BOMBARDIER DHC-8-102, -103, -106 -200, -300 and -400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1230; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-141-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a newly designed rudder-actuator mounting bracket, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletins 8-27-110, Rev. C (dated May 13, 2011) and 84-27-53 (dated Nov. 26, 2010).
National Transportation Safety Board last week launched a 12-member “Go-Team” to investigate the crash of an air tour helicopter near Las Vegas on Dec. 7, killing all five people aboard. NTSB Member Mark Rosekind was on site, as was Senior Air Safety Investigator Bill English. The helicopter, an Aérospatiale AS 350B2 Ecureuil, N37SH, reportedly was operated by Sundance Helicopters on a sightseeing flight when it crashed between Lake Mead and Henderson, Nev. The helicopter was destroyed.
TRAVIS LATIOLAIS was named vice president of business development for helicopter operator RLC. Latiolais has 15 years of sales, marketing and operation experience in the offshore helicopter industry. Most recently he was sales manager of Bristow’s North American business unit. He began his career as a maintenance technician at PHI.
Sabreliner Corporation says it has made “significant enhancements” in its coating removal process. By using dry steam to remove coatings, Sabreliner officials say they have greatly reduced the amount of hazardous waste water generated from the 40,000 pieces of U.S. Air Force KC-135s that Sabreliner is servicing. The initial expectation was that 84,250 lb. of wastewater would be generated on each airplane. Instead, just 630 lb. of wastewater has been generated halfway through the first aircraft.
TWC Aviation added a Bombardier Challenger 300 to its charter fleet. The 10-passenger, 3,100-nm aircraft is based at the Palm Springs Airport (KPSP) in California. TWC Aviation provides aircraft management, private jet charter, aircraft sales and acquisition services with operations centers in San Jose, Los Angeles and New York.
U.S. lawmakers are still trying to reach an agreement on a new FAA reauthorization bill, but the possibility of completing action by the end of the calendar year has become more doubtful as Congress hopes to recess by the end of the week. The bill’s fate is in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who are consumed with passing year-end spending bills and tax measures. Officially, they have until Jan. 31 to extend FAA’s reauthorization again or pass the bill. Previously pessimistic lawmakers, including Sen.
Dec. 15—The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Gary Kelly, Chairman, President & CEO, Southwest Airlines, The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Jan. 11-13, 2012—Airports Council International-NA Insurance & Risk Management Conference, New Orleans, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Jan. 19, 2012—The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Louis Chenevert, Chairman & CEO, United Technologies Corp., The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected]
Cessna is launching one of the largest aging aircraft programs to be undertaken for a fleet of single-piston airplanes. The Wichita plane maker has developed a supplemental inspection program designed to stem concerns of possible corrosion and fatigue stress on its fleet of nearly 145,000 100- and 200-series single-engine aircraft produced between 1946 and 1986. The inspections are being added to service manuals for 200-series aircraft this month and for 100-series aircraft in April, the airframer says.
BAE SYSTEMS BAe 146-100A, -200A and -300A; and Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A and 146-RJ100A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0908; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-251-AD; Amendment 39-16870; AD 2011-24-06] – Revise the approved maintenance program by removing life limits on shock absorber assemblies (but not the individual shock absorber components). Also, amend the life limits of the main landing gear (MLG) up-locks and door up-locks, and introduce and amend life limits on certain other MLG components.
Duncan Aviation has developed a new, temporary roll-around Hawker landing gear that will enable the aircraft to be moved through all phases of maintenance while the aircraft’s landing gear is being overhauled at a Duncan Aviation facility. When an aircraft arrives at Duncan for maintenance and gear overhaul, the gear is removed and sent to the accessories department while the roll-around gear is installed, keeping the aircraft mobile, Duncan executives say.
Jet Aviation Flight Services, the company’s aircraft management and charter division for the Americas, recently received a National Business Aviation Association Corporate Business Flying Safety Award for 21 years (289,126 hr.) of accident-free flying. In addition, 104 of Jet Aviation Flight Services’ pilots, maintenance technicians and support personnel also were honored for their individual safety records.
Mark Paolucci, Cessna’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, has announced his retirement, triggering a shake-up in Cessna’s senior leadership team. Tim White, former vice president of domestic sales, has been promoted to vice president of sales for the Americas. Trevor Esling will continue as vice president of international sales. Dianne White, Cessna’s recently promoted communications vice president, is assuming duties of vice president of marketing while the firm continues its search for a permanent marketing vice president.
GULFSTREAM GV and GV-SP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0572; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD; Amendment 39-16866; AD 2011-24-02] – Determine whether a third Halon fire extinguisher bottle is installed in the auxiliary power unit (APU) fragment-impact zone. If so, revise the “Limitations” section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to add restrictions for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) usage on certain airplanes having a third fire extinguisher bottle, and remove the third fire extinguisher bottle from certain other airplanes.
The Wichita Aero Club has selected Spirit AeroSystems and its CEO Jeff Turner as the recipients of the 2011 Wichita Aero Club Trophy, to be presented at the Wichita Aero Club’s second annual Trophy Gala Jan. 28 at the Wichita Airport Hilton. The award acknowledges the leadership and success of the company since its creation in 2005. The nomination also recognizes Spirit’s contributions to the local community, including through its Good Neighbor Fund. The Wichita Aero Club was established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation in the local community.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0648; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-276-AD; Amendment 39-16859; AD 2011-23-08] – Remove the hydraulic system No. 3 accumulator, replace hydraulic system No. 1’s inboard brake and outboard brake accumulators, and replace the hydraulic system No. 1 reducer.
ROY NG was named regional manager, international sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. He will be responsible for sales of new Gulfstream aircraft in Hong Kong, mainland China, Macau and Taiwan. He previously spent four years as director, business development for Metrojet Limited, a Hong Kong-based business aviation charter, management and maintenance provider.
Industry advocates are pushing the Transportation Department and FAA to help fight a lawsuit filed by the environmentalist group Center for Environmental Health (CEH) over the sale of leaded aviation gasoline in California.
Cutter Aviation has been designated an authorized service center for GE’s M601 and H80 turboprop engines. Cutter will offer line maintenance, engine removals and reinstallations, and line-replaceable units and spares for the M601 and H80. GE is hoping to develop the latter powerplant into a competitor to Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6. Cutter Aviation will offer the GE engine services at its Albuquerque, N.M.; McKinney, Texas; Phoenix and San Antonio locations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the Nov. 26 crash of a Cirrus SR20 near Crystal Lake, Ill. that killed four people. The aircraft, N223CD, struck a tree in instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot and three passengers died, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft, registered to Marion Pilots Club and operated under Part 91, had departed Marion Regional Airport (MZZ) in Indiana on a flight to DuPage Airport (DPA) in West Chicago, Ill.
The line between public use and civil aviation operations is currently so blurred, especially for contract operators, that the time has come to bring all the stakeholders together as a working group to provide clarity on the issue, according to Helicopter Association International President Matt Zuccaro. Zuccaro says HAI feels strongly about the need for a working group and would be willing to sponsor the group.
Dassault Falcon President and CEO John Rosanvallon reports China will be his company’s No. 1 market in 2011, accounting for nearly one third of all Falcon Jet sales during the year now ending.
Embraer completed the first flight of an EMB 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform developed for the Indian government. The government, which currently operates four Embraer Legacy 600 jets for VIP transport, ordered three of the AEW&C aircraft. The platform will be equipped with an in-flight refueling system, SATCOM capability and increased electrical and cooling capabilities, along with aerodynamic and structural changes.
Gulfstream Aerospace has opened a sales office in the China World Tower in Beijing’s Central Business District. The office is headed by Regional Sales Vice President Herman Chai, an aerospace engineer from Northrop University in Los Angeles who joined the company in 1988. In addition to English, he is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Hakka. Also based there is Senior Vice President Leda M.L. Chong, a Hong Kong native who served 20 years in the U.S. Navy before retiring with the rank of commander.
Embraer is beginning “full-fledged” operations in the U.S. with last week’s opening of its Global Customer Center in Melbourne, Fla., and the delivery of the first U.S.-assembled Phenom 100 to Kansas City-based Executive AirShare, the company says.
