The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that FAA significantly scale back a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) seeking inspections and replacement of Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive Engineering “Titan” cylinders found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 model reciprocating engines.
The National Business Aviation Association is appointing two new vice presidents to lead the association’s government relations efforts. Dick Doubrava, currently director of legislative affairs for NBAA, was promoted to vice president. Christa Fornarotto, currently FAA associate administrator for airports, also joined the association as vice president. The appointments come as Lisa Piccione, senior vice president of government relations, plans to leave the association at year’s end to move to Brussels.
China is continuing to ease regulations to foster growth of general aviation in the nation. The latest move, which takes effect Dec. 1, lifts a requirement to obtain flight mission approval for many general aviation flights, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. While they don’t need approvals in many cases, general aviation operators are still required to file flight plans. Operators still need approvals for flights in certain areas, such as border areas and prohibited zones, GAMA says.
Gulf Helicopters has signed the largest order by an offshore operator so far for the AgustaWestland AW189 eight-metric-ton helicopter. The Qatar-based operator will buy 15 of the aircraft, which is awaiting imminent certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The firm order, announced during the Dubai Airshow, is the second-largest for the new helicopter, behind Bristow Group’s, which has ordered six aircraft for offshore operations and a further 11 to support its U.K. search-and-rescue (SAR) contract awarded this year.
Beechcraft kicked off a three-month demo tour of its AT-6 light attack aircraft during last week’s Dubai Airshow, trying to capture international interest in the single turboprop that awaits its first major order. The AT-6 will be displayed throughout the Middle East before moving to Africa, Europe and Asia. Beechcraft maintains that it continues to receive growing interest from defense establishments.
General aviation groups are calling on FAA to either shelve altogether or at least undertake a formal rulemaking process if it plans to pursue a requirement for obese pilots and controllers to be screened and possibly treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The groups say the pending policy is unjustified by safety data and, in a letter sent last week to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, argue that Congress has mandated formal rulemaking processes for attempts at imposing similar requirements in other forms of transportation.
Landmark Aviation’s recent deal to acquire Panorama marks the fixed-base operation chain’s fourth purchase this year, and the company is poised to remain on the acquisition trail with other announcements anticipated shortly, ratings agency Moody’s believes. Moody’s recently assigned a B2 rating (higher risk) for a proposed $75 million “add-on term loan” that the agency says will help fund Landmark’s acquisition of Panorama, along with “other recent and future anticipated near-term acquisitions.”
Bombardier is taking initial steps to form a joint venture for a new maintenance facility in China. The Canadian airframer signed a letter of agreement with Tianjin Airport Economic Area in Mainland China to increase maintenance services there. Bombardier and Tianjin Airport Economic Area are hoping to finalize definitive agreements in 2014, clearing the way for a facility to open in 2016.
DAVID JUDGE was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s learning center at the London Farnborough airport in the U.K. Judge joined FlightSafety in 2008 as assistant director of standards at the Farnborough facility. He was promoted to project manager of the Challenger 605 training program in 2011, and most recently was program manager for Sikorsky S-92 training.
GAL Aviation was named an “approved supplier” for Bombardier Aerospace. The recognition covers GAL’s work for Bombardier commercial and business aircraft. GAL, which produces cabinets, galleys and other monuments, plans to initially manufacturer components for Bombardier’s Global series of business jets.
Jet Aviation’s fixed-based operation at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport is expanding its services to accommodate an anticipated increase in traffic. The new offerings include 96-hr. visa facilities, public transport and improved catering options through local service suppliers, along with 24/7 limousine service, oxygen and nitrogen services and airside storage. In addition, Jet Aviation has added interior and exterior VIP aircraft cleaning, as well as bright work polishing, through Go Aviation.
Bell Helicopter is delivering the first 412EPI helicopter to longtime Bell operator Abu Dhabi Aviation for offshore oil field support in the United Arab Emirates. Delivery of the new helicopter is scheduled by the end of the year. Abu Dhabi Aviation, the first commercial operator to put the 412EPI into service, has operated Bell aircraft for more than 30 years, accruing more than 700,000 flight hours in Bell 412 and 212 helicopters. Abu Dhabi Commercial Director Khaled Mashhour says the upgraded 412EPI will provide more flexibility and increase safety.
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is working with regional governments to introduce regulations and policies that lay a foundation for business aviation and curb illegal operations.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s G280 super midsize aircraft has topped 30 city-pair records with a recent speed record set en route to last week’s 13th annual 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.
Despite news of a resurging U.S. manufacturing industry, U.S. export competitiveness in manufacturing continues to decline, according to a new report by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. In 2000, Europe and the U.S. remained atop the world’s exporters, with Japan trailing the U.S. by a little more than one-third the total exports. Since that time, China has leapfrogged both the U.S. and Europe. U.S. exports, in terms of dollar value, have grown 70% since 2000, marking the third slowest growth among the world’s top 11 exporters.
Perry Inhofe, the son of Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), reported a control problem and that the left engine of his MU-2B-25 had shut down shortly before the aircraft crashed while maneuvering on approach to Tulsa International Airport (TUL) on Nov. 10, the National Transportation Safety Board says. Perry Inhofe, 52, the pilot and sole person aboard the aircraft, died in the crash.
Embraer received a purchase agreement from Arab Wings for a Lineage 1000. The aircraft, scheduled for delivery in early 2014, will be managed for an undisclosed customer and available for charter. The aircraft, based in Jordan, will join an Embraer Legacy 600 and 650 on Arab Wings’ operating certificate.
Rockwell Collins was recently selected by Jet Aviation Basel to provide its Venue cabin management and entertainment system and high-definition Airshow 3D Moving Map system for an Airbus A340CJ business jet. The A340CJ will be the largest aircraft to date to carry the equipment, which has been installed on more than 300 aircraft including a number of large VIP jets. HD monitors will be installed throughout the aircraft, along with wireless audio/video-on-demand capability for personal devices. Installation is slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0479; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-070-AD; Amendment 39-17649; AD 2013-22-17] – requires inspecting the intermediate gearbox (IGB) fairing for a crack and inspecting the IGB fairing gutter, if installed, for a crack, separation, or interference. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks, separation of the IGB fairing from the gutter and attachment supports, and subsequent interference with the tail rotor (T/R) inclined drive shaft.
RUSS PIGGOTT joined Boston JetSearch, Inc. to help manage the aircraft search and acquisition process for clients. Piggott formerly spent 14 years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force flying the F-16, and currently serves as a mission-ready F-15 pilot for the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
CHAFIK HILAL was named managing director, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, for Rockwell Collins, effective Jan. 1. Hilal will lead and develop the company’s Commercial and Government Systems business interests in the region. He currently oversees Rockwell Collins government and military business interests in the region. Hilal has spent his professional career at Rockwell Collins, beginning in Government Systems.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0868; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-194-AD; Amendment 39-17650; AD 2013-22-18] – requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect discrepancies on the attaching parts of the lower eyelet fitting of the cockpit windshield center-post, and, if no discrepancy is found, a check to make sure the bolts are tight, and replacement of the attaching parts if necessary.
BELL Model 430 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0491; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-012-AD; Amendment 39-17609; AD 2013-20-03] – requires installing a placard on the instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by several incidents of third-stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations.
