BOMBARDIER DHC-8-301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0916; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-127-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a new aileron terminal quadrant support bracket, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, Rev. B (dated Oct. 7, 2009).
JAMES MORRISON has become managing director for Partner Jet. He is responsible for day-to-day management, as well as growth and development of the business aviation services firm. He has decades of corporate and commercial aviation experience in Canada, beginning flying in 1966 and then flying commercially in 1968 with Bradley Air Services. He also has held management positions with Air Creebec, Air Ontario, Skyservice, Execaire and Porter Airlines.
Bombardier is keeping final assembly of its Global bizjet series at one location with its recent decision to build the newest members of the family, the long-range Global 7000 and 8000, in Toronto. Once the center of production of the former de Havilland (now Q series) aircraft, the Toronto facilities are used for Global 5000 and 6000 business jet assembly, along with Learjet 40 and 45 wing production. The plant also continues to assemble the Q400NextGen regional turboprop.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0471; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-219-AD; Amendment 39-16800; AD 2011-18-18] – Inspect the left and right elevator torque tube assemblies. If necessary, replace the elevator torque tube assembly or the elevator torque tube rivets, and re-identify the assemblies, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-50, Rev. D (dated Sept. 22, 2010).
EMBRAER E170 and E190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1310; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-067-AD; Amendment 39-16786; AD 2011-18-04] – Modify the forward escape slide and conduct a borescope inspection of the aspirator body and inlet cross valve. Take all applicable corrective actions before further flight. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil, was prompted by failures of the escape slide installed on the forward passenger and service door during operational checks.
Naples Jet Center was named an Embraer-authorized Phenom service center. The company will offer maintenance, service, upgrades and warranty work for owners and operators of Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 aircraft. The company also will support the maintenance programs offered by Embraer and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
The Obama administration last week spelled out plans to extend bizjet depreciation schedules from five to seven years (see article on Page 5). Meanwhile, the congressional “Super Committee” already has begun tossing around ideas for raising revenue, and user fees appear to remain firmly on the table. Some of the proposals are believed to specifically target corporate aircraft operations.
JetSuite has a new exclusive partnership with Singapore Airlines beginning this fall. The deal enables Singapore Airlines’ passengers to connect seamlessly between international flights to and from more than 500 airports within a few hours flying time of Singapore Airlines’ gateways at Los Angeles International, San Francisco International and Houston Intercontinental airports aboard JetSuite’s fleet of new four-passenger Phenom 100s.
NetJets has signed a long-term lease with Van Nuys, Calif.-based fixed-base operation Maguire Aviation to build a dedicated, private terminal at Van Nuys Airport. The private-use facility will be custom-designed and operated to NetJets’ specifications and owner preferences. The project includes a 10,000-sq.-ft. new terminal with a range of amenities, conference and business center capabilities, crew lounge and rest areas, and flight planning facilities. Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed by summer 2012.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0151; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-205-AD; Amendment 39-16781; AD 2011-17-17] – Conduct a general visual inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) and take any necessary corrective actions. Also, perform a detailed inspection of the MLG retract actuator and take any needed corrective actions. In addition, revise the maintenance program by incorporating new tasks related to repetitive detailed inspections of numerous landing gear components.
Piper Aircraft is hoping to build off growing momentum in developing markets such as Brazil with a recent approval that clears the Piper Meridian single-turboprop to operate from unpaved runways. The approval, which culminates an effort that had been ongoing for a substantial part of the year, stems from appeals by existing and potential customers, says Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. He adds that the approval was “very, very important” in the international arena and opens up thousands of grass and dirt landing strips to operators.
The National Business Aviation Association will present its John H. Winant Award to business aviation advocate and former board member Jim Cannon. The Winant Award recognizes former NBAA directors whose service to business aviation continues well beyond their tenure on the association’s board. Cannon, a former corporate pilot and founder of Jet Professionals, has been active in the business aviation community for decades. He has served as chairman of the “local committee” that helped facilitate NBAA’s annual conventions in Atlanta.
Additional testing for GPS interference is required before a decision can be made on whether to allow LightSquared to deploy its revised broadband wireless network, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decreed last week. LightSquared has proposed further changes to its planned broadband wireless network to mitigate interference with GPS, but numerous groups urged further testing before a decision is made on whether to approve deployment of the revised system.
Garmin International has unveiled a new series of portable navigation devices, the aera 796 and aera 795. The 796 will become Garmin’s flagship portable aviation product, incorporating features of the GPSMAP 696, while also adding new capabilities such as a touch-screen user interface, pilot-selectable screen orientation and 3D Vision. The units are designed to move toward a paperless cockpit with a digital document viewer, scratch pad and pre-loaded geo-referenced AeroNav IFR and VFR enroute charts.
President Barack Obama is moving forward with his proposal to lengthen depreciation schedules for corporate aircraft, by proposing a seven-year term in the American Jobs Act legislation unveiled last week.
Aviation Fabricators has won supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its arm ledge/table system for King Air C90, E90, F90 and 200 aircraft. The new sidewall with integrated outboard armrest modernizes the look of the cabin and enables more usable room on the seat surface. The table features new built-in cup holders, which replace the old style “flip out” holders. The kit includes two tables, sidewall, arm ledge, brackets, hardware, complete installation instructions and STC.
Flying Colours Corp. has delivered another two completed Bombardier Challenger 850s to the Middle East and Russia. ExecuJet Middle East accepted a Challenger 850 on behalf of a private customer in June. This is the first time that Flying Colours has delivered this type of aircraft to the region. A second completed Challenger 850 was delivered to Russian aviation business Ak Bars Aero in late July. Both aircraft were certified in those countries in conjunction with the operators and completed at Flying Colours’ head office in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reauthorization legislation, which cleared the House homeland security subcommittee Sept. 14, calls on the agency to develop procedures that would permit business aircraft operators to fly in restricted airspace. The measure comes as business aviation advocates have appealed to TSA to work with the community on improving access in areas where temporary flight restrictions are in place.
BAE SYSTEMS Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0911; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-248-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the passenger/crew door upper and lower guide plates for a split caused by exfoliation corrosion. If a substantial split were found, operators would need to replace any affected guide plate with a serviceable one before further flight, per the instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-52-064 (dated Sept. 15, 2009).
General aviation airports remain vulnerable to security threats, but they could be better equipped to guard against them with improved information technology (IT) and early decision aids, says a new report commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has found Lufthansa’s mandatory retirement age of 60 for pilots to be illegal. The court says that sending pilots into retirement at 60 constitutes discrimination on grounds of age.
Piaggio Aero has received both type and production certifications from the Russian aviation authority, the Interstate Aviation Committee, for its P.180 Avanti II. The approvals will enable the Italian plane-maker to expand into the Russian market. The P.180 Avanti II, the follow-on to the original Avanti, achieved both European Aviation Safety Agency and FAA certification in 2005. The Russian approval, which culminates a process that began in 2010, enables the aircraft to be registered and operated throughout the Russian Federation.
Gulfstream recently secured National Aeronautic Association confirmation of a speed record established by a Gulfstream G550 Aug. 8 on a flight between Savannah, Ga., and Capinas, Brazil. The aircraft departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 7:56 a.m. local time with 11 passengers and one flight attendant on board, landing 8 hr. and 28 min. later at the Viracopos-Campinas International Airport. The aircraft averaged a cruise speed of 519 mph (451 kt.) during the 3,894-nm trip.
Congress cleared the 22nd extension of FAA’s authorization last week, averting a possible shutdown that loomed while the Senate battled over whether it should adopt a clean extension.
TAC Air is filing a Part 16 complaint against the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority (CMAA), marking another turn in the ongoing dispute between CMAA and the fixed-base operation chain over CMAA’s decision to build a competitive FBO at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA). CMAA in December selected Wilson Air Center to manage the new FBO, saying the facility will spur economic growth.
