DAVE NIEUWSMA was appointed vice president of Government Systems strategy and business development for Rockwell Collins. Nieuwsma, who has 20 years of experience, previously led the Government Systems Airborne Solutions unit for two years. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the company’s marketing and sales organization.
Gulfstream Aerospace promoted Steve Cass to vice president of communications. Cass, formerly director of sales support, will be responsible for internal and external communications at Gulfstream. He reports to Scott Neal, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Cass joined Gulfstream in 1992 and most recently coordinated activities at Gulfstream’s Savannah, Ga., sales and design center, as well as the sales development and sales engineering groups.
EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 and ERU 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1230; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-107-AD] – supersedes an existing AD that requires repetitive replacements of the low-stage check valve and associated seals of the right hand (RH) engine’s engine bleed system with a new check valve and new seals, replacing the low pressure check valves (LPCV), and revising the maintenance program. For certain other airplanes, the existing AD requires replacing a certain low-stage check valve with an improved low-stage check valve.
Airlines for America (A4A) has named Dan Elwell senior vice president for safety, security and operations. The position is a liaison with the Transportation and Homeland Security Departments, the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration. Elwell joins A4A from the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he was VP-civil aviation. Prior to AIA, Elwell was FAA assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment. Elwell will join A4A on Feb. 1.
Bell Helicopter is expanding its completion and customer delivery facility in Piney Flats, Tenn. The expansion, which Bell says represents a $10.1 million investment, is expected to accommodate up to 125 new workers. “We continue to see a growing demand for commercial helicopters, and Bell Helicopter’s anticipated production requirements are outpacing the size of our current facility in Piney Flats,” says Eric Cardinal, executive vice president, Customer Support and Services for Bell Helicopter. The expansion includes the purchase of a 150,000-sq.-ft.
TROY BRUNK was named vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. Brunk, who joined Rockwell Collins in 1992, previously was senior director of Airborne Communications Products. In his new role, he oversees the company’s business that provides avionics and flight deck products for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The organization also includes the company’s unmanned airborne systems business.
GIPPSAERO GA200 and GA200C airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0946; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-037-AD; Amendment 39-17294; AD 2012-18-10 R1] – revises an existing AD that requires inspection of the inboard (upper) wing strut fitting. That AD stemmed from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority that cites reports of failure of the wing strut bolt through the main spar. The AD extends the repetitive inspection compliance time from 100 to 500 hr.
CESSNA (previously Columbia or Lancair) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1330; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-006-AD] – proposes to require insertions into the pilot’s operating handbook (POH) and the airplane maintenance manuals (AMM) regarding proper use of the brakes and inspection of the aft fuselage.
Bombardier’s business aircraft programs are entering this year with momentum, with plans for three new aircraft to enter service and orders growing for both its larger and light jets. Bombardier capped last year with announced orders for six of its new Learjet 75s, valued at $81 million, and five Global 6000s valued at $293 million. The latest order brought the total firm Global family orders announced last year alone to 93 aircraft valued at $5.3 billion. The Global 6000 accounts for 52 of last year’s announced firm orders.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0496; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-263-AD; Amendment 39-17283; AD 2012-25-02] – supersedes an existing AD that currently requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements, manually incorporating new procedures for repetitive detailed and special detailed inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead.
The U.S. Senate Jan. 1 confirmed Michael Huerta as FAA administrator, some nine months after President Barack Obama nominated him. Confirmation of Huerta, who has been serving as acting administrator for more than a year, came during a New Year’s Day session in the Senate. Huerta had served as deputy administrator since 2010, but took the role of acting administrator after Randy Babbitt resigned in December 2011.
Argus TRAQPak data shows November 2012 flight activity dips after a robust October. November 2012 finished the month down 6.3% overall. By operational categories: Part 91, down 7.8%; Part 135, down 2.9%; Fractional, down 8.0%. By aircraft categories: turboprops, down 9.9%; tmall cabin, down 4.2%; midsize, down 4.6%; large cabin, down 4.3%. Reviewing activity year-over-year (November 2012 vs. November 2011) TRAQPak saw a decrease of 2.3% in overall aircraft activity.
Dear Colleagues, It's easy for me to accept the new role of Associate Publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation since BCA is the best brand with the best team in the business. Add to that my experience working with BCA for 16 years and my pleasure to be immersed in such a vibrant community — and there's no effort to the transition at all.
The historic Grumman airfield in Calverton, Long Island, N.Y. is being use as a junkyard for cars and boats wrecked by Hurricane Sandy. Thousands of cars, trucks, boats and other detritus pack the runways and taxiways of the formerly magnificent facility. No doubt to the delight of local NIMBYs who have feared that someday the airfield would return to aviation service.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) recently made a presentation to a listening session of the ICAO Safety Information Protection Task Force. The purpose of the listening session was to solicit recommendations on balancing the protection of safety information with the administration of justice, safety-regulatory action, and the public's right to know. “The ACSF believes that the current safety climate can only be enhanced through the protection of voluntarily submitted safety information,” said ACSF Director of Safety Russ Lawton.
When certified in early 2013, the final performance specifications for the Falcon 2000S will be substantially better than initially projected, the company said. An 18 month test program that lasted 350 flight hours over 150 flights demonstrated better than expected low speed performance, in particular. Landing distance at typical landing weight has been reduced to 2,315 feet (705 m), from 2,600 ft. (792 m); approach speed, to 107 kt.; and balanced field length, to 4,325 ft. (1,318 m).
Raisbeck Engineering and Hartzell Propeller have developed and certified the first swept-blade propellers incorporating swept-wing aerodynamics, similar to those on the Airbus A400M and Lockheed Martin C-130J, in a civilian application, specifically for the Beechcraft King Air 200 family. The Raisbeck/Hartzell 96 in., 4-blade, Swept Turbofan Power Props will be available Mar. 1 as a stand-alone installation or as part of the Raisbeck Epic Performance package for Beechcraft King Air 200/B200/B200GT aircraft. The standard King Air 200 props have a 93-in. diameter.
Kenneth E. Gazzola (President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.)
Beautiful tribute to Al Ueltschi (“The Alabama Bet,” December 2012, page 9). He was a man for all seasons and as colorful as they make them, [the source of] so many great memories and stories never to be forgotten. President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.
Avinode introduced their completely new aircraft pricing and performance engines in the Avinode Marketplace in the fall, with new pricing profiles that were scheduled to be in place at the end of 2012. With 200,000 requests per month flowing through Avinode, delivering accurate pricing is essential for the ongoing success of the online charter marketplace, according to Dr. Oliver King, managing director.
BCA had hoped to discuss the U.S. NOTAM situation with officials at the FAA, but we were repeatedly rebuffed, with the explanation that the agency's aviation information management group was too understaffed and overworked to talk to the press. Nevertheless, a sympathetic public affairs officer was able to circulate some questions around the agency's NOTAM experts, and the following emailed answers were received just as we went to press.
The FAA Safety Team reminds airframe and powerplant mechanics that all paper certificates will expire on Mar. 31, 2013. A&P certificate holders and all other certificated airmen who have not replaced their paper certificates with plastic certificates on or before the expiration date will be unable to exercise their privileges.
Jet Aviation added a Challenger 300, a Gulfstream G550 and a Global 5000 to its managed aircraft fleet in the Middle East. With these additions, the company now operates and supports 22 aircraft under aircraft management and flight support agreements in the region.
