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.
Jim Roche, deputy CEO of Pilatus Aircraft, explains how the Swiss company expects to expand its presence in both defense and general aviation markets in India, in an interview with AW&ST Contributing Editor Jay Menon. AW&ST: What are the short- and long-term business plans for Pilatus in India?
Westchester County Airport (HPN), 30 mi. due north of Times Square, is one of business aviation's global hubs. Fittingly, it has always been home to five fixed-base operators (FBO) that fuel and pamper the based and visiting business jets, and those who fly and ride in them. But no more.
This month, the FAA will begin a series of “contaminated” runway tests with a retired Boeing 727 at its William J. Hughes technical center in Atlantic City, N.J. Taxiing on 230-300-ft.-long “test strips” of 2-in.-deep “manufactured snow,” created by feeding ice blocks into a gasoline-powered chipping machine, the 727 will test a variety of new technologies aimed at providing pilots more information and training to deal with compromised surfaces.
Abu Dhabi's executive airport, Al Bateen, is continuing to see growth. Abu Dhabi Airports announced today an 18% increase in visiting aircraft traffic and 6% increase in commercial aircraft traffic during 2013, compared to 2012.
I just finished “A Classic Accident Chain” (Cause & Circumstance, December 2013) and have a completely different perspective. I think its should be retitled, “Don't leave well enough alone!!”
John Adler Adler, Murphy and McQuillen (Chicago, Ill. )
“Serving Up Liability” (Point of Law, January 2014) was a good article. I'm also aware of airline liability under the old saloon keeper liability (dram shop liability in Illinois). Airlines were sued for accidents involving over served passengers after they got off the plane. I'm aware of a suit some years ago wherein an intoxicated passenger wandered out into the “Bloody Bayshore” in San Francisco and was killed; his estate sued the airline. Keep up the good work!
A decade after Congress mandated that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) adopt new repair station security rules, the agency is finally issuing them and effectively lifting a five year ban on certification of new foreign repair stations. In that time, the number of repair stations awaiting FAA certification had grown to more than 90. The final rule applies to some 4,700 Part 145 FAA-certified repair stations. But in a major concession to both industry wishes and general practicality, not all of its elements apply to every facility.
Greenpoint Technologies has been tapped by an undisclosed customer for a second time to outfit a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a VIP interior. The Kirkland, Wash., outfit says it spent five years learning about the airplane and visiting the nearby Boeing plant in preparing to work on the new model. Now 25 years old, Greenpoint works on Boeing aircraft exclusively. The company provides all-encompassing completion service including in-house engineering and design to manufacturing and installation of VIP interiors.
Wheels Up, the membership-based private aviation company founded last summer, remains “slightly ahead of plans” with 150 members signing on in its first few months of operation and finishing the year with nine aircraft in service, says founder and CEO Kenny Dichter. The company launched with a firm order for 35 Beechcraft King Air 350s and options for up to 70 more, the largest commercial order ever for the twin turboprop aircraft.“We're just getting started,” says Dichter, who believes the company is on pace to top 250 members shortly.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Frederick, Md., named James W. Coon as senior vice president of Government Affairs and Advocacy. He will be based in the Washington office where he will manage the association's advocacy team on issues including medical certification, FAA funding and avgas alternatives.
Next month the FAA is expected to issue a draft request for proposals for private companies to operate the agency's 252 contract control towers for the next five years. The current contract expires in September. The towers use a civilian workforce to handle operations at visual flight rules airports in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Saipan.
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) was founded in 1984 to act as an advocate for its members, provide regulatory compliance assistance and act as an industry advocate before government bodies and the media. It also provides training, advisory materials, news services, and regulatory expertise to help members remain compliant in a heavily regulated industry. The organization also offers technical and legal expertise to analyze and respond to government actions.
Textron, parent of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, plans to add Beechcraft to its corporate stable in $1.4 billion acquisition. The initial plan appears to maintain Beechcraft as a separate unit and keep its leadership intact. The acquisition is expected to conclude by mid-2014. Beechcraft's equity holders have already approved the agreement.
Airbus Group, Toulouse, announced that Sean O'Keefe, chairman and CEO of the company's North American business unit will resign as of March 1. Alan McArtor, currently chairman of Airbus Americas will be his successor. O'Keefe is stepping down in order to address ongoing medical issue due to injuries he sustained in a 2010 aircraft accident in Alaska. He will continue with the company on special assignment to oversee and facilitate the compliant transition of the company's ongoing security agreement with the Department of Defense to the new U.S. Group.
Fly Comlux, the VIP operator of Comlux Aviation Group, announced that its Boeing 767BBJ widebody aircraft is now available for charter, having come back into the market after a major mandatory maintenance check and significant upgrades to the cabin. Upgrades include reupholstered seats, a new humidification system, SwiftBroadband and GSM throughout the cabin. Comlux, The Aviation Group Hergiswill, Switzerland
William (Bill) Stine, the longtime director of international operations for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), retired in January after nearly 35 years with the organization. Stine served as the staff liaison to the NBAA International Operators Committee and Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee. He was a founding officer of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and had served as its corporate secretary. A U.S.
Arinc, teaming with the National Business Aviation Association and a number of flight planning providers, have been adding advanced passenger information capabilities to meet new Mexico requirements that recently took effect for both private and commercial operations. The Mexican government passed a measure calling for the reporting requirements in 2010 in an attempt to tighten security and better account for taxes paid by arriving and departing passengers, NBAA says.
DeathsRobert “Bob” Ruskay died on Dec. 8 after a battle with cancer. He spent over forty years in corporate aviation most of if flying out of Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York for the Crane Co. and later as flight department manager for Reader's Digest. He semi-retired to Tucson, Ariz., where he was a Challenger instructor at FlightSafety and a contract pilot for the past 13 years.
Bombardier closed out 2013 with additional orders for 30 Challengers and 28 Globals, pushing the manufacturer's total to at least 310 announced business jet orders in 2013. The orders include a deal for 28 Globals and 10 Challenger 605s, valued at $2.2 billion, while a second order involves 10 Challenger 350s valued at $259 million, and a third for five Challenger 300s and five Challenger 605s jets with a combined value of $280 million. The customers for the orders were undisclosed.
Elliott Aviation,. Moline, Ill, hired Scott Noack as regional sales manager for the South Central U.S., responsible for maintaining and building Elliott's customer relationships in that region
Considering all their powered, moving parts, helicopters are by their very nature noisy conveyances. They are, however, in the process of getting quieter, much to the relief of those within and without. Noise reduction of rotary wing aircraft is obviously a major goal of the industry, and in view of the news reports regarding the quiet, special ops helicopters used in the assault against Osama Bin Laden, the technology is gaining.
Nihad E. Daidzic, Ph.D. ATP, CFII, MEI, CFIG Professor of Aviation and Mechanical Engineering (Minnesota State University Mankato, Minn. )
Regarding “Cause & Circumstance” (December 2013), two pilots needlessly died primarily due to lack of proper training and understanding of multiengine airplane control and performance during dynamic asymmetric-thrust operations. In order to regain control, the airplane performance must be first sacrificed. Pilots just did not have enough altitude for that tradeoff, sadly only 20 seconds from touchdown.
Atlantic Aviation has reached a deal to acquire five fixed-base operations from Galaxy Aviation for $195 million. Atlantic Aviation parent Macquarie Infrastructure Company plans to fund the acquisition, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, through a combination of cash, proceeds of an equity offering and a credit facility. The acquisition will provide Atlantic Aviation with a foothold in Florida, where it currently does not operate any facilities.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has scheduled a series of six regional AOPA Fly-Ins and an “ AOPA Homecoming ” in Frederick, Md. The fly-ins will include a town hall meeting with association President Mark Baker, who will discuss industry issues and association initiatives. The events will also include educational and safety seminars, aircraft displays and exhibits , flying activities and clinics. The events will include a return of AOPA 's annual Frederick Fly-In on Oct. 4 that will feature a celebration of the association's 75th anniversary.
