JOAN POMPA was named interior refurbishment sales manager for West Star Aviation’s Grand Junction, Colo., facility. Pompa will be responsible to providing design and sales support for West Star customers. She has a 13-year career in interior, paint, design and other maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.
Hawker Beechcraft is furloughing workers on its T-6/AT-6 production line as it works through the most recent Joint Primary Aircraft Training Systems (JPATS) contract. The company is currently on the contract for Lot 18 aircraft, but is in negotiations for Lots 19 and 20, Hawker Beechcraft says.
Cessna is beginning delivery of its more powerful Grand Caravan EX following the receipt of FAA type certification. The Caravan, which sports the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, is the first of as many as six new or follow-on aircraft that Cessna expects to bring to market this year.
While business aviation struggles to regain its footing following the economic downturn, Gulfstream is rapidly expanding. The manufacturer in late 2010 committed to hiring 1,000 employees at its Savannah, Ga. campus over the next seven years. Within the following two years, Gulfstream not only met that seven-year goal, it exceeded it by 70% – hiring more than 1,695 workers in Savannah alone. But Gulfstream isn’t finished. The company signed a 12-year lease on a 70,000-sq.-ft.
DOUG MEADOR was appointed president of Dallas Airmotive, a BBA subsidiary. Meador joined Dallas Airmotive eight years ago, initially as vice president and general manager of operations for the company’s Forest Park maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. He has been chief financial officer since June 2005.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) plans to retire at the end of his term next year, concluding a more than 30-year career in the Senate. An outspoken proponent of NextGen, Rockefeller has had both spirited debates with and praise for the business aviation industry. He has strongly believed that business aviation operators should pay more into the national air transportation system, but was willing to compromise his position on a need for aviation user fees to ensure that long-term FAA reauthorization legislation would pass the Senate.
EUROCOPTER Model AS350BA helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0774; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-057-AD; Amendment 39-17302; AD 2012-26-07] – requires, for helicopters with certain Aerazur emergency flotation gear container assemblies installed, replacing each affected emergency flotation gear container assembly at specified time limits based on the date of manufacture. This AD was prompted because container assemblies with an intended operating limitation of 10 years may not have been replaced because the limit is no longer recorded in the Maintenance Program.
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has found that repair station executives are bullish on 2013 business prospects, with more than half the respondents to a recent AEA survey expecting revenue improvement in 2013. The survey generated 180 responses, the association says. Big-picture takeaways include a more bullish outlook than last year’s survey, and a range of services driving the growth. AEA’s survey results show that 56% of respondents expect business to increase in 2013, compared to 49% responding to last year’s survey on 2012 prospects.
Hawker Beechcraft is proposing to pay Swiss plane-maker Pilatus Aircraft $7.5 million to settle a dispute over Hawker Beechcraft’s production of the T-6/AT-6 military trainer. Hawker Beechcraft says the move is neither an admission that it is using “protectable intellectual property” of Pilatus, nor that it owes royalty payments. But Hawker Beechcraft says the proposed payment would be in its best interest because it would avoid a public dispute and prolonged lawsuit at a critical juncture of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) is planning a program to convert Bombardier CRJ200 passenger aircraft to freighters with a large cargo door. The program is just “a few weeks away from a formal launch,” says Robert Convey, AEI vice president-sales and marketing. AEI, a Miami-based conversion company, in October reached an agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to “explore market interest” in large cargo door-inclusive conversions of CRJ200s.
Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services (RECAS) acquired Westfield, Mass.-based fixed-base operator AirFlyte. Details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Rectrix called the acquisition a “strategic link” in its plans to expand on the East Coast. AirFlyte founder Gary Potts will remain as president of the Westfield facility. “An important factor in our decision to make this acquisition was the agreement of Gary to stay on as president of AirFlyte, thus assuring a seamless continuity of business,” says RECAS President and CEO Richard Cawley.
MARK TAYLOR was promoted to managing director of H+S Aviation, a BBA subsidiary. Taylor will oversee day-to-day activities of the engine repair and overhaul company. He joined H+S in 1990 as an engineer, and has since held roles in customer service, quality assurance, continuous improvement, operations and business management. He also spent several years with H+S affiliate Dallas Airmotive and most recently was general manager of H+S.
Sterling Partners, a Chicago-based private equity company, acquired an established aviation-maintenance college and plans to build partnerships with airlines, aircraft manufacturers and MRO providers, enhance the school’s Tulsa, Okla., campus and open new campuses. “We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to develop deeper partnerships with the industry,” says Jason Rosenberg, a principal with Sterling Partners.
For general aviation, the return on investment in NextGen aircraft equipage may not be as apparent as it is for commercial air transport operators, an industry analyst says. The U.S. NextGen air traffic control modernization program could yield $281 billion through 2035, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s 2013 Global Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook. This includes fuel efficiency gains and reductions in weather-related and congestion delays.
Business aviation veteran Jim Christiansen joined FlightSafety International as vice president, international business development. Christiansen will look for opportunities to expand FlightSafety’s programs and services globally. He joins FlightSafety after serving as vice president of sales for Hawker Beechcraft, where he managed Hawker business jet sales in the Eastern U.S. He also spent nearly 10 years with NetJets in senior executive positions, including as president of NetJets Aviation and senior vice president, national accounts.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S.-registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record.
MARK LEFEVER was named chief operating officer for Avjet Corp. Lefever joined Avjet in 1989 as executive vice president and became a partner in the company. He became president in 2005.
BRIAN SCHANK was appointed product support sales director for Gulfstream Aerospace. Schank, based in Savannah, Ga., will be responsible for maintenance sales to both Gulfstream and non-Gulfstream operators in Alabama, West Virginia and along the East Coast. He is a 24-year Gulfstream employee who most recently was director, business and program support, product support sales.
CESSNA Models 190, 195, 195A and 195B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-18033; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-16-AD] – proposes, for aircraft equipped with certain inboard aileron hinge brackets, to supersede an existing AD that requires repetitive inspections of the affected inboard aileron hinge brackets for cracks or corrosion and replace them if cracks or corrosion is found. Replacement with aluminum brackets would terminate the need for the repetitive inspections.
What better way to start the new year than with a look at a project that suggests creativity is alive and well in aviation, despite the economic gloom. Advances in electric power are proving to be a motivator for that creativity, enabling configurations in which propulsion is more closely coupled with aerodynamics and control than ever before.
An established aviation-maintenance college has been acquired by a private equity firm that sees opportunities to build partnerships with airlines, aircraft manufacturers and MRO providers, enhance the school’s Tulsa, Okla., campus and open new campuses. “We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to develop deeper partnerships with the industry,” says Jason Rosenberg, a principal with Chicago-based, private equity company Sterling Partners.
U.K. based engineering and aerostructures company GKN Aerospace has appointed a new CEO for its engine systems business, formed by the takeover of Sweden's Volvo Aero. Michael McCann will become CEO of GKN Aerospace–Engine Systems, while his former role of senior VP-business development and strategy for GKN Aerospace will be filled by Charles Paterson.
Hawker Beechcraft is proposing to pay Swiss plane-maker Pilatus Aircraft $7.5 million to settle a dispute over Hawker Beechcraft’s production of the T-6/AT-6 military trainer. Hawker Beechcraft says the move is neither an admission that it is using the “protectable intellectual property” of Pilatus, nor an acknowledgement that it owes royalty payments. But Hawker Beechcraft says the proposed payment would be in its best interest because it would avoid a public dispute and prolonged lawsuit at a critical juncture of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Pratt & Whitney on Jan. 9 appointed Paul Adams to the newly created position of chief operating officer. As COO, Adams will lead an operations strategy across all the engine maker’s business “to ensure the readiness of the company’s global supply chain.” Adams previously led the company’s engineering and operations unit. He reports to Pratt & Whitney President David Hess.
