Al Bateen Executive Airport in the UAE is hosting the Abu Dhabi Air Expo March 6-8. The event, which is expected to draw more than 8,000 visitors, will provide a forum for brokers and enable private owners to promote their aircraft to the local general aviation market, organizers say. The event, which will include 20,000 sq. meters (215,000 sq. ft.) of floor space, also will have an outdoor exhibit and static aircraft display. Organizers expect about 150 general aviation aircraft, helicopters and jets will be on display.
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1113; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-53-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect each tail-rotor blade for mislocated aluminum wire mesh in the blade skin. This proposal is intended to detect mislocated blade wire mesh and prevent spar delamination, loss of the blade tip cap during a lightning strike, blade imbalance, loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 44 helicopters on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
Jan. 11-13, 2012—Airports Council International-NA Insurance & Risk Management Conference, New Orleans, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Jan. 15-16, 2012—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, 2012—National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, San Diego Convention Center, www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2012
FAA is expected to release a proposal for public comment in early 2012 that outlines its plans for the sale and distribution of its digital products, including navigation charts. Agency officials this week met with a number of industry leaders and chart providers to discuss potential proposals for the digital service.
BELL 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B and 212 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1188; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-46-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to repetitively inspect certain main-rotor yokes and establish a retirement life of 3,600 hr. time-in-service (TIS) for certain yokes.
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1115; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-011-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to revise the “Operating Limitations” section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. This proposal was prompted by the discovery that engine data was inaccurate in dealing with available above-specification engine-power margin. This proposed AD is intended to prevent the use of inaccurate engine-performance data in calculating maximum gross weight. FAA estimates that this proposal would affect 37 helicopters on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
National Air Transportation Association is appealing to members for donations to help combat a lawsuit filed by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) in California against fixed-base operators (FBOs) that sell leaded aviation gasoline. “CEH is very effective in suing businesses for what it claims are violations of Proposition 65,” says NATA President James Coyne. “Over the last eight years, CEH has collected, through Proposition 65 lawsuits, over $116 million from companies doing business in California. FBOs are now in CEH’s sights.” See article on Page 4.
A European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in the U.S. airline suit challenging the inclusion of aviation in the European Union’s emissions trading system (EU ETS) likely will be issued on Dec. 21, 11 days before the ETS is to be extended to all operations into and out of EU airports. The ECJ ruling follows an opinion issued in October by an EU judge advocate supporting the legislation that takes effect Jan. 1. Although a U.K.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0720; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-252-AD; Amendment 39-16867; AD 2011-24-03] – Incorporate into the approved maintenance program a new task to prevent excessive free-play of the turnbuckle and cable within the main landing gear (MLG) alternate release system. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, is intended to ensure that the MLG extends during landing. Failure to do so could result in loss of control during landing.
Forecast International projects that business jet production will resume growing – albeit slowly – in 2012, after declining in each of the previous three years. A new study issued by the Connecticut market research firm, “The Market for Business Jet Aircraft,” predicts that 10,907 business jets worth an estimated $230.3 billion (in constant 2011 U.S. dollars) will be produced between 2011 and 2020.
Piper Aircraft has added Horizontal de Aviación to its South American support network. The Colombian company, which is based at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, has been in business for more than 20 years and has nearly 52,000 sq. ft. (4,800 sq. meters) of hangar and office space. Horizontal de Aviación is approved to work on all Piper models, and also handles Hawker Beechcraft, Twin Commander and Cessna aircraft.
EMBRAER ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1251; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-017-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to visually inspect for discrepancies between the actuator rod end and shock strut lug of the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator. If any discrepancies were found, operators would need to replace the MLG retraction actuator, the anti-rotation pin and the attachment bolt, as applicable.
Another showdown over Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in California could be looming as the city begins to explore the possibilities for the airport’s future, including its permanent closure in 2015, when all leases are set to expire. FAA in the past has stated that its obligations do not end at that time. Business aviation advocates have begun to monitor the brewing situation at the airport, where residents have long sought to curb aircraft operations. The airport recently came under scrutiny in the California state Senate over aircraft pollution concerns.
Advocates for LightSquared are using a time-honored Washington technique in arguing that the company should be allowed to proceed with plans to build a 4G wireless broadband network – they’re reframing the debate, painting objections about interference with GPS signals as needlessly complex. “Our opponents have turned basic engineering issues into a political debate,” LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja told a Capitol Hill audience Dec. 7.
CESSNA 172R and 172S airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1245; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-033-AD; RIN 2120-AA64] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the fuel return line assembly, replacing it if chafing were found. Also, operators would need to inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure, adjusting the fuel return line as necessary. This proposal would supersede an existing directive (AD 2008-03-02), retaining all of its requirements, but would apply to more airplanes.
GAL Aviation, of Quebec City, signed an agreement with TASC Aviation of Dubai to provide a range of consulting and technical support services. The joint effort will focus on VIP/business aircraft interiors manufacturing, consulting and technical outsourcing. TASC Aviation has experience in aviation consulting, including business and strategy planning, marketing, branding, advisory and consulting on commercial and technical operations, cabin configuration and management for all types of operations.
U.S. business aircraft flights are continuing to slow as 2011 comes to an end, but are still up over last year, according to Argus. The Argus “TRAQPak” report for November shows that flight activity overall was down 1.5% from October. Part 91 operations were down 2.8%, while Part 135 operations ticked up 0.4% and fractional operations improved 0.1% from October.
U.S. and EU officials meeting in Washington on Dec. 8 vigorously debated aviation’s inclusion in the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS), although the tenor of the meeting was less combative than other recent gatherings, according to an observer.
A new FAA proposal would define propeller critical parts, require manufacturer identification and establish engineering, manufacture, and maintenance processes for those parts. FAA says the proposal is designed to ensure continued airworthiness of propeller critical processes by requiring processes that identify and manage the parts throughout their service life. The proposal also standardizes requirements between FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency, FAA says, adding this would simplify airworthiness approvals for exports.
Piper Aircraft this month is handing over the last of seven twin-engine Piper Seminole training aircraft to the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) under a contract valued at nearly $4.2 million for all seven aircraft. Based in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, CAFUC provides training for civil aviation pilots, technicians, engineers and aviation management professionals. The four-seat Piper Seminole trainer is powered by two Lycoming O-360-A1H6 180-horsepower engines and is equipped with the Garmin G500 avionics suite.
Bombardier has sold a CRJ900 NextGen to Petroleum Air Services (PAS) of Egypt. The Cairo-based company, which will be the first to operate a CRJ series aircraft in Egypt, also has placed an option on a second 88-passenger CRJ900. Established in 1982, PAS operates helicopter and fixed-wing charter and air taxi services, primarily for the petroleum industry. Surplus hours are used by tour operators within Egypt and to international destinations within the region. The PAS fleet also includes nine Bombardier turboprops — four de Havilland Dash 7s and five Q300s.
Kansas State University in Salina is partnering with Universal Helicopters to strengthen its helicopter training program. Under the partnership, Universal Helicopters is providing Robinson R22 Beta IIs and one Robinson R44 Raven II for training, along with four flight instructors. The training will be available for the spring 2012 semester, which begins in January.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions (JDA) was selected to help Dominican Republic operator Helidosa Aviation Group obtain a Part 129 operations specification (OpSpec) that would authorize flights to and from the U.S. Helidosa, which is a Part 135 operator that provides charter, air tour and air ambulance services, will seek a special authorization for temporary relief so it can operate to and from the U.S.
JOAN MCCARTHY was appointed chief financial officer for RLC. McCarthy has a background in management and accounting, including more than 15 years of experience in the offshore oil and gas service industry. She previously held positions with Moreno Group, Offshore Logistics and GulfMark Offshore.
