Precision Aviation Group (PAG), an Atlanta-based maintenance, repair and overhaul inventory provider, has acquired Gardner Aviation Specialist, a repair station based outside of Atlanta in Peachtree City, Ga. Gardner specializes in avionics installation, glass panel upgrades and other maintenance services. PAG says the acquisition expands its services available to both fixed- and rotor-wing operators. Garner operates out of a 35,000-sq.-ft. hangar at Falcon Field.
Rolls-Royce recently celebrated the rollout of its 2,000th BR710 engine. The powerplant was manufactured at the company’s Dahlewitz, Germany, plant. The engine, which has thrust ratings between 14,750 lb. and 15,500 lb., powers Bombardier Global and Gulfstream G500/550 models. The BR710 was certified in 1996 and completed its first run in 1997. It is part of the BR700 family, which also includes the BR715 and BR725. The family has collectively accumulated more than 11 million service hr.
ExecuJet Middle East added two more large-cabin aircraft to its fleet—a Gulfstream 450 and a Falcon 900DX EASy. Both airplanes are registered on ExecuJet’s operating certificate in the United Arab Emirates and will be offered for charter. The aircraft are in addition to the Challenger 605 ExecuJet Middle East added in late December. The carrier expects further additions in the coming months. ExecuJet Middle East and ExecuJet Europe combined their charter businesses late last year to provide their customers with access to both fleets.
BELL HELICOPTER Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427 and 430 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0079; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-108-AD; Amendment 39-16587; AD 2010-26-51] – Before further flight, replace any affected tail-rotor blade with an airworthy blade. This emergency AD, which was prompted by an MCAI from Transport Canada, supersedes an existing directive (AD 2009-08-03) by adding more blades to the applicability of the directive.
The Hawker 800XPR upgrade is on track for certification this summer following the recent installation of winglets at Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support’s (GCS) Chester, U.K. center. GCS subsequently flew the aircraft to the U.S., where it will install new Honeywell TFE731-50R engines. The aircraft is undergoing minor structural and electrical modifications in advance of the engine installation. Ground power runs will take place within the next several weeks before flight testing and certification.
JUSTIN MERKLING was named manager of Duncan Aviation’s engine service shop in Battle Creek, Mich. Merkling joined Duncan in 1999 as an aircraft technician and in 2007 became a Citation tech representative. He has served on the NBAA Citation 500 Series Tech Committee and as Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek’s authorized facility contact for Cessna.
Landmark Aviation’s facility at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) has been approved as a gateway for authorized operators destined for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The authorization is the latest in a series of new gateways that the Transportation Security Administration has cleared in its effort to ease access to DCA. The number of gateways has grown to nearly 45 locations. Landmark notes that the approval at RDU provides another option for operators in southern states.
The Air Safety Institute’s latest online edition of the Joseph T. Nall Report covering general aviation safety provides some good news about commercial GA operations, but also raises significant concerns. The comprehensive report is based on 2009 accident data, the last year for which enough accident data are available to be statistically valid and give a complete safety picture, the institute says.
ExecuJet Australasia is expanding its maintenance facility at Essendon Airport in Melbourne, Australia to offer full fixed-base operation (FBO) services. ExecuJet plans to add more than 8,100 sq. ft. (755 sq. meters) to its hangar complex, which currently spans more than 29,000 sq. ft. (2,700 sq. meters). The addition, scheduled to be completed in August, will provide space for an integrated lounge area, offices, stores and maintenance workshops. ExecuJet plans to add six more staff to run the new facilities.
Interfast Inc., the Toronto-based fastener distributor, signed a letter of intent to create a joint venture with China’s AVIC International Zhuhai Co. that will supply specialized fasteners and hardware, fastening systems and other services to the growing aerospace market in the Asia-Pacific Rim. The agreement, announced during the recent 2011 Asian Aerospace International Expo, calls for the joint venture company to be located in Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province in China. Interfast has worked with AVIC since 1995.
SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1198; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD; Amendment 39-16623; AD 2011-05-13] – Conduct a detailed visual inspection for corrosion in the left-hand and right-hand horizontal stabilizer rear spar adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge and the harnesses installed in the adjacent areas. If corrosion is found, repair it before further flight.
Landmark Aviation has added seven airplanes to its fleet of managed aircraft. The additions include a Beechcraft King Air B200 and 350, Citation CJ3 and Bravo, Hawker 850XP, and Gulfstream 450 and 550. Landmark is offering the CJ3, Bravo and Hawker 850XP for charter. The CJ3 is based in Chicago, the Bravo is located in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and the Hawker is based in Charlottesville, Va. The additions increase Landmark’s managed fleet to 75 aircraft.
Solairus Aviation was selected as the preferred provider of private aviation services for the destination club Inspirato. Inspirato members will receive discounted pricing on charter flights to any of Inspirato’s 10 current destinations using the Solairus fleet. In addition, Solairus clients will receive special pricing on the Inspirato membership fee through March.
The ongoing series of short-term authorization extensions and an uncertain budget have prompted FAA to halt most new certification activity, says agency Flight Standards Director John Allen. Speaking during the 2011 Air Charter Safety Symposium in Ashburn, Va., last week, Allen confirmed industry reports that FAA is accepting new certification applications, but for the most part only working on existing certification projects. FAA also has stopped most travel and placed a freeze on most hiring, Allen says.
Delta Private Jets increased its managed fleet with six more aircraft: a Hawker 800XP, Learjet 60, Citation X, Citation Excel, Challenger 300 and Challenger 601-3R.
Several industry groups have begun to work together and nearly 300 comments have flowed into the docket, mostly in opposition to an FAA plan to limit participation in the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. The comments have increased as the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), which administers the BARR program, has issued a “Call to Action,” urging members to weigh in on the proposal.
Clay Lacy, a National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee, will be the featured speaker at the March 22 Wichita Aero Club luncheon. Lacy, a Wichita native, learned to fly at age 12 and has since logged more than 50,000 hr. His resume included flying for United Airlines (beginning at age 19), serving as Western U.S. representative for Bill Lear, and being the longtime owner of charter company Clay Lacy Aviation. A past winner of the Reno Air Races, he has flown more than 300 different types of airplanes.
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) issued a proclamation in support of aviation. The proclamation, announced at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium in Minot, N.D. earlier this month, acknowledges the important role that aviation plays in the state. The proclamation drew praise from a number of aviation groups. The Alliance for Aviation Across America notes that general aviation drives more than $248 million in economic activity and supports more than 2,500 jobs across the state. “We commend Gov.
Export controls and lack of credit availability continue to hamper exports, Cessna Chairman Jack Pelton says. Testifying before the House commerce, manufacturing and trade subcommittee last week, Pelton endorsed efforts to streamline export licensing, but said in the near term, more needs to be done to simplify and clarify the regulations. “Many of the existing unilateral controls and policies have slowed our globalization and sales efforts,” he says. As for the credit constraints, Pelton notes the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.
FAA Flight Standards Director John Allen calls concerns over potential GPS jamming “a very, very big issue right now.” FAA is working with the Federal Communications Commission on the potential ramifications of the recent conditional approval for LightSquared to provide terrestrial broadband services using frequencies reserved for mobile satellite communication. The agency “is all over this,” he says, adding, “They’re in the middle of a food fight right now.” See article on Page 8.
CHAD WHITE was promoted to regional manager for international field service for Cessna Aircraft. White has relocated to Singapore to direct expansion of Cessna resources in the Asia-Pacific region, including additional field service personnel and service facilities. White has served with Cessna for 11 years, holding roles of increasing responsibility within the customer service organization.
RON GOTTSCHALK has joined Dallas Airmotive as regional sales manager for the company’s Pratt & Whitney Canada engine services. Gottschalk will sell PT6A, JT15D, PW500 and PW306C engine repair and overhaul services to customers in Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico. He has more the 20 years of business and general aviation sales and business development experience, including as general manager of Raytheon Aircraft Charter Management. Most recently, he ran his own aircraft brokerage.
BELL HELICOPTER Model 427 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0866; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-065-AD; Amendment 39-16586; AD 2011-03-03] – Inspect both sides of the tail-rotor driveshaft hanger bearing bracket for cracks, per the instructions of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-09-29, Rev. A (dated Nov. 17, 2009). If no cracks are found, rework both sides of the hangar bracket before further flight. If any cracks are found, replace the hangar bracket with a new one that has been reworked, per the aforementioned service bulletin.
