Bell is boosting the gross weight of its 429 helicopter to 7,500 lb., a move driven by emergency medical services (EMS) and other customers who want the range or additional payload capabilities, the company says. The company received Transport Canada approval for the 500-lb.-weight increase and is now seeking validation from FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Bell worked on the change for more than a year and spent the last several months validating data for the weight increase with Transport Canada.
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1139; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-021-AD; Amendment 39-16911; AD 2011-27-09] – requires an inspection to verify the correct installation of the aileron control cables and, in case of discrepancies, proper reinstallation of the cables in accordance with the approved design configuration. The AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which cites a report of an installation of the wrong (switched) aileron control cables in the wing.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES Models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD; Amendment 39-16906; AD 2010-06-12R1] – revises an existing AD that currently requires replacing the existing rail pressure control valve with an improved rail pressure control valve. This new AD requires the same actions but relaxes the initial compliance time from within 100 flight hours to within 600 flight hours for TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp. recently donated another $50,000 to Corporate Angel Network (CAN) in support of the charity, which arranges free flights to treatment for cancer patients using empty seats in business aircraft. A longtime supporter of the program, the White Plains, N.Y.-based company is headed by Randall Greene, who also serves as CAN’s chairman.
Gulfstream Aerospace has incorporated a number of improvements at its Brunswick, Ga., facility, including the addition of a mobile support vehicle and a renovated customer lobby. The facility, which employs 200, provides maintenance, repair and refurbishment services for customers. The mobile support truck includes an air compressor, generator, toolbox and a laptop computer to support a variety of maintenance services and enable sign-off work in real time. The vehicle also can transport a wide range of replacement parts.
FAA has issued a technical correction returning 61.57(d), which explains when a complete instrument proficiency check (IPC) is required for individuals serving as pilot in command (PIC), to its original form that states that a PIC is instrument-current for six months following the completion of the recent experience requirements in 61.57(c). Following that period, the PIC has an additional six months to regain currency without completing a full IPC. If currency is not established in this period, a full IPC is required to re-establish instrument currency.
Embraer is starting 2012 with a slight year-over-year decline in the value of its backlog, after a year in which commercial aircraft deliveries increased slightly but business aviation saw another drop in aircraft going to customers. The Brazilian aircraft maker delivered 99 executive aircraft in 2011, down more than 30% from the 144 units delivered in 2010. Both Phenom and large aircraft deliveries (the Legacy and Lineage product line) recorded declines last year.
ROTAX various aircraft equipped with Rotax Aircraft engines 912A series engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0001; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-041-AD; Amendment 39-16912; AD 2012-01-01] – requires the identification and inspection for cracks of all affected crankshafts, and depending on findings, corrective action. The AD also expands the number of crankshafts affected.
The Mexican air force early this year will begin replacing its aging PC-7 training fleet with the first of six Hawker Beechcraft T-6C+ trainers. The initial contract, announced Jan. 9, comes as welcome news for the Wichita aircraft maker, which recently lost its bid for the U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract.
CHRISTOPHER ELLENDER was named senior regional sales manager for product support sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. Ellender is based at the Gulfstream facility in Luton, England, and is responsible for maintenance sales to Gulfstream operators in Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the U.K. He formerly led the Global Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions division for FirstFlight, an aircraft charter, management and aviation services company, and also has been a sales engineer for Gulfstream in Savannah, Ga.
Jan. 11-13—Airports Council International-NA Insurance & Risk Management Conference, New Orleans, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Jan. 15-16—American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 15th Annual FAA Space Transportation Conference, Walter E. Washington (D.C.) Convention Center, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C., www.aiaa.org Jan. 15-18—National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, San Diego Convention Center, www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2012
JEFF CHALUPA was named general manager of domestic operations for Nordam’s Transparency division. Chalupa oversees engineering, production, operations, supply chain and purchasing, maintenance, quality and customer program management. He joined Nordam in 2007 and most recently was senior director of global engineering and quality for the company’s Repair division in Tulsa, Okla. He has been a Six Sigma Black Belt leader for Honeywell and a principle engineer with Pratt & Whitney.
Blue Sky Network received supplemental type certification for use of its D1000 flight-tracking unit and ACH1000 communications control aboard Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. The D1000A uses built-in GPS position reporting combined with an Iridium satellite transceiver and telemetry data link to provide flight-tracking capability. The ACH1000 communications control head adds voice communication and two-way messaging connectivity between operators and the control center.
FAA is moving to establish a voluntary accreditation program for commercial air tour operators. The agency recently charged the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) with developing a comprehensive program for commercial air tour operators that are not required to maintain aircraft under a continuous airworthiness maintenance program. Part 135 requires operators of aircraft with 10 or more seats to establish a continuing analysis and surveillance system, but operators with smaller aircraft are exempt.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is teaming again with the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) to raise funds for their mission supporting U.S. combat wounded. VAC, a charitable organization, provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families for medical and other purposes. NATA and VAC last year established the NATA Wings for Warriors fund for member contributions, and this year is expanding its effort throughout all of the association’s major 2012 events.
FAA issued Advisory Circular 90-114 to all operators regarding usage of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology in compliance with FAR 91.225 and 91.227. These new regulations require aircraft operating in designated classes of airspace to be equipped with ADS-B Out beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The circular contains guidance on compliance with the new rules including an overview of the ADS-B system, general operating procedures, and performance requirements.
Industry may be ready to sell UAVs for civilian use within the U.S., but that does not mean the machinery of government is prepared to regulate them. FAA is trying to ensure safety of the vehicles, which can be difficult for larger aircraft to see. But the process has been slow and already delayed. FAA was expected to release its notice of proposed rulemaking for small UAVs this month; now the notice is supposed to come sometime during the spring, according to FAA spokeswoman Alison Duquette.
Daher-Socata delivered 36 TBM850 single-engine aircraft last year, equaling the total of the year before. Deliveries to buyers in the U.S. continued to dominate, with 84% of deliveries topping the 76% that found their way to the U.S. in 2010. Latin America was the second largest market, with Asia-Pacific and Europe following. Europe was the second largest market in 2010. Daher-Socata says it was the fourth best year for the TBM.
The international business aviation and helicopter community is releasing an amendment to the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) this month to include helicopter safety standards.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently approved a five-year extension of its partnership with National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services (NATACS) to provide a range of general aviation security programs. The partnership recognizes NATACS as a Trusted Fingerprint Facility to process biographical and biometric information. The partnership, established in 2002, has been extended through December 2016.
As the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) takes effect this month, the business aviation community is grappling with inconsistent paperwork requirements, potential operational changes and what it believes is a discriminatory implementation of the scheme. The European Business Aviation Association last week aired a number of concerns it has with the scheme, saying it is discriminatory toward business aviation and still needs substantial work to be viable.
In the face of strong opposition, the Obama administration is not backing off its support for a $100 per-flight user charge. “The administration is making tough choices across the federal budget and asking everyone to do their fair share,” says Dana Hyde, associate director for General Government Programs for the Office of Management and Budget.
JAY RANDALL was named Great Lakes regional sales manager for Constant Aviation, a Cleveland-based maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. Randall previously served with Dallas Airmotive, where he was responsible for the sale of engine maintenance services specializing in Pratt & Whitney Canada and Rolls-Royce engine services for customers in the Northeast and Great Lakes territories. He also has held sales positions with Flight Options and Bizjet International.
CONTINENTAL MOTORS TSIO-520, TSIO-550-K, TSIOF-550K, and IO-550-N series reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1341; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-16891; AD 2011-25-51] – adopts an emergency AD that requires replacing affected CMI starter adapters. This AD was prompted by five reports of fractures in starter adapter shaft gears in certain part number (P/N) CMI starter adapters. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the starter adapter gear shaft, leading to an inoperable oil scavenge pump and engine inflight shutdown.
