As more aircraft operators move toward using iPads as electronic flight books (EFB), flyTab has developed a means to power them: power conditioning modules/units (PCM/PCU). “We knew that in order for iPads and other tablets to function as EFBs, the industry would need certified power solutions, along with hard-point mounts and remote data concentrators, and that’s where the idea for flyTab was born,” Managing Director Luke Ribich says.
Three members of the FAA’s Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT-ARC) are confident that the committee will complete its work by the Jan. 31, 2012 deadline for submission of recommendations on how to create a framework for the deployment of unleaded avgas.
RICHARD GAMMON was named director of HOK’s Aviation + Transportation Group in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. He also serves on the architectural firm’s London board of directors. He has 15 years of experience and has worked on major projects at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
Indian utility vehicle maker Mahindra Group has successfully test flown its C-NM5 five-seat piston-powered aircraft, marking a milestone in the nation’s first public-private aircraft development venture. The all-metal airplane is powered by a Lycoming IO-540 engine and features a non retractable landing gear and a spacious cabin with large access doors. According to Mahindra officials, the aircraft will cost around $400,000.
Hawker Beechcraft has lengthened the inspection intervals for Beechcraft Premier I/IA aircraft. The core interval was boosted from 200 hr. to 600 hr. The company plans to transition both new and in-service aircraft to the interval change. The move was prompted by requests from customers, who asked for ways to reduce operating costs, the company says.
The U.S. Commerce Department has formed a government/industry group to promote export sales of products and services developed for the FAA NextGen airspace modernization effort. Formation of the NextGen Vendors Group (NVG) is part of a wider Obama administration initiative to double U.S. exports and generate jobs. Other aspects of the initiative include streamlining U.S. export controls.
TIM JOHNSON was appointed regional sales manager for West Star Aviation. Johnson will oversee sales of all West Star products in the Upper Midwest region. Johnson joins West Star from Dassault Falcon, where he also was regional sales manager.
Avfuel has increased its network with new international and U.S. partnerships. Avfuel has teamed with George Best Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland and the locally based fixed-base operator Eurojet Aviation. Avfuel will provide fuel, fuel-purchasing options, credit processing equipment, marketing support, a loyalty program for pilots and other support.
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.
