The business aviation traffic malaise in the U.S. and Canada continued into September, according to the latest report from market analyst Argus, which found month-over-month traffic down 7.1% and year-over-year traffic down 2.9%. Large-cabin jet fractional traffic dropped 17.4%. All fractional traffic declined 11.6% in September, compared with August. Year-over-year, fractional traffic is down 6.2%.
Embraer is conducting final validation tests of the fly-by-wire system on its new Legacy 500 midsize business jet, and is hoping to finally obtain clearance for the aircraft’s first flight within weeks. Software issues with the fly-by-wire system have pushed back first flight by almost a year. But the system is fully installed, and executives are optimistic that those issues are well behind them.
An aging workforce, limited supply of newcomers and increased certification requirements are adding up to a looming pilot shortage, contends a new white paper by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). Industry will need 82,800 pilots over the next two decades but will have a smaller pool. And the regulatory environment is becoming tougher, as Congress has moved to require more training for commercial pilots, which adds cost.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association released the 22nd edition of the AOPA Foundation Air Safety Institute Joseph T. Nall Report, a comprehensive review on general aviation safety. The latest Nall report examines accident data through 2010, finding overall, that 2010 showed little change in the accident rate from previous years.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is hoping to help build, link and support a network of as many as 1,000 flying clubs over the next five years as part of its overall effort to attract new pilots and promote flying. The association has conducted comprehensive research on flying clubs, finding them to play a critical role in keeping aviation affordable and accessible.
Bell Helicopter is continuing to work with U.S. and European certification authorities in the hope of overturning their rejection of a gross-weight increase for the Model 429 light twin that takes the aircraft beyond the certification limit for its class. The 500-lb. increase, to a gross weight of 7,500 lb., allows the 429 to carry eight passengers and full fuel, but requires an exemption from certification rules that limit the gross weight of Part 27 normal-category helicopters to 7,000 lb.
COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNAM Model P2006T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0816; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-022-AD; Amendment 39-17180; AD 2012-18-04] — requires the installation of the new landing gear emergency accumulator (Part Number 26-9-9500-000) and an inspection after the installation of the LG emergency accumulator and the LG retraction/extension system.
Kansas officials Sept. 29 formally dedicated the opening of Rooks County Regional Airport in western Kansas. The facility is the first new airport in the state since 1989. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback attended the dedication, and a Bombardier Learjet 45 “officially” became the ceremonial first jet to land at the airport. The $6 million project included the development a 5,000-ft. paved runway. The airport essentially replaces two little-used grass strips in the area.
WAYNE THOMSON has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) as regional field service engineer for Australasia. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Thomson will support ERO’s customer base in the region, including operators of Honeywell TFE731 engines GTCP 36 series APUs, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 and PT6A. Before joining ERO, he spent 14 years at Pratt & Whitney Canada’s overhaul, repair and field service operation in Brisbane.
Elite Simulation Solutions recently handed over a Model iGate G602 advanced aviation training device (AATD) to Mexican air charter operator Aeronaves TSM. The AATD is configured for Beechcraft King Air B200 training and will be used for IFR currency and cockpit resource management instruction. The Elite device enables the instructor to simulate cabin depressurization, engine fires, engine power loss and failure, hot and hung starts, and GPS RAIM failures, among others.
Sikorsky has delivered the first two of 16 S-92 offshore-support helicopters to the U.K.’s Bond Aviation Group. Once completed at Sikorsky’s Coatesville, Pa., commercial helicopter facility, the aircraft will be delivered in January to new Bond subsidiary Norsk Helikopterservice in Stavanger, Norway.
BELL Model 407 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0337; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-090-AD; Amendment 39-17185; AD 2012-18-09] — requires replacement of the tailboom-attachment hardware and initial and recurring determinations of the torque on the nuts of the tailboom-attachment bolts at all four attachment locations.
Lessons learned from the fatal April 2, 2011, crash of a Gulfstream G650 test aircraft in Roswell, N.M., could bolster safety for airframers and flight test departments globally if recommendations handed down by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are adopted.
Honeywell is expanding its partnership with Inmarsat, signing a five-year agreement to serve as a “master distributor” of the GX Aviation inflight connectivity services for the business aviation market. Honeywell previously had signed an agreement to develop and provide hardware for the services using Inmarsat’s planned Global Xpress satellite system. But the new agreement marks Honeywell’s first entry into distribution of the actual service itself. Inmarsat has selected OnAir and Gogo to provide the service to the commercial airlines.
Duncan Aviation is investing in new dry ice blasting machine technology in response to a Bombardier service bulletin covering Bombardier Challenger 600 series aircraft. The bulletin (ATA 55-11),“Special Check/Modification – Passenger Door-Epoxy Ramp Removal and Corrosion Prevention,” calls for the removal of the epoxy ramp in the passenger door to prevent further corrosion and recommends use of dry ice technology to safely remove epoxy, corrosion and other materials without damaging existing aircraft surfaces.
FAA in August 2013 will flight test a prototype of its next generation traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) on a Convair 580. Called the airborne collision avoidance system X (ACAS X), the system is designed to allow for next generation air transportation system (NextGen) air traffic changes that include reduced separation procedures, while improving the number of resolution alerts that airlines are already experiencing with current separation criteria.
Bombardier is implementing a contingency plan to reduce disruption to production after more than one-quarter of the workers at its Learjet facility in Wichita went on strike Oct. 8. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM ) Oct. 6 rejected a five-year contract proposal, paving the way for the strike. The IAM represents 825 of the company’s 3,000-plus workers in Wichita, and 79% of the voting union members supported the strike.
PIPER Models PA-24, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0639; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-016-AD; Amendment 39-17169; AD 2012-17-06] — requires replacement of the stabilator horn assembly and/or repetitive inspections of the stabilator horn assembly for corrosion or cracks, as applicable. Corrosion or cracks could lead to failure of the stabilator horn. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks developing in the stabilator horn assembly. Consequently, failure of the stabilator horn could lead to a loss of pitch control in flight.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1408; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-17184; AD 2012-18-08] — requires cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating each tangential gearbox and adjusting, as necessary, the fuel shut-off control lever. This AD was prompted by the jamming of one of two fuel shut-off control levers because of solidified grease in the gearbox. A companion gearbox had extensive corrosion.
GREGG SLOW was appointed senior vice president of sales and national accounts for Xojet. Based in New York, Slow will be responsible for new client business and national strategic account management. He formerly served as senior vice president at NetJets, where he was responsible for sales in the New York City region, the company’s largest territory. Slow, who spent 11 years with NetJets, also managed its Northeastern and Canadian territories.
Rolls-Royce and Scott’s–Bell 47 Inc. (SB47), a Minnesota-based upgrade and modification specialist, have signed an agreement to study the potential development of a new build version powered by the RR300 turboshaft.
Gama Support Services (GSS), a U.K.-based business aviation services provider, expanded its access to spare parts, signing an agreement for Professional Aviation Associates to hold a consignment stock for European-based Hawker Beechcraft aircraft. Gama is a Hawker Beechcraft service center, providing maintenance for King Air series, Premier jets and piston-engine aircraft. Gama says the agreement with Professional Aviation Associates significantly increases its access to spares for those aircraft.
House Democrats again are predicting job losses at the FAA if Congress fails to prevent the budget penalty known as sequestration. FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) would have to lay off more than 2,200 employees, including air traffic controllers, technicians and support staff, says Rep. Norm Dicks (Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, in a letter to Congress. The ATO’s web site says it employs more than 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers and support personnel.
TONY GILBERT was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Gilbert, who is based at Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich. facility, has served with Duncan since 1988. He formerly has handled a number of Duncan initiatives in Europe and South America. An aeronautical engineer, he has 33 years of aviation experience.
Thrush is beginning to ship out the first of its newly certified Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft, which is the first application for GE’s H80 turboprop. Certification follows a two-year development program with both GE and Albany, Ga.-based Thrush Aircraft and comes just a few weeks after Thrush obtained type inspection authorization from FAA. GE obtained certification for the H80, which is based on the Walter M601 engine, earlier this year.
