Helicopter Association International President Matt Zuccaro is appealing to the FAA to take action to “remove people who shouldn't be in the air.” During a “Meet the Regulators” session at February's Heli-Expo in Dallas, Zuccaro noted that some companies operate at unacceptable safety levels, but their actions get the most attention and hurt the entire industry. He conceded that it may be strange for a community to ask for more enforcement, but he notes that the industry must deal with the fallout of operators flying with thin safety margins.
Taiwan has ambitions to develop an aerospace park around its main international gateway, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, but there are challenges ahead, namely that the Taoyuan County government, which is spearheading the initiative, has yet to secure the land needed to develop the aerospace park, named Aerotropolis.
Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) could be on the verge of filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy according to reports from Wall Street and in the American aviation press.
A REPRIEVE: Hawker Beechcraft is working with lenders on a “comprehensive recapitalization” after receiving a temporary reprieve from interest payments that were coming due along with an additional $120 million in financing. The additional liquidity will fund ongoing operations while Hawker Beechcraft works with lenders on long-term financing, the company says. The announcement of the forbearance agreement and liquidity comes just days before the Wichita airframer is set to release its fourth-quarter 2011 results.
NetJets plans to begin charter and management service in China through a joint venture with a consortium of Chinese investors led by Hony Jinsi Investment Management (Beijing) Ltd. and Fung Investments. The fractional ownership provider wants to begin service as soon as it receives regulatory clearance from the Chinese authorities, but it could not say when that might happen. NetJets executives, however, have been hopeful the clearance will come this year.
With proposed reductions to the contract air traffic control tower program, U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) had a question for the FAA’s top official: “Is there a move to discourage general aviation?” The White House has asked for a $2 million cut to the public-private, cost-sharing program to provide operations for air traffic control towers to 249 airports in 46 states.
With proposed reductions to the contract air traffic control tower program, Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) had a question for the FAA’s top official: “Is there a move to discourage general aviation?” The White House has asked for a $2 million cut to the public-private cost-sharing program to provide operations for air traffic control towers to 249 airports in 46 states.
MATT MINNICK was promoted to national account representative for Phillips 66 Aviation. Minnick has 22 years of fuel industry experience. He has been involved in branded and unbranded fuels marketing with ConocoPhillips and also has worked with Mobil Oil.
NetJets has reached Level III of FAA’s safety management system (SMS) pilot program, becoming the first fractional operator to do so. The pilot program is structured in four levels, based on the development of a company’s program in relation to FAA’s expectation and international SMS standards.
Wyvern Consulting is expanding its on-site audit program into the Asian market. Over the next several months, Wyvern will conduct on-site audits for carriers in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and New Zealand. Wyvern’s Wingman onsite audit program is a two-three day process, which includes assessments of an operator’s maintenance, operations and safety management systems. The Wyvern audit also includes background checks. Operators must keep up with certain reporting requirements following the audit. Wyvern notes its international audit business has begun to increase.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD] – proposes to require, within 30 days, installing protection sleeves over the forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses. This proposed AD is prompted by an inflight fire caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hose.
Embraer is looking at various options for placing 39 American Eagle ERJ-135s that the carrier is returning as part of parent AMR’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer is on the hook to find new homes for the aircraft under a remarketing agreement. Embraer expects 18 aircraft to be returned this year and 21 in 2013, Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer president for commercial aviation, tells Aviation Week. The aircraft will not be placed with one customer.
RANDY ANNETT was named assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Cessna learning center in Wichita. Annett joined FlightSafety in 2001 at the Hawker Beechcraft learning center in Wichita and most recently was assistant director of training. Before joining FlightSafety, Annett was a pilot for Air Wisconsin Airlines, served as chief pilot for TMC Transportation, owned and operated a Part 61 flight school, and managed an airport and fixed-base operation.
Textron’s Cessna Aircraft and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) are hoping two new agreements will address the People’s Republic of China’s desire to develop its general and business aviation manufacturing capability, as well as the infrastructure needed to grow aviation throughout that nation.
PIPER Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires correcting a model identification error on the aircraft data plate. Since FAA issued that AD, the agency has become aware that some owner/operators of the affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because of confusion in the serial number applicability. Because of the confusion, the manufacturer has issued new service information to clarify affected airplane serial numbers.
Flexjet recently was recognized with FAA’s Diamond Award for Excellence for its maintenance training, marking its 13th consecutive year to receive such recognition. The fractional ownership provider also recently presented the National Air Transportation Association Five-Star Award for excellence in aircraft technical training.
Key Air, which operates a charter, management and fixed-base operation (FBO) business at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Connecticut, signed a memorandum of understanding with Pentastar Aviation to establish a maintenance and support base. Pentastar will operate a repair station at Key Air’s OXC FBO facility. The agreement will provide a greater range of services for Key Air’s management clients and FBO tenants, Key Air says, noting Pentastar has capabilities that extend to heavy maintenance.
FAA is planning to hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed policy clarification on certain foreign-owner aircraft registrations as the agency continues to grapple with the issue of the non-U.S. citizen trusts to obtain N-numbers. FAA released the proposed clarification last month after holding a nearly two-yr. dialogue with the industry on how to improve the accuracy, transparency and timeliness of aircraft registrations involving non-U.S. trusts.
Airbus, Boeing and Embraer executives signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate to support the development of “drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels,” during the Air Transport Action Group’s environment summit in Geneva last week. Airbus CEO Tom Enders adds that “this is certainly not a closed shop. It is open to others.” The partnership will be led by each company’s chief technology officer and explore different feedstocks and delivery systems, says Boeing Commercial Airplanes President James Albaugh.
Landmark Aviation’s Aircraft Charter and Management Division recently obtained certification from the Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) for Department of Defense (DoD) passenger operations. The certification, combined with past approvals, clears Landmark to bid on a variety of contracts for all U.S. government agencies. Landmark Aviation sought certification at the request of longtime customer MedCenter Air, a division of Carolinas Healthcare System. The certification enables MedCenter Air to transport military personnel within the Carolinas.
40 Years Ago March 20, 1972 – Controversial aircraft emission controls are expected to be released to meet congressional clean air mandate. 30 Years Ago March 15, 1982 – Cessna suspends production of its Corsair and Conquest turboprop models and lays off another 1,000 employees. 20 Years Ago March 23, 1992 – FAA mandates installation of ground proximity warning systems in all turbine-powered aircraft with 10 or more seats.
Signature Flight Support signed a multiyear agreement for the National Car Rental brand to provide rental car and ground transportation services for Signature’s fixed-base operation network. National Car Rental will provide expedited pick up and drop off for Signature customers. Under the agreement, National Car Rental will include certain other benefits for customers enrolling in the rental car service’s Emerald Club. National Car Rental affiliate company Enterprise Rent-A-Car will provide services for Signature customers in Europe.
