BOMBARDIER CL-601, CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL-604 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1307; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-049-AD; Amendment 39-16671; AD 2011-09-09] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” by incorporating a requirement to functionally test the wing-leading-edge thermal switches and inspect the wing anti-ice duct piccolo tubes.
Avantair, the fractional aircraft ownership provider that specializes in the Piaggio Avanti, has developed new benefit programs. The programs include a 90-day satisfaction guarantee for prospective shareowners of an Avanti and an affinity program with incentives for current owners. Under the guarantee, Avantair will buy back a share purchased through the end of the year if the owner is not fully satisfied.
Congress has until the end of this week to take action on FAA reauthorization, since the latest extension is set to expire July 22. At one point it appeared reauthorization would make its way onto the calendar, but several issues continue to block progress, including a labor measure in the House bill. The House Friday introduced a 21st extension, which would carry FAA’s authorization through Sept. 16.
TAC Air’s recently acquired facility at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) has been granted authorization to serve as a gateway for approved operators to fly directly to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The announcement comes a week after TAC acquired the facility from Executive Beechcraft (BA, July 11/10). The facility had operated as Signature Flight Support. TAC Air also operates a gateway location to DCA from its fixed-base operation at Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington, Ky.
Jeppesen is working with light-sport and experimental avionics supplier GRT Avionics to provide Jeppesen NavData services through GRT electronic flight information systems. The Horizon HX and Sport SX units now support Jeppesen data services. Jeppesen offers various coverage areas worldwide, and can be used in both certified and non-certified aircraft.
ROTAX 912A-powered airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0714; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-024-AD; Amendment 39-16744; AD 2011-14-09] – Replace certain washers and associated gasket rings on the magneto ring flywheel hub with FAA-approved serviceable parts, per the instructions of Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-912-058 and SB-914-041 (dated April 15, 2011). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency and supersedes AD 2011-11-03, adds airplanes to the applicability section.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT B300 and B300C (C-12W) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0436; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-009-AD; Amendment 39-16752; AD 2011-15-05] – Correct the takeoff speed and field length data published in the Airplane Flight Manual and the Pilot’s Operating Handbook to ensure it corresponds with the correct data in the pilot’s checklist.
FRANZ GILBERT was named director, human resources technologies for Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Gilbert joins Gulfstream from RiseSmart.com, where he was regional vice president responsible for business development, sales and client relationships for the southeastern U.S. Before that, he was a director at Affiliated Computer Services and Hewitt Associates.
AAR Aircraft Services also is considering new hires, and has planned a “career networking fair” with SLN Aviation Service Center and Kansasworks this week in Salina, Kan. “AAR Aircraft Services is part of a growing global organization looking to expand its operations, and (Salina), Kansas is one location it is considering,” says Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. AAR says the event, to be held July 18-19, will enable the firm to meet with local aviation workers as it considers expanding its operations into Kansas.
Dynamic Aviation is looking to fill more than 50 new jobs, including pilots, mechanics and engineers, to support expanding customer needs and new business with commercial aviation and government organizations. Over the next three months, the Virginia-based company will hire about 30 pilots, 20 mechanics and several engineers in locations including its headquarters in Bridgewater, in Winston-Salem, N.C. and in a number of international locations.
KENNETH FRAZIER has joined Smyrna Air Center as director of marketing and sales. Frazier was previously with Peak Aero Group, where he was vice president of business development.
As the debt ceiling talks continued late last week, changes in depreciation schedules for corporate aircraft remained on the table, but a series of possible new tax proposals—including user fees—surfaced as well. A proposal floated last week apparently includes potential $27 billion in revenue raisers that would derive from aviation and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.
Precision Castparts is acquiring Primus International, a Bellevue, Wash.-based supplier of aluminum, titanium and composite aerostructure components, for $900 million in cash. Primus, owned by private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, employs 1,500 workers in sites in the U.S., Thailand, China and the U.K. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, pending regulatory approval. Precision Castparts says the deal will be immediately accretive to earnings. Wall Street welcomed the acquisition.
Quest Aircraft Company, the Sandpoint, Idaho producer of the Kodiak single-turboprop utility aircraft, has expanded its sales network, signing new deals with representatives in Africa, the Caribbean, India, the Middle East, South America and the U.S. The company is currently working on additional agreements in Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, the Pacific Rim, and the U.S.
REED STAGER was named executive vice president for hands-free team communication systems provider Flightcom. Stager will oversee the company’s high-technology marketing, business development, strategic planning, services and operations to expand its communication products, including its wired and wireless aviation headsets, to other communication needs in the aviation and military markets. He was most recently CEO of Pinnacle Licensing Group, a technology licensing company based in San Francisco.
The Lom Group has opened the Lom Executive Jet Facility at L.F. Wade Bermuda International Airport. The facility includes refurbished arrival and departure lounges, as well as crew quarters. Enhancements include new furniture and flooring, along with a computer and printer. The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art will be providing local artwork on a rotating basis for display in both the arrival and departure lounges.
SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0307; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-111-AD; Amendment 39-16747; AD 2011-14-12] – Inspect the bolts that attach the actuator mounting bracket to the main landing gear (MLG) shock strut. If any nuts or bolts are loose, take corrective action, which can include removing corrosion, replacing affected bolts with new bolts, tightening loose nuts and installing the correct number of washers, per the instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-32-073.
Air Partner has relocated its U.K. headquarters to larger offices next to London Gatwick Airport. “Coinciding as it does with our 50th birthday, we are very excited about this relocation,” says Mark Briffa, Air Partner CEO. “As we expand our portfolio of products and services, it also gives us the advantage of having more room for the established international in-house training academy we operate for the group’s 200-strong team.”
Honda Aircraft CEO Michimasa Fujino, who last week unveiled his recently opened production plant in Greensboro, N.C., was surprised to learn that American business operates from so many centers of commerce. “In Japan, it’s all in Tokyo,” he says. The reason Japan works that way is a perceived efficiency, but what works in Japan does not work everywhere, Fujino says, adding, “American business is competitive and fast.”
Kansas State University in Salina has added four new bachelor’s degree programs—unmanned aircraft systems, avionics, airport management and air traffic control. The university also offers professional pilot and aviation maintenance degrees. The additional degree options grew from certificate programs that K-State Salina has offered.
SCHWEIZER 269A, A-1, B, C, C-1 and TH-55 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0593; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-002-AD; Amendment 39-16723; AD 2011-12-16] – Remove each locknut on the tailboom support strut, verifying that each locknut has sufficient drag torque. Re-torque or replace the locknut, as applicable, per the instructions of Schweizer Service Bulletins No. B-295 and C1B-032 (both dated Dec. 21, 2010). Also, modify the expandable bolts, installing a cotter pin in each bolt.
