Kestrel Aircraft founder and CEO Alan Klapmeier estimates that it will be three years before the startup company brings its high-speed business aviation turboprop to market. The aircraft, based on the platform of the now-defunct Farnborough F1 high-speed turboprop, will be built at a former U.S. Navy base in Brunswick, Maine, in a leased 170,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art hangar built by the U.S. government in 2004.
A draft advisory circular (AC) is drawing concerns that FAA may be expanding electronic flight bag (EFB) approval requirements to more Part 91 operations. The draft AC 120-76B is designed to provide guidance on approval and use of EFBs for aircraft operating under Part 91, Subpart F (large turbine multi-engine aircraft) and suggests that other Part 91 operators review the guidance.
The National Business Aviation Association warned members Friday that the Transportation Department’s new limits on the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program likely would take effect Tuesday (Aug. 2), enabling real-time public tracking of most business aircraft by tail numbers. The association, along with Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, are still pushing forward with their lawsuit to overturn the DOT program changes to the program.
General Dynamics Chairman Jay Johnson, noting that Gulfstream’s four G650 test aircraft “are busily progressing toward certification,” remains optimistic that Gulfstream will meet its goal of delivering 10-12 green G650s this year.
PAULO PENIDO PINTO MARQUES joined Embraer as chief financial officer. He takes over for Cynthia Marcondes Ferreira Benedetto, who left the company to pursue personal endeavors. Marques has worked with a range of financial organizations, such as Citibank, BankBoston, and J.P. Morgan, and large Brazilian industries, including Usiminas, Cosipa and CSN.
LYCOMING/SUPERIOR AIR PARTS engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0547; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-13-AD; Amendment 39-16757; AD 2011-15-10] – Remove certain fuel servos from service, as specified in AVStar Fuel Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin AFS-SB6, Rev. 2 (dated April 6, 2011). This AD, which was prompted by an accident involving a Piper PA32R-301, is intended to prevent an inflight engine shutdown due to a failed fuel servo diaphragm. FAA estimates that this directive will affect 60,000 engines installed on aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is expecting to receive a final contract offer from Hawker Beechcraft early this week. The existing contract is set to expire Aug. 7.
Soloy Aviation Solutions has been awarded a contract by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to outfit two of the agency’s Cessna 206 aircraft with Soloy’s wing-mount observation camera platform. The CHP contract is Soloy’s first for the new camera mount, which provides cameras with an unobstructed 360-degree view, according to the manufacturer. The mount also enables the camera to be placed outboard of the wing strut in a location that is away from the hot exhaust trail and minimizes vibration to and from the airframe.
Daher-Socata President and CEO Stéphane Mayer says the company is still finalizing details of its next project, named NTx, but confirms it will be a new aircraft. Meanwhile, the company is still evaluating prospects for acquiring the Grob G180 SPn business jet, and a decision is expected by the end of 2011, says Mayer.
Eclipse Aerospace Inc. (EAI) has completed a combustion liner recertification project that will enable the Eclipse EA500 very light jet (VLJ) to return to its maximum certified service ceiling of 41,000 ft. FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) in March that limited the VLJ to 30,000 ft., superseding an emergency directive (AD 2008-24-07) that had limited the aircraft to 37,000 ft.
KIERAN KENNEDY was promoted to senior director–original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales for International Communications Group (ICG). Kennedy had been manager–OEM sales for ICG for the past four years. He joined ICG as an applications engineer in 1999 with more than 10 years of maritime electronics and communication experience.
HONEYWELL TPE331-10 and -11 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD] – FAA is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have required adding 360 first-stage turbine disks to the applicability of an earlier directive (AD 2009-17-05), which was issued to prevent uncontained failure of the first-stage turbine disk and damage to the airplane. Instead, the agency is planning to issue a new proposed rule that will address the additional 360 turbine disks requiring inspection or removal.
Cessna recently added a new instrument-pilot course to its Cessna Flight Training System. The web-based course will be available through the company’s network of Cessna Pilot Centers (CPCs) later this quarter. The company recently increased its CPC network of more the 250 participants with the addition of five more flight-training organizations: Indy Flight Training, Indianapolis; Light Sport Aviation, Riverside, Calif.; Freedom Aviation, Lynchburg, Va.; Air Orlando Aviation, Orlando, Fla.; and Pro-Flight Aviation Services, San Marcos, Texas.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0720; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-252-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators to incorporate a new maintenance task to prevent excessive free-play of the turnbuckle and cable within the main landing gear (MLG) alternate release system. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to ensure that the MLG will extend in case the normal MLG extension/retraction system fails. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 65 aircraft on the U.S.
FAA was headed toward partial shut down on Friday, July 22, after the House and Senate left Washington for the weekend with no agreement on an extension on the reauthorization bill that expired at midnight.
40 Years Ago July 19, 1971 – Sen. Frank Moss (D-Utah) introduces bill to require by Jan. 1, 1973 collision avoidance systems on all aircraft weighing 2,500 lb. or more. 30 Years Ago July 6, 1981 – FAA formally withdraws proposal to establish a number of user fees for services such as aircraft registration, certificates, aircraft title recording, special aircraft registration issuance and FAA-administered practical tests. 20 Years Ago
MAE Aircraft Management, based in Bahrain, has been awarded a certificate of registration for full compliance with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). “Meeting this world-class standard of safety and quality is testament to the hard work and professionalism of the entire team,” says General Manager Steve Wilks. “Our charter and aircraft management customers will benefit from the assurance of knowing our operations meet and exceed international best standards.”
RYAN BOGAN was appointed chief operating officer of LMI Aerospace, which provides aerospace design engineering services and structural assemblies. Bogan previously served as CEO of LMI’s subsidiary D3 Technologies, where he had worked since 1998. He will relocate to LMI’s corporate offices in St. Charles, Mo., and oversee the operations of both the Aerostructures and Engineering Services segments.
LYCOMING TIO 540-A series engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0691; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-26-AD] – This proposal would rescind an existing airworthiness directive (AD 71-13-01) because Lycoming Engines no longer supports Service Bulletin (SB) 335A, which was incorporated by reference in the earlier AD. The requirements of SB 335A— visual inspection of external fuel injector lines for damage and, if necessary, removal of the lines from service and replacement with serviceable parts—have been incorporated into Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F.
Fabio Gamba has been named the new CEO of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), effective Sept. 1. He takes over from Brian Humphries, who moves to the role of president. Gamba comes from the Association of European Airlines (AEA), where he was the deputy secretary general. In that position, he was responsible for promoting the interests of legacy carriers and establishing ties with European institutions and European Union member states.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0718; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-117-AD; Amendment 39-16756; AD 2011-15-09] – Inspect the main landing gear (MLG) alternate extension system (AES) cam mechanism to make sure it is operating properly, per the instructions of Bombardier Repair Drawing 8/4-32-0160, Issue 3 (dated Feb. 15, 2011).
ExecuJet Australasia has become the first fixed-base operator to secure Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) accreditation with a “zero findings” audit and second operator worldwide to be registered without restriction against the new risk-based standard. The BARS program, designed to establish a common aviation safety standard for the resource sector, was developed by the Australian office of the Flight Safety Foundation in concert with resource companies such as BHP Billiton, Lihir Gold, MMG, Rio Tinto, Shell and Xstrata.
Sikorsky’s X2 technology demonstrator recently flew for the final time after making a total of 23 flights and accumulating approximately 22 hours aloft. But the technology development arm of Siksorsky aircraft will show off the X2 during this week’s EAA AirVenture air show in Oshskosh. Sikorsky also plans to display its Project Firefly helicopter.
The 15th anniversary of the BBJ was celebrated recently during the delivery of the newest Boeing Business Jet to China’s Deer Jet Airlines. When Deer Jet representatives came to Seattle to accept their new corporate jetliner, they joined dozens of current and former BBJ employees to celebrate the program’s 15-year anniversary. Boeing and General Electric launched the BBJ in July 1996 with the introduction of a 737-700 modified for corporate and VIP applications.
