Gulfstream appears to be closing in on full certification this quarter of the G650 and G280 business jets. The company last week updated progress on both programs, saying FAA certification flights for the G650 are complete. The program has logged 3,800 hr. and 1,160 flights. The G280, meanwhile, has completed 740 flights and more than 2,000 hr.
Aviation Week's 2012 Workforce Study data come from respondents that collectively employ 80% of the A&D industry's workforce of 624,000. Newcomers to this year's study include Alenia Aermacchi North America and Acutec Precision Machining.
As efforts to introduce routine UAV operations into the U.S. National Airspace System gain momentum, work is progressing to make the system safer and more secure from potential hacking, according to FAA and industry officials.
The business and general aviation market is gaining ground in 2012, with sales and deliveries of jets and turboprops all improving by double digits, says the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Sales for the first half of 2012 reached $8.2 billion, a 13.2% increase from the $7.2 billion posted in the first six months of 2011.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Aug. 14 is scheduled to consider a claim by Pilatus Aircraft that it is owed at least $1 million in royalty money by Hawker Beechcraft for the production of the Pilatus-designed airframe used for the T-6/AT-6 military trainer.
Republican leaders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) are asking the FAA to reconsider its recent rule to mandate what had been voluntary helicopter routes over Long Island in New York.
A new study estimates that potential across-the-board budget cuts to the FAA could amount to an $18.4 billion blow to the economy, including the loss of up to 73 million passenger enplanements and 2 billion lb. of airfreight. Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta called the study, released Aug. 13 by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), “very significant” and urged Congress to take action. “Let’s not let the FAA be victimized by budget politics,” he said.
ExecuJet Middle East is extending the company's strategic partnership with Bilen Air Service in Istanbul to include aircraft handling at Sabiha Gokchen Airport.
RAYMOND LEDUC joined Bell Helicopter as vice president of value streams at its facility in Mirabel, Canada. Leduc is responsible for the manufacturing activities of the Mirabel plant and for leading operational excellence efforts of the value stream organization. He formerly spent nine years as site leader for IBM Bromont. He has a background in engineering, manufacturing, finance and management.
Bell Helicopter recently received approval from the Department of Civil Aviation in Thailand for its maximum gross weigh increase for the 429 helicopter. Thailand becomes the 13th country to approve the increase. Transport Canada granted initial approval in January, clearing the way for increased load capabilities. Separately, Bell delivered the first 407GX helicopter to be operated in Africa. The single-engine helicopter was delivered to National Airways Corporation and will be operated by a private customer for corporate transport.
Business jet traffic continues to remain flat with gains of one month offset by declines in the next, according to recent business jet traffic reports from FAA and industry analyst Argus. In the first six months of the year, business jet operations – domestically and internationally – have ranged from the low- to mid-300,000s, still well below peak traffic levels in 2004-2007, when monthly averages hovered near 400,000. But they are still up from the trough in the first six months of 2009, when monthly business jet traffic remained below 300,000 operations.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0722; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-188-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the AC generator to determine the part number, and replacing the AC generator if necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of alternating current (AC) generator failures in-service due to incomplete fusion in the weld joint of the rotor band assembly.
Light-sport aircraft developer Icon Aircraft has signed an agreement for Cirrus Aircraft to supply a significant portion of the composite airframe for the A5 amphibious plane. Cirrus will produce the components at its Grand Forks, N.D. plant, where they are manufactured for the SR20 and SR22 single-piston aircraft. Icon will integrate the components at its facility in Tehachapi, Calif., where all design, final assembly, finishing and testing will occur.
Tupelo Aviation in Mississippi has joined the Avfuel network of branded dealers. The fixed-base operation is participating in the Avfuel Contract Fuel and Avtrip rewards programs. In addition to joining the network, Tupelo is refurbishing its facilities to include a large conference room, kitchenette, crew lounge, passenger lounge, snooze rooms, updated flight planning room and showers. The facility also includes hangar space and a ramp that can accommodate aircraft the size of a Boeing 757.
Hawker Beechcraft’s request to award millions in bonuses to company executives remains a focus before the U.S. bankruptcy court as the machinists’ union reiterates its opposition and the company continues to maintain that the bonuses are necessary given the difficulties of the executives’ current tasks.
TONY DESMOND was named team leader of Duncan Aviation’s business aircraft AOG Engine Rapid Response Team based at the Republic Airport on Long Island in New York. Desmond has 22 years of aviation experience, most recently managing maintenance for five business aircraft as the owner of NexGen Aircraft Management and chief inspector for seven years with Executive Jet Management.
Flexjet is kicking off an 11-city tour of the new Learjet 85 aircraft with a Learjet cabin mock-up. The coast-to-coast tour is scheduled to visit Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Monterrey, Calif., New York, Orlando, Fla., Seattle and Washington. The Learjet 85 was launched in 2007, and Flexjet anticipates taking delivery of its first of the model next year. Flexjet is partnering with Rolls-Royce, Chocolatier Emanuel Andren, Full Swing Golf and the Napa Valley Vintners during the tour.
