Click here to view the pdf JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry Industry Year-over-Year (calendar) Quarter-over-Quarter Construction
JOAO PEDRO PIRES MARTINS was named manager of Jet Aviation’s fixed-base operation in Geneva. Martins formerly served with VistaJet Group, where he was head of global purchasing and logistics. Before that he held a number of management positions with NetJets Europe.
Cirrus, coming off its best year since 2008, is optimistic that momentum will continue into 2014 with its piston lines while it prepares for first flight of its SF50 Vision Jet in the next few weeks.
Honeywell’s Sky Connect Tracker III has received FAA supplemental type certification for installation on the Sikorsky S-76, AgustaWestland AW139 and Airbus AS350 platforms. The system uses the Iridium satellite network to enable automated tracking, text messaging and voice capabilities.
Textron’s proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of Beechcraft could help propel the bottom line of Textron’s Cessna Aircraft unit from a $48 million loss in 2013 to a $480 million profit by 2016, analyst Jeffries believes. Textron announced on Dec. 26 plans to buy Beechcraft by midyear and has since been lining up financing for the deal with the issuance of $600 million in notes in late January and the securing of a $500 million, five-year term loan, also in late January.
SLINGSBY AVIATION Model T67M260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0997; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-044-AD; Amendment 39-17759; AD 2014-04-01] – requires repetitive inspections for cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets and confirms that replacement with titanium brackets would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The AD is prompted by several reports of cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets on Slingsby T67 airplanes.
FlightSafety International has increased its helicopter training capabilities with the installation of two new simulators – an Airbus EC135 trainer in Dallas and a Sikorsky S-92 trainer in Sao Paulo, Brazil. FlightSafety expects to begin training on the EC135 simulator in April following Level D qualification. The EC135 simulator is equipped with a Garmin avionics panel with a Garmin GMX 200 multi-function display and WAAS certified Garmin GNS 430W and GNS 530W. It also includes the SFIM 2-Axis Autopilot.
TIM LOCKERBY was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Before joining Duncan, Lockerby spent 10 years as national sales manager for aftermarket at Rosen Aviation. There, Duncan Aviation was one of Lockerby’s customers. He has also served with Priester Aviation.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD; Amendment 39-17757; AD 2014-03-20] – requires accomplishment of a one-time measurement of the actual clearance between the elevator horn and the horizontal stabilizer tip rib, and depending on findings, restoration of the required minimum clearance value. This AD also requires reporting of the inspection result to Piaggio. The AD stems from a report of insufficient clearance found between the horizontal stabilizer end rib and the corresponding elevator horn.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s release of two safety alerts covering the importance of helicopter maintenance and simulator training continues a multi-pronged effort by the agency, industry and FAA to spotlight what the safety board believes to be among the most pressing of transportation safety issues. NTSB released the two safety alerts last week as the Helicopter Association International unveiled its “Land & LIVE” campaign to focus operators on decision-making before a flight turns into an emergency.
Erickson is planning to begin flight tests of a new composite main rotor blade for its S-64 Aircrane heavy-lift helicopter. The company, previously known as Erickson Aircrane, is working with Newport News-based Advanced Technologies Inc. on the design of the blades, which Erickson believes could deliver as much as a 10-15% improvement in payload lift capability at altitude, and a 3-5% reduction in fuel burn. The company is also expecting a considerable reduction in maintenance and repair costs.
TURBOMECA Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2, and 2K1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0381; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-16-AD; Amendment 39-17764; AD 2014-04-06] – requires initial and repetitive inspections of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) high pressure pump drive gear shaft splines, cleaning and inspections of the sleeve assembly splines, and replacement of the HMU if it fails inspection. This AD was prompted by inflight shutdowns caused by interrupted fuel supply at the HMU. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inflight shutdown and damage to the engine.
PACIFIC AEROSPACE Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0090; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-003-AD; Amendment 39-17761; AD 2014-04-03] – issues an emergency AD that requires replacement of certain control column attachment bolts, washers and nuts over the next 10 hr. time-in-service. This AD was prompted by reports of finding broken control column attachment bolts on two 750 XL aircraft. Investigation revealed the bolt failures may be due to possible overtightening of the control column attachment bolt to reduce control column play in the pivot fork (socket).
Jet Aviation is planning to temporarily move its Dubai business operations to Dubai World Central while runway construction is ongoing at Dubai International Airport. Both runways at Dubai International Airport are slated to undergo resurfacing work with construction scheduled for May 1-July 21. Once complete, Jet Aviation plans to resume full maintenance and fixed-base operations at Dubai International Airport.
B-N GROUP Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2013-0924; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-032-AD; Amendment 39-17755; AD 2014-03-18] – requires a one-time inspection and functional test of the engine control cables and depending on findings, replacement of the cables. This AD was prompted by reports where failure of engine control cable assemblies has caused engine control difficulties.
BARNARD RATSIRA was appointed director of fixed-base operation client relations for Jet Aviation. In that role, Ratsira will develop client relations and promote customer service quality in the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia regions. He formerly managed Jet Aviation’s Geneva FBO.
Cessna, which kicked off the flight test program for its new Citation Latitude last month, has achieved the full envelope performance for maximum speed (440 KTAS), Mach speed (0.80) and altitude (45,000 ft.). The aircraft has also been cleared for a direct climb to 45,000 ft. with a gross takeoff weight of 29,000 lb. Cessna next plans to conduct a series of tests for low-speed performance of the Latitude. The Latitude program remains on track for certification in the second quarter of 2015, Cessna says.
AgustaWestland has begun the certification test phase for its AW609 commercial tiltrotor. The two AW609 prototypes, AC1 in the U.S. and AC2 in Italy, have flown almost 1,000 hr. between them, a third of which were flown in the last two years since AgustaWestland took full control of the program from Bell Helicopter, which was a partner until 2011. Test pilots completed flight envelope expansion trials in December 2013, and the company plans to increase the flying rate further in 2014.
1. Electronics for All Markets Company: Esterline CMC Electronics Services: Located in Montreal, Esterline CMC Electronics focuses equally on its business, commercial and military aviation markets, with a wide product line including FMS/GPS, enhanced vision system sensors, satellite communications antennas and cockpit systems integration. The company recently certified its CMA-9000 FMS for retrofit on the Airbus A310, offering operators a replacement for older FMS components with more limited memory capacity.
Flying the Piaggio P180 Avanti twin-turboprop pusher from the front seat is a unique experience, but taking control of the same Avanti using a sidestick and a virtual windscreen from a side-facing seat in the rear of the cabin is a rare treat indeed.
Al Bateen Executive Airport has announced that its Fixed Based Operator (FBO) DhabiJet held an awards ceremony honoring its partners for their outstanding services in supporting DhabiJet in the handling of all visiting and based aircraft at Al Bateen.
FLYHT Aerospace Solutions, Calgary, Alberta, promoted Matt Bradley to the post of president. This realignment will allow Bill Tempahy, FLYHT's current CEO and former president to focus on the company public market participation and other business initiatives.
FAA is streamlining the process for obtaining certain letters of authorization (LOAs) for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) approval. Both the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA) welcomed the changes.
Gulfstream Aerospace has enhanced its support of operators attending major U.S.–based events with the addition of its biggest and most capable Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) vehicle — a specially equipped 74-ft. (22.6 meters) tractor-trailer. The vehicle debuted at this year's Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Using the capabilities of the FAST vehicle, on-board technicians can perform: line-service repairs; engine exchanges; post-flight and storage inspections; unscheduled inspections; and cabin interior repairs.
