It will be summer before an FAA preliminary rule to upgrade full-motion simulators with extended models to handle full stall training hits the streets, and nearly five years before airlines have to officially put the updated machines to work. Despite the long grace period, the industry is taking a proactive stance on the safety improvements triggered by new flight-training rules, finalized in November and designed to help pilots recognize and recover from fully developed stalls and attitude upsets, often caused by stalls.
Flying Colours Corp. the Canadian headquartered MRO, completion and refurbishment specialist has announced delivery of a reconfigured Bombardier Challenger 604 destined for a Nigerian-based client.
AGUSTA Model A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0643; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-096-AD; Amendment 39-17773; AD 2014-04-14] – requires removing certain rod end assemblies from service. This AD was prompted by reports of fractures on the rod end assemblies that could damage the main rotor assembly and lead to loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates the AD affect 91 helicopters on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $368,186 for the fleet or $4,046 per helicopter. The AD takes effect April 7.
Capitol Hill is ratcheting up pressure on FAA to act on a now-aging industry petition for relief from third-class medical requirements with the Senate introduction of the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act.
Stevens Aviation has permanently based a mobile maintenance unit at Centennial Airport in Colorado. Stationed at the Signature Flight Support hangar, the Stevens mobile unit provides remote maintenance for Hawker, King Air, Phenom, Citation, Beechjet and Learjet aircraft. Stevens mobile units have serviced customers throughout the region, including Wyoming, Idaho and Utah.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0555; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-047-AD; Amendment 39-17779; AD 2014-05-06] – requires inspecting the flight-control bearings repetitively, replacing any loose bearing with an airworthy flight-control bearing, and installing bushings and washers. This AD was prompted by the discovery during a routine inspection of loose flight control bearings because of incorrect installation.
While winter storms may have slowed business aviation traffic in the U.S. and Canada in February from January, the activity was still slightly ahead of February 2013, Argus reports. Last month’s business aircraft flights were up 0.5% from February 2013, with charter operations posting the greatest gain, up 6.8%, Argus says. Part 91 flights, however, were down 2% from a year ago and fractional flights, still reflecting the demise of Avantair, down 4.3%. Aside from Avantair, large cabin fractional flights were up 12.9% and small cabins 19.9%.
FAA remains positive about the long-term outlook for turbine business aircraft even as the agency continues to moderate its annual forecast and predicts a shrinking piston fleet. In the agency’s Aerospace Forecast for fiscal 2014-2034, FAA is predicting the general aviation fleet will increase at an average annual rate of 0.5%, from an estimated 202,865 aircraft in 2013 to 225,700 in 2034. The annual rate of growth matches that of last year’s forecast, but the total number of aircraft is down significantly.
BOB SANCHEZ has joined Universal Avionics as program development manager, military and government. Sanchez previously spent eight years with BAE Systems, where he oversaw business development for a range of military programs. Before that, he spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics flight test specialist.
Textron Friday closed on its acquisition of Beechcraft Corp. parent Beech Holdings, and said that with the deal complete it will combine Cessna, Beech and Hawker operations in a new segment—Textron Aviation—led by Cessna CEO Scott Ernest. Beech CEO Bill Boisture will not continue on in the new company, a Beech spokesman confirmed. “Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker will each remain distinct brands to preserve their rich histories and respective strengths in the marketplace,” Textron said in a prepared statement March 14.
The National Air Transportation Association, working with the Transportation Security Administration, is rolling out a Known Crewmember program that will expedite access to sterile areas of airports for Part 135 and 125 pilots. Known Crewmember, a risk-based screening system, has been in place for Part 121 pilots since 2011. NATA President Tom Hendricks helped develop the program during his tenure with Airlines For America (A4A), and worked with A4A and the Air Line Pilots Association to bring the program to on-demand pilots.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0351; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-049-AD; Amendment 39-17770; AD 2014-04-11] – requires, for affected helicopters with certain tail rotor (T/R) blades, installing additional rivets to secure each T/R blade trailing edge tab, and inspecting for evidence of debonding of the tab after the rivets are installed. This AD was prompted by reports of T/R blade tab debonding.
The ground network for the U.S. automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system is close to completion, but FAA still faces years of work to integrate ADS-B data into air traffic control operations. The agency estimates that ADS-B is already being used operationally at one-third of its terminal approach control facilities, half of its en-route centers and two-thirds of eligible towers. The ADS-B network will have more than 600 ground stations providing complete coverage of U.S. domestic airspace. Exelis Inc.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation’s (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard (IAS) is receiving a significant boost from a teaming agreement with one of the largest and most well-known charter auditors, Argus International, which also was one of the IAS chief skeptics. ACSF and Argus announced their agreement in principle on the IAS during this month’s ACSF Air Charter Safety Symposium in Ashburn, Va. At the same time, Argus formally joined the foundation.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0770; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-057-AD; Amendment 39-17771; AD 2014-04-12] – adds a new operating limitation that requires increasing the minimum density altitude flight limitation for helicopters without certain Eurocopter modifications installed.
Falcon orders continued to strengthen in 2013, prompting Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier to say the market is moving away from a state of crises. Dassault took in net orders for 64 Falcons in 2013, the most since the economic downfall began in 2008, up from the 58 orders in 2012 and significantly improved over the 36 in 2011. But Trappier notes the market is still “convalescing,” and Dassault’s book to bill remained below 1.0.
SUSAN HERRING was named director, initial phase operations finance for Gulfstream Aerospace. Herring will direct financial strategies for all large-cabin programs, working with the material and procurement team on supplier negotiations. She joined Gulfstream in 2000 as a budget analyst, and since has served as finance manager of Gulfstream G450 and G550 product lines and senior finance manager of initial phase operations and advanced aircraft programs.
Daher-Socata is planning to begin delivery this month of the next iteration of its TBM single-turboprop family, the TBM 900, which flies farther and faster than its TBM 850 predecessor. TBM officials say the latest member of the family was certified after 160,000 research and development hours and 200 flight-test hours. The TBM 900 incorporates 26 modifications, including winglets and a vertical tailfin strake, along with a new tail cone.
Jet Aviation is looking to tap into a growing business aviation market in India by appointing New Delhi-based Arrow Aircraft Services as its sales representative. Arrow will help promote Jet Aviation’s maintenance and refurbishment services, including those provided at Jet Aviation’s Dubai, Singapore, Geneva and Basel facilities, to potential customers in India.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), furthering its initiative to foster the pilot population through the support of flying clubs, released a new guide on starting the clubs. AOPA’s Guide to Starting a Flying Club covers important aspects that must be considered when starting a club. Topics range from choosing the right aircraft to insurance considerations. The guide also includes resources such as sample operating rules and aircraft lease agreements. The guide can be downloaded from AOPA’s website.
AGUSTA Model AB412 and AB412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0109; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-049-AD; Amendment 39-17772; AD 2014-04-13] – requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) blade for a crack, corrosion, nick, scratch, dent, or other damage and replacing or repairing the blade, depending on the damage. This AD is prompted by reports of T/R blade failures caused by fatigue cracking that originated from surface damage. These actions are intended to prevent failure of the T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
328 SUPPORT SERVICES Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0702; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-181-AD; Amendment 39-17753; AD 2014-03-15] – supersedes AD 2008-14-16, which requires installing warning placards on the inside of the passenger door and service doors and modifying the hinge supports and support struts of the passenger doors.
