Led by Europe, demand for civil helicopters is showing signs of recovery, and deliveries in the 2011-15 period will be 5% higher than over the last five years, at 4,200-4,400 rotorcraft, projects Honeywell. The manufacturer of avionics and engines says improved economic growth is combining with new models to drive purchase expectations, but cautions that the impact on fuel prices of political instability in the Middle East is not factored into its latest turbine-powered helicopter market forecast.
SIKORSKY S-76A, S-76B and S-76C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0099; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-085-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators of helicopters outfitted with Aero Seats and Systems life raft deployment system to remove and replace the pilot or co-pilot life raft deployment handle, per the instructions of Aero Seats and Systems Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-500-02, Rev. C (dated Sept. 16, 2010).
Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS) has received its approved maintenance organization certificate from Transport Canada for the ERJ-135/145 regional jet, and the company recently won its first ERJ-135/145 contract covering a total of eight aircraft with a U.S. regional airline. In addition to the ERJ-135/145, DATS holds Transport Canada approvals for the Bombardier Dash -8, Boeing 737 and Saab 340.
Concord, Mass.-based air taxi operator Linear Air is continuing to build up its Eclipse EA500 very light jet service, and, as a result, has developed a new “Platinum” program for its frequent fliers traveling between Boston’s Hanscom Field and New York’s Westchester County Airport.
After a slow start, Cessna is starting to ramp up its Skycatcher output, with plans to deliver 150 of the aircraft this year, after shipping 30 to date. This comes as the Wichita airframer was forced to move flight testing and painting to the U.S., at least for now. The original plan called for Cessna’s partner in China, Avic’s Shenyang Aircraft Corp., to build, test fly and paint Skycatchers in China before they are disassembled and exported to the U.S. But Avic produces fighter jets at the same facility as the Skycatcher.
VIKING AIR LIMITED (formerly Bombardier and de Havilland) DHC-3 Otter airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1192; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-020-AD; Amendment 39-16611; AD 2011-05-02] – Repetitively inspect the elevator control tabs for discrepancies and take any necessary corrective actions. Also, report certain inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by the addition to the maintenance manual of new repetitive inspection requirements for the elevator control tabs.
A General Electric engine will power a new 10-seat utility aircraft being developed by Russian manufacturer Technoavia. The agreement between the two companies also includes collaboration on engine certification and installation, as well as development of service and support for GE products in Russia.
ALLIED AG CAT G-164, G-164A, G-164B, G-164B with 73” wing gap, G-164B-15T, G-164B-34T, G-164B-20T, G-164C, G-164D and G-164D with 73” wing gap airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0149; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-001-AD; Amendment 39-16616; AD 2011-05-07] – Repetitively inspect the interior and exterior of the main tubular spar of the rudder assembly for corrosion, repairing or replacing any corroded parts. Also, apply corrosion protection material to the rudder following each inspection.
ExecuJet Europe received a contract from Lufthansa Technik to assist with flight training of German air force pilots. The air force has ordered four Bombardier Global 5000s, which will be delivered through Lufthansa Technik. ExecuJet was appointed by Lufthansa Technik to provide line and landing training for six air force pilots, who in turn will become air force flight instructors on the Global 5000. The training will occur between April and July. The pilots will first receive initial training with CAE in Montreal before receiving instruction from ExecuJet.
FAA is delaying the comment period on a proposed rule requiring airports to implement safety management systems. The agency, which published the proposal Oct. 7, is sliding the deadline from March 7 to July 5 at the request of the American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International—North America. Also, FAA says it will accept and respond to “specific clarifying questions” submitted by the public —a step the agency doesn’t typically take during the rulemaking process.
Embraer has expanded the activities at its maintenance center at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., to provide a range of services for the company’s Phenom and Legacy business jets. The Windsor Locks facility opened in 2008, initially operating as an aircraft-on-ground (AOG) services facility. The facility now will offer “full-scale maintenance,” Embraer says, including routine inspections, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and airframe, engine, avionics and systems repairs. The facility will provide 24/7 assistance and continued AOG services.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) is increasing its presence in the South Asia-Pacific region with recent certifications of its Hawker 4000 and King Air 350i aircraft and expanded service offerings. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted type certification for the Hawker 4000 composite business jet. “There is growing interest in the Hawker 4000 throughout the Asia-Pacific market,” says Dan Keady, HBC VP, South Asia Pacific, noting the aircraft’s 3,280-nm range.
R. G. (GREG) STILL was promoted to manager of wholesale sales – mid-continent, global marketing for ConocoPhillips. Still formerly was director of branded sales for general aviation. He has served with ConocoPhillips since 1981.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 Series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0043; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-192-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to visually inspect for the presence of red anodized threads on the outlet fitting of the motive flow check valve (MFCV) installed in the left- and right-wing fuel tanks, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-28-08 (dated March 11, 2010). If a red anodized check valve outlet fitting is found, then operators would need to replace it with an MFCV that has a chemical film coating (gold color) fitting.
KLAUS TRITSCHLER was hired as VP of design for LSA manufacturer Icon Aircraft. He will be responsible for Icon’s design direction across all consumer touch points, from the details of the A5 aircraft’s production interior to the implementation of the company’s brand in its marketing efforts. He came from BMW Group DesignworksUSA, where he was the creative director and oversaw projects including the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 jets.
McCreery Aviation Company in McAllen, Texas, has joined the Avfuel network of branded distributors. Based at McAllen Miller International Airport, McCreery provides a range of general aviation services, including maintenance, aircraft sales, parts, avionics and charter. The fixed-base operation also houses a flight academy.
Jet Aviation Zurich was named as the JetBed distributor for the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia regions. Based in the U.S., JetBed produces a line of lightweight, portable beds for Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream and Learjet aircraft.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) renewed an agreement designating Cessna as its exclusive supplier of single-engine non-complex aircraft. The agreement extends the designation through 2017. ERAU signed an exclusive supplier agreement with Cessna in 1997 and has since purchased 196 Skyhawks. Cessna expects the latest agreement could result in orders for 50 more Skyhawks.
Embraer has signed a contract to sell a Phenom 300 jet to Brazilian medical company Amil Assistência Médica. The delivery will be the first medevac version of the Phenom 300 and is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. The jet will be operated by Aeromil, which will manage the aircraft on behalf of Amil Resgate Saúde, an air and land rescue organization.
AIR TRACTOR AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0827; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-029-AD; Amendment 39-16552; AD 2010-17-18 R1] – This revised directive still requires operators to perform repetitive eddy-current inspections for cracks in the two outboard fastener holes in both of the wing main-spar lower caps at the center splice joint. The revised AD also requires operators to repair or replace any cracked spar.
LEARJET 45 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0951; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-107-AD; Amendment 39-16608; AD 2011-04-08] – Visually inspect for chafing, pinched or exposed wires and correct routing of wires in the left and right circuit breaker panels, per the instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A40-24-11 or A45-24-16 (both dated Nov. 16, 2009). Except if arcing damage is found on the forward mounting bracket of the circuit breaker panel, repair any damage before further flight.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation’s (ACSF) International Audit Standard Registry (IAS) continues to expand with the additions of Dominion Aviation Services of Richmond, Va., and DB Aviation of Waukegan, Ill. They join 23 other operators that have completed the IAS audit and have achieved registered status. The IAS is designed for Part 135 and 91K operators and calls for a thorough review of an operator’s processes and procedures, regulatory compliance and safety management systems.
New aircraft registration rules are expected to dramatically change the number of aircraft on the registry, which also will significantly alter FAA’s aircraft operations estimates, notes Peg Krecker with Tetra Tech, FAA’s consultant that tracks General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey data. FAA is estimating that at least one-third of the aircraft currently on the registry will be removed. Krecker notes that the decline in the registry should occur over the next three years. GA activity, meanwhile, is estimated to decline by about 15%, she adds.
