Pilatus next spring is planning to unveil its PC-24 twin jet, the company’s first twin-engine business jet, company executives confirm. The company has publicly acknowledged development of the PC-24 over the past couple of years, but would not say whether the aircraft would be a twin or a jet. But Pilatus last week verified that the aircraft would be a twin jet as part of its announcement that COO Markus Bucher was named CEO, succeeding Oscar Schwenk, who remains chairman of the board.
Gulfstream’s new G280 super midsized business jet is entering service after the Savannah, Ga., manufacturer last week delivered the first aircraft to a U.S.-based company. Delivery of the first aircraft comes a little more than 10 weeks after Gulfstream secured full U.S. FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of Israel type certification. Gulfstream had received provisional certification for the aircraft late last year.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1128; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-064-AD; Amendment 39-17225; AD 2012-21-09] – requires, for EC225 helicopters with certain epicyclic modules installed, inspecting the epicyclic module for the presence of a through-hole upstream of the magnetic plug. This AD is prompted by a report of a missing through-hole between the integrated collector and the magnetic plug, which would prevent the flow of chips from the integrated collector to the magnetic plug.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6C-67C turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-1005; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-27-AD] – proposes to require initial and repetitive borescope inspections to verify the presence of a retaining ring securing the PT baffle located near the second stage PT disk. If the engine fails the inspection, this proposed AD also would require removing the engine from service before further flight. This proposed AD was prompted by five reported incidents of second stage power turbine (PT) disk damage.
TONY GRINDBERG has joined Appareo Systems as aviation business unit manager. Grindberg has more than 20 years of business development and aviation experience. Most recently, he launched the NDSU Research & Technology Park, Inc. as a startup entity, where he steered $70 million in private investment that created nearly 900 jobs.
TREVOR VAN ROOYEN was appointed regional sales manager for sub-Saharan Africa for BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). Van Rooyen, known for his technical expertise in the ERO field, will be based at Lanseria Airport in South Africa.
Business aviation officials welcomed the European Union’s (EU) decision to suspend the application of its emissions trading scheme (ETS) to international operations, especially in light of the U.S. congressional vote Nov. 13 to permit a ban on U.S. participation. But European business aviation advocates believe the EU also needs to suspend the program for flights within Europe.
Jeppesen cleared European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Operations Evaluation Board (OEB) review for use of its Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro and Jeppesen Mobile TC Pro applications on the iPad. Jeppesen notes the evaluation report is the first that EASA has ever granted for mobile electronic flight bag (EFB) with navigation charting.
Hawker Beechcraft, which originally expected to receive U.S. Bankruptcy Court consideration on Nov. 15 for its disclosure statement on the amended joint plan of reorganization, has rescheduled that court date for Nov. 29. But the Wichita airframer last week filed a motion formally seeking court approval to cut off warranty support for Hawker 4000 and Premier business aircraft. That motion also is expected to come under court consideration on Nov. 29.
Avantair is stepping up its yearlong efforts to cut costs and raise new capital as the fractional ownership provider attempts to regain its footing after grounding its fleet for several weeks. The Clearwater, Fla., operator began returning its Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service last week after completing comprehensive nose-to-tail inspections of its fleet and reviewing and overhauling its maintenance records and operational procedures.
Decisions that determine whether a program can be successful are often made before the contract is even won. But conceptual design is still more art than science, practiced by talented engineers without the sophisticated, integrated tools available for development and manufacturing.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association appointed Steve Hedges director of media relations. Hedges has 20 years of media experience, covering national security, foreign, domestic, and aviation issues. He also has managed public affairs and media relations for a number of clients in Washington, D.C.
GAL Aviation, based in St. Joseph, Quebec, received Transport Canada recognition as an approved maintenance organization, authorizing the firm to repair and modify business aircraft interiors. The authorization covers both green and in-service aircraft. GAL Aviation has applied for similar recognition from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The firm also has FAA approval under a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Canada. GAL, which operates from a 40,000-sq.-ft.
Even a careful observer could be forgiven for losing count of China's general aviation aircraft projects. Maybe Avic itself has lost count. So here are the latest. Cessna, already negotiating to assemble one or two business jet types at Chengdu, has concluded an almost definitive agreement to assemble the Citation XLS+ jointly with Avic's general-aviation subsidiary, Caiga.
West Star Aviation in East Alton, Ill., installed the first set of Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) blended winglets on a Dassault Falcon 50EX. API received FAA supplemental type certificate approval for the winglets in September 2012, and European Aviation Safety Agency approval is pending. West Star has completed a number of API winglet installations on Falcon aircraft and also has installed spiroid winglets on a Falcon 50 as a research project. The blended winglets reduce wingtip vortex, resulting in less drag, lower fuel burn and improved climb and cruise.
DIAMOND Models DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1148; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-039-AD] – requires modification of the affected main landing gear (MLG) leg shock absorber, P/N D60-3277-10-00. This AD also prohibits installation of unmodified P/N D60-3277-10-00 MLG leg shock absorbers.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, says the nomination of Michael Huerta as the next FAA administrator should go forward. The question is when that will happen. Even if a hold on the nomination by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), the man who next year will lead Republicans on the committee dealing with aviation policy, is lifted, it may not proceed until next year. “I think getting a lot of stuff done in the few days that we have is going to be tough,” Rockefeller says.
Avic President Lin Zuoming said in April that the Chinese aeronautics group's first priority was engine development. As if to show that the boss was serious, group propulsion specialist Avic Engine unveiled two new turbofans at Airshow China here last week, one of them aimed at freeing the country from reliance on foreign engines—and therefore exposure to a foreign veto—in its quest to become a major military aircraft exporter.
WAYNE THOMSON has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) as regional field service engineer in the Asia Pacific region. Thomson previously spent 14 years at Pratt & Whitney Canada in Brisbane, Australia, where he was a mobile repair lead technician. In his new role, he will be based in Brisbane to support regional field service efforts integrated with ERO’s Singapore-based First Support service.
PILATUS Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0732; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-022-AD] – proposes to require several revisions of the Structural and Component Airworthiness Limitations, including an inspection of the wing main spar fastener holes and follow-on actions, if necessary.
Eric Byer, vice president of government and industry affairs for the National Air Transportation Association, is leaving the organization at the end of the year to pursue other interests. In a notice to members, new NATA President Tom Hendricks praised Byer’s leadership and guidance during his 13 years with the association.
Long ago I learned to be wary of words ending in “st” when describing a particular model of aircraft. Identify at your peril any as being the fastest, quietest, longest-ranging, widest, or for possessing the highest cruise altitude, largest storage capacity or lowest SFC. Inevitably, someone will point to a forgotten one-off or a footnote that will prove your remark not quite right.
SCOTT MCDONALD is joining West Star Aviation as director of sales. McDonald has more than 20 years of aviation experience, holding mechanic, planning, scheduling and regional sales manager roles. Most recently, he was director of sales for Gulfstream Product Support.
