CPAC Models 112, 112B, 112TC, 112TCA, 114, 114A, 114B, and 114TC airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1128; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-16933; AD 2012-02-10] – supersedes an existing AD that requires a one-time inspection of the elevator spar for cracks and, if any crack is found, either replace with a serviceable elevator spar that is found free of cracks or repair/modify the elevator spar with an FAA-approved method. That AD also requires reporting to the FAA the results of the inspection.
40 Years Ago Feb. 7, 1972 – Union and management negotiators reach an agreement in the 95-day-old International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers strike against Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven, Pa. 30 Years Ago Feb. 1, 1982 – FAA Administrator J. Lynn Helms unveils a 20-year plan to overhaul the nation’s air traffic and air navigation system that relies on automation and higher taxes. 20 Years Ago
Rockwell Collins has secured an unidentified launch customer for a lower-cost version of its Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, aimed at light and medium-sized business aircraft. The deal to supply the Fusion Embedded Display System (EDS) cockpit was won in “head-to-head” competition against Garmin, says Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer for commercial systems.
FAA will increasingly rely upon collaboration with the helicopter community to improve safety as its regulatory efforts are concentrated on the dozens of congressional mandates issued in the most recent FAA reauthorization bill and a pilot safety bill adopted 18 months ago, FAA Flight Standards Deputy Director John McGraw says.
Investment firm Reuben Brothers is taking over the London Heliport in Battersea, the U.K. Reuben Brothers acquired the heliport from Andrew Davis, who also owns PremiAir Aviation. Reuben Brothers calls PremiAir Aviation one of the most significant customers of the heliport and expects to collaborate with PremiAir on issues affecting the heliport. The facility is the only Civil Aviation Authority-licensed heliport in London and provides services to business, emergency medical and police operators.
Airline passengers increasing expect broadband access to the Internet onboard jetliners, similar to what they have at home, in offices, at restaurants and in airline terminals. No longer content with just simple text messaging, they expect the same Wi-Fi connectivity speeds at 35,000 ft. as they have on the ground. New technologies are emerging that will not only make this a reality, but also promise to reduce connection charges, thereby spurring increased demand and revenues for air carriers.
Sandwiched between Malaysia and Indonesia, and a short hop from the Philippines, the city-state of Singapore has built itself into a transportation hub on the strength of its airport, the world's busiest shipping port and its renowned national carrier, Singapore Airlines. But now the island nation is seeing its regional dominance in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) challenged as first-world wages threaten to price it out of the market.
Deliveries of midsize business jets edged up in 2011, but the general aviation industry is still grappling with the prolonged economic uncertainty that is keeping buyers at bay. General aviation manufacturers shipped 1,865 aircraft in 2011, a 3.5% drop from the 1,932 shipped in 2010, according to the annual year-end report on the state of the industry from the Washington-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
As technologies mature toward more expensive demonstrations, and budget pressures tighten, NASA is restructuring its aeronautics program in a bid to sustain the momentum behind research into environmentally efficient aircraft. Faced with a cut in its fiscal 2013 aeronautics budget, the agency is to reduce its hypersonics research, but maintain spending on technologies for subsonic and supersonic fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
BizAv groups are pinning their hopes on the highway reauthorization bill to overturn a fuel fraud measure that causes certain jet fuel to be taxed at the highway diesel fuel rate.
General aviation shipments slipped across the board in 2011, but signs of stabilization and improving market conditions are providing hope that the industry finally has found the trough, says Caroline Daniels, chairman and CEO of ATP and chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Altaïr has been appointed by a, yet to bed announced, major North African holding company to manage the nose-to-tail acquisition of a super mid-size business jet.
BBJ and ACJ owners will see weeks of downtime reduced during 12-year inspections thanks to a new investment from Jet Aviation in Basel, Switzerland where many aircraft from the region go to for this specialist MRO function.
Al Bateen Executive Airport, operated and managed by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has entered the ranks of best Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) in the prestigious European Business Air News FBO Survey 2012.
Gulfstream is expanding its support and training network in Asia, with the first factory-owned OEM maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) factory in China and the first dedicated business jet flight simulator in the region. The Gulfstream fleet is rapidly expanding in the Asia-Pacific region, which now accounts for 27% of the Savannah, Ga., manufacturer’s $17.9 billion backlog, Gulfstream President Larry Flynn says. Gulfstream has worked to increase its presence in the region, opening a sales office in Beijing late last year.
Garuda International is adding 18 Bombardier CRJ1000s to its fleet under two separate deals that sees the Indonesian airline purchase six of the twinjets and lease an additional 12 from Nordic Aviation Capital. The widely expected Garuda announcement includes options for 18 more CRJ1000s. The first five aircraft, a mix of owned and leased, are scheduled for delivery this year. A further 12 CRJ100s are expected to be delivered in 2013 and the remaining one aircraft follows in 2014. A decision on the options will come before 2015, says Pak Emirsyah Satar, president and CEO.
Hawker Beechcraft received an order for two Hawker 900XPs and options for two more from Jakarta-based Lion Air. Lion Air, which will operate its new Hawkers for charter services, held a contract signing ceremony with Hawker Beechcraft and its dealer Hawker Pacific during last week’s Singapore Air Show. The aircraft will be delivered in the second and third quarters. The deal was one of two that Hawker Beechcraft announced for the 900XP last week.
BLAIR DESCOUROUEZ was named regional sales manager for Jet Works Air Center. Descourouez has 17 years of experience, holding sales and marketing roles with Signature Flight Support, Fairchild Dornier and Business Jet Center. In his new role, he will develop programs, including interior refurbishments, paint and avionics upgrades for Falcon 900, Falcon 2000 and Legacy 600 business jets and maintenance inspections for the Cessna Citation product line.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE EC130B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0086; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-045-AD; Amendment 39-16936; AD 2012-02-13] – requires, for models that have not incorporated Eurocopter Modification 073880, repetitive inspections for cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame, and corrective actions, if necessary.
ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services China, based at Binhai International Airport in Tianjin, was named an authorized avionics dealer for Honeywell International in mainland China. Under the agreement, ExecuJet will sell and support the range of Honeywell’s avionics products, warranties and protection plans for Chinese business jets and build on the relationship that has existed between Honeywell and ExecuJet Aviation for more than two decades.
Dassault Falcon has developed a supplemental type certificate (STC) kit for the installation of ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out) on Falcon 50EX aircraft equipped with Pro Line 4 avionics. The STC data package involves replacement of existing transponders with upgraded units that support the new ADS-B protocol, along with wiring and other related components. The kit can be installed at the Dassault service center, along with authorized service centers.
EADS CASA Model CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2011-1091; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-037-AD; Amendment 39-16916; AD 2012-01-04] – requires an inspection to determine the part number of the engine condition control cable, repetitive inspections for excessive wear of the affected engine condition control cable, and replacement of the affected part. This AD was prompted by reports of failures of the engine condition control cable, which led to an engine shutdown.
