A European Aviation Safety Agency draft rulemaking tackles a series of recommendations from accident investigators and working groups that call for beefed- up standards and maintenance practices for aircraft flight and data recorders (FDR). The key changes would mandate higher-capacity cockpit voice recorders (CVR) on large aircraft, ban “obsolete recording technologies,” such as magnetic tape, and improve post-crash location broadcasting capabilities.
The finalized U.S.-certified repair station security rule, a significantly scaled back version of what the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) originally proposed in 2009, is a reflection of industry feedback that sought a more focused, purpose-driven set of regulations.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has written the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association apologizing for a delay in the agency’s response to a petition for an exemption from third-class medical requirements, saying that he would make it a priority, the association says. AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association nearly two years ago jointly petitioned the agency seeking the ability to use the driver’s license medical standard.
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 FAA is planning to issue a draft request for proposals in March for private companies to operate the agency’s 252 contract control towers for the next five years, an action some see as a sign that the FAA will continue to support the facilities despite a proposed cut to the program last year.
TURBOMECA Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0557; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-22-AD; Amendment 39-17679; AD 2013-24-05] – requires a one-time inspection of the free turbine (FT) module (M04) for the affected Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 engines and, if a discrepancy is found, repair of the affected module. This AD was prompted by a “chip illumination event” in flight on a Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 engine.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which this year decided to end its annual Aviation Summit in favor of “grassroots” local events, 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.
CRAIG OLSON was promoted to vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems, for Rockwell Collins. Olson succeeds Jeff Standerski, who recently became senior vice president, Information Management Services. Olson has served with Rockwell Collins for more than 27 years, holding multiple leadership positions including his most recent position as senior director and site leader of Rockwell Collins’ Head-up Guidance Systems business in Wilsonville, Ore.
AGUSTAWESTLAND Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0604; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-110-AD; Amendment 39-17705; AD 2013-25-09] – requires inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) pin installations for incorrect assembly. This AD is prompted by reports of incorrectly installed pins discovered on in-service aircraft. These actions are intended to detect incorrectly installed pins, which could result in collapse of the NLG during taxi or landing. FAA estimates the AD affects 102 helicopters on the U.S.
The Bombardier Challenger 601-3R that crashed Jan. 5 at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE) in Aspen, Colo., killing the co-pilot and injuring two others, had conducted a missed approach and was attempting a second landing in gusting winds.
While FAA is taking steps to continue the contract tower program with plans to issue a request for proposals for contractors, lawmakers are moving to ensure the program receives congressional support. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) last week urged Senate Appropriations Committee members in a letter to seek full funding for the program.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B1 [Docket No. FAA-2007-27009; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-02-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2007-19-09R1, which applies to affected engines that do not have modification TU157 incorporated. AD 2007-19-09R1 requires replacement of the hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) with a serviceable HMU. Since FAA issued AD 2007-19-09R1, the agency received reports of ruptures on HMU constant delta pressure valves that have less than 2,000 hr. in service.
TWC Aviation closed out 2013 with transactions that expand the company’s geographic coverage of its charter and management services. TWC added a Gulfstream G200 based in Florida. The aircraft is the fifth G200 managed by the company. TWC’s Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions group also completed a sale of a Gulfstream III and the acquisition of a Dassault Falcon 2000. The Falcon is added to TWC’s managed fleet, the ninth of that model.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 7X airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-1032; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-121-AD] – supersedes AD 2011-13-07 that requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include a procedure to power off a radio-altimeter or revert to the correct radio-altimeter output. Since FAA issued AD 2011-13-07, an analysis showed that AFM procedures could be simplified. This proposed AD would require revising the AFM to include a simpler procedure to revert to the correct radio-altimeter output.
Helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation Group continues to increase its access to capital by closing on an unsecured $200 million revolving line of credit, a move that enables it to continue to rapidly expand its customer base that now numbers more than two dozen operators.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s service center at London Luton Airport in the U.K. recently received European Aviation Safety Agency approval to perform maintenance on the Gulfstream G280. The facility earned similar EASA approval for Gulfstream’s G650 last year. The G280 entered service in November 2012, followed by the G650 in December 2012.
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. “We’re just getting started,” says Dichter, who believes the company is on pace to top 250 members shortly. “We are already flying missions and are aggressively building our fleet.”
Gulfstream, in the midst of a long-term expansion plan that has almost doubled its employment in Georgia over the past seven years, is adding a 406,000-sq.-ft. Product Support Distribution Center near its Savannah headquarters. The facility, slated to open in 2015, is to house the company’s worldwide material distribution departments that are currently spread out over several warehouse buildings near Gulfstream’s main campus.
William (Bill) Stine, the longtime director of international operations for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), retired Jan. 10 after serving for nearly 35 years. Stine had steered the association on internal business aviation communications, navigation and surveillance issues and served as the staff liaison to the NBAA International Operators Committee and Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee. He was a founding officer of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and had served as its corporate secretary.
Zenith Aviation, a Fredericksburg, Va.-based marketer and distributor of Dornier 328 parts, has significantly increased its inventory with the purchase of Dornier 328 jet assets from Comtran and Jetran International. The assets include two Dornier 328-310 aircraft heavyweight jets, six Pratt & Whitney 306B engines, two sets of Dornier 328-310 heavyweight landing gear, a complete 12-seat executive interior, and more than 2,000 line items of rotable parts.
DAVID PEARMAN was appointed general manager of Gulfstream Aerospace’s service center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Pearman, who has served as general manager of Gulfstream’s component repair facility in Lincoln, Calif., since January 2008, will be responsible for the daily operations of the West Palm Beach facility. Pearman has served with the company since 1994, beginning as an airframe and powerplant mechanic at Gulfstream Long Beach Service Center in California. He has also held management roles at Gulfstream’s center in Las Vegas and Westfield, Mass.
JERRY DEMURO was named president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. DeMuro, a former executive with General Dynamics, will take over on Feb. 1. He will be appointed as an executive director of BAE Systems plc in the U.K. and serve on the company’s executive committee as well as on the board of the U.S. side of the company. DeMuro led General Dynamics’ Information Systems and Technology from October 2003 to March 2013. He also spent time at the U.S. Defense Department as an acquisition official.
DOWTY PROPELLERS Model R408/6-123-F/17 propellers [Docket No. FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD] – proposes to revise AD 2008-21-07, which requires initial and repetitive inspections of the blade bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guards for correct bonding until they accumulate more than 1,200 flight hours (FH) time in service. Since FAA issued AD 2008-21-07, Dowty Propellers has introduced updated service bulletins that identify terminating action to the requirements of AD 2008-21-07.
