RYAN MCGINN was appointed sales director for the New York City territory for Flexjet. He joins Flexjet following a 20-year career with Callaway Golf, where he held positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently he was sales director. He also served with America West Airlines.
BELL Model 412 and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1016; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD; Amendment 39-17386; AD 2013-05-14] – requires establishing a lower life limit on certain swashplate outer ring assemblies (outer ring), revising the retirement life on the components’ history card or equivalent record, and revising the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). This AD also prohibits installing these outer rings on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the outer rings.
While the newly formed Beechcraft has longer-term product development plans, CEO Bill Boisture says the top focus of the company in the short term remains stabilization. This means rebuilding the confidence of its current and prospective customers, along with its suppliers. Beechcraft is also staying cautious about expansion. “Our outlook in the short term is to take a business that’s been through restructuring and get it to a rate that is sustainable and appropriate to the market,” he says.
As the aviation community readies for a wave of contract air traffic control tower closings beginning next month, key House and Senate Republican lawmakers are questioning the decisions behind the closures.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND Tay 611-8 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-1031; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-17391; AD 2013-05-19] – requires inspection and replacement, if necessary, of affected bolts. This AD was prompted by a quality review determination that bolts with reduced material properties may have been installed in some engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained turbine disc fracture and damage to the airplane. The AD takes effect April 24.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, L and L1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD; Amendment 39-17395; AD 2013-05-23] – requires a one-time inspection of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate upper bearing for a non-smooth point (friction point). This AD was prompted by a report of the premature deterioration of the MRH bearing of the rotating star installed on a Model AS332L1 helicopter.
Bombardier is still struggling with the all-composite airframe of the new Learjet 85 business jet, which is moving toward a delayed first flight. In December, the Canadian manufacturer pushed back the Learjet 85’s entry into service by six months to summer 2014 because of delays in assembling the aircraft in Wichita. By mid-March, the first Learjet 85 was in the second-to-last assembly station before first flight, Guy Hachey, president and CEO of Bombardier, told investors last week.
BRIAN REID was named director – support and service sales for American Eurocopter. He will oversee all marketing for American Eurocopter’s customer support and service operations. Reid has more than 16 years of aviation experience, holding business development, sales, marketing and management positions with a helicopter manufacturer and several aviation aftermarket companies, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing businesses.
Cessna Aircraft continues to face weak demand in the first quarter, but expects to see improved results as the year continues, an industry analyst reports. And, the analyst expects as much as a 50% increase in business by 2015. Citing defense uncertainty and continuing sluggish metrics in the business jet industry, analyst JPMorgan downgraded Cessna parent Textron from “overweight” to “neutral.” At the same time, though, JPMorgan sees recovery in the next few years in the business jet market and says “this tantalizing upside … makes our downgrade difficult.”
SIKORSKY Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0085; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-004-AD; Amendment 39-17389; AD 2013-05-17] – requires replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel filter element with a 10 micron nominal (40 micron absolute) fuel filter element.
The congressional mandate that has created a backlog of foreign repair station applications also has forced operators to reconsider expansion and contract maintenance plans because desired locations do not have FAA-approved shops, industry executives report.
MARK SAXTON has joined TWC Aviation as director, sales and acquisitions. In his new role, Saxton will help clients purchase and sell Embraer business jet aircraft. He previously served as regional sales director for Embraer Executive Jets, managing West Coast sales for eight years.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1100; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-29-AD; Amendment 39-17385; AD 2013-05-13] – requires replacement of the affected fuel pump splined couplings. This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the airplane. FAA estimates the AD affects about 1,040 engines installed on U.S.-registered airplane at a cost of $1.6 million. The AD takes effect April 24.
The Aircraft Electronics Association released the first of what is to be an evolving series of avionics market reports, finding sales by 19 manufacturers reaching nearly $6.3 billion in 2012. The initial report, presented during the opening ceremonies of the association’s 56th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show at the MGM Grand Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, is designed to provide a picture of the value of the general aviation avionics market.
Malaysia’s Senai International Airport, which is located near the border with Singapore, is considering a VIP helicopter service to the city state’s Seletar Airport. Senai’s Assistant General Manager Commercial, Hariss Abdullah, speaking to Aviation Week on the sidelines of the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia, says a general aviation operator at Senai Airport has three helicopters and the airport may lease one more to support a VIP service.
Air traffic controllers are anxiously shifting duties and realigning workloads as they prepare for rolling furloughs beginning April 21 and the closures of up to 149 contract air traffic control towers beginning April 7. “It’s going to be rough in a month from now,” says Jim Marinitti, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) representative at the Miami Tower and Terminal Radar Area Approach Control (TRACON).
Beechcraft’s reaction to losing the U.S. Air Force’s Light Air Support (LAS) contract a second time reveals as much about the company’s post-bankruptcy financial worries as it does about the service’s contracting credibility.
JSSI has introduced the Embraer Legacy 650 Airframe Program and Platinum level coverage for the Honeywell HTF7000 series engine. The Legacy 650 program covers almost every part, component, assembly and system on the aircraft, excluding the engines and APU, for a limited contract term. Legacy 650 clients can also opt to include engine and APU to get JSSI's Tip-To-Tail coverage. The HFT7000 program allows for the option of adding coverage for scheduled repair and replacement of life-limited components, as well as routine inspections.
Argus TRAQPak data shows that February 2013 flight activity levels decreased from January, finishing the month down 2.3% overall. The results by operational category were mostly negative with the exception of fractional activity, up 0.8% over January. Part 135 and Part 91 flight activity were both down for the month, 4.5% and 1.7% respectively. Reviewing the individual market segments, the Part 91 large cabin segment posted a 5.5% month over month increase, while the Part 135 turboprop segment posted an 8.3% month over month decrease.
Whatever the fate of the continuing resolution limiting Contract Control Tower cuts, GA groups are continuing to appeal directly to the Obama administration to back away from the plan and other cuts that affect the industry.
Business aircraft manufacturers pay close attention to runway performance because potential customers want to know if they'll be able to land at the general aviation airports closest to their regular business destinations. Of the 5,000+ public-use airports in the U.S., only about 760 have runways that are 6,000 ft. or longer. So aircraft that need that much pavement are far more limited in the number of airports available than those that need less. For example, there are 2,300+ U.S. airports with runways at least 4,000 ft.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is launching a search for a new president and CEO following the decision of Craig Fuller to step down from the office he has held since January 2009. Fuller, who succeeded longtime president Phil Boyer, is only the fourth president at AOPA since the association's inception 75 years ago. He has agreed to remain until a successor is found. In addition, he's also agreed to assist in the search for a new president, along with the leadership transition.
The U.S. light helicopter company Enstrom is receiving $10 million from its Chinese owner for new infrastructure to help the manufacturer boost production levels. The funds from Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. (CQHIC) and follow-on investments will, according to Enstrom President and CEO Jerry Mullins, add new equipment and enable the company to produce up to 100 helicopters per year.
