Wheels Up, the relatively new membership-based private aviation company, is partnering with the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a nonprofit network of young CEOs. Under the three-year agreement, Wheels Up will have access to the YPO member network through conference sponsorship, marketing and branding opportunities. Wheels Up will also be designated an official partner of YPO and sponsor select YPO events. YPO members will receive additional benefits for becoming a Wheels Up member.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA–2013–1090; Directorate Identifier 2013–SW–017–AD] – proposes to require replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment assembly, depending on the outcome of required inspections. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that passengers in a Eurocopter helicopter were forced to exit through the pilot door after landing because they could not open the sliding door from the inside.
A strong fourth quarter, particularly in its Executive Jets segment, helped Embraer to meet its delivery guidance on the year and improve over 2012’s totals. Embraer delivered 209 aircraft for the year, more than 40% of which were handed over in the fourth quarter. That is up slightly from the 205 aircraft Embraer delivered overall in 2012, as well as from the 76 handed over in the fourth quarter of that year. Embraer’s business jet deliveries eclipsed commercial deliveries in 2013, jumping 20% for the year.
Aviation safety expert Argus International is rolling out a Certified Charter Broker Program to provide charter operators and their customers necessary details about their brokers. The program comes as the Department of Transportation weighs comments from a number of industry groups urging the creation of a broker registry. Industry advocates, such as the National Air Transportation Association, have long pushed for such a registry, worrying about an infiltration of disreputable brokers that harm the industry overall.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 variants) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-1065; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-230-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires operators to assign serial numbers or part numbers to certain landing gear parts; and to establish the number of landings on the parts, if necessary.
JOHN SLIETER , vice president of sales for Duncan Aviation, was named chairman of Honeywell’s Channel Partner Advisory Board (CPAB). The CPAB provides recommendations to help make Honeywell’s service and support even better for their mutual end-customers.
Rockwell Collins finalized an agreement with Beijing Bluesky Aviation Technology, an AVIC subsidiary, to establish ACCEL (Tianjin) Flight Simulation Co. as a joint venture (JV) in China. The JV, equally owned by both Rockwell Collins and Beijing Bluesky, will develop a center of excellence for commercial flight simulation and training.
BELL Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0603; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-079-AD; Amendment 39-17706; AD 2013-25-10] – requires, for affected helicopters with a certain tailboom upper left attachment fitting, inspecting the fitting for a crack and other conditions. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising and extending the 100-hr. time-in-service (TIS) inspection requirements for the fitting.
SIKORSKY Model S–70, S–70A, S–70C, S–70C (M), and S–70C (M1) helicopters [Docket No. FAA–2012–0945; Directorate Identifier 2010–SW–110–AD; Amendment 39–17722; AD 2013–26–13] – requires, for affected helicopters with GE T700–GE–401C or T700–GE–701C engines installed, establishing new fatigue life limits for certain GE engine gas generator turbine (GGT) rotor parts.
As South Korea strives to build an industry that can independently make complete aircraft, it is achieving the most progress in helicopters. And it is the South Korean army, not the air force, that is offering the most support.
Swiss-owned VIP charter operator Fly Comlux is displaying its revamped Bahrain-based 767BBJ aircraft at the show, which is possibly, according to commercial director Claire Brugirard, the largest VIP wide-body aircraft available for charter in the world.
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.
