Although the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction—the so-called Super Committee—failed to reach agreement last week, setting in motion automatic spending cuts without tax increases, business aviation advocates remain wary of the possibility of user fees resurfacing. The Super Committee had a Nov. 23 deadline for agreeing to recommendations for a $1.2 trillion deficit reduction, either by raising revenue, cutting spending or some combination of the two. But the failure to reach an agreement opens the door to automatic spending cuts and caps.
JEFF PATTERSON was named senior regional sales manager, product support sales, central region for Gulfstream Aerospace. He is responsible for maintenance sales to Gulfstream and non-Gulfstream operators in south Texas, including Houston, San Antonio and Austin. Patterson formerly worked for West Star for nearly eight years, primarily as a regional sales manager and also as a Falcon technical sales manager.
Professional Aviation Associates, which expanded into the rotorcraft market in March with an initial $1 million investment in rotable and airframe parts for a variety of helicopters, has increased its supply with more than $1 million for the Eurocopter EC155 and AS 365 helicopters alone. The inventory includes tail-rotor blades, brakes, wheels, servos, windshields, hardware and tooling. The expansion comes as part of the company’s stated goal to become the largest independent global supplier of parts for the rotary wing market.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705, 900 and 1000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1228; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-176-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 670BA-24-031 (dated May 30, 2011). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to ensure that the ADG GCU transformer primary winding does not break due to thermal fatigue.
The Transportation Security Administration’s efforts to boost business aircraft operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) continue to show results. Signature Flight Support recently marked its busiest day at DCA (for business aircraft operations) since before 9/11. On Nov. 16 the facility handled 30 operations cleared through the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). This approaches the TSA’s goal of 48 daily general aviation aircraft operations at the facility and marks a significant jump over the facility’s average of about a handful a day.
40 Years Ago Nov. 29, 1971 – Texas-based Community Savings & Loan posts a foreclosure notice on Butler Aviation’s single-engine Aerostar (Mooney) manufacturing plant at Kerrville, Texas, after Butler failed to meet a $1.29 million payment. 30 Years Ago Nov. 2, 1981 – FAA agrees to changes in the controversial General Aviation Reservation (GAR) system, including a shortened window during the day when the reservations are required and the elimination of GAR filing procedures for flights operating at 29,000 ft. or above.
Diamond Aircraft’s Model DA-40NG single-engine aircraft must meet special conditions for the electronic engine control (EEC). The conditions were issued as part of Diamond’s application to amend the DA-40 type certificate to install the Austro Engine E4 diesel engine on the aircraft and boost maximum takeoff gross weight from 2,532 lb. to 2,816 lb. Diamond is using an EEC, also known as a full-authority digital electronic control, rather than a traditional mechanical control system. EEC standards, however, do not address installation on Part 23 aircraft.
MARK BENNETT was named manager of community relations for Gulfstream Aerospace. Bennett oversees community programs for Gulfstream’s 11,500 employees, such as charitable contributions, volunteering, education outreach and student leadership. Before joining Gulfstream, Bennett served with Alabama Power Company and Delta Air Lines.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1169; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-050-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to modify and reidentify certain main landing gear MLG units, or replace the affected MLG units with modified units. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent MLG failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect four aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
Transair Center, a fixed-base operation (FBO) at Honolulu International Airport, recently opened for business. Currently operating out of a temporary facility while a new passenger terminal and lounge is under construction, Transair Center is providing a range of FBO services, including fueling, oxygen, lav service and domestic and international ground handling. The center is an Avfuel dealer and is participating in the Avfuel contract fuel and AVTRIP rewards programs. The temporary facilities include a lounge and meeting room.
Jet Aviation Dubai is ramping up to provide base maintenance for Dassault Falcon 7X airplanes by the end of this year. The maintenance engineers at the United Arab Emirates firm have completed their training and are Falcon 7X type-rated for base maintenance approval. The tooling necessary to perform such work is expected to be on site in the near future.
StandardAero has received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). The certification covers StandardAero’s service network of 13 primary facilities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Singapore and Australia, along with sales and field service locations. The EMS is expected to yield significant environmental performance improvements, including reduced resource requirements and waste generation throughout the service production cycle.
The latest used-aircraft inventory numbers, combined with year-to-date delivery statistics for new aircraft and downgraded near-term forecasts by several aircraft manufacturers, have convinced some financial analysts that the business jet market recovery may be “losing some steam.”
Apple has issued a software update that is designed to fix a problem that unexpectedly deletes charts, approach plates and other data from iPads. The problem surfaced last month after Apple implemented its mobile operating system (iOS5) upgrade for iPads and iPhones that includes a “cleanup” feature that will delete saved data when the memory becomes low.
U.S. and European companies, eager to capitalize on the continued strong demand for private aviation in the Middle East, are opening new support facilities, establishing joint ventures and expanding their service offerings.
Toronto-based distributor Interfast and China’s Avic International Zhuhai Co. cut the ribbon on an aerospace fastener warehouse in Guangdong Province last week. The warehouse is temporarily located in a CAE facility while a new, larger facility is built. Interfast owns 51% of the new joint venture, which will supply specialized aerospace fasteners and hardware and offer engineering support and other services to aerospace firms in Asia.
While Hawker Beechcraft has lodged a protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the U.S. Air Force’s decision to exclude the company from the Light Air Support (LAS) competition, the rival team of Sierra Nevada Corp. and Embraer say they have heard nothing from the service about the status of their proposal.
As LightSquared wraps up another round of testing on its new approach to deploy a broadband-wireless network, lawmakers are pushing measures to prevent the plan from moving forward until they are satisfied that the network would not interfere with GPS use. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) attached an amendment to the financial services and government affairs appropriations bill prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using any funds to permit LightSquared to build the network until concerns regarding GPS interference are addressed.
Congress approved a $15.85 billion fiscal 2012 budget for FAA in the multi-agency “minibus” spending bill that passed Nov. 17 and was signed into law on Nov. 18. The bill, which passed both chambers before a continuing resolution funding the government expired on Nov. 18, reflects the budget-cutting mood in Washington, slashing funding at a number of agencies, including $924 million out of the NASA budget.
Dubai-based investment firm Medrar Financial Group has signed an agreement to take a majority stake in Diamond Aircraft Holdings in Canada, a move that will provide much-needed financial backing for the company’s D-Jet single-jet program.
GAL Aviation of Quebec City, Canada and MENA Aerospace Enterprises have established a joint venture in Bahrain to provide a range of design, refurbishment and installation services for corporate and VIP airliner aircraft. GAL MENA will set up the fabrication and design capabilities, as well as train workers for the associated trades. The services will be provided from new GAL MENA facilities in Bahrain, as well as at the venture’s hangar at the Bahrain International Airport. GAL Aviation’s production center in Canada will support the efforts.
Cirrus Aircraft has opened its first full-motion flight simulator in Europe. The facility, which is located in Poland at Aero Pozan, a Cirrus training center, offers instruction for SR20 and SR22 pilots. The simulator, which utilizes the Cirrus Perspective cockpit system, is being used for initial and recurrent training, as well as transition training for aviators moving into glass cockpits. Training can be conducted in any European language.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, C, D, and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1158; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-018-AD; Amendment 39-16847; AD 2011-22-05] – Conduct a daily check of the tail-rotor pitch-control rod’s outboard spherical bearing for play. If play exists, measure the bearing’s radial and axial play. This AD supersedes an existing directive (AD 2003-22-06), retaining all of its requirements, but expands the applicability to include AS355NP helicopters and additional control rods.
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) is expanding its Hawker 400XPR and Hawker 800XPR programs beyond owners looking to upgrade their aircraft. The programs will now include helping non-owners acquire Beechjet 400A, Hawker 400 or Hawker 800 aircraft for upgrade to “factory-completed” XPR status, which includes a factory warranty and support.
