Sierra Industries, the Uvalde, Texas company that specializes in Cessna Citation modifications, has received an FAA supplemental type certificate for its Citation I glass panel retrofit. Developed in cooperation with Garmin International, the package includes three 10.4-inch Garmin LCD displays—GDU 1040 primary flight displays for both the pilot and copilot, along with a centrally mounted multifunction display. The standard package is available at an installed price of $284,000. Typical installation time is five weeks.
LEARJET 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1069; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-025-AD] –This proposed AD would require operators to revise the maintenance program to include new or more-restrictive life limits and inspections. FAA has issued this proposal to limit exposure of flight-critical components to corrosion, cracking or failure, which if not corrected, could result in loss of roll control, fatigue cracking or loss of structural components. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 336 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
The prolonged recovery of the used business jet market has faltered in recent months, taking a “frustrating” step backward, according to market research firm Amstat. Business aviation analysts have closely watched the used market over the past couple of years, as high inventories have been considered a major stumbling block to the industry’s recovery.
Richard (Dick) Van Gemert, the business aviation veteran, has joined the board of directors for San Francisco-based Solairus Aviation. Van Gemert has held numerous executive positions in the industry, including senior vice president for Jet Aviation, president for New World Jet Corp. and executive vice president at KC Transportation Services.
Gulfstream and FlightSafety International are offering a complimentary preview of FlightSafety’s Gulfstream G350/G450/G500/G550 Ground Handling and Servicing eLearning course for fixed-base operator managers for the rest of this year. The course reinforces how ground handlers should move and service Gulfstream aircraft. Best practices developed and used by Gulfstream employees are emphasized to help mitigate risks.
The Sikorsky S-76D program achieved another milestone recently when Transport Canada certified the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engine that will be installed in the new twin-engine medium helicopter. The engine maker has run the powerplant for more than 8,700 hr. in test cells and during flight tests. FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency validation of the engine’s Canadian type certificate are expected in the coming months.
Jet Aviation’s facility in Teterboro, N.J., has been granted a limited instrument and limited radio rating from FAA for its recently opened avionics shop. The new capabilities and shop space enable Jet Aviation Teterboro to provide line maintenance, aircraft-on-ground support and inspections of avionics equipment. The authorizations apply to the facility’s foreign certificates, as well. In a related development, Matt Nevell has joined the avionics team as lead technician.
JEFF POIRIER has taken on the role of president for Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic (VAESA). Poirier formerly was vice president of customer and technical services with VAESA. He has spent 19 years with the company.
AVIOINTERIORS 12M series passenger seats [Docket No. FAA-2011-1000; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-048-AD; Amendment 39-16828; AD 2011-21-05] – Replace certain seat backrests before they reach a set number of hours in service, per the instructions of Aviointeriors Service Bulletin 12M/F68-06, Rev. 1 (dated Oct. 29, 2009).
JOHN ANDERSON was named regional maintenance manager for Jet Aviation’s facility in Van Nuys, Calif. Anderson previously spent 18 years as director of maintenance for The Air Group, managing programs for both domestic and international aircraft. He also has served as director of maintenance for Fluor Corp.
Embraer delivered 17 Phenom light jets and one Legacy aircraft during the quarter and says it had a “positive net balance” in orders. A recent order from China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing for 13 Legacy 650 jets will further bolster the backlog when fourth-quarter figures are reported early next year.
Satcom Direct, the satellite communications provider, has developed SkyTicket, a product for aircraft operators that enables passengers to pay directly for Internet data usage inflight. SkyTicket can be used by any aircraft business aircraft operator, including Part 135 charter operators and fractional operators. SkyTicket is secure and PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant. Credit card and payment information is sent directly to the credit card merchant and is not stored in the system.
Jet Aviation Van Nuys in California will offer specialized global support for U.S.-registered aircraft based in Asia and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions. Jet Aviation’s new Van Nuys aircraft management and charter operation is working with its Jet Aviation counterparts in EMEA and Asia to provide aircraft management services to N-registered aircraft operated in these regions.
Dulles Jet Center has reopened after being forced to close in February 2010, when a record snow storm caused severe damage to three of its four hangars and part of the fourth one. The facility is up and running at Dulles International Airport with two new hangars and is offering service to the corporate jet community. Dulles Jet Center is scheduled to complete construction on the last two hangars in November.
Executive Air Services (EAS), a Miami-based aircraft charter and management company, has added three jets to its fleet: a 1983 Learjet 55, a 1999 Learjet 60 and a 2001 Bombardier Global Express. EAS now offers nine aircraft for charter, and EAS President Matthew Winer says the company expects to further increase its fleet before the end of the year.
Tokyo’s Narita International Airport plans to open the first dedicated business jet terminal serving Japan’s capital in March 2012. The terminal, located near passenger Terminal 2, includes full concierge services; ground transportation; and customs, immigration and quarantine facilities. Aircraft will be able to approach the terminal for boarding and disembarking.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace the existing rail-pressure control valve with a new valve. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent failure of the rail pressure valve, which could result in an inflight engine shutdown. The new proposed AD is a revision of an existing directive (AD 2010-06-12) with amended compliance times.
Cessna Aircraft’s backlog continued to slide in the third quarter, but a jump in Citation deliveries helped drive a $64 million increase in profit, Cessna parent Textron says. The increase in profitability continued a turnaround for the Wichita manufacturer, which had recorded a $38 million first-quarter loss that helped lead to the departure of Cessna chief Jack Pelton.
Landmark Aviation continues to cement its presence in Florida with the addition of operations at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Landmark officially began operations at TPA on Oct. 8 in a facility that includes 44,500 sq. ft. of hangar space, in addition to a passenger lobby, pilot lounge, executive conference room, snooze room and flight planning center. The facility will offer fueling, grounding handling and concierge services, as well as hangar and office revenues.
FlightSafety International has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) in Mexico for two Level D simulators and three Level 7 qualified flight-training devices. FlightSafety has now received approval for 274 of its simulators and flight training devices from the DGAC in Mexico. The DGAC approved FlightSafety’s Dassault Falcon 7X and Eurocopter EC135 full-flight simulators that entered service this year at the training company’s Learning Center in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
Actor Harrison Ford joined with the Senate’s General Aviation Caucus last week for a discussion of, among other things, the government’s plan to move aviation away from the use of leaded gasoline. Ford, who has flown as an amateur pilot since he appeared in the presidential thriller Air Force One, owns planes that would be affected by a switch to more environmentally friendly fuel. GA Caucus Co-Chair Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) notes, “The lead gasoline fuel issue is a huge issue.
Signature Flight Support has expanded benefits again for Signature Status, its customer loyalty program. New benefits include services from Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., including free aircraft-component evaluation, free return shipment on component repair or overhaul, and free technical support by phone. As an incentive for members to commit their aircraft components to Ontic Engineering early, members can receive 1,000 gal. of Jet A fuel, redeemable at any of Signature’s U.S. locations, a benefit only available through Signature Status.
Bombardier Aerospace has long said it is committed to keeping jobs in Canada, and President Guy Hachey reiterated that pledge to analysts at the recent National Business Aviation Association convention. “Our more strategic manufacturing will remain in Canada,” he says, but adds the word is “globalization,” and it’s an increasingly interconnected world in which Bombardier works. The company has announced high-profile partnerships with Shenyang in China for composite fuselage components on its commercial aircraft. Bombardier also has a significant presence in Mexico.
Gulfstream Aerospace recently completed two successful back-to-back international operators forums, one in conjunction with Jet Expo 2011 in Moscow and another in Beijing. A third is scheduled for later this year in conjunction with the Dubai International Air Show. The forums provide operators with updates on maintenance and operations, including fleet status, maintenance management, technical training and pending technical bulletins. In addition, the company reviews its fleet support services to ensure operators continue leveraging all available support offerings.
