Lord Corporation, the Cary, N.C.-based manufacturer of aerospace mechanical and electromechanical systems, completed the acquisition of the assets of MicroStrain, a Williston, Vt., provider of electronic sensing systems. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. MicroStrain has been involved in programs to flight test a range of energy harvesting and wireless devices embedded in helicopter rotor head key components, as well as vibration measurement devices on platforms such as the V-22.
In a defeat for local anti-aviation communities, Oberpfaffenhofen’s special-use airport just 28 km from Munich has won a battle that will allow it to grow into the region’s business jet airport. Bavaria’s top court ruled recently to ease restrictions on noise limits and opening hours and to allow 10,000 movements a year.
M7 AEROSPACE Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-AT, and SA227-TT airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0917; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-030-AD; Amendment 39-17177; AD 2012-18-01] – requires repetitively inspecting the left and right forward (main) and aft spar wing-to-fuselage attach fittings for cracks and replacing any cracked fitting. This AD also requires reporting certain inspection results to the FAA.
FAA is proposing to adopt International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) noise certification standards for helicopters. In a notice of proposed rulemaking released last week, FAA says that incorporating these more stringent noise certification standards into U.S. regulations is consistent with the agency’s goal of harmonizing U.S. regulations with international standards. A helicopter certificated under this standard would be designated as a Stage 3 helicopter.
Rizon Jet Doha in Qatar was named an approved aircraft maintenance organization by the civil aviation authorities for Aruba and the United Arab Emirates. The base already has security approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency, Qatar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Saudi Arabia Part 145 clearance is pending. The approvals come as Rizon Jet expands its capabilities, including adding Bombardier Learjet 45 services to its offerings.
It is not certain that the U.S. national airspace system (NAS) will be ready to accommodate unmanned aircraft by the deadline set by Congress, says the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In February, Congress set a series of deadlines to accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the NAS. In a new report, the GAO says the FAA “has missed one deadline and could miss others.”
40 Years Ago Sept. 11, 1972 – Grumman announces merger with American Aviation. 30 Years Ago Sept. 13, 1982 – U.S. International Trade Commission schedules vote on charges levied by Fairchild Swearingen that it has been harmed by aircraft imports from Brazil supported by below-market financing. 20 Years Ago Sept. 7, 1992 – Gulfstream plans Gulfstream V business jet with a range of 6,300 nm.
DOLORES JOHNSON was appointed director of sales and marketing for Million Air Interlink. Johnson will be responsible for working with current and future customers and individual fixed-base operations to support growth and business development. She has more than 30 years of industry experience, serving in marketing and sales roles as well as general manager for the Santa Barbara FBO. She also facilitated the startup of the previous Million Air Monterey and worked with other FBOs that joined the chain.
FAA has awarded Harris Corporation a seven-year, $331 million contract to provide air/ ground data communications (datacomm) services in the national airspace system, a key element in the transformation of the air traffic control system from voice to automated air traffic management. The NextGen contract includes 10, one-year options that could extend the duration of the program to 2029.
FAA, citing a need to keep rulemaking transparent, has restored language on an engine component vibration testing rule that triggered industry opposition after being adopted without public comment. Opposition to the change came from the Modification and Replacement Parts Association, which filed a suit seeking to have the July 5 revision dropped. That change would have required on-engine tests as part of certification process “surveys” for components, such as fan blades. FAA last week formally reverted to the previous rule.
CORY HANKINS was named West Coast regional sales manager for Constant Aviation, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility headquartered at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Hankins previously was business development manager for the Western U.S. for Universal Aviation. He also has sold maintenance, avionics, interiors and engine agreements for Pentastar Aviation.
THIELERT TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0885; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-18-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the oil filler plug vent hole at the next scheduled maintenance or within 110 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. If chips are found to be blocking the vent hole, additional corrective action is required before next flight. This proposed AD was prompted by an inflight shutdown of an airplane equipped with a TAE 125-02-99 engine.
Hawker Beechcraft, hoping to bolster its case for the $355 million U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract, has completed a weapons assessment that involved the launch of laser-guided rockets and bombs. The Phase III weapons assessment, at Eglin AFB, Fla., involved more than 265 bombs and rockets and 3,000 rounds from AT-6 .50-caliber guns.
The Carlyle Group is set to retake ownership of one of the nation’s largest fixed-base operation chains that it helped create over nearly three decades. But its reacquisition of Landmark Aviation is coming at a price that is believed to be $200 million more than when Carlyle sold the chain five years ago.
Associated Air Center reached an agreement to conduct maintenance and interior refurbishment work on a Boeing Business Jet for a West African head of state.
Piper Aircraft struck an agreement with Aircraft Technical Publishers to provide customer access to all Piper maintenance publications and regulatory documents through ATP’s Aviation Hub online service and NavigatorV desktop platform beginning Dec. 5. Until then, Piper customers will access Piper manuals through Avantext.
An item in The World in the Sept. 17 issue (page 18) incorrectly stated the speed at which NASA's Mars Curiosity rover will travel. It will travel as much as 40 meters (130 ft.) per Martian sol.
Mention aircraft structures and advanced materials and it brings to mind the heavy bones—the ribs, spars, planks and beams that make up the skeleton. But developments affecting the outer layers of the aircraft's skin—just millimeters deep, microns even—promise to have a huge impact on weight, cost and efficiency. The skin of an aircraft has taken on new importance with the move to composite airframes, which brings the need to add lightning-strike protection to the non-conductive carbon-fiber materials used in the place of aluminum.
ExecuJet Middle East is expanding the company's fixed-based operations (FBO) at Dubai International Airport to cope with increasing demand by taking over the largest dedicated business aviation terminal in the Middle East.
Gama Aviation has announced the addition of two brand new aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 850 and a Boeing BBJ2 to its established portfolio of aircraft managed on behalf of Russia-based customers.
In this week's Arabian Aerospace radio we look at features from this week's Apex Expo in Long Beach, California. Steve Nichols talks to Inmarsat, Rockwell Collins, IFE Services and Panasonic Avionics (Programme length: 24m 55s).
The FAA, citing a need to keep rulemaking transparent, has restored language on an engine component vibration testing rule that triggered industry opposition after being adopted without public comment. Opposition to the change came from the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (Marpa), which filed a suit seeking to have the July 5 revision dropped. That change would have required on-engine tests as part of certification process “surveys” for components, such as fan blades.
Flying Colours -the Canada-based completions, refurbishment and maintenance specialists- has received approval from the Riyadh-based General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to carry out maintenance work on aircraft registered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Boeing Business Jets set a new world record for “Speed Over a Recognized Course” when a BBJ flew non-stop from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand for installation of its VIP interiors.
