Daher-Socata will not have a new twin-engine aircraft in its portfolio in the near future, company executives say. They note that the company has decided against moving forward with the Grob G180 SPn aircraft, and that announcements on a new platform may still be 18 months away.
General Electric (GE) has revealed plans to launch new variants of its recently certified H80 turboprop as part of an aggressive push to challenge Pratt & Whitney Canada’s market dominance. The two derivatives of the H80 are the H75 and H85. The H75 engine will be rated at 750 shp and the H85 engine will be rated at 850 shp. Although no specific applications have been identified, GE says that like the H80, the H75 and H85 will be aimed primarily at the agricultural, commuter, utility and business turboprop market.
The FAA is resisting a U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) recommendation to develop validation processes for the data it collects under a voluntary, non-punitive reporting program for air traffic controller safety concerns. Provisions intended to safeguard the confidentiality of controllers who report such concerns through the FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP) result in an excess of unsubstantiated data, according to a DOT Inspector General (DOT IG) report.
Qatar-based private aviation company Rizon Jet has been granted a number of new approvals, allowing the company to increase the range of services it offers to its international clients.
After months of hopefuls sharpening their bids and building teams, a U.S.-wide competition to find sites to test UAV technologies in civilian airspace is about to begin. Officials expect the FAA’s request by the end of July or early August, with awards by the end of the year. Recent legislation requires the FAA to integrate UAVs into the civilian airspace by Sept. 30, 2015, and the six test sites are a key step toward that goal.
As Europe’s Seventh Framework research program enters its closing stages, the European Commission (EC) is looking for advanced air transport concepts as part of its sixth and final call for proposals. The EC also is seeking proposals for a high-speed aircraft flight-test program as well joint aeronautics research with Russia. The call closes in November.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) is beginning exclusive negotiations to sell most of the company to Superior Aviation Beijing after receiving approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. HBC on July 10 formally applied for clearance to begin the negotiations after receiving a $1.79 billion proposal from the Chinese company for the U.S. manufacturer’s commercial businesses.
CESSNA Model 750 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD] – proposes to require replacing the auxiliary power unit (APU) generator control unit (GCU). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator overvoltage events. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent DC generator overvoltage events, which could result in subsequent smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical systems. FAA estimates that the AD would affect 58 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $149,060, or $2,570 per aircraft.
The U.S. government on July 31 is hosting a meeting in Washington, D.C. of about a dozen countries opposed to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). The meeting follows up on a gathering in February in Moscow, where more than 20 countries agreed to a number of potential retaliatory measures against the EU for pressing ahead with EU-ETS, Helicopter Association International says.
SIKORSKY Model S-64F helicopters (now under Erickson Air-Crane type certificate) [Docket No. FAA-2012-0689; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-065-AD] – proposes to supersede an AD that requires inspections, rework, and replacement, if necessary, of the main gearbox (MGB) second stage lower planetary plate. Since FAA issued that AD, the manufacturer has conducted a configuration review and analysis, and a review of the service history of certain components.
Garmin is unveiling the first dual-link units, the GDL 88, that will meet Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) compliance for aircraft that operate below 18,000 ft. Aircraft operators are facing a 2020 deadline for installing ADS-B “Out” capabilities aboard their aircraft. Garmin is expecting to receive FAA approved model list supplemental type certification later this year, and says the units, starting at $3,995, will be approved for most Part 23 fixed-wing aircraft.
DAVID DAVENPORT was promoted to vice president, center manager for FlightSafety International. He will continue to manage FlightSafety’s Gulfstream learning center in Savannah, Ga., and serve as regional operations manager. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Davenport served in the Air Training Command. He joined FlightSafety in 1996 as assistant manager of the West Palm Beach, Fla., learning center and held positions of increasing responsibility.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is agreeing to strengthen the vetting process of its foreign flight training program after a government report discovered students who have entered the U.S. illegally but were able to obtain flight training and others who received training without all the required background checks.
Bombardier is continuing to progress toward a 2013 entry-into-service for its largest Learjet yet, the 85, with four test aircraft in “various stages of fabrication,” the company says. The first complete composite pressure fuselage, including the nose and aft portions, is undergoing final validation before it is shipped from Bombardier’s facility in Queretaro, Mexico to Wichita, where the aircraft will be assembled and flight tested. Wing manufacturing is under way in Queretaro.
BOB GREENE was named executive chairman of STS Aviation Group. Greene previously was CEO. In his new role, he will be responsible for leadership throughout the group, remain involved in operational issues, and act as a liaison between the executive team and board of directors.
Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee are renewing a proposal to extend corporate aircraft depreciation schedules to seven years as a means to help offset the costs of a research and development tax credit. The committee Democrats recently introduced the legislation, the Investing in American Innovation Act of 2012, to renew the 20% credit for certain research expenses, at least through the end of this year.
MARK SMITH was promoted to president of STS Aviation Group’s AeroStaff Service, Line Maintenance and Engineering Solutions units. A 12-year company veteran, Smith previously was senior vice president. STS credits Smith with playing an instrumental role in the purchase, startup and continued growth of the three units that he now oversees as president.
Hawker Beechcraft’s service center in Chester, U.K., has secured a multimillion pound contract to covert two BAe 146-200QC aircraft for the U.K. Ministry of Defense.
The European debt crisis, Southern European recession and the U.S. dollar’s appreciation against the euro are beginning to take their toll on U.S. exports, which is a bad sign for the near-term growth of U.S. international outbound business traffic, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation says. In a quarterly business travel outlook, the foundation says it now expects the number of U.S.-initiated international business trips to reach 6.8 million in 2012, just 0.4% higher than in 2011, and total travel spending on those trips to rise by 2.9%.
Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia received a $3.97 million grant from FAA, along with a $353,309 grant from the Virginia Department of Aviation, to lengthen the airport’s runway by 500 ft. to 6,200 ft. Manassas executives say the extension would enable aircraft to take on more fuel for coast-to-coast flights, reduce noise levels north of the airport and enhance landing safety during inclement weather. The project is slated for completion in November.
Jazz’s parent company Chorus Aviation has exercised six of 15 options for Bombardier Q400s to replace 50-seat jets. Chorus Aviation in 2010 placed an order for 15 Q400s and took options for 15 more of the 74-seat turboprops. These 21 aircraft, which Chorus leases to Jazz, will replace the carrier’s entire fleet of CRJ100s, which as of this month had been reduced to 10 aircraft. The final nine CRJ100s will be replaced by the Q400s between December 2012 and May 2013.
Contract air traffic control towers are more cost-effective and appear as safe as those operated by the FAA, but the agency’s watchdog still recommends additional measures to improve oversight.
PHILIP ANSON has taken the role of CEO of STS Aviation Group in Jensen Beach, Fla. Anson, who has been with STS since 1997, previously was president, where he helped develop the company from a mechanic staffing specialist to a diversity aerospace support firm. In his new role, he will identify new prospects for acquisitions, steer overall growth and be responsible for the vision of the company.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) has established the metric that will be used to measure emissions for the first global aviation carbon-dioxide standard. Developed by the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations, along with ICAO member states, intergovernmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations, the metric will be based on fuel used per unit distance at three different cruise conditions. It will allow for varying aircraft sizes.
