Public aircraft operators, working with the aviation industry, must nurture a strong safety culture and rely on each other to do the right thing because, “frankly…most of the time nobody is watching,” National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman says. Speaking during a two-day forum on public aircraft safety, she notes oversight of public aircraft operations have lacked clarity. “Public aircraft operations have been the orphan of aviation safety, and there is a compelling need to foster [improved safety for] this key segment of the industry,” she says.
The Transportation Security Administration is pushing to release the long-awaited final repair station security rule in the next couple of weeks. The rule still has not undergone formal Office of Management and Budget review, so the release would require coordination between the two agencies. The movement on the rule, which had appeared stalled for a number of months and has been in the works for seven years, follows a letter sent late last month by 22 aviation companies and associations urging Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to clear it by yearend.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0889; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-35-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to check the transmissible torque between the low-pressure (LP) fuel pump impeller and the high-pressure (HP) fuel pump shaft on HP/LP pump hydromechanical metering units (HMUs). If the HMU does not pass the torque check, then replace it.
Battle Creek, Michigan’s proposed noise compatibility program for W.M. Kellogg Airport will be approved or disapproved by April 28, says FAA. The agency recently determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the city comply with FAR Part 150 requirements. The public comment period on the noise compatibility plan ends Dec. 30. For more information, contact Katherine S. Delaney, 11677 S. Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, Mich. 48174. Phone: (734) 229-2900. E-mail: [email protected].
National Air Transportation Association President and CEO James Coyne is appealing to the Department of Transportation to intervene in a lawsuit filed by environmentalists against fixed-base operations (FBOs) that sell aviation gasoline in California. “These few FBOs are tasked with defending the use of an FAA-approved aviation fuel by federally certificated aircraft at federally funded airports and in federally controlled airspace,” Coyne wrote to DOT General Counsel Robert S. Rivkin.
Piper has delivered the first six of 18 Piper Warrior trainers to Sekolah Tinggi Penerbang Indonesia (STPI), the government flight school at Budiarto Airport in Curug, Indonesia. STPI offers private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument and multi-engine training, as well as degrees in aviation, under the auspices of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation. The four-place, single-piston Warriors join a number of other training aircraft in STPI’s fleet, including the Beech Sundowner, Piper Dakota, Socata Tobago and Beech Baron.
Robert Sumwalt was sworn in last week for his second five-year term as a board member of the National Transportation Safety Board. The new term runs through Dec. 31, 2016. Sumwalt first joined the board in August 2006, and the original term was set to expire at the end of this month. During his time on the board, he spent two years as vice chairman.
JESSICA KUNEY was named shows and expositions coordinator for Helicopter Association International. Kuney has a background in meeting planning with a variety of associations and small organizations, including Georgetown University Law Center, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, and the American Composites Manufacturers Association.
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.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is falling short in its efforts to share security information with stakeholders, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) says. In a recent report to Congress, GAO finds that TSA needs to improve the quality of the security information it provides, as well as better communicate the availability of the information to affected parties.
SIKORSKY S-76A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0517; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-73-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to modify the electric rotor brake (ERB) and insert changes to the “Normal Procedures” and “Emergency Procedures” sections of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual regarding the ERB. This proposal is intended to prevent overheating of the ERB assembly, ignition of the ERB hydraulic fluid, a fire in the main gearbox area and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 180 helicopters on the U.S.
Embraer has appointed Air Alliance GmbH as its authorized sales representative in Germany for the Phenom 100 and 300 executive jets. Air Alliance becomes the fourth Embraer sales rep in Europe, joining ABS Jets in the Czech Republic, Avcon Jets in Austria and Russia’s Vnukovo-3 Group. Air Alliance, which is located between Frankfurt and Cologne at Siegerland Airport (SGE), offers aircraft sales and maintenance, charter and ambulance flights, and flight training.
ANDY PATSALIDES has joined Gama Group as director of marketing. He brings nearly 40 years of aerospace marketing experience at companies including British Airways and Boeing. He was regional director for Europe and Russia at Boeing, and held a number of marketing management positions at British Airways, steering corporate identity programs, as well as marketing of the Concorde fleet upgrade.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has released a new guide on flight expense reimbursements. The 15-page NBAA Reimbursement of Flight Expenses for Owner-Pilots Handbook was issued to help aircraft operators understand the accommodations and limitations that the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) allow for both private and commercial owner-pilots, including requirements relating to humanitarian or non-profit flights.
United States Aviation Underwriters (USAU) named David McKay president and CEO effective Jan. 1 since CEO Michael Sweeney plans to retire at the end of the year. McKay has served with USAU since 1978 and became president and COO in 2006. Sweeney, who will continue as chairman until April 30, has served with the firm since 1974.
Gama Aviation has added its first Airbus to the management and charter company’s fleet in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ACJ 318, which has 14 seats, is the largest aircraft in the firm’s Middle East inventory. The new VIP aircraft, which is based at Sharjah International Airport, is being operated by Gama on behalf of a private owner. Gama Aviation manages a total of five aircraft for Middle Eastern clients at Sharjah International and Dubai International airports.
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 hours time-in-service (TIS) for certain yokes.
TROY MILLER was named regional vice president, military and special mission sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. Miller will direct Gulfstream’s military and government sales. He spent 10 years as a Gulfstream V pilot for Corporate Jets, an aircraft charter, management and sales company based in Van Nuys, Calif. Before that, he had a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force.
AgustaWestland has sold two additional AW139 helicopters to JSC Euro-Asia Air of Kazakhstan. The offshore-configured medium-twin rotorcraft will be used to perform transport operations in Kazakhstan’s section of the Caspian Sea. One of the two aircraft will have a full ice-protection system. JSC Euro-Asia Air already flies four AW139s to offshore rigs and islands for foreign oil companies.
Groups representing business and general aviation pilots plan to meet with FAA on Dec. 13 to air concerns about changes in the issuance of digital charts, including possible new fees. FAA plans to discuss contract requirements for access to the charts during that meeting. Beginning April 5, FAA will provide downloads of the digital charts only to those who have agreements with the AeroNav Services branch. The charts will be available for viewing — but not download — for free on the website.
WILLIAM JOLLY was named president and CEO of WestWind Technologies. He has more than 25 years of mechanical and aerospace engineering experience, having held executive positions with Tyonek Manufacturing Group, ITT Systems and Pratt & Whitney.
Eurocopter has delivered the first of six EC145s ordered by the Republic of Kazakhstan, which will place the rotorcraft with the Kazakh Ministries of Defense and Emergencies for use in search and rescue and medical evacuation missions. The remainder of the initial batch of twin-engine, medium helicopters is to be delivered by yearend via a new 50/50 joint venture called Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, which is located near Astana International Airport.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1227; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-100-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to revise their maintenance programs to incorporate a task involving discard of the outboard wing aileron pulleys. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to eliminate aileron control stiffness, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 398 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
Bombardier Aerospace’s Global aircraft family is driving a recovery from the sustained economic malaise in the business jet market, leading to a 16% boost in the Aerospace group’s backlog and contributing to a nearly $500 million increase in overall revenues in the third quarter.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1226; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-006-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to modify the crossfeed valve control and power supply, the crossfeed indication logic and power supply, and the fuel-fire shutoff valve indication logic. Also, operators would need to modify the overhead panel to introduce provisions for a modified crossfeed indication. In addition, they would need to modify the transfer logic of the center wing fuel tank on certain airplanes.
