Airbus Helicopters is hoping to put the troubled past of the EC225 behind it with the launch of an improved version of the aircraft. The EC225e – e for enhanced – will make its first flight in 2015 and features a new updated avionics suite, increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by 550 kg. (1,210 lb.) and an extended range fuel tank fitted into the rear baggage compartment under the tail boom, which gives the aircraft the ability to fly out to 300 nm.
While Democratic leaders have been quiet about business aircraft depreciation during the most recent budget talks, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 proposed “eliminating special depreciation benefits related to corporate jets” as part of a larger tax overhaul package.
RICK CUTRERA has joined Key Air as regional business development manager. Cutrera is responsible for growing Key Air’s business in the Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region. He has more than 23 years of aviation experience, with a background in operations, management, sales and marketing for three major airlines.
Signature Flight Support is adding a fourth London-area fixed-base operation (FBO) with the acquisition of the FBO assets of the JETS facility at London Biggin Hill. Signature announced that acquisition as it was preparing to break ground in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 28 on what will become one of its largest FBO complexes.
After a strong fourth quarter in which it shipped 40% of the aircraft it delivered last year, Embraer is forecasting a similar level of activity in 2014, but with a slight shift in the balance between commercial and business jets. The year-end rush allowed the Brazilian manufacturer to meet its financial targets for 2013, with its highest-ever quarterly revenues of $2.3 billion boosting net revenues for the year to $6.2 billion, up slightly over 2012.
The U.S. faces “an infrastructure deficit” that could have negative consequences for commercial aviation, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says. Speaking to the Aero Club of Washington D.C. last week, Foxx said limits on FAA’s budget could undermine the industry’s positive economic contribution. Foxx also indicated he is open to suggestions for new ways to finance ATC, and did not dismiss an audience question regarding possible privatization or partial privatization of FAA’s air traffic management functions.
Click here to view the pdf JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry Industry Year-over-Year (calendar) Quarter-over-Quarter Construction
JOAO PEDRO PIRES MARTINS was named manager of Jet Aviation’s fixed-base operation in Geneva. Martins formerly served with VistaJet Group, where he was head of global purchasing and logistics. Before that he held a number of management positions with NetJets Europe.
Cirrus, coming off its best year since 2008, is optimistic that momentum will continue into 2014 with its piston lines while it prepares for first flight of its SF50 Vision Jet in the next few weeks.
Honeywell’s Sky Connect Tracker III has received FAA supplemental type certification for installation on the Sikorsky S-76, AgustaWestland AW139 and Airbus AS350 platforms. The system uses the Iridium satellite network to enable automated tracking, text messaging and voice capabilities.
Textron’s proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of Beechcraft could help propel the bottom line of Textron’s Cessna Aircraft unit from a $48 million loss in 2013 to a $480 million profit by 2016, analyst Jeffries believes. Textron announced on Dec. 26 plans to buy Beechcraft by midyear and has since been lining up financing for the deal with the issuance of $600 million in notes in late January and the securing of a $500 million, five-year term loan, also in late January.
SLINGSBY AVIATION Model T67M260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0997; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-044-AD; Amendment 39-17759; AD 2014-04-01] – requires repetitive inspections for cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets and confirms that replacement with titanium brackets would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The AD is prompted by several reports of cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets on Slingsby T67 airplanes.
FlightSafety International has increased its helicopter training capabilities with the installation of two new simulators – an Airbus EC135 trainer in Dallas and a Sikorsky S-92 trainer in Sao Paulo, Brazil. FlightSafety expects to begin training on the EC135 simulator in April following Level D qualification. The EC135 simulator is equipped with a Garmin avionics panel with a Garmin GMX 200 multi-function display and WAAS certified Garmin GNS 430W and GNS 530W. It also includes the SFIM 2-Axis Autopilot.
TIM LOCKERBY was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Before joining Duncan, Lockerby spent 10 years as national sales manager for aftermarket at Rosen Aviation. There, Duncan Aviation was one of Lockerby’s customers. He has also served with Priester Aviation.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD; Amendment 39-17757; AD 2014-03-20] – requires accomplishment of a one-time measurement of the actual clearance between the elevator horn and the horizontal stabilizer tip rib, and depending on findings, restoration of the required minimum clearance value. This AD also requires reporting of the inspection result to Piaggio. The AD stems from a report of insufficient clearance found between the horizontal stabilizer end rib and the corresponding elevator horn.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s release of two safety alerts covering the importance of helicopter maintenance and simulator training continues a multi-pronged effort by the agency, industry and FAA to spotlight what the safety board believes to be among the most pressing of transportation safety issues. NTSB released the two safety alerts last week as the Helicopter Association International unveiled its “Land & LIVE” campaign to focus operators on decision-making before a flight turns into an emergency.
Erickson is planning to begin flight tests of a new composite main rotor blade for its S-64 Aircrane heavy-lift helicopter. The company, previously known as Erickson Aircrane, is working with Newport News-based Advanced Technologies Inc. on the design of the blades, which Erickson believes could deliver as much as a 10-15% improvement in payload lift capability at altitude, and a 3-5% reduction in fuel burn. The company is also expecting a considerable reduction in maintenance and repair costs.
TURBOMECA Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2, and 2K1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0381; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-16-AD; Amendment 39-17764; AD 2014-04-06] – requires initial and repetitive inspections of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) high pressure pump drive gear shaft splines, cleaning and inspections of the sleeve assembly splines, and replacement of the HMU if it fails inspection. This AD was prompted by inflight shutdowns caused by interrupted fuel supply at the HMU. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent inflight shutdown and damage to the engine.
PACIFIC AEROSPACE Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0090; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-003-AD; Amendment 39-17761; AD 2014-04-03] – issues an emergency AD that requires replacement of certain control column attachment bolts, washers and nuts over the next 10 hr. time-in-service. This AD was prompted by reports of finding broken control column attachment bolts on two 750 XL aircraft. Investigation revealed the bolt failures may be due to possible overtightening of the control column attachment bolt to reduce control column play in the pivot fork (socket).
Jet Aviation is planning to temporarily move its Dubai business operations to Dubai World Central while runway construction is ongoing at Dubai International Airport. Both runways at Dubai International Airport are slated to undergo resurfacing work with construction scheduled for May 1-July 21. Once complete, Jet Aviation plans to resume full maintenance and fixed-base operations at Dubai International Airport.
B-N GROUP Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2013-0924; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-032-AD; Amendment 39-17755; AD 2014-03-18] – requires a one-time inspection and functional test of the engine control cables and depending on findings, replacement of the cables. This AD was prompted by reports where failure of engine control cable assemblies has caused engine control difficulties.
BARNARD RATSIRA was appointed director of fixed-base operation client relations for Jet Aviation. In that role, Ratsira will develop client relations and promote customer service quality in the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia regions. He formerly managed Jet Aviation’s Geneva FBO.
Cessna, which kicked off the flight test program for its new Citation Latitude last month, has achieved the full envelope performance for maximum speed (440 KTAS), Mach speed (0.80) and altitude (45,000 ft.). The aircraft has also been cleared for a direct climb to 45,000 ft. with a gross takeoff weight of 29,000 lb. Cessna next plans to conduct a series of tests for low-speed performance of the Latitude. The Latitude program remains on track for certification in the second quarter of 2015, Cessna says.
AgustaWestland has begun the certification test phase for its AW609 commercial tiltrotor. The two AW609 prototypes, AC1 in the U.S. and AC2 in Italy, have flown almost 1,000 hr. between them, a third of which were flown in the last two years since AgustaWestland took full control of the program from Bell Helicopter, which was a partner until 2011. Test pilots completed flight envelope expansion trials in December 2013, and the company plans to increase the flying rate further in 2014.
