Nav Canada has announced plans for a new series of flight trials aimed at reducing emissions and cutting fuel consumption in the busy transatlantic corridor. The project, titled Europe-North America Go ADS-B for a Greener Environment (ENGAGE), will involve the use of satellite-based surveillance to increase flight efficiency on North Atlantic routes. Trial flights are scheduled to begin in February and continue through the spring of 2011. Also involved are Air France and the U.K.’s National Air Traffic Services.
EtQ, which specializes in enterprise quality, environmental health and safety, and compliance management software, is hosting an Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) Summit Feb. 1 at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Ariz. The free summit will discuss technologies available to automate SMS and how to bring quality and safety systems under a single platform.
With a significant overhang of used jets still available at attractive prices, overall demand remains anemic and backlogs, while shrinking, remain sizeable, according to the J.P.Morgan Aerospace and Defense Business Jet Monthly report for January. “We see this as the major question for the industry coming into the New Year,” writes J.P.Morgan analyst Joseph Nadol. “We see potential for further rate cuts if orders do not pick up. However, there are reasons for optimism.”
China Eastern Airlines Executive Air, a unit of the Chinese air carrier, is expected to soon launch business jet operations. The business aviation operator currently owns a Hawker 800, but hopes to expand the fleet to three business jets this year and then eventually to seven. The operation was established in 1995 as a ground handler in Shanghai, and has since provided services for more than 5,000 VIP, cargo, charter, air ambulance and other business jet flights.
Piper Aircraft is exiting its short-lived foray into the light-sport aircraft (LSA) market with the termination of its business relationship with Czech Republic-based Czech Sport Aircraft. The company announced plans in January 2010 to enhance and market Czech Sport Aircraft’s SportCruiser as the PiperSport, a two-place, visual flight rules-only aircraft priced at $139,900. But Piper last week cited “differences in business philosophies” in its decision to end the partnership.
The Cessna Pilots Association is offering a series of systems and procedures courses for various Cessna models. The courses will discuss the aircraft systems, problem areas, maintenance tips and safe operation. They also will cover powerplant management. Courses scheduled for the first half of this year include: 182R and earlier models on March 19-20; 210/T210/P210 on April 8-10; and 337 on May 13-15. The first three sessions are all to be held in Santa Maria, Calif. Tuition ranges from $495-$550. For more information, visit www.cessna.org or call (805) 937-0493.
Historically, total U.S. business aviation traffic drops off during the holidays, and Argus’ “TRAQPak” data shows that December followed the trend, with business aircraft activity down 3.2% from November. Part 135 charter activity saw a modest increase of 3% from November.
FAA is urging operators and aircraft maintenance professionals to ensure that tires on transport-category aircraft are properly inflated. On Jan. 6 the agency released a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) stressing the importance of properly inflated tires and warning of the “potential consequences improper tire pressure can have on the performance of aircraft operations during taxi, takeoff and landing.”
National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne is protesting the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to build a ramp for a new fixed-base operation at Tennessee’s Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) in direct competition with the existing operator.
Gulfstream Aerospace appears to have made history by becoming the first business aircraft manufacturer to fly a production fly-by-wire aircraft—the G650—using only a digitally controlled, electrically powered flight control system.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-300 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0805; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-042-AD; Amendment 39-16553; AD 2010-26-13] – Install a new aileron-input quadrant support bracket, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, Rev. B (dated Oct. 7, 2009). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by several cases of cracked aileron terminal quadrant support brackets. Investigations revealed that the support brackets failed due to fatigue.
Duncan Aviation’s Organization Designation Authorization has issued the first supplemental type certificate (STC) for Wide Area Augmentation System - Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (WAAS/LPV) in Dassault Falcon 900B aircraft. The STC involved a software upgrade to the Honeywell NZ-2000 flight management system and the installation of GPS WAAS/LPV receivers. Duncan Aviation completed a similar upgrade in a Challenger 601-3A in September.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0703; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-093-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a one-time detailed inspection of the torque link apex joint of the main landing gear shock strut assembly, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-019, Rev. A (dated Sept. 18, 2008). Operators would need to perform all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Also, operators would be required to replace or rework the apex nut.
KAREN TWITCHELL was named executive vice president and CFO for Landmark Aviation. Twitchell has more than 30 years of financial senior management experience, including 20 in manufacturing industries. Most recently, she was vice president and treasurer for the newly merged LyondellBasell Industries. She also has served with Kaiser Aluminum and Southdown. She earned an economics degree from Wellesley College and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
While FAA has privately indicated that it has fully heard the opposition from the Part 135 community over its potential plan to apply new Part 121 flight, duty and request requirements to on-demand operations (BA, Nov. 29/1), the agency is proposing at least one change to Part 135 requirements that would mirror that of Part 121. The agency has issued a notice of proposed interpretation that would revise its approach that permits Part 135 operators to extend the duty day of pilots to up to 14 hr.
JetSelect Aviation has added two jets to its Part 135 certificate—a 2010 Cessna Citation XLS+ and a 2006 Learjet 60SE. Both aircraft are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi.
Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer, Boeing, Hawker Beechcraft, VistaJet, Jet Aviation, TAG Asia, HK Jet, Asia Jet and JSSI are among those that have signed up to exhibit at Asian Business Aviation 2011, scheduled for March 9-10 in Hong Kong. A record 20-plus business jets are set to be on display in the static park.
APEX AIRCRAFT CAP 10 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1296; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-063-AD] – Conduct repetitive inspections to verify the correct installation of the flight control cable turnbuckles. If any discrepancies are found, correct the turnbuckle installation before further flight. This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, follows a fatal accident in which the pilot lost control of the airplane.
Raymond A. Syms & Associates (RAS & A) has begun offering heliport safety compliance inspections designed to help heliport owners and operators meet the new 2011 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 418 standards. The new standards now require all future and upgraded heliports to meet FAA guidance embodied in Advisory Circular 150/4390-2B Heliport Design, in addition to other fire and safety standards. The RAS&A inspections review the heliport’s regulatory compliance with NFPA standards, along with FAA, state and county guidelines.
Flybe will offer training using full-flight simulators for the Bombardier Q400 and Embraer E-Jet 170/190 at its new Flybe Training Academy at the U.K.’s Exeter International Airport. The Q400 simulator is to be installed this spring. FlightSafety International will provide Flybe with Embraer E-Jet 170/190 training services at its facilities in Amsterdam and at Paris’ Le Bourget airport until the new simulator is installed in early 2012.
DORNIER 328 328-100 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0955; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-013-AD; Amendment 39-16560; AD 2011-01-07] – Replace the aileron trim tab fittings and the rudder spring tab fittings with newly designed fittings, per the instructions of 328 Support Services Service Bulletin SB-328-27-488 or SB-328J-27-237 (both dated Aug. 25, 2009). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent inflight failure of tab fittings, which could result in the loss of control of the airplane.
Piper Aircraft has selected Western Aircraft as the airplane manufacturer’s dealer for new aircraft sales in Alaska, northern California, Oregon and Washington. Western Aircraft’s VP-aircraft sales representative Philip Winters, aircraft sales representative Brett Woods and demonstration pilot Vaughn Olson will work with Drew McEwen, Piper director of sales, Americas, to represent the Piper product line, including the new single-jet Piper Altaire. Western Aircraft, part of Greenwich AeroGroup, is based at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.
DOMENICK EANNIELLO has joined Million Air Tallahassee as general manager. Eanniello recently retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force after a 29-year career. He has served as a pilot, aircraft commander, instructor and evaluation pilot. He also has served as commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif.; vice wing commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, and vice wing commander and active duty element commander of the 116th Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
Avfuel Corp. has expanded its dealer network in California with the additions of Jet Air Systems and Tradition Aviation. Jet Air is located at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, just outside of San Diego. The FBO provides overnight hangar storage and 250,000 sq. ft. of ramp space. Tradition Aviation is based at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, Calif. Tradition provides more than 200,000 sq. ft. of tarmac and more than 150,000 sq. ft. of insulated hangar space. Both FBOs will offer AVTRIP rewards points and Avfuel Contract Fuel.
