General aviation groups are urging U.S. regulators to withdraw LightSquared’s conditional waiver for a broadband wireless network, saying the GPS system must be protected from all sources of interference. Their comments are in response to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) request for input on LightSquared’s December petition for a ruling that commercial GPS receivers are not entitled to protection from interference caused by a broadband wireless network operating within technical parameters set by the government.
Eurocopter and Bell Helicopter are both claiming victory in a Canadian patent infringement lawsuit, but the long-running battle is expected to continue in U.S. and French courts. Canada’s Federal Court has ruled that Bell Helicopter “intentionally infringed” on a Eurocopter patent by copying the “sleigh-type” skid gear of the European manufacturer’s EC120 when designing the landing gear for its Bell 429 light twin.
General aviation groups are urging U.S. regulators to withdraw LightSquared’s conditional waiver for a broadband wireless network, saying the GPS system must be protected from all sources of interference. Their comments are in response to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) request for input on LightSquared’s December petition for a ruling that commercial GPS receivers are not entitled to protection from interference caused by a broadband wireless network operating within technical parameters set by the government.
Feb. 13-15—The Trinity Forum, Organized by The Moodie Report and Airports Council International, Seoul, Korea, http://www.aci.aero/cda/aci_common/display/main/aci_content07_banners.j…^45095_725_2 Feb. 13-16—Practical Aeronautics Short Course: “Introduction to Jet Engines—A Practical Perspective,” The Aero Institute, Palmdale, Calif., (970) 887-3155, www.practicalaero.com Feb. 14-15—JDA Aviation Technology Solutions Regulatory Affairs Training, American Airlines Training and Conference Center, Ft. Worth, Texas
FAA is requesting comments on a notice of intent to release from federal obligations 12.4 acres of airport property at Orlando Executive Airport in Florida. Currently designated for nonaeronautical use, the property is located on the south-southwest portion of the airport, adjacent to State Road 408. FAA estimates fair market value at $2.24 million. Comments are due by Feb. 27 to Rebecca Henry, program manager, Orlando Airports District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National Drive, Suite 400, Orlando, Fla. 32822-5024.
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Continuous Monitoring and Oversight (CMO) section was recertified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard for quality management systems. It is the first section within ICAO, and one of the few within the United Nations, to receive such compliance. The CMO manages the development, implementation and quality of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program and its transition to the Continuous Monitoring Approach.
Eurocopter and Bell Helicopter are both claiming victory in a Canadian patent infringement lawsuit, but the long-running battle is expected to continue in U.S. and French courts. Canada’s Federal Court has ruled that Bell Helicopter “intentionally infringed” on a Eurocopter patent by copying the “sleigh-type” skid gear of the European’s manufacturer’s EC120 when designing the landing gear for its Bell 429 light twin.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 [Docket No. FAA-2011-0956; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-23-AD; Amendment 39-16928; AD 2012-02-05] – requires removal of the friction disk. This AD was prompted by inflight engine shutdown incidents reported on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inflight engine shutdown, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. FAA estimates the AD will affect 206 engines on U.S.-registered airplanes at a cost of $362,530. The AD takes effect March 2.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0010; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-03-AD] – proposes to require removing certain power-turbine (PT) blades from service before reaching a new reduced life limit. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of nonconformities of certain PT blade fir-tree roots. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent PT blade rupture, which could result in an uncommanded inflight engine shutdown, forced autorotation landing, or accident.
Cessna Aircraft has boosted the range of its new midsize Citation Latitude to a maximum of 2,300 nm. The range increase, up from the original announced range of 2,000 nm, was driven by customer requests, the company says. “The increased range will give the aircraft more flexibility to fly a wider variety of missions and meet our customer requirements for comfort and performance,” says Trevor Esling, vice president, sales – Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. The company also secured a launch customer in Europe for the aircraft – EFO Aviation GmbH & Co.
Pilatus Aircraft PC-6 aircraft [Docket No. FAA-2012-0018; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-042-AD] – corrects a proposed AD that applies to Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC- 6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2 and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. The Docket Number in the heading, in the Supplementary Information section, and in the Part 39 – Airworthiness Directive section is incorrect. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.
A long-term FAA reauthorization bill is poised for final passage this week after House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement Jan. 31 on a four-year package and the full House approved the legislation Feb. 3. Senate action on the bill, H.R. 658, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, could come as early as today. The agreement breaks a nearly five-year stalemate over long-term FAA reauthorization that has resulted in 23 temporary extensions of FAA’s operating authority.
Flight Options recently donated 10 hr. of fractional jet flight time to the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), which arranges free flights to treatment for cancer patients using the empty seats on corporate jets. Founded 30 years ago, CAN has 5,380 participating corporations, which have flown nearly 40,000 cancer patients to and from treatment. The organization flies about 250 patients monthly.
RANDALL GROOM has renewed his aerospace consulting firm, Groom Aviation, and is representing Raisbeck Engineering. Groom previously served as executive vice president of Piper Aircraft, and before that, president of Beechcraft and president of global customer support for Raytheon Aircraft. He also worked with Piedmont Aviation. In his new role, he will represent Raisbeck to all of its dealers in the U.S., with an emphasis on Hawker Beechcraft Corp. and Hawker Beechcraft Services.
FAA is setting an Oct. 1 deadline for all pilots to use the agency’s MedXpress electronic system for filing applications for an airman medical or airman medical and student pilot certificate. Future plans also call for the transition of air traffic control specialists to MedXPress.
FAA last week issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD 2012-02-51) calling for replacement of certain Bell Model 206L (and -1, -3 and -4) main rotor blades that exceed a new shortened life limit. Originally 3,600 hr. time in service, the new life limit is 1,400 hr. The AD stems from a Transport Canada report of two accidents involving failure of the main rotor blade because of fatigue cracking. Transport Canada advises that there is no reliable inspection method to detect the cracks on these blades before such failure.
A bill in South Carolina to prohibit fixed-base operators (FBOs) from charging ramp fees would harm small businesses or cause other costs to increase, the National Air Transportation Association says. The association last week wrote state Sen. Phil Leventis (D), who is a pilot and aviation and management services consultant, urging him to shelve the bill, saying, “It is not in the best interest of any business to have government control their pricing policies and procedures.” The bill, introduced Jan.
GREY KINSELLA has joined Key Air as vice president of business development. Kinsella has more than 20 years of aviation experience, holding positions with airframe and engine manufacturers – including British Aerospace/BAE Systems, Saab and Rolls-Royce – along with financial institutions, charter providers and private and commercial business aircraft operators. Most recently, he was chief operating officer for an aircraft management company.
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has incorporated the Softtech Flight & Duty TrackerT system into its operations at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, along with Las Vegas/Boulder City. Flight & Duty TrackerT provides Part 135 flight and duty tracking for small or large flight operations, including training events.
General aviation groups continue to build political support for their battle against the White House’s proposed $100-per-flight user charge, which is widely expected to be included in the Obama administration’s fiscal 2013 budget recommendations that will be released Feb. 13. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) wrote President Barack Obama expressing opposition to the fee. “I know we’re facing difficult economic times in our country, but we’ve got to get our financial house in order without hindering high-growth industries such as general aviation,” Nelson says.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is taking the next step in its ongoing initiative to increase the pilot population with an awards program designed to encourage flight schools to adopt practices that have greater success in retaining students. The association in 2010 launched a study on flight training as part of an effort to grapple with the growing problem of a diminishing pilot population, and says the awards program is a result of that study’s findings.
Claims by Hawker Beechcraft that the U.S. Air Force’s choice of Embraer’s AT-29 Super Tucano over its AT-6 for the Light Air Support (LAS) contract is “fundamentally flawed” and will cost U.S. jobs are being dismissed as misinformation by winning bidder Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC). The normally closed-mouthed SNC has issued a public rebuttal of the claims as Hawker Beechcraft’s (HBC) lawsuit challenging the Air Force’s decision works its way through federal court, accusing its rival of using delaying tactics.
Cessna Aircraft rolled out its 400th Citation Mustang at its Independence, Kan., facility. Cessna reached the 400th marker a little more than five years since the Mustang’s first delivery in November 2006. Primarily targeted for corporate or personal travel, the Mustang has been increasingly used for special missions such as medical air transport and training. The fleet averages 480 hr., but 45 Mustangs have accumulated more than 1,000 hr. each. High time Mustangs are 1,600 hr. (typical operation) and 2,200 hr. (fleet operation).
