ATP has launched a new maintenance tracking service, ATP Maintenance, which will be integrated with manufacturer technical publications, regulations, parts ordering and inventory. Developed in collaboration with ATP’s customer base and manufacturers, the service combines maintenance event tracking and forecasting with actual manufacturer publications, scheduled inspection instructions, and regulatory agency requirements.
LOCKHEED P-3A and P3A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-1073; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-039-AD] – proposes to require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain limitations. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the existing maintenance program must be revised to address fatigue cracking of the airplane. FAA is proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposal would affect eight aircraft on the U.S.
FAA is weighing petitions for exemption from an April flight data recorder (FDR) deadline from several Dassault Falcon operators awaiting EASy II flight deck upgrades. FAA in February 2010 required the elimination of FDR filtering on certain aircraft operated under Part 135. The rule specifically prohibits filtering on eight parameters unless an operator can produce test data and analysis that the recorders meet certain standards for reconstruction of events.
JIM SCHWERTNER was elected to the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Schwertner is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms, Inc., d/b/a Capitol Land & Livestock. He also chairs the board of Schwertner State Bank, and is a partner in MidTex Livestock Market and Lockhart Livestock Market in Texas. He has served on the board of Texans for General Aviation and held a position on the Texas Aviation Advisory Board.
FAA has combined two divisions — Aircraft Engineering and Production and Airworthiness — to create the Design, Manufacturing, and Airworthiness Division within its Office of Aviation Safety. The new group, which will assume the old engineering division’s AIR-100 designation, has five branches: Certification and Procedures, Technical and Administrative Support, Systems and Equipment Standards, Operational Oversight and Policy, and Systems Performance and Development. The reorganization, announced formally in a Jan.
PETER GRIFFITH was appointed vice president, sales and marketing, Europe and Africa for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Griffith has nearly 25 years of aviation experience holding sales roles with British Aerospace, Raytheon Aircraft, Cessna and Honda Aircraft. He has also served with NAC Aviation.
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is urging a U.S. District Court to reject FAA’s motion to dismiss the city’s lawsuit over control of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), saying the agency should not be allowed to hold the airport hostage over an unfounded assertion that the city acted too late.
Bombardier received a $537 million order for three Global 6000, two Global 7000 and three Global 8000 jets. Bombardier is not disclosing the customer, but says the order continues the Global line’s strong momentum into 2014. The Global 7000 and 8000 are Bombardier’s newest and longest-range Global aircraft. The 7000 is slated to enter service in 2016, and the 8000 is to follow in 2017.
Feb. 4-6, 2014—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE, www.aviationweek.com/events Feb. 5-7, 2014—National Business Aviation Association Business Aircraft, Finance, Registration and Legal Conference, St. Pete Beach, Fla. www.nbaa.org Feb. 10, 2014—ATW’s 40th Anniversary Airline Industry Achievement Awards, Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel, Singapore, speednews.com/all/conference Feb. 11-16, 2014—Singapore Airshow 2014, Changi Exhibition Center, Singapore, www.singaporeairshow.com/about-the-exhibition.aspx
AGUSTA Model A109C, A109E, A109S, A109K2, and AW109SP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0478; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-092-AD; Amendment 39-17736; AD 2014-02-08] – requires inspecting the lock wires securing the tail rotor (T/R) duplex bearing locking nut to determine whether any lock wires are missing or damaged. This AD was prompted by reports of loosening T/R locking nuts. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of the T/R and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD affects 146 helicopters on the U.S.
Beechcraft received an order from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for a “comprehensive pilot training system” comprising 11 T-6C Texan II single-turboprop military training aircraft, spare parts, training, logistics and maintenance support. Beechcraft is partnering with Safe Air and CAE on the order. Along with the aircraft, the acquisition contract includes two CAE operational flight training simulators, computer-based training courseware and customized pilot training syllabi.
Gulfstream has assembled a portfolio collection of cabin interior refurbishments that includes a selection of more than 100 fabrics, 25 carpets and 25 leathers that will be kept in stock. The collection is designed to shorten lead time and cost for interior refurbishments, Gulfstream says, noting the collection targets the most frequently updated items in the cabin – the headliner, upper and lower sidewalls, seating and flooring.
PETER WALKER was named vice president sales and marketing, Middle East and Asia Pacific for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Walker has 20 years of experience in transportation roles, including highway transportation, logistics and aviation. He has served as a chief pilot and held sales roles for companies including Raytheon Aircraft Hawker Beechcraft and Nextant Aerospace.
Bell Helicopter won initial Canadian and Brazilian approvals for a new variant of its 429 helicopter with retractable wheeled landing gear. Bell 429WLG certification comes three months after Bell announced the latest variant to the business aviation market at the National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Las Vegas.
Conklin & de Decker recently expanded its business jet valuation capabilities through the acquisition of the Aircraft Cost Analysis program and software. Developed and supported by Samuel L. Miller, Aircraft Cost Analysis assists in the pricing of managed, fractional, joint ownership, rental, charter and agricultural aircraft, as well as helicopters. Conklin & de Decker will support the program for existing and new users, as well as develop future product improvements. Conklin & de Decker has retained Miller to provide support during the transition.
Arthur E. Wegner, the longtime aerospace executive who held senior roles with both United Technologies Corp. (UTC) and Raytheon Aircraft, died Jan. 27 from lung cancer. He was 76. Wegner spent 20 years at UTC in a number of key positions including president of Pratt & Whitney and then president of the UTC Aerospace and Defense Sector, which included Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Hamilton Standard.
BEECHCRAFT Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D [Docket No. FAA-2013-0611; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-019-AD; Amendment 39-17731; AD 2014-02-03] – supersedes AD 2011-27-51, which required inspecting the elevator bob-weight and attaching linkage for correct installation and for damage or deformation to the weight and/or weight bracket with corrective action as necessary. This AD requires installation of the secondary elevator bob-weight stop bolt.
The number of used business jets available for sale has dipped to the lowest levels since the business aircraft market downturn began and finished well below the 20-year average last year, according to business aviation market analyst Amstat.
NATCA National Air Traffic Controllers Association CFS: Communicating For Safety National Aviation Leaders Come Together Join Aviation leaders at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, March 24-26, 2014 for Communicating for Safety. Hosted annually by the national Air Traffic Controllers Association, this three-day conference focuses on safety, technology and building industry relationships.
BELL Model 206L, L-1, L-3 and L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0525; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-063-AD; Amendment 39-17730; AD 2014-02-02] – requires measuring each main rotor (M/R) blade spar space to determine whether it is oversized and reidentifying the M/R blade and reducing the life limit of the blade if the spar spacer is oversized. This AD was prompted by the manufacture of certain blades with an oversized spar spacer and the determination to reduce the life limits of those blades.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-023-AD; Amendment 39-17725; AD 2014-01-02] – requires inspecting the mechanical air conditioning system compressor bearing block upper bearing (upper bearing) for corrosion, leaking grease, condensation, or water. This AD was prompted by metallic debris from an upper bearing found in the air inlet areas of both engines in a Model EC135P2+ helicopter.
Gilbert W. Speed, the founder of SpeedNews publications and conferences, a sister business of Aviation Week, died Jan. 27 after a long illness. He was 81. Speed’s career in the aviation and aerospace industries stretched more than 60 years. He started as a student apprentice at the Bristol Aeroplane Co. —now part of BAE Systems —in 1952. Five years later, he moved to New York to work for Eastern Airlines as a development engineer for the DC-8 and Lockheed Electra.
FAA is incorporating changes that will streamline certain letters of authorization (LOAs) for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) approval. The streamlined procedures are designed to ease and expedite the LOAs in cases of basic administrative changes, says Mark Larsen, the National Business Aviation Association’s senior manager, safety and flight operations.
SOCATA TBM700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0031; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-054-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 99-07-11, which required repetitive inspections of the fittings and, depending on findings, corrective action. That action stemmed from several reports of cracks in the outboard hinge fittings of the horizontal stabilizer. After that AD was issued, Socata determined that the cause of the cracks was a wrong installation of the fittings during production, inducing stress.
