JAMES CANNON was named International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) program director for the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). Cannon will be responsible for the overall management and expansion of the IS-BAO. Cannon reports to the IBAC director general and will work with Kathy Perfetti and Ray Rohr on the transition of the program’s management.
BELL 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0561; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-001-AD; Amendment 39-16715; AD 2011-12-08] – Conduct a one-time inspection of certain tail-rotor blades for corrosion or pitting, and repair or replace any damaged blades. This directive is designed to detect corrosion or pitting before it leads to a cracked blade, loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 263 helicopters and cost U.S.
A Bombardier Global 5000 has completed a series of flight tests in known icing conditions equipped with a composite electro-thermal wing leading edge ice-protection system. The successful demonstration of the environmentally friendly electro-thermal ice protection system “is one step further toward a ‘more electric aircraft’ that will have electrical power as the primary means to operate systems normally driven by less-efficient engine compressor bleed air,” says Avraham Ardman, chief systems engineer for Bombardier Aerospace.
Pilot Training College has chosen the U.K.’s Cambridge Airport as the location for its new professional flight-training academy, Pilot Training College (Cambridge), pending CAA approval, which is expected this fall. PTC will be able to draw on the fully-equipped classroom facilities provided by the Marshall Aeroacademy at Cambridge Airport.
The Central European Private Aviation (CEPA) association will hold its business aviation networking and conference event Dec. 1-2 in Prague. The conference will move from Vodochody Airport to the Prague Congress Center. The event also will feature a manufacturers’ panel and a legal panel.
Eurocopter is nearing a development decision on a high-speed “compound” helicopter that could replace the EC225. The X3 demonstrator made its public debut at the Paris Air Show. Based on an EC155 airframe with dual RTM322 turboshafts driving both the main rotor and wingtip-mounted props, it has flown at 180 kt. in tests, and is expected to reach 220 kt. later this year. An X3-based commercial model would probably be developed in parallel with a conventional design, and take about six years to bring to market.
Eurocopter is hiring more than 300 experienced engineers for its French and German operations as the company strives to enhance its research and development capability. The helicopter maker is recruiting skilled engineers with more than four years of experience to work on the R&D teams in Marignane, France and Donauwörth, Germany. Using the theme “Write the next chapter of our history together,” the campaign’s scope includes a dedicated website (www.a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-your-career.com), as well as specific hiring pages on several Internet social networks.
NetJets and Wynn Las Vegas have signed an agreement to provide mutual benefits to their respective customers. NetJets fractional share and Marquis jet card owners will receive special benefits when staying at Wynn Las Vegas or Encore, while guests staying at Wynn Las Vegas or Encore will receive special benefits when they purchase their first NetJets fractional share or 25-hr. Marquis jet card. The program also involves concierge staff at Wynn and Encore working directly with guests to assist them in securing NetJets services.
JASON MCMILLAN was promoted to business intelligence specialist for Mid-Continent Instruments. McMillan is responsible for the design and implementation of business intelligence software systems and solutions, including financial data analysis and reporting. He joined the company in 2006, performing administrative lab duties and testing flight computers and altimeters.
June 27-28—Aviation Safety Management Systems Overview Workshop, ATC Vantage, Tampa, Fla., (727) 410-4759, www.atcvantage.com/sms-workshop.html June 27-28—Airports Council International-NA Small Airports Conference, Cincinnati, OH, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ June 29-30—MIU Events’ Financial Solutions for Business Aviation, Shannon (Ireland) Airport, +44 (124) 351-3606, www.miuevents.com July 14—National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Regional Forum, San Jose, Calif., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
Jeppesen has struck a deal to provide its NavData navigation information and charting services for Garmin’s recently introduced GTN glass cockpit for general aviation aircraft. Under the agreement, Jeppesen will offer four data-bundle options for the GTN series, along with Garmin’s G600, G500 and/or G500H. The cockpits will include Garmin’s SafeTaxi, Obstacle, Terrain and AOPA Airport Directory Services. Customers’ bundle options include Jeppesen NavData, Jeppesen eCharts (JeppView for multifunction display) and/or Garmin FlightCharts.
The Pratt & Whitney Canada announcement at the Paris Air Show regarding the selection of its PT6A-66 engine for Africa’s “first indigenous turboprop civil-certified aircraft” leaves open the question of what the aircraft might be. Aerosud of South Africa is using the engine in a new, low-cost yet highly advanced aircraft it has developed for reconnaissance and surveillance roles, says P&W, further deepening the mystery.
GE Capital Aviation Services has ordered 15 ATR 72-600s and taken options on another 15 of the turboprop aircraft. The deal, the first between GE’s commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm and ATR, is valued at about $680 million.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) plans to develop a new, higher-thrust demonstrator based on the geared turbofan core to break into the heavy business jet market.
SONNIE BATES was appointed International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) program manager for the International Business Aviation Council. Bates is responsible for education and promotion of IS-BAO, as well as working with specialists who will present workshops internationally.
The 500th PW307A engine has been delivered by Pratt & Whitney Canada to Dassault for use on the French airframer’s Falcon 7X trijet. The 6,400-lb.-thrust PW307A has accumulated more than 225,000 flight hours on the Falcon 7X. In total, Pratt & Whitney Canada has fielded more than 3,500 PW300 series engines for eight different civil aircraft applications.
National Airways Corporation has been named Flight Options’ exclusive resale representative in Africa. South Africa-based NAC also has been named as NetJets resale represenetative.
Bryan Moss has joined financial services firm Guggenheim Partners as chairman of its business aircraft investment activities. He has been charged with expanding the firm’s business in that sector as it seeks global investment opportunities. Moss has a long history in business aviation. He spent 16 years at Canadair/Bombardier, including three years as president of the Business Aircraft Division of Bombardier Aerospace Group. He joined Gulfstream Aerospace in 1995 and was named president in April 2003 after Bill Boisture’s retirement.
A Honeywell-operated Gulfstream G450 became the first aircraft to fly from North America to Europe with a 50/50 blend of biofuel and petroleum-based jet fuel powering one of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce engines. The second engine operated on 100% petroleum jet fuel. Nevertheless, use of Honeywell biofuel on the flight – unofficially tagged “Pond Scum One” by irreverent observers – saved about 5.5 metric tons of net carbon-dioxide emissions compared with the same flight powered by petroleum-based fuel.
FOKKER F.27 Mark 050, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700; and F.28 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0568; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-010-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to rework the fuel pilot-valve solenoid wiring and install in that wiring a fuse packed in a jiffy junction. Also, operators would need to revise the maintenance program to include a certain Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation.
Bombardier Aerospace continues to fill out its order book for its new Global 7000 and 8000 aircraft, announcing contracts with Switzerland’s VistaJet and AVWest of Australia for 16 of the long-range, large-cabin aircraft at last week’s Paris Air Show. VistaJet ordered 10 Bombardier Global 8000s, which at list price is a contract worth $650 million, the two companies announced. The deal is the latest in a series of transactions that has made VistaJet the largest European operator of Bombardier business jets.
Eurocopter Malaysia will be the anchor tenant at a new Malaysian helicopter center that will begin construction in July. The helicopter facility will be developed within the Malaysian International Aerospace Center and will become the hub for all rotary wing operations and activities at the complex. Eurocopter Malaysia anticipates beginning operations there in April 2012, and an EC225/EC725 full flight simulator is to be installed at the center by the middle of next year.
JAY GIBSON was appointed vice president, special missions for Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC). Gibson, who is part of the senior leadership team, is responsible for the continued development and worldwide expansion of HBC’s special-missions product line. He joined HBC in 2009 as vice president of finance and contracts for the Government Business organization. He also has served as assistant secretary for the U.S. Air Force (financial management and comptroller) in Washington, D.C.
Sikorsky Aircraft has delivered two S-76C++ helicopters to Heli-Union for use in offshore oil missions. With this delivery, the Paris-based operator, which has utilized Sikorsky rotorcraft for more than 30 years, now flies eight S-76C++ aircraft. More than 200 S-76C++ aircraft have been delivered to customers worldwide.
DASSAULT Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0259; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-196-AD; Amendment 39-16730; AD 2011-13-07] – Revise the “Limitations” section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to advise pilots to revert to the correct radio-altimeter output if radio altimeter #1 locks up in flight. Also, insert language into the AFM prohibiting dispatch of the airplane with any radio altimeter inoperative.
