FlightSafety International has added BoldIQ to its partners in the training company’s Extended Advantage Program. The program is designed to offer additional services that provide more safety or operational assistance to the operators. BoldIQ offers flight operations management platforms. As a participant in Extended Advantage, BoldIQ will offer preferred pricing.
The European Commission (EC) in November proposed to temporarily exempt non-European flights from the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), but the 27 member states and the European Parliament (EP) must legally endorse the decision, which is not yet a done deal. More worrisome is that many operators might have misinterpreted the “stop the clock” message of EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and wrongly believe they are no longer required to comply with the scheme at all.
The “when” may be in question, but the “what” is becoming clearer as NASA pushes ahead with research into future generations of civil transport aircraft. Not only do significant fuel-burn, emissions and noise reductions look increasingly feasible, but advanced computational tools are taking shape that will enable fast, efficient design and analysis of new aircraft.
We are accustomed to seeing airliner wings change shape on approach, deploying flaps and opening slots to increase lift and reduce landing speed. But for most of the flight, changes are restricted to small movements of individual surfaces as the aircraft maneuvers or reacts to turbulence. Now, in pursuit of higher fuel efficiency, NASA and Boeing are developing technology to smoothly change the wing's shape continuously throughout the flight—even characteristics such as twist that are traditionally built into the wing during design and manufacture.
Eurocopter has made fixing gearbox issues with the North Sea EC225 fleet its top priority, according to CEO Lutz Bertling. Speaking at the company's annual press conference in Paris on Jan. 24, he said: “If safety is Priority 1A then fixing this issue is Priority 1B,” adding that the problems were “more severe than any technical issue we have had in the past. We are conducting test flights to find the set of parameters that caused the issue, but it is not easy.”
CAE's training centre in Dubai joins its sister-facilities in Bordeaux, France; Little Rock, Dallas and Morristown, USA; and Burgess Hill, UK; in celebrating the award of a Falcon Training Policy Manual (FTPM) certificate, which validates that CAE is delivering superior quality training services for Falcon pilots and maintenance personnel.
Troubled aircraft manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft is optimistic about coming out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the United States having been given support by its key creditors who have accepted its reorganisation plan.
PARIS — Eurocopter is calling the main gearbox issue afflicting the North Sea fleet of EC225 helicopters the most serious technical problem that the company has encountered, but maintains that fixing it is a top priority. CEO Lutz Bertling described the problem as “more severe than any technical issue than we have had in the past,” during comments at the company’s annual press conference in Paris Jan. 24. “We are conducting test flights to find those sets of parameters that caused the issue, but it is not easy,” he said.
Dassault Falcon is once again supporting operators from the Middle East and elsewhere who are flying customers to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland with a dedicated technical team positioned at nearby Zurich Airport.
Sabena Technics used the AIME/MRO Middle East show in Dubai to announce it has been selected to carry out the VIP cabin modification of an Airbus A319 aircraft belonging to an undisclosed Asian customer.
The first Russian-built AgustaWestland AW139 has begun flying, bringing the AgustaWestland/Russian Helicopters joint venture HeliVert a step closer to its goal of producing up to 20 of the medium helicopters a year for the Russian market. The first flight, announced Jan. 15, actually took place on Dec. 19 following the aircraft’s rollout the day before. The aircraft flew for 37 min. and completed a series of tests for Russian aviation authorities. It is now involved in a short flight test program before delivery to the as-yet-to-be-announced customer.
MATTHEW CZUBA has joined St. Louis-based Aero Charter as a line pilot. Czuba is qualified on the Sabre 65 and Beechcraft Baron and King Air. He formerly was a supervisor for the University of Central Missouri’s flight program and check pilot for the Department of Aviation.
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), a vocal supporter of the FAA’s NextGen air traffic management initiative, was named chair of the House aviation subcommittee. LoBiondo’s congressional district is home to the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center, which conducts extensive NextGen research and development. Across the aisle, aides close to Rep. Rick Larsen (Wash.) expect the Democrat to lead his party on the aviation panel and that an announcement is expected Jan. 22.
Chile has become the 14th country to accept the increased gross weight exemption for the Bell 429 light helicopter. The country’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC, cleared the exemption to raise the maximum gross weight of the light-twin from 7,000 lb. (3,175 kg) to 7,500 lb. (3,402 kg). The DGAC has also certified the type’s operation in Chile. The move follows Venezuela’s green light to the weight exemption, announced early this month.
Business jet deliveries appear to have remained flat or even dipped slightly in 2012, according to early manufacturer and analyst reports. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association will release its yearend shipment report and annual industry review Feb. 12. But initial reports are indicating that deliveries remained sluggish in 2012, particularly for the light and midsize end of the market.
FlightSafety International is expanding and renovating its Teterboro, N.J. facility. The project will begin in the spring and continue into early 2014. FlightSafety is reconfiguring the building and adding a wing for flight crew emergency training that will include a pool and other specialized equipment. When the project is completed, the Teterboro center will have eight simulator bays, classrooms, debriefing areas, accommodations for flight-deck simulators and customer service and office areas.
TSA Administrator John Pistole is remaining quiet on the progress of the long overdue repair station security rule. Speaking last week to the International Aviation Club, Pistole declined to detail whether the rule was ready for Office of Management Budget review – typically the final review before a rule is released. A TSA official late last year hinted that the rule could be released in January.
BBA is realigning the leadership in its various aviation units with the appointment of Maria Sastre as president and COO of Signature Flight Support and Pat Pearse as managing director of BBA Aviation Flight Support Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA). Both Sastre and Pearse report to S. Michael Scheeringa, who has become president and CEO of BBA Aviation’s Flight Support division, which includes both Signature and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG).
TURBOMECA Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0901; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-17314; AD 2012-27-02] – requires performing a high gas generator speed (NG) rating vibration check. This AD was prompted by several reports of uncommanded inflight shutdown on Arriel 1 engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded inflight shutdown of the engine, which could result in an emergency landing.
Cirrus Aircraft is increasing the SR22/SR22T gross weight to 3,600 lb. The company says the increase will enable the aircraft to carry an extra person, more baggage or additional cargo while carrying more fuel. The aircraft can carry five passengers more than 700 nm. Cirrus developed the “Generation 5” change after conducting a comprehensive aircraft review. Generation 5 involves alterations to increase airframe load and provide aerodynamic and flight performance improvements.
JASON LITTLE joined NationAir Aviation Insurance as a sales executive. Based in Atlanta, Little will handle NationAir’s agricultural and general aviation insurance sales in the Southeast U.S.
GROB Model G115EG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0013; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-046-AD] – proposes to require repetitive inspections of the elevator trim tab arm to detect cracks and, if detected, replacement of the part with a serviceable part. The proposal would provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The proposal stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information from the European Aviation Safety Agency, which cites reports of cracks found in the elevator trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes.
