Recent FAA approval of Eclipse Aerospace’s proprietary PhostrEx engine fire-suppression system marks the final milestone in certification of the total aircraft, says Eclipse Aerospace CEO and Chairman Mason Holland. “We now can service and support every part on the aircraft,” Holland says. “That was our last one.” Holland says a return to production is now a certainty, and the recent partnership with Sikorsky is a major factor in moving forward.
Emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil are beginning to catch up to the U.S. when it comes to taking delivery of private jets, according to speakers at the recent Financial Solutions for Business Aircraft (FiSBA) conference, hosted by Ireland’s Shannon Airport. U.S. dominance of the market in terms of new deliveries of private jets slipped from 72% to 42% between 2006 and 2010, says Oliver Stone, managing director of private aircraft brokerage and advisory firm Colibri Aircraft Ltd. But the U.S.
James Hoblyn, who had served as president of Bombardier Customer Services & Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, died suddenly July 3. He was 46. “This devastating news has shaken all of us at Bombardier,” says Guy Hachey, president and COO of Bombardier Aerospace. “James’ boundless passion for our industry and his unrelenting focus on customer experience will leave a lasting imprint on us all. His contributions, kind spirit and quick wit will be deeply missed.”
FAA celebrated the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control (ATC) services last week. The government established air traffic control in 1936 with 15 workers in three control centers – Newark, N.J., Chicago and Cleveland. The original 15 controllers took radio position reports from pilots and plotted the progress of each flight, but provided no separation services. The fastest plane in the commercial fleet at the time was a Douglas DC-3, which FAA notes could fly coast-to-coast in about 17 hr.
STEVEN MCCAUGHEY was selected to serve as executive director of the Seaplane Pilots Association. McCaughey brings a diverse background to his new role that includes flying bush planes in the northwestern U.S. and Alaska, providing aircraft management services, and serving in the U.S. Air Force with the Special Operations Command.
Cessna Aircraft delivered a Citation CJ4 to Fred Eisele, CEO of Stuttgart, Germany-based Eisele Flugdienst. The aircraft is the first CJ4 that will be used for charter operation in Europe. Atlas Air Service, Cessna’s Citation authorized sales representative for Germany, hosted the delivery ceremony at its facilities at Bremen Airport. Eisele Flugdienst’s fleet also includes Citation CJ1+, CJ2+, CJ3 and Sovereign aircraft.
DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0152; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-079-AD; Amendment 39-16739; AD 2011-14-04] – Inspect certain wiring bundles and feeders for damage, repairing any damage found. Also, modify the applicable wiring layout by installing a protective plate on the rear tank wall and installing a hydraulic pipe, if necessary. In addition, inspect the rear tank wall for cracks and repair any cracks found.
GULFSTREAM Galaxy and G200 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0646; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-224-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain nuts, and in certain airframe locations conduct a one-time radiographic inspection for cracked nuts, replacing any cracked nuts before further flight, per Gulfstream Service Bulletin 200-51-366 (dated March 30, 2010). FAA estimates that this proposal would affect two aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators $19,295 per airplane.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) wants pilots to have more access to information about FAA enforcement actions against them. Last week, Inhofe introduced a “Pilot’s Bill of Rights” that in the event FAA takes action against a pilot, would provide aviators with “all relevant evidence” of the administration’s decision to move ahead. It also would alter the appeals process, making changes to how the National Transportation Safety Board reviews FAA actions and would allow a pilot appealing an FAA decision to opt for a federal district court to review the appeal.
Heritage Aviation increased its footprint at Burlington International Airport in Vermont with the acquisition of the Atlantic Aviation fixed-base operation there. The transaction, facilitated by the Aviation Business Strategies Group, includes the FBO terminal building, fuel farm and three 15,000-sq.-ft. hangars. “For Heritage, this purchase gives them the opportunity to add on-field capacity, which will help expand both their transient and based customer service offerings,” says John Enticknap, ABSG’s president and founder.
EMBRAER EMB-505 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0713; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-023-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace the bolts that attach the balance mass weights to the elevator structure, per the instructions of Embraer Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-55-0002 (dated Jan. 14, 2011).
The Minsheng Bank of China has signed to buy 50 Gulfstream aircraft of various models, Gulfstream Aerospace confirmed last week. Gulfstream spokesman Jeff Miller says the two entities signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for the big aircraft purchase on June 28. He says the manufacturer is “very pleased to be working” with Minsheng, which apparently intends to make the aircraft available for lease. Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. is one of the first leasing companies approved by the China Banking Regulatory Commission.
IAOPA, the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations, selected AOPA-South Africa to host the 26th biennial World Assembly of the 69 member associations. The meeting is scheduled for April 10-15, 2012 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Delegates will work on general aviation issues during the assembly and receive briefings from officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), CAA South Africa and other groups. The assembly will develop resolutions to help guide policy decisions.
West Star Aviation has struck an agreement to provide maintenance services at TAC Air’s facility at Missouri’s Spirit of St. Louis Airport. TAC Air recently acquired the facility, which had been owned by Executive Beechcraft and operated by Signature Flight Support, and will provide fuel and other ramp services. West Star has agreed to retain existing maintenance personnel at the facility.
The number of business jet accidents in the U.S. grew in the first half of this year, as did turboprop incidents worldwide. But an improving safety record for business turboprops led to an overall decline in business aircraft accidents worldwide during the first six months of the year, reports safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. This comes in spite of the growing number of aircraft in the worldwide fleet, Breiling notes.
Aviation information provider Jetnet reports double-digit growth in used business jet retail sales transactions in the first five months of 2011, but notes a continued decline in average asking prices. The consultancy finds that during the first five months of this year, the used market showed early-stage recovery signs, giving hope that 2011 would be “a year of correction.”
FAA has extended until July 14 the deadline for corporations to file security threat verification paperwork that will be necessary to keep their tail numbers from being shown by real-time flight tracking programs beginning Aug. 2.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710 engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0684; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-27-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to change the life-cycle counting method for the effect of touch-and-goes and overshoots on the low-pressure compressor blades and all critical parts. This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is intended to prevent failure of high-energy, life-limited parts, uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
FAA is taking a top-down look at the current general aviation airport system in the U.S. to better describe and explain the many roles and functions these airports serve in their respective communities. The review, slated for completion early next year, is focusing on infrastructure needs, based on the roles and functions of the airports.
The Airports Council International-North America (ACI) has asked FAA to withdraw and rework its proposed safety management systems (SMS) regulation for certified airports, contending that the current version raises “serious analytical, procedural and technical concerns.” ACI says a second proposed regulation, for safety enhancements at Part 139 airports, contains no evidence that safety would be improved.
Mid-Continent Instruments broke ground last week on a new 6,200-sq.-ft. addition to its Wichita headquarters. The addition will accommodate growth in Mid-Continent’s True Blue Power division and engineering department. The space will be used for the development of new products for aircraft power management, Mid-Continent says. The company plans to add 24 jobs over the next five years, including mechanical, electrical design and certification engineers and bench technicians. Mid-Continent has allocated $2.7 million for the addition and new machinery and equipment.
LEARJET 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0651; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-041-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to revise the maintenance program to incorporate amended life limits for the main landing gear (MLG) actuator end cap.
The first Phenom 100 to be assembled at Embraer’s new plant in Melbourne, Fla., is taking shape. The Melbourne facility took delivery of the entry-level jet’s fuselage and wing parts last month, and the company says the first U.S.-assembled aircraft is slated for customer delivery by the end of this year. Ernest Edwards, president of Embraer Executive Jets, calls the delivery of the first Phenom components “a milestone that reiterates our commitment to our U.S.
BRIAN SPITTLER was named government affairs assistant for Helicopter Association International. Spittler joins HAI with a political background, serving as communications director for the Utah State Democratic Party and as a communications intern for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
