the Mustang has been increasingly used for special missions such as medical air transport and training. The fleet averages 480 hr., but 45 Mustangs have accumulated more than 1,000 hr. each. High time Mustangs are 1,600 hr. (typical operation) and 2,200 hr. (fleet operation).
The Central European Private Aviation (CEPA) organization tapped Brendan Lodge from JetBrokers Europe to be the new chairman. Lodge, business development director at JetBrokers, will serve a 12-month term as CEPA chairman. In addition, the three-year-old association is establishing an advisory board to assist and provide advice to the CEPA administration team. The board will include four aviation professionals – one from a law firm; one from insurance; a representative from an aircraft brokerage and a lobbyist.
Bombardier DHC-8-400, -401 and -402 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0037; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-003-AD; Amendment 39-16935; AD 2012-02-12] – requires an inspection of a certain alternating current (AC) power wire bundle for damage, and repair if necessary. Additionally, this AD requires segregating the wire bundle into two wire bundles and installing Teflon tubing. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of the loss of certain AC systems caused by a burnt AC power wire bundle.
BEN COLEMAN was appointed safety advisor to the president for Sun ’n Fun. Coleman has more than 38 years of aviation experience, mostly as an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board and safety inspector for FAA. He has investigated more than 400 aviation accidents. In his new role, he will serve as safety advisor for all phases of Sun ’n Fun and Florida Air Museum operations.
Key Air, an aircraft management and charter operation based in Oxford, Conn., has received FAA authorization for use of the Apple iPad to access electronic charts in place of paper charts. Key Air previously had FAA authorization to use an electronic flight bag, and underwent a series of testing and authorizations to use the iPad. Key Air pilots will use the iPads during its commercial flight operations.
RYAN HUSS was named airframe service sales representative for Duncan Aviation’s facility in Lincoln, Neb. Huss joined Duncan in 2011, and has spent the last five years as Bombardier Challenger team leader at the Lincoln facility. In his new role, he will serve as the Bombardier service sales representative in Lincoln. In addition to his experience with Duncan, Huss has served as a technician in the U.S. Air Force.
Piper Aircraft tapped Piper Netherlands at Teuge International Airport as the company’s sales representative in the Netherlands. Piper Netherlands affiliate Stella Aviation Maintenance is responsible for parts and service. The appointment comes as part of an effort to expand the Vero Beach, Fla.-based manufacturer’s presence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the company says. Piper Netherlands will coordinate with Enrico Evers, Piper’s director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
BRAD HOMEYER was appointed airframe service sales representative for Duncan Aviation’s facility in Provo, Utah. Homeyer has served with Duncan Aviation since 1996, most recently as a member of the airframe service sales team for Bombardier Challenger and Global aircraft. In his new role, he will coordinate with operators based in the west. Before joining Duncan, Homeyer served with Mesaba Airlines and Regent Aviation.
Jet Solutions, which operates the Part 135 flights for Flexjet’s jet-card business as well as its own jet-card offering, is laying the groundwork to expand back into to the aircraft management business that it had largely exited over the past decade.
EADS is pulling out of a joint venture with Embraer formed in 2005 to take control of OGMA – Industria Aeronautica de Portugal S.A., an aerostructures, airframe and component maintenance, repair and overhaul organization once owned by the Portuguese government. The venture, Airholdings, was created in 2005 by the two manufacturers to take a 65% holding in OGMA, with the Portuguese state retaining a 35% stake. Initially, Embraer owned a 99% share in the Airholdings joint venture, although EADS later exercised an option to increase its holding to 30%.
The adoption of safety management systems (SMS) and a “just culture” is the next major step forward in risk reduction for the Part 135 industry, says aviation veteran Dennis Keith, president and owner of Jet Solutions, who is on the Air Charter Safety Foundation Board of Governors. “The concept of SMS, I think, is finally starting to bring the industry to a much more mature level, because it causes you to constantly look for risk and constantly mitigate that risk,” Keith says.
Bombardier has rolled its first NetJets-bound aircraft from its assembly line in Toronto. The aircraft – a Global 6000 – will be flown to Bombardier’s Global Completion Center in Dorval, Quebec for completion. The company last week held a ceremony to mark the assembly of the first Global 6000, part of a 50-aircraft deal (firm) that Bombardier announced with the fractional ownership provider in March 2011. NetJets ordered 30 Global 5000 and 6000 aircraft and 20 more of the new Global 7000 and 8000 jets that are still in development.
Bell Helicopter has delivered the 4,000th helicopter produced at its Mirabel, Canada, facility. Bell began production at the Canadian facility 25 years ago. Bell primarily builds commercial helicopters in Mirabel, leaving the defense business to its Amarillo, Texas base. The 4,000th helicopter, a Bell 206L4 was handed over to longtime customer Air Medical Group Holding (AMGH), which is the second largest air emergency medical services provider, with service in 25 U.S. states. AMGH operates 155 Bell helicopters.
The 2012 Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2012) in Shanghai has sold out its exhibit space both on the main show floor and in a new pavilion area created to accommodate the demand. The exhibit floor filled nearly two months in advance of the March 27-29 event.
328 SUPPORT SERVICES Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0995; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-243-AD; Amendment 39-16920; AD 2012-01-08] – requires revising the airplane maintenance program by incorporating certain certification maintenance requirements (CMR) tasks. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer safety analyses review on flight controls that resulted in recommendations for reduced repetitive inspection intervals for the flight controls CMR of the tab-to-actuator linkage.
Quest Aircraft has received full certification from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Authority for the Kodiak single turboprop utility aircraft. The latest certification brings to seven the total number of countries that have certified the Kodiak. The aircraft has received significant interest from Brazil, along with other Latin America countries. The aircraft last fall completed a demonstration tour in Brazil, the Caribbean and other Latin American countries and will launch another tour of the region next month.
Constant Aviation has received FAA supplemental type certification (STC) for the installation of Aircell’s Cabin Wireless Access Point (CWAP) in an Embraer EMB135LR aircraft. CWAP provides in-cabin Wi-Fi service for Gogo Biz Inflight Internet. Constant Aviation has completed the Gogo Biz Inflight Internet STC on the Gulfstream IV, Embraer 600 and EMB135 Corporate Shuttle.
CIRRUS Model SR22T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1212; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-034-AD; Amendment 39-16923; AD 2012-01-11] – requires inspection and modification of the air box flange welds and slots and installation of induction system air box seals as applicable. This AD was prompted by reports of partial loss of engine power due to a dislodged rubber gasket/seal being ingested into the turbocharger. FAA estimates the AD affects 67 airplanes on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $23,550, or $352 per airplane. The AD takes effect Feb. 29.
BRP–POWERTRAIN & CO KG ROTAX 914 F2, F3 and F4 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD; Amendment 39-16919; AD 2012-01-07] – requires replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.
ERIC STUCK was named senior manager, new business development, for Gulfstream Aerospace’s Product Support organization. Stuck will oversee the development of aftermarket avionics and cabin electronics modification programs for Gulfstream aircraft. He has 28 years of experience in the aviation industry, including 15 in product support sales and program management. He formerly worked for Hawker Beechcraft, Bombardier, Banyon Air Services and AMR Combs.
