Yingling Aviation of Wichita was named a Cessna sales team authorized representative (CSTAR) for single-engine piston aircraft, including the Skycatcher, Skyhawk, Skylane, Stationair and Corvalis. Yingling, which has been affiliated with Cessna since 1946, will serve as a CSTAR throughout Kansas, excluding Kansas City. Yingling also serves as a Skycatcher reassembly facility, is an authorized service center and a Cessna parts supplier.
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1099; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-054-AD; Amendment 39-16610; AD 2011-05-01] – Incorporate a temporary change in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook and Airplane Flight Manual prohibiting the carriage of certain tow bars or similar ferromagnetic masses in the baggage compartment. Also, install a limitation placard in the front of the baggage compartment door, per the instructions of Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 80-0275, Rev. N. 0 (dated June 15, 2009).
Signature Flight Support President Michael Scheeringa has been encouraged by the efforts of top officials in the Transportation Security Administration to increase traffic into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). “Despite the castigation on Capitol Hill, [the TSA leaders] have embraced collaboration.” He says TSA Administrator John Pistole and Brian Delauter, the agency’s general aviation general manager, have been “very, very helpful.” He expressed confidence that their efforts, including those announced earlier this month (BA, Feb.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1038; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-250-AD; Amendment 39-16601; AD 2011-04-01] – Conduct a one-time detailed visual inspection of the main landing gear pistons, replacing any cracked piston and reporting the inspection findings to Fokker Services. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent a main landing gear failure and loss of airplane control during landing rollout. FAA estimates that this directive will affect six aircraft on the U.S.
The U.S. Senate late Feb. 17 passed its two-year FAA reauthorization bill by a vote of 87-8, after approving more than two dozen of the 107 amendments submitted covering a range of aviation and non-aviation related topics.
ExecuJet Europe has opened its fourth European fixed-base operation in Valencia, Spain. The company bought the assets of the facility from Spanish FBO chain Assistair. ExecuJet’s new FBO is located at the General Aviation Terminal at Valencia airport.
EMBRAER E170 and E190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0038; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-153-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a detailed inspection for drill marks at the left and right lower-ring region of the rear pressure bulkhead between the circumferential splice joint and rear skin between Stringers 12 and 13. If drill marks were found, operators would need to repair them before further flight, in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin 170-53-0082 or 190-53-0042 (both Rev. 01 and dated April 28, 2010), as applicable.
Signature Flight Support has opened a Middle East sales office in Bahrain. Karl Bowles, a 24-year aviation veteran who formerly was director of business development-Middle East for Jet Support Services, will head the new office as sales manager-Middle East. The new office is co-located with BBA Aviation’s Engine Repair and Overhaul Middle East sales and services bases.
The Embraer Phenom 100 has received certification for a belted toilet, allowing the aircraft to carry up to seven passengers. The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency and European Aviation Safety Agency issued the certificate last month, and FAA approval is expected soon.
FAA is proposing to expand an existing airworthiness directive (AD 2008-14-07) calling for repetitive inspections of certain Lycoming fuel-injected reciprocating engines. The proposed AD would expand the applicability to nearly 43,000 four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines installed on U.S.-registered Beech, Cessna, Mooney and Piper aircraft. The proposed requirements would include inspection, replacement if necessary and proper clamping of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines.
International Communications Group’s (ICG’s) NxtLink ICS-400 satellite communications platform received clearance for operation on the Iridium constellation and network after successfully completing the “Iridium Compatible Equipment Certification” testing. The ICS-400 combines four Iridium transceivers with an internal cabin telecommunications unit to offer global communications services. Selected for the Embraer Lineage aircraft, the IC-400 enables connects of conventional telephony devices or other satcom systems.
Embraer today (Feb. 21) is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open its new Phenom final assembly facility at Melbourne International Airport in Florida. The $50 million, 150,000-sq.-ft. facility will house a paint shop, customer design center and delivery center, in addition to final assembly work for Phenom 100 and 300 business jets. The dedication marks the first assembly plant for Embraer in the U.S., and is expected to result in the creation of 200 positions.
ROGER FRANKLIN has joined Dynamic Aviation as CFO. Franklin will manage the company’s financial goals and report directly to President and CEO Michael Stoltzfus. He has more than 20 years of experience as a senior business executive, most recently serving as CFO and corporate secretary of Quest Aircraft. Before that, he was managing director and co-founder of Forge Capital, a private investment firm for middle-market manufacturing companies.
Burbank, Calif.-based Avjet Corporation has launched a new website—www.BBJ-Charter.com—dedicated to the Boeing Business Jet. The website offers executive charter travelers the latest information on BBJ aircraft options available and provides information for owners, operators, buyers and sellers of new and used BBJ aircraft. The BBJ is a highly specialized aircraft, says Avjet President Mark Lefever. “Very few companies directly operate them, so its unique virtues and capabilities deserve special attention and focus.”
Bombardier’s business jet deliveries fell nearly 19% in its most recent fiscal year ending Jan. 31, but an increase in fourth-quarter orders is encouraging analysts. Bombardier Aerospace delivered 143 business jets this past year, down from 176 in the same period a year earlier, the manufacturer reported last week.
PATS Aircraft Systems recently secured a major interior refurbishment contract for a new owner of a Boeing Business Jet based in the Asia-Pacific region. PATS will perform the major interior overhaul at its Georgetown, Del., facility. The project includes modification or replacement of nearly all existing interior design elements including seating layout, finishing materials, soft goods, communication management systems and inflight entertainment (CMS/IFE). PATS also will oversee exterior paint and perform required maintenance.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1112; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-051-AD; Amendment 39-16607; AD 2011-04-07] – Modify the left-hand and right-hand upper side braces of the main landing gear, or replace the upper side braces with improved-design upper side braces. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, was prompted by an incident in which a crew had difficulty extending the landing gear because of ice accumulation on the gear.
CESSNA Citation X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD; Amendment 39-16600; AD 2011-03-16] – Replace certain auxiliary power unit (APU) 400-amp DC generators with new or serviceable generators, per the instructions of Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08 (dated Aug. 13, 2009). Also revise the Airplane Flight Manual to incorporate new operating procedures for the APU generators.
FAA last week proposed a series of special conditions for the certification of Gulfstream’s new G650 airplane. Gulfstream anticipates certification and initial deliveries of the 650, its largest, fastest, and most expensive business jet yet, this year. The conditions would address the aircraft’s electronic flight control system, the high-speed protection system and the interaction of other systems on the structural capability of the aircraft.
Gama Aviation FZC recently began operations of a Bombardier Challenger 850 after receiving the certificate of airworthiness late last year. The aircraft, managed for a private individual, is the first Challenger 850 to be based in the UAE. The aircraft is stationed at Dubai International Airport. GAMA Aviation FZC, which obtained the UAE GCAA air operator’s certificate a year ago, operates five aircraft in all. The operator is part of the GAMA Group, which has a fleet of 75 aircraft located in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
JAMES EHRIG has become a member of the aviation practice of the national law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott. Ehrig, based in Washington, D.C., has advised aviation clients on a range of regulatory compliance before FAA, the Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Patent and Trademark Office and other federal and state agencies.
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) is reorganizing its staff to focus more on lobbying and advocacy on behalf of its airline members. The reorganization, which began with Nicholas E. Calio succeeding James C. May as president and CEO of the trade group on Jan. 1, will see a total of nine employees, including May, leave the 60-person ATA staff. As part of the reorganization, Sharon Pinkerton, who joined ATA in 2006, has been promoted to senior VP legislative and regulatory policy, which is a new position.
Airport data specialist High Line has partnered with airport and fixed-base operator data provider AC-U-KWIK to launch airportdata.aero, a new web-based preflight planning tool that provides information on more than 5,500 major commercial airports worldwide, including listing contact details and technical data, as well as the full range of airport service providers.
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) is adding new dedicated air and ground mobile support vehicles. It also formed a Global Experience Team (GET), comprising technicians, field support and management personnel, to focus on enhancing Hawker Beechcraft customers’ ownership and operating experience. The GCS organization recently unveiled the initiative at a reception for pilots and maintenance personnel during Super Bowl XLV at Dallas Love Field.
