All facets of the aviation industry need to impress upon members of Congress that the industry would be devastated if FAA funding goes back to 2008 levels, as proposed in the House version of the reauthorization bill, says Steve Alterman, president of the Cargo Airline Association. Alterman says the biggest challenge facing everyone is “the U.S. government.” Speaking at a cargo forum sponsored by the Airports Council International-North America last Thursday, Alterman said: “The government is now on its 19th short-term extension of the FAA reauthorization bill.
FAA is addressing the chronic problem of laser pointing at aircraft cockpits with a new interpretation of regulations that enables the agency to impose a fine of up to $11,000 on violators for each incident. The interpretation finds that directing a laser into a cockpit goes against Federal Aviation Regulations because it could interfere with a pilot’s vision and obstruct the crew’s ability to perform its duties. FAA has used the regulation against passengers who attempt to interfere with crewmembers during flight.
Twelve aviation organizations have stepped forward to support the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) latest safety initiative – reducing the number of aircraft runway excursions.
L’HOTELLIER portable Halon 1211 fire extinguishers [Docket No. FAA-2011-0506; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-020-AD; Amendment 39-16703; AD 2011-11-04] – Replace each unairworthy portable fire extinguisher with an airworthy one, per the instructions of L’Hotellier Service Bulletin 863520-26-001 (dated Dec. 21, 2009). This AD, which was prompted by the discovery that unapproved Halon 1211 had been used to fill certain fire extinguishers, is designed to prevent use of the contaminated gas, which may have reduced fire-suppression properties and could release toxic fumes.
Charter flights have jumped considerably in 2011, particularly in the large-jet segment, says charter broker New Flight Charters of Jackson Hole, Wyo. The company’s flight activity in the first quarter rose 37% over the same quarter in 2010. The large-jet segment alone increased 278% over 2010 and represented 14% of total charter flights for the quarter. Charters involving other sizes of aircraft were up 20.1%, the company says.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0468; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-013-AD; Amendment 39-16697; AD 2011-10-16] – In order to improve the efficiency of the fuselage drainage system, cut off the rubber flap of the two flapper valves near Frame 36, inspect the flapper valves, and conduct a functional test of the valves and fuselage drainage holes, per Piaggio Aero Industries Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0330 (dated April 21, 2011). If the valves and drainage holes do not drain properly, take corrective actions before further flight.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0472; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-005-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a fuse packed in a “jiffy junction” (a crimped wire in-line junction device) in the collector tank level float switch wiring. Also, operators would need to revise the aircraft maintenance program by incorporating critical design configuration control limitations on the system, per the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-049 (dated June 23, 2010).
A chartered air ambulance crashed in a densely populated area on the outskirts of India’s national capital late May 25, which, combined with other recent accidents, has spurred India to create an accident investigation committee.
BELL 206A, 206B and 206B3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0449; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-021-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to revise the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to add an operating limitation when a litter kit is installed. This proposal, which was prompted by the need to prohibit flight when the litter doorpost is removed, is intended to prevent loss of structural integrity of the fuselage. FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 1,463 helicopters on the U.S. Registry, but have a negligible cost impact on operators.
Eclipse Aerospace recently wrapped up its second annual customer meeting in Albuquerque, N.M. The event drew more than 200 customers and included presentations from Eclipse Chairman and CEO Mason Holland and Sikorsky Aircraft President Jeff Pino. They discussed future plans for the recently formed partnership between Eclipse and Sikorsky. The event also included informational sessions by Pratt & Whitney Canada, Innovative Solutions & Support, Simcom Training Centers and members of the Eclipse 500 Owners Club, which co-sponsored the event.
A supersonic civil aircraft panel discussion has been scheduled by FAA for Thursday, July 14 at DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C. The two-hour-long afternoon event is the fourth in a series of meetings designed “to raise public awareness of the continuing technological advancements in supersonic aircraft technology aimed at reducing the intensity of sonic boom” and provide FAA, NASA and industry feedback. Since 1973, civil supersonic flight over land in the U.S.
The Gulfstream G250’s hydrophobic windshield coating, which will be used in lieu of wipers to remove moisture from the windshield, will be subject to special FAA certification conditions.
Swiss Aviation Consulting (SWIC) has opened new offices in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Operating under the trading name “SWICAMO Middle East Aviation Services, LLC,” the company offers services in aircraft asset management, continuing airworthiness management and aviation advisory services.
Ricon Group of Portugal has acquired one Embraer Phenom 300 for its newly created subsidiary Everjets. The deal also includes an option for a second Phenom 300. Everjets plans to start operations with the aircraft in December in Southern Europe.
The House and Senate have another month to iron out the differences in their respective long-term FAA reauthorization bills, after each chamber approved the 19th short-term extension of FAA’s authorization last week. FAA’s authorization was set to expire May 30, but the short-term extension pushes the deadline to June 30. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) says the FAA reauthorization bill is “close, very close” to a resolution.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)—the world’s largest commercial bank—has thrown its hat into the international business jet financing ring.
Nearly two thirds of business leaders believe a lack of investment in transportation and its supporting infrastructure is stifling U.K. businesses, a new survey by online broker PrivateFly.com says. PrivateFly.com tapped independent online survey company Clarity to speak with CEOs, managing directors and chairmen from some of the country’s top companies. The poll discovered that a lack of investment in surface transportation has had a bigger influence on business travel than anything else in the last decade.
Rockwell Collins launched a regional trip-support service for European operators under the banner of its Ascend Flight Information Solutions offering. Ascend is the avionics giant’s evolving suite of integrated information services for business aviation operators, offering end-to-end support for flight dispatchers, pilots, passengers and maintenance staff. “Ascend is in a state of constant change, so we feel a need to keep on explaining its benefits,“ says Colin Mahoney, VP for commercial systems sales and marketing.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA and EC130 B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-1228; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-12-AD; Amendment 39-16693; AD 2011-10-12] – Replace the starter-generator’s cup springs and fan nut, functionally test the damping system, and after accomplishing this modification, mark “004” on the identification plate of the Aircraft Parts Corporation starter-generator.
Jet Aviation Geneva has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Avitat that allows the company to provide aircraft refueling services to its maintenance and fixed-base operation (FBO) customers in Geneva. In April 2010, Jet Aviation Geneva FBO was appointed a member of ExxonMobil Avitat, the fuel producer’s premier FBO network.
A Manhattan jury last week sided with Cirrus in the wrongful death suit filed over the 2006 crash of a Cirrus SR20 aircraft that killed New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and certified flight instructor Tyler Stanger.
Comlux America in Indianapolis was tapped as a cabin outfitter for Airbus. The facility, which will outfit aircraft for customers in America, worked on an ACJ320 that was brought to the recent European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva. Comlux was selected after an Airbus audit. The center plans to outfit three-four of the aircraft each year. The selection of Comlux increases the network of Airbus-approved outfitters to nine.
CAE has been designated as the authorized training provider for Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft based in Dubai. The companies also will boost training capabilities for Challenger 605 aircraft pilots and maintenance technicians at Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) in Dubai, as well as new Learjet 45 aircraft training at a future location in Toluca, Mexico. Instruction will be offered on both Bombardier platforms beginning in the spring of 2012.
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) has delivered a BBJ 737-700 IGW to Beijing Airlines, a business jet subsidiary of Air China. This is the first BBJ for Beijing Airlines, bringing its fleet to 11 business jets.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is launching a campaign to reduce the number of runway-related accidents, which were referred to as “the number one killer in commercial aviation today” by Nancy Graham, director of the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau. Accidents linked to runway operations represent 35-40% of total accidents reported to ICAO in the last five years, Graham said in opening remarks at a three-day conference last week in Montreal. Runway excursions and incursions represent 18% of all serious incidents and accidents.
