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.
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.
