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.
Pilatus has delivered the 1,100th PC-12. The milestone single-engine turboprop was handed over recently to Frontline Aviation during ceremonies held at the Swiss aircraft manufacturer’s U.S. facility in Broomfield, Colo. Thomas Bosshard, CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, states, “Since its introduction to the market in 1994, the PC-12 program has greatly exceeded all expectations originally set for it by Pilatus.” The PC-12 fleet has amassed 3.3 million flight hours of operating experience.
Inmarsat selected Aircell and OnAir to be distribution partners as it prepares to roll out its Global Xpress satellite service beginning in mid-2013. Inmarsat is investing nearly $1.2 billion in its Inmarsat-5 satellite constellation, which will use three Ka-band satellites to provide Internet connections at speeds of up to 50 Mbps. The service is expected to launch on a regional basis in mid-2013.
JOHN HAYES has joined West Star Aviation as general manager of the company’s Dallas Love Field facility. A 33-year aviation veteran, he previously was director of maintenance for Business Jet Access in Dallas. He also has held positions with NJI, Inc., Executive Jet International, NetJets Middle East, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Gulfstream.
Eurocopter China recently sold a EC120B and a EC135 to Xilin Fengteng General Aviation Co., Ltd. The two rotorcraft, which are to be delivered by mid-2012, will be used in a variety of missions, including aerial photography, passenger transport, forest firefighting, business charter, emergency medical service and pilot training. Based in Deyang, Sichuan Province, Xilin Fengteng is Eurocopter China’s first customer in southwest China.
Jet Aviation Dubai has received FAA approval to perform base and line maintenance on Gulfstream G200 aircraft. Similar approval for the G150 is expected by yearend. With the clearances, the Dubai facility has earned FAA’s approval to perform base and line maintenance on all the models in the Gulfstream fleet. The company also is working toward European Aviation Safety Agency approval for the G200 and G150. Those nods are expected in early 2012.
AgustaWestland has finalized its acquisition of Bell Helicopter Textron’s 609 tiltrotor program, re-designating the BA609 as the AW609. Required legal and regulatory approvals have been completed, and AgustaWestland is moving the program forward, under its full control, toward FAA and EASA certification in late 2015 or early 2016, with customer deliveries following immediately thereafter.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1224; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-175-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace the air driven generator (ADG) generator control unit (GCU), per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-130 (dated April 27, 2011). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by the discovery that the low threshold setting of the circuit protection on the ADG GCU could prevent the ADG from supplying power to the essential buses.
Duncan Aviation has received a supplemental type certificate for installation of a Wi-Fi system in Thrane & Thrane-equipped Dassault Falcon 2000s and 2000EXs. The approval enables Wi-Fi service in the cabin by upgrading the Thrane & Thrane Swift 64 Aero HSD+ satellite communication system to the SwiftBroadband Aviation 700 system, which offers four channels of global voice service, one flight deck datalink and up to two channels for Internet data.
Greenwich AeroGroup has established Greenwich AeroGroup Financial Services to provide aircraft acquisition services. Greenwich AeroGroup Financial Services will provide finance and leasing options for a variety of general aviation aircraft and rotorcraft. The unit will offer capital and municipal leases and customized package options, such as bundling with maintenance services. Scott Grady will head the new unit.
FAA reauthorization talks continue, and business aviation lobbyists are encouraged that senior lawmakers in both the House and Senate are pressing for an agreement. “We’ve got the best shot of seeing this bill passed as we’ve had in a long time,” says one insider. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) have been discussing the possibility of separating out a controversial airline labor provision that has been a sticking point for an agreement on FAA reauthorization.
