CESSNA Citation Sovereign airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0913; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-031-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to add diodes to the fuel cross-feed wiring and revise the Airplane Flight Manual to include procedures to use when the left or right generator is off. This proposal was prompted by a false cross-feed command to the right-hand fuel control card, due to the cross-feed inputs on the left- and right-hand fuel control cards being connected together and causing an imbalance of fuel between the left and right wing tanks.
August business aircraft activity was up 4% from July, according to new data from Argus TRAQPak. Part 91 operations rebounded from July, increasing 7.4%, and the Part 135 charter segment rose 0.5%. The fractional segment showed a slight decline in activity, down 0.6% from July.
The number of aircraft for sale that are 20 years old or less has nearly doubled over the past five years, according to aviation consultancy Jetnet. Comparing the aircraft for sale in July 2011 with those in July 2006, Jetnet says those that are 20 years or younger have grown to 1,239, or 10.1% of the fleet, compared with 664, or 7.6% of the fleet in July 2006. The for-sale percentages of aircraft 21 years or older, however, are nearly the same: 21.1% in July 2011 versus 20.8% in July 2006.
A change in Part 61.58 that takes effect Oct. 31 will require all pilots in command (PIC) of turbojet aircraft to undergo annual proficiency checks. Previously, PICs with a single-pilot type rating in certain jets were exempt, including all narrow-body Cessna Citations, the Eclipse 500, Hawker Beechcraft Premier, SyberJet SJ30 and Embraer Phenom 100.
The House transportation appropriations bill, which cleared the transportation appropriations subcommittee on Sept. 8, includes language that essentially prohibits FAA from continuing its limits on the Block Aircraft Registration Request program. Similar language is included in the House version of the long-term FAA reauthorization bill, but that legislation has been on hold as lawmakers have continued to authorize FAA through a series of short-term extensions. See article on Page 2.
FAA is deploying a new tool at ATC facilities around the U.S. that will aid controllers in maintaining optimum separation between aircraft on approach. The Automated Terminal Proximity Alert (ATPA) tool was developed by Lockheed Martin and FAA. The Minneapolis terminal radar approach control (TRACON) was the first to use ATPA, and it has also been deployed to the St. Louis TRACON. Chicago and Denver are next on the list, and the agency plans to bring it to other facilities by year end.
AUSTRO ENGINE E4 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-1055; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-16801; AD 2011-18-19] – Conduct frequent inspections of the fuel pressure supply to determine if the high-pressure (HP) fuel pumps have been exposed to damaging pressure oscillations. Pumps that have been exposed to such oscillations must be replaced before further flight.
The first AOPA-China Fly-In, scheduled Sept. 22-24, was postponed after last month’s crash of a Beijing Police Department Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter into the Miyun Reservoir northeast of the Chinese capital. Four of the five people on board the helicopter were killed. The National Business Aviation Association says the crash is considered a “terrible blow” to the just-formed aviation unit. The first fly-in had been restricted to privately owned helicopters, and more than 20 were expected.
Diamond Aircraft’s DA20-C1 was granted expanded European Aviation Safety Agency type certification to include approval for night VFR operations, significantly increasing the aircraft’s use in the European market, the company says.
The FBI and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) have established the first airport-based office in the U.S. dedicated to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a federal, state and local law-enforcement body. The FBI proposed establishing the airport annex, which was opened in July by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.
Eagle Creek Aviation Services handed over the first of two refurbished Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders ordered by the Colombian Army. Indianapolis-based Eagle Creek provides Twin Commander sales and service, in addition to the Grand Renaissance refurbishment program. The project for the Colombian Army required eight months and more than 7,000 man-hours to complete, including new paint and interior.
AGUSTA A109A, A109AII, A109C and A109K2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0823; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-018-AD; Amendment 39-16765; AD 2011-17-01] – Inspect the main-rotor scissor fitting assembly to determine if there are two washers installed under the head of each main-rotor scissor fitting assembly fixing bolt. If there are not two washers installed, replace each fixing bolt and install two washers under the head of each fixing bolt.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0910; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-151-AD; Amendment 39-16797; AD 2011-18-15] – Perform repetitive torque checks to determine if the bolt preload is correct for the barrel nuts located at the front spar locations of the wing-to-fuselage attachment joints. If necessary, conduct a detailed inspection of the barrel nuts and cradle for cracking, pitting and corrosion, replacing hardware if needed, per the instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-57-25 (dated July 20, 2011).
SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0476; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-247-AD; Amendment 39-16787; AD 2011-18-05] – Conduct a detailed corrosion inspection of the aft pressure bulkhead at the bottom outboard flange. Also, determine if there is a drain hole on the left-hand side, inboard of the ventral fin. If any corrosion is found, repair it before further flight. Also, if no drain hole is found, drill a drain hole before further flight, per the instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-048, Rev. 01 (dated Sept. 3, 2009).
JOE KOLO has been promoted to vice president and general manager at engine repair and overhaul company Prime Turbines, Inc. He was previously vice president of sales and marketing and has held senior positions with Atlantic Turbines (Vector Aerospace) and Dallas Airmotive.
Some 17,000 Cessna 150s and 152s are affected by a revised airworthiness directive (AD) issued by FAA. The earlier directive (AD 2009-10-09 R1) had required operators to either install a placard prohibiting spins and other acrobatic maneuvers in the airplane, or install a rudder stop modification kit, which involves replacing the rudder stop, the rudder stop bumper and associated attachment hardware. The new directive (AD 2009-10-09 R2) was prompted by reports from operators who have had difficulty in obtaining full rudder travel with the existing modification kit.
The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled a public forum Sept. 21-22 on airplane fuselage structural integrity. The forum will cover fuselage design, certification of fuselage structures, production quality-assurance systems, in-service inspection programs and the future of nondestructive examination technologies. The forum will be held at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center in Washington.
FlairJet, the U.K. charter company based at England’s London Oxford Airport, is opening two new bases at East Midlands and Dublin, where it will base two Embraer Phenom 100s. FlairJet says the addition of an aircraft at the East Midlands location will enable the company to offer round-the-clock Phenom service and open up the potential for freight and air medical flights. FlairJet recently acquired a Phenom 100 (G-NUDD), which was expected to be positioned at the location in early September.
John Frasca has taken the reins of flight training device provider Frasca International as president and CEO, succeeding his father and founder of the company, Rudy Frasca. The elder Frasca retired from active management, but still serves as chairman of the board. John Frasca has served as vice president of the company since 2003 and has gradually assumed more of his father’s duties. He began working for the family-owned business in 1972, performing various tasks around the factory after school.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE EC120B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0859 ; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-052-AD; Amendment 39-16777; AD 2011-17-13] – Insert an emergency procedure appendix into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) and modify the emergency switch electrical wiring, performing tests to ensure correct operation of the switch, per Eurocopter France Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 24A012 (dated April 22, 2010).
VIKING AIR LIMITED (DE HAVILLAND) DHC-3 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0597; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-019-AD; Amendment 39-16793; AD 2011-18-11] – Repetitively inspect the elevator control tabs for discrepancies, taking corrective actions to bring all discrepancies within acceptable tolerances before further flight. This new directive supersedes AD 2011-05-02, retaining the actions required in the earlier AD, but changing its applicability. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 65 airplanes on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators $85 per inspection cycle.
President Obama last week urged Congress to pass a “clean extension” of the FAA bill that would provide back pay for workers laid off during the August shutdown before the current bill expires. Obama, who was joined by Transportation Department Secretary Ray LaHood at a White House Rose Garden speech, also endorsed the idea of getting the private sector “more involved” in transportation projects. The current FAA extension expires Sept. 16. Responding to the president, Rep.
Air Line Pilots Association President Lee Moak says groups opposing the proposed new crew rest rules are seeking a “new set of science” and suggested a compromise of sorts: implement a final rule now with a provision for reassessing it later. Congress passed a bill in 2010 that ordered FAA to establish new rules by Aug. 1, 2011, based on the best available scientific information, and to that end FAA established an aviation rulemaking committee to draft recommendations.
Business aviation intelligence consultancy Jetnet has reached an agreement to offer the Aircraft Cost Calculator (ACC) program to its customers at a discount. ACC’s program enables aircraft owners, prospective owners and operators to calculate the costs of full ownership, fractional ownership, ownership through leasing, or a combination of all of these.
FAA is imposing a two-year waiting period before a certificate holder can hire certain former FAA inspectors for jobs that would require interaction with the agency. The rule, which takes effect Oct. 21, applies to both scheduled and non-scheduled carriers, factional ownership providers, maintenance organizations, flight training organizations and other certificate holders.
