Rockwell Collins is adapting technology from its newest avionics suite, Pro Line Fusion, for the turboprop and light jet markets. Initially certified on Bombardier’s Global 6000 long-range business aircraft in June, the system has been selected for use on 11 business, commercial and military aircraft—in some cases much larger applications.
Bombardier Aerospace has won a firm order for two Challenger 605s from the Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS) for use primarily in search and rescue and other special mission applications. The new aircraft will replace the existing search and rescue aircraft currently operated by the GFS for long-range search and rescue operations.
Cessna is celebrating the 15th anniversary of aircraft production at its Independence, Kan., factory. The plant opened in 1996 after congressional passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act in 1994, which limited aircraft manufacturers’ product liability. Cessna had discontinued single-engine piston aircraft production in Wichita in the 1980s due in part to rising liability costs.
Saab Sensis has completed deployment of its advanced airport surveillance system at 35 of the largest U.S. airports. The airport surface detection equipment, model X (ASDE-X) system has been commissioned and is operational at the last of the 35 sites under the current FAA contract. The system combines data from surface movement radar, multilateration and automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast (ADS-B) to give controllers an accurate picture of surface movements. It also provides conflict alerts. Saab Sensis also said it won a contract from U.K.
The aviation industry has successfully—at least in one venue—pushed back on user fees. In a jobs bill introduced Oct. 5, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) removed provisions floated by President Barack Obama in his bill to stimulate employment growth, including a $100-per-flight fee and accelerated depreciation of business aircraft. Instead, Senate Democrats are proposing a 5.6% tax on millionaires. And, the bill would extend 100% expensing for another year.
TOM ROCHE was appointed vice president of StandardAero’s turboprop business. Roche, who previously was vice president of StandardAero’s helicopters business unit, will oversee the company’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A and PW100 operations. He has 35 years of experience in aviation maintenance, including holding several leadership positions throughout StandardAero.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0994; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-143-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to perform repetitive detailed inspections of the lower panel of the left- and right-hand main landing gear (MLG) doors for cracking or deformation of components or pulled or missing fasteners. If any damage was found, operators would need to repair it before further flight or replace the MLG door. Modifying the MLG door, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-017, Rev.
Lincoln, Neb.-based aviation services provider Duncan Aviation has launched its first mobile application for the iPad. The free app is designed to improve operators’ access to information about the company’s service locations, contact information and department listings.
Garmin is offering new autopilot interfaces for its G600 and G500 flight displays. The interfaces will provide compatibility with S-TEC’s DFCS 2100/1500 autopilot and gyro emulation for the Century autopilot. This new upgrade for the S-TEC autopilot enables the G600 and G500 to provide AHRS/ADC inputs, perform heading bug coupling, NAV/GPSS coupling and full approach capability, including ILS and LPV precision approaches. This will enable operators who install dual G600 or G500 systems to remove older attitude sources for the DFCS 2100/1500.
This week’s National Business Aviation Association 64th annual meeting and convention in Las Vegas is expected to draw about the same or perhaps a few more attendees, exhibitors and static aircraft as last year’s event in Atlanta, association officials believe. In the days leading up to the convention, attendance appeared as if it would reach about 25,000, with 1,000 exhibitors and about 100 airplanes on static display, officials say, warning that those are “ballpark” figures. The Atlanta convention drew 24,206 attendees, 1,083 exhibitors and 93 aircraft on display.
All 18 people on the Nusantara Buana Air C-212 commercial aircraft that crashed on Sept. 29 have been found dead near Mount Leuser on Sumatra island in Aceh province. The 14 passengers and four crewmembers were discovered still strapped in their seats, say Indonesian news reports quoting the rescue authorities. Two rescuers were winched down by helicopter to the crash site on Oct. 1 just before dark, and more rescuers arrived on Oct. 2 to recover the bodies, the reports say.
HONEYWELL TPE331 engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0935; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-28-AD; Amendment 39-16813; AD 2011-18-51R1] – Before further flight, remove certain Dixie Aerospace main shaft bearings from service. This new AD, a revision of an existing emergency airworthiness directive (AD 2011-18-51), was prompted by the need to list in the AD the affected bearings by serial number for clarification. This directive is designed to prevent engine main-rotor seizure, resulting in engine damage and shutdown and damage to the airplane.
JOHN EICHTEN was named senior vice president of sales and marketing for PATS Aircraft Systems. Eichten has more than 20 years of service with TIMCO Aviation Services in various sales, marketing and business development roles. In his new position, he will lead all of PATS’ sales and marketing efforts.
Online charter aggregator PrivateFly.com laid the groundwork for expansion following successful investment fund raising of £2 million (US$3 million) generated from eight private investors.
Signature Flight Support, which operates a fixed-base operation (FBO) chain of more than 100 locations worldwide, is expanding its network with a new marketing program targeting independent facilities. Under the program, titled Signature Select, Signature will team with independent brands, providing marketing and sales support, along with its customer rewards program. The facilities will retain their own brand, but display the Signature Select badge alongside their branding.
MARC MCGOWAN has joined StandardAero Business Aviation as vice president of business development, strategy and product management. McGowan will be based in Tempe, Ariz. and be responsible for implementation of a long-term strategy for the Business Aviation group and developing and managing the maintenance, repair and overhaul and upgrade services portfolios. He previously spent 20 years with Honeywell Aerospace, most recently as vice president, international defense & space in Rolle, Switzerland.
The National Transportation Safety Board this week is expected to release its preliminary report on the Oct. 4 crash of a Bell 206 helicopter into the East River in New York. One person was killed and four others injured when the helicopter, 63Q, crashed shortly after lifting off from East 34th Street heliport.
STEVE FUHR was promoted to president and CEO of SkyTrac, a provider of equipment for data, text and voice communications. Fuhr joined the company in 2009 as vice president and director of business development. He succeeds Kathleen Wallace, who remains chairman of the board.
PATRICE CHARMEY was appointed director of sales for the TBM & Co. for Daher-Socata. Charmey will be responsible for sales in Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. He has a 25-year background in the information technology sector, and moved into the aviation industry in 2009, working as director of sales with RUAG Aviation.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have commissioned an independent study to evaluate the potential damage to business aviation and intra-European airlines should the European Commission (EC) go ahead with its plans to amend the current slot-allocation regulation.
Conklin & de Decker will hold its 12th Annual Aircraft Acquisition and Planning Seminar in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Dec. 6-7 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The seminar is designed to help the aircraft buyer, owner or aviation professional understand how to make informed aircraft purchasing and owning decisions. The seminar will cover federal and state taxes associated with aircraft acquisitions, depreciation and like-kind exchanges, as well as the analysis behind the various financing alternatives and ownership structures. Price is $795 for people who register by Nov.
The South African Air Force has awarded ExecuJet South Africa Maintenance the contract for product support services for its fleet of Dassault Falcons. The company has handled the South African Air Force (SAAF) VIP Squadron with maintenance support for their fleet of aircraft for the past 13 years.
Gulfstream Aerospace tapped company veteran Scott Neal to succeed Larry Flynn as senior vice president of marketing. Flynn became president of Gulfstream on Sept. 1. Neal has been with Gulfstream for 17 years and has been a top sales executive in both Gulfstream’s Eastern and Central U.S. regions. “Scott knows the company, the product and the people of Gulfstream and has a superb reputation outside the company,” says Flynn. Neal most recently had served as division vice president for the Central U.S. since early 2010.
