Signature Flight Support continues to cement its position as one of the most dominant fixed-base operation chains worldwide, picking up two new locations in Mobile, Ala. The company, which now has a network of 111 bases, purchased the assets of Azalea Aviation’s Mobile Air Center at Mobile Regional Airport (KMOB) and Downtown Air Center at Mobile Downtown Airport (KBFM). Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The chorus of opposition to the European Union’s emissions trading system (ETS) grows ever louder, and some airlines are passing the costs on to passengers. Delta Air Lines raised its international surcharge by $3 each way per passenger for flights between the U.S. and the EU, a carrier spokesman says. Although not officially tied to the ETS, the carrier instituted the surcharge the day after the ETS was extended to aviation and only on flights between the U.S. and Europe. Delta would not comment on how much the surcharge will rise. Delta is the first U.S.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-300 [Docket No. FAA-2011-0916; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-16895; AD 2011-26-05] – supersedes an existing AD that requires installation of a new aileron input quadrant support bracket on airplanes that have accumulated certain flight hours. This AD, which stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from Transport Canada, would change compliance time to 33,000 total flight hours.
BAE Systems Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0911; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-248-AD; Amendment 39-16883; AD 2011-25-07] – requires immediate and periodic ultrasonic inspections of the door pin guides and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency that cites a report of a door failure. Subsequent investigation has shown that the passenger/crew entry door pin-guide plates can fail before the expected fatigue life.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1256; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-036-AD; Amendment 39-16874; AD 2011-24-10] – requires, for affected models modified by DECA Aviation Engineering, removal of cargo conversion and abrasion systems. The AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from Transport Canada that found that the modification provides inadequate fire protection and decompression venting means. This can lead to an uncontrolled cargo fire and structural damage.
APICAL emergency float kits [Docket No. FAA-2010-1190; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-038-AD; Amendment 39-16877; AD 2011-25-01] – requires, for certain model helicopters with Apical emergency float kits installed under supplemental type certificates, adding placards on each side of the fuselage to identify the location and operation of the life raft external inflation handle. This AD also requires replacing each life raft operation placard to state that external life rafts are installed.
STEPHEN YOUNG was promoted to vice president, sales, aircraft leasing companies for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. He formerly was senior director, sales, aircraft leasing companies. Young joined Bombardier more than 23 years ago.
Initial used aircraft market data is showing improvement in December, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Ronald Epstein. Citing initial Amstat data, Epstein notes the used aircraft inventory appears down in December, a welcome change after inventory had ticked up in the last two months. Pricing is softening further, but Epstein says this decline has helped thaw the secondary market. Prices have dipped 0.6% for light jets, 0.7% for medium jets and 1.3% for heavy jets.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 120B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0448; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-51-AD; Amendment 39-16841; AD 2011-21-18] – requires modifying the pilot cyclic control friction device by replacing a certain thrust washer with two thrust washers. This AD is prompted by an incident in which the pilot encountered a sudden restriction of the cyclic control movement during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent jamming of a pilot cyclic control stick and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) is seizing on a statement by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to press for a quick resolution to the stalemate over the FAA reauthorization bill. On Dec. 19, Boehner had called on the Senate to appoint a House-Senate conference committee to come to an agreement on a long-term extension of a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits rather than passing a two-month extension.
The Corporate Angel Network (CAN), the nonprofit organization that provides transportation for cancer patients aboard business jets, last week marked the 30th anniversary of its first flight. CAN co-founder Leonard Greene piloted the first flight on Dec. 22, 1981, transporting a 16-year-old boy from his treatment in New York to his home in Detroit for the holidays. Greene also founded Safe Flight Instrument Corp. Since its first flight, CAN has flown nearly 40,000 cancer patients using empty seats of regularly scheduled corporate flights.
DANNY ROBAYO was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s facility in Teterboro, N.J. He has served at the center since 1991 in positions including pilot and maintenance training instructor and program manager for various Dassault Falcon aircraft. Most recently, he has been director of training for the center.
BRP-POWERTRAIN KG Rotax reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1299; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-40-AD; Amendment 39-16878; AD 2011-25-02] – requires inspection of the crankshaft for cracks and removal of the crankshaft, if necessary. This AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency. The MCAI notes that during a production process review, a deviation in the manufacturing process of certain part number (P/N) 888164 crankshafts has been detected, which may have resulted in a latent defect.
LEARJET Model 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0651; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-16879; AD 2011-25-03] – This AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate life limits for the main landing gear (MLG) actuator end cap. This AD was prompted by a report of the potential for fatigue cracking of the end cap of the MLG prior to the published life limitation.
FAA has begun accepting and implementing direct requests from aircraft owners seeking to block their registration information from near-real-time flight-tracking programs, the agency says.
Tanzanian regional operator Precision Air Services has ordered four ATR 42-600s and a single ATR 72-600 to add to its fleet of five ATR 72-500s, two ATR 42-500s and two ATR 42-300s. The 50-seat ATR 42s are scheduled for delivery from late 2012, while the larger turboprop will join the fleet in 2014.
ALBERT (JACK) Mill was appointed director and general manager of engineering services for Piper Aircraft. Mill, a 30-year aerospace veteran, has held product development and certification roles for Piper since 1985. Before that he held design positions for Cessna Aircraft, Martin Marietta and Northrop Grumman.
Embraer has received type validation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for its Legacy 650. The approval allows customers to register and operate the Legacy 650 in China. The 650 also has received approvals from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, the European Aviation Safety Agency and FAA. Embraer views CAAC validation as particularly important because orders from China have picked up considerably, including a sale to Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. for 13 of the aircraft.
QUEST Model Kodiak 100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1328; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-037-AD; Amendment 39-16880; AD 2011-25-04] – requires inspection of the torque of the inertial particle separator (IPS) bolts; correction of the torque, if necessary; replacement of the IPS bolts with new IPS bolts within a certain time; and installation of safety wire around the new IPS bolts. This AD was prompted by five instances where a loose IPS bolt was found on the right-hand side of the engine bypass door attachment.
40 Years Ago Dec. 13, 1971 – Cessna introduces pressurized versions of the Super Skymaster and the 310, designated the 340. 30 Years Ago Dec. 28, 1981 – A federal judge delays a lawsuit over midnight to 7 a.m. curfew at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., while parties attempt to work out a voluntary noise reduction program. 20 Years Ago Dec. 2, 1991 – Investor group fears product liability is obstacle to a potential General Dynamics sale of Cessna Aircraft.
Congressional auditors in Washington have dismissed a bid protest by Hawker Beechcraft, which the company filed after being ruled out of consideration for a U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft program. The Government Accountability Office decision, released Dec. 23, indicates that Hawker’s protest was based on procedural issues regarding timeliness of notifications; arguments which GAO dismissed.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, -34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 series turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1298; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-39-AD; Amendment 39-16888; AD 2011-25-12] – requires the removal of certain affected part manufacturer approval (PMA) replacement Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) first stage reduction sun gears and/or the interacting planetary gear sets from the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. This AD was prompted by a failure report of a certain TAATI PMA sun gear, installed since Dec. 22, 2008.
Magellan Jets has developed a Private Jet Search app for the iPhone. The app enables customers to search for and book charter flights using the iPhone or the iPad. The app facilitates instant quoting, links to live market information and provides access to information on aircraft at airports worldwide. The Private Jet Search app also includes a GPS-based search to help find the nearest airport. Customers can view the trip leg through Google Maps.
The National Transportation Safety Board will delve into safety issues surrounding aviation event operations during a one-day hearing set for Jan. 10 in Washington. The air race and air show safety hearing will include representatives from government agencies, event trade associations, show organizers and air show participants. NTSB will discuss safety issues, regulations, protocols and practices at air shows and air races.
