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.
Eclipse Aerospace formally returned the Eclipse very light jet to market with the first delivery of the new Eclipse 550 on March 12. Eclipse handed over the first Eclipse 550 to a Louisiana-based businessman in the energy business after receiving the last of the requisite FAA approvals on Feb. 28. The second 550 was set for delivery March 13 to a customer based in South America.
Beechcraft Corp., hoping to capitalize on a growing market for its flagship King Air 350i turboprop in India, is expanding its presence there with a new office, additional staff and a new sales representative. Beechcraft last month opened an office in New Delhi and appointed John Williams to the new position of India county director. Reghu Raman was further named field service representative. In addition, the company recently appointed Arrow Aircraft Sales and Charters Private Limited as its exclusive sales representative for India.
ALPHA AVIATION Model 2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0130; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-005-AD] – proposes to require a one-time inspection of the ignition switch to determine if a metal screen shield is installed, and depending on findings, to modify or replace the ignition switch with a serviceable part. The AD further prohibits the installation of a metal screen shield ignition switch on any aircraft. The AD stems from an investigation of a accident involving the affected model.
Gama Aviation received U.K. Civil Aviation Authority clearance for its flight crewmembers of G-registered aircraft to use iPads for flight planning. Gama Aviation has moved 12 of its airplanes to electronic flight bag technology and trained 22 pilots for its use. The iPads provide access to Airwatch Secure Content Locker, a cloud-based library publication system, and the Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck e-chart application.
While the vast majority of all aircraft accidents still occur in the landing phase, research shows that nearly all pilots who fly professionally ignore company policies regarding go-around procedures. Why pilots ignore the policies and decide to land is lesser known. But William Curtis of Canadian research firm Presage says, “No other single decision can have such an impact on the industry accident rate.”
SCOTT TUCKER was named business development manager for Keystone Aviation. Tucker will be based in Salt Lake City, working with local and national prospects for the charter and management business. He has more than 10 years of business-to-business relationship experience working in the telecommunications and petroleum industries.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lose one of its longest-sitting members with the departure of Chairman Deborah Hersman on April 25. Hersman announced March 11 that she is leaving to become president of the National Safety Council. Hersman was appointed to the safety board as a member in 2004, filling the slot vacated by John Goglia, and became chairman in 2009. In a low-profile agency that in the past frequently grappled with board vacancies, fewer than a handful of people have served a decade or longer.
Landmark Aviation recently acquired Sterling Aviation at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, a move that adds 12 aircraft to its charter and management fleet. The acquisition helps grow Landmark’s Midwest fleet, including a Challenger 604, Hawker 850XP and Citation Sovereign, among others. The acquisition followed the company’s recent purchase of Galvin Flying Services at King County International Airport/Boeing Field in Seattle.
Textron Inc. today announced it has closed its acquisition of Beech Holdings, LLC, the parent of Beechcraft Corporation, and that it will bring together its Cessna business and Beechcraft to form a new segment called Textron Aviation.
Eclipse Aerospace, has delivered its first Eclipse 550 twin-engine very light jet from its headquarters in Albuquerque following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.
