DORNIER 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0308; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-233-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a one-time inspection of all rudder trim and spring tab fixation brackets to ensure that they are installed correctly, per the instructions of 328 Support Services Service Bulletins SB-328-55-493 (for Model 328-100 airplanes) and SB-328J-55-245 (for Model 328-300 airplanes), both dated April 21, 2010.
JetFlite International (JFI), an aircraft management and charter provider in Long Beach, Calif., has added a Challenger 601 aircraft to its charter fleet. The aircraft is based at the JetFlite International Center in Farmingdale, N.Y.
As the U.K. government considers extending air passenger duty to business jets, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is fighting the proposal, saying those in the industry were omitted from discussions on the matter. George Osborne, the U.K.’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, has proposed a flat fee at the highest standard rate on each business aircraft passenger, regardless of the distance to be flown.
Up to 20 Legacy 600/650 business jets a year could be produced at Embraer’s assembly plant in Harbin, China, where the airframer currently builds ERJ-145s, believes analyst JP Morgan. Embraer and AVIC earlier this month announced an agreement to build the Legacy in Harbin, a compromise that averted a shutdown of the production line there altogether. Embraer has built ERJ-145s in Harbin since 2003, but is discontinuing production of the aircraft.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and Airports Council International-NA (ACI-NA) are at odds over a bill designed to reduce “unfair government competition” with the private sector. Introduced by Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) in the House and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in the Senate, the legislation calls for government agencies to procure from private sources and seeks a study on commercial activity conducted by the government.
Rockwell Collins unveiled its HGS-3500 head-up guidance system for light to medium-size business aircraft last week at Flight Safety Foundation’s Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar in San Diego. The system is being designed by the firm’s Portland HGS subsidiary.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has scheduled a May 24 hearing on the probable cause of the Aug. 9, 2010 crash that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and four others, but last week the board released a series of factual reports that detail the events surrounding the accident. The aircraft involved, a de Havilland Canada DHC-3T (N455A), crashed into tree-covered mountains about 10 mi. northeast of Aleknagik, Alaska. The pilot, Stevens and three other passengers were killed.
The trial of two American pilots charged with involuntary manslaughter resulting from the inflight collision of an Embraer Legacy and a Brazilian airliner is expected to conclude in the next few weeks. “We’re hopeful about the outcome,” David Rimmer says, “but personally, I’m not very optimistic.”
Hyannis, Mass.-based Cape Air has teamed with Italian manufacturer Tecnam for a new nine-seat aircraft to augment its service to seasonal markets that include Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and the Caribbean. Cape Air currently flies 67 Cessna 402s, but says its “need for additional seats far outweighs the available supply of [C402] aircraft.” Cape Air selected Tecnam after a “worldwide search,” the carrier says, adding that Tecnam has “a compatible corporate culture to Cape Air.”
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0515; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-196-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect, repair (if necessary) and reinforce the transcowl assemblies, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-78-008, Rev. B (dated Dec. 22, 2010) or Service Bulletin 670SH-78-029, Rev. C (dated Nov. 10, 2010).
EMBRAER E170 and E190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1161; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-16658; AD 2011-08-08] – For aircraft equipped with certain Ram Air Turbines (RATs), replace the balance screws with new balance screws, and mark the RAT identification plate with the symbol “24-5,” per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 170-24-0048, Rev. 01 (dated May 12, 2010) or Embraer Service Bulletin 190-24-0019, Rev. 01 (dated May 11, 2010) as applicable.
Par Avion Ltd., a Houston-based aircraft brokerage firm, has launched a new website—www.paravionltd.com. The website provides aircraft buyers and sellers an opportunity to learn more about the business aircraft purchasing and sales process. Par Avion specializes in business aircraft acquisition, focusing on Bombardier, Citation, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker and Phenom aircraft.
FAA has tweaked its rules for handling White House VIP flights following an embarrassing loss-of-separation incident involving an aircraft carrying First Lady Michelle Obama. The agency says that from now on, air traffic control supervisors will oversee flights carrying the first lady or vice president in the Washington D.C. area, and at other destinations where possible. A similar requirement is already in place for flights carrying the president.
Flexjet has been recognized by FAA in earning the agency’s Diamond Award of Excellence, with 100% of eligible employee participation in maintenance training programs. Flexjet has received this award for 12 consecutive years. The company also has become the first fractional jet ownership company to be recertified by the Air Charter Safety Foundation as earning its second Industry Audit Standard (IAS) registration.
DAVID RIMMER , executive VP for ExcelAire in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., was named to the National Business Aviation Association’s Corporate Aviation Management Committee, which provides guidance to aviation department managers on a range of issues, including management trends, fiscal control and operations. Rimmer oversees ExcelAire’s charter operations, customer service and marketing programs.
A new coalition designed to focus on issues affecting general aviation airports has been formed by a group of GA airport operators. The General Aviation Airport Coalition was formed to “preserve and promote our nation’s general aviation airports,” according to the mission statement. The coalition began meeting late last year, but recently officially launched as a formal group.
The official word from Connecticut is that Gov. Daniel Malloy’s (D) budget does not include a provision for aircraft to be taxed as personal property, nor does it include the repeal of the maintenance tax exemption, according to Dean Saucier, the National Business Aviation Association’s Northeast regional representative. Malloy had considered proposing the personal property tax, along with the elimination of the maintenance exemption, to help make up for a $3.2 billion-$3.5 billion state shortfall. The measures, however, drew protests from the aviation community.
Duncan Aviation has teamed with Signature Flight Support’s Technicair to open satellite avionics shops at Kansas City Downtown Airport and Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Both facilities are staffed with certified technicians and have a range of line services and installation capabilities. The new shops expand the ongoing partnership between Duncan and Signature. Duncan Aviation has operated a satellite shop in conjunction with Signature since 2007 in St. Paul, Minn.
Bombardier Aerospace has expanded its international sales reach with four new sales directors and two sales managers. In the Asia-Pacific region, the company has added Carine Truong, sales director, Asia-Pacific, responsible for North and South-East Asia, excluding Indonesia; and Michael Han, sales director, China, including Hong Kong and Macau. In the Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe region, the new additions are Philippe Dalcher, sales director, Russia; and Manny Kapranos, sales manager, Russia and CIS. Ross Mitchell has been appointed to sales director, Eastern Europe.
NBAA’s Dallas Regional Forum, held April 14 at Business Jet Center on Dallas Love Field, drew 1,200 attendees, a record for the Dallas venue. The one-day meeting attracted 80 exhibitors, also a Dallas record, and 21 aircraft on static display. During the forum, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen provided updates on the Block Aircraft Registration Request program, along with the No Plane No Gain program.
EMBRAER ERJ-135ER, -135KE, -135KL and -135LR; and ERJ-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0312; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-159-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the rearward and forward face of the auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall. If any cracks were found, the firewall would have to be repaired before further flight.
The European Business Aviation Association and National Business Aviation Association have scheduled a European Business Aviation Safety Workshop on May 16 in conjunction with the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. The workshop will cover safety partnerships, runway incursions, managing risk, advanced technology cockpits, operations in southeast England, development of aviation professionals, and safety management systems.
A J Walter Aviation, a Miami-based aircraft spares company, is partnering with Virginia-based business jet dealer Loudoun Aviation to deliver spares support to the corporate aviation sector. The partnership will combine A J Walter’s background with commercial customer support with Loudon Aviation’s expertise in the VIP sector. Loudon will market A J Walter’s range of 24/7 aircraft-on-ground, power-by-the-hour, pooling and daily services to operators of Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jets.
STEVE PEARSON was promoted to VP of sales and marketing, Asia Pacific, for Nordam. Pearson joined Nordam in 2000 as a project engineer in the Singapore facility and has held positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, program management, technical services, customer support, asset management and sales. Most recently, he was managing director, sales and support services, Asia Pacific.
