China aviation authorities are believed to be in the final stages of their next step in an airspace redesign that could begin to roll out in early 2014. Whether that rollout will further liberalize airspace – as industry leaders hope – remains to be seen. But industry leaders are encouraged by positive indications that China will continue to move to encourage an expansion of general aviation.
Lawmakers are returning from the holiday break this month with more budget certainty than in the past several years. But for the general aviation industry, it is only a temporary reprieve, and many questions remain about decisions that lie ahead. Congressional passage of the so-called Ryan-Murray two-year budget deal is designed to avert another costly government shutdown through a framework of smaller cuts and tax increases. The deal came as welcome news to a general aviation industry that suffered under the October shutdown.
MAULE Models M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MT-7, MX-7, MXT-7, and M-8 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0725; Directorate Identifier 98-CE-01-AD; Amendment 39-17690; AD 98-15-18 R1] – revises an AD that applied to certain airplanes equipped with rear wing lift struts, part number (P/N) 2079E, and/or front wing lift struts, P/N 2080E. AD 98-15-18 required repetitively inspecting certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion and replacing of any wing lift strut where corrosion was found.
Honeywell is projecting 3%-5% organic growth in total 2014 aftermarket sales, driven by a bump in air transport and regional flight hours and continued solid demand for business aviation retrofits, modifications, and upgrades (RMU). The commercial aftermarket accounts for about 10% of Honeywell’s annual revenues, and the air transport segment generates about two-thirds of the aftermarket dollars. But Honeywell expects that a 6%-8% increase in large cabin business jet hours will also help drive growth.
PIPER Model J-2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0724; Directorate Identifier 99-CE-013-AD; Amendment 39-17691; AD 99-26-19 R1] – revises an AD, which applies to certain airplanes equipped with wing lift struts. AD 99-26-19 required repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for dents and corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any dented or corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at specified times for certain airplanes.
VARIOUS AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH WING LIFT STRUTS [Docket No. FAA-2013-0023; Directorate Identifier 96-CE-072-AD; Amendment 39-17688; AD 99-01-05 R1] – revises AD 99-01-05, which applies to certain Piper, FS 2000/2001/2002/2003 and Laviasa airplanes and which required repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at a specified time for certain airplanes.
BEECHCRAFT Models 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0753; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-025-AD; Amendment 39-17677; AD 2013-24-03] – requires inspections of the vertical stabilizer spar angles and hat section for cracks with corrective actions as necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the front spar cap angles and hat section structure of the vertical stabilizer. FAA estimates the AD affects 400 airplanes on the U.S.
Duncan Aviation has expanded its helicopter avionics testing capabilities as it sees a steady uptick in business from helicopter operators, the company says. Duncan added three new diagnostic tests to support Northern Airborne Technology (NAT) systems. Duncan has supported NAT avionics for six years.
A little more than a year after investment firm The Carlyle Group reacquired the Landmark network of fixed-base operations (FBOs) that it helped create, the chain has begun to aggressively move to expand. But Landmark President and CEO Dan Bucaro stresses that the growth is not just filling out “dots on a map.” Instead, he says, Landmark is hoping to take a disciplined approach to building its network in a manner that would best connect its customers. “We continue to grow the business and refine what we do,” Bucaro says.
Cessna is beginning deliveries of its M2 light jet and new “Sovereign+” midsize aircraft, following FAA approval for both programs. The certifications come a little later than Cessna had anticipated. Both were expected in the third quarter but a delay in the approvals of the new Garmin avionics pushed back the schedule. Cessna handed over the first M2 to launch customer Stuart Woods, who is stepping up from a Citation Mustang very light jet. Cessna also says it is beginning to deliver the Sovereign+, but did not name the launch customer.
Elite Simulation Solutions received FAA approval for its Model S623T twin turbine engine rotary-wing trainer. The trainer incorporates a full cockpit with dual-pilot training based on the performance of the twin-turbine Eurocopter AS355. The trainer simulates operation of a fully coupled automatic flight control system, electronic flight information system, Garmin GNS WAAS GPS, radar altimeter, autopilot, Wi-Fi tablet support and optional wheel carriage with retractable gear.
After shortlisting 25 proposals from 24 states, the FAA has selected six test sites across the U.S. to conduct civil unmanned aircraft system (UAS) research. Geographic and climatic diversity were key requirements for the selection. The six selected operators are: the University of Alaska, the state of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Flight Safety Foundation Chair-elect Ken Hylander is assuming the additional roles as acting CEO and president when Keven Hiatt steps down to become one of the top safety executives for the International Air Transport Association in February. Hylander recently retired as senior vice president of safety, security and compliance at Delta Air Lines. In addition, Bill Bozin, who recently retired as vice president of safety and technical affairs at Airbus Americas, will become acting COO.
LONDON — Eurocopter is requesting operators of all EC135 twin-engine light helicopters to carry out checks on the type’s fuel supply tanks and fuel monitoring systems. The move follows the recent short-term grounding of the U.K.-based fleet of EC135s operated by Bond Air Services after a series of what have been described as “supply-tank fuel-gauging errors on some aircraft.”
With the Learjets 70/75 now in production, deliveries of the Challenger 350 set to begin soon, testing of the Model 85 underway, and development of the Global 7000 and 8000 proceeding apace, what of the Challenger 605? Guy Hachey, president of Bombardier Aerospace, said recently, “The [Challenger] 605 right now is going to remain the way that it is. We haven't announced anything.” However, he acknowledges the need for some kind of follow-on. “Probably the more vulnerable area we have is the 605, because it's the oldest product,” Hachey continued.
Meanwhile, the Scorpion, Textron's low-cost, surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence jet is flying. The twin jet made its first flight at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kan., in late December. The company is promoting the self-funded project as “one of the fastest developments of a U.S.-built tactical jet.” Developed by Textron AirLand, the aircraft was built at an offsite Cessna facility in Wichita, using some of Cessna's top engineering talent and supply chain specialists.
Zenith Aviation, Fredericksburg, Va., named Bryan Shelton director of field operations. Shelton recently retired after a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, most recently serving as senior manager, aviation maintenance operations for the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. For Zenith, Shelton will manage special projects.
Bell Helicopter is planning to build its SLS helicopter at a new facility in Lafayette, La. Bell CEO John Garrison jointly announced with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal plans for Bell to lease a newly built 82,300-sq.-ft., $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport. The facility, to be constructed on a 14.5-acre site, will be funded by the state of Louisiana.
Gulfstream Aerospace's G280 super midsize aircraft has topped 30 city-pair records with a recent speed record set en route to the recent Dubai Airshow. The aircraft departed Kuala Lumpur International airport Nov. 15 at 5:23 p.m. local time and arrived at Dubai World Airport 7 hr. and 34 min. later. The aircraft averaged a speed of Mach 0.80 during the 3,356 nm trip. Earlier this year a G280 set another record during travel to the Middle East, flying from Singapore to Abu Dhabi in 7 hr. and 40 min. That trip was 3,301 nm.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Enhanced Consumer Protections for Charter Air Transportation” on Sept. 30, 2013, and then the federal government promptly shut down.
Wheels Up, the recently established and rapidly growing private membership and aviation services company, is teaming with Cessna's CitationAir operation to offer flights on Cessna Citation Excel and Sovereign jets. Details of the agreement announced Dec. 13 must still be hashed out, but Wheels Up will market flights aboard the Cessna business jets, while CitationAir will operate them. The aircraft will be outfitted with the Wheels Up blue and white livery and have refurbished interiors.
Astronics Corporation's Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System was selected as standard equipment aboard the Simplex Aerospace SkyCannon and Fire Attack systems. The SkyCannon is a helicopter-mounted system for firefighters. The Max-Viz system will enable operators of Simplex firefighting equipment to see through smoke while fighting high-rise fires. The Fire Attack system supports data acquisition of door operation, hover pump activation and foam pump activation, all correlated with aircraft GPS position.
Securaplane Technologies has launched its next generation camera and security system. The security system is based on upgrades to the company's classic PreFlite system, which now includes full integrated, high-definition cameras, a user-friendly graphic interface, wireless battery-free access panel switches and smartphone application access. The HD cameras employ 1080p and 60 frames per second (fps) technology for studio-quality images and can be used for entertainment as well as security and situational awareness on the ground.
