Nearly a month after the 16-day government shutdown ended, FAA has made strides in working through its Aircraft and Airmen Registry backlogs and has agreed to provide some operational leeway with oversight and training deadlines. But the agency is still catching up on an already strained certification workload.
JUSTIN ROBERTS is joining Argus as marketing manager, based in the Cincinnati office. Roberts brings a background in strategic multimedia management, website development and optimization, marketing research and project and budget execution. He is an air defense officer in the Ohio Army National Guard and working toward his master’s of business administration at the University of Cincinnati.
DANIEL MACLELLAN was promoted to vice president of operations for FlightSafety International. MacLellan will be responsible for operations at FlightSafety’s worldwide learning center network, taking over duties from Greg McGowan, who is retiring at the end of the year as senior vice president of operations. MacLellan has served with FlightSafety for more than 30 years in positions of increasing responsibility.
The National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing maintenance, medical records, pilot flying history and air traffic control records as part of its resumed investigation into the Sept. 29 crash of a Cessna Citation 525A (CJ2+) at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in California, killing all four aboard.
FAA is shelving a controversial proposed interpretation that would have applied a rest requirement originally designed for Part 121 carriers to Part 135 pilots. FAA formally withdrew the proposed interpretation Nov. 7 at the direction of Congress, which included a measure in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 prohibiting its implementation.
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] – proposes to require a one-time inspection and functional test of the engine control cables and, depending on findings, replacement of the cables.
While general aviation airports can be controversial facilities in many communities, the city of McKinney, Texas, recently agreed to change the name of the local airport from Collin County Regional Airport to McKinney National Airport to highlight its new ownership of the facility and underscore the important role it plays in the community and within the national aviation system. McKinney, which is 30 mi.
FAA Nov. 5 issued a final rule that will give scheduled carriers and training providers five years to upgrade flight simulators and begin more comprehensive training of pilots for stall and upset incidents, as well as for crosswind and gust events. The training update, as well as two other recent FAA rules, come as a direct consequence of the crash of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 near Buffalo, N.Y., in February 2009, after the captain inappropriately responded to a stall warning system alert.
Along with releasing a comprehensive new rule aimed at airline pilot training and simulator use, FAA last week released a report containing a series of recommendations on improving testing standards for private, commercial and instructor certificates. The recommendations were developed by a government-industry working group – the Airman Testing Standards and Training Work Group Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
Million Air continues to expand its network of fixed-base operations (FBOs) through new franchised additions and has plans under way to invest millions into its new facilities. But at the same time, CEO Roger Woolsey stresses that the company remains firmly focused on the FBO business – not the mergers and acquisition business.
SIRKORSKY (ERICKSON AIR-CRANE) S-64E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0454; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-81-AD; Amendment 39-17621; AD 2013-20-15] – supersedes an AD requiring inspecting and reworking the main gearbox (MGB) assembly second stage lower planetary plate. This action establishes or reduces the life limits for certain flight-critical components, removes from service various parts, requires repetitive inspections and other corrective actions, and requires replacing any cracked part discovered during an inspection.
NetJets expanded its network of customer-exclusive terminals with the grand opening Nov. 6 of a facility at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in Florida. The 10,000-sq.-ft. terminal, built and operated by Signature Flight Support, is the sixth NetJets-exclusive facility in the U.S. with specific amenities tailored to the fractional ownership provider’s specifications.
Paul DeHerrera was appointed CEO of Universal Avionics, moving into a new leadership role. Joachim (Ted) Naimer remains as president and chairman. DeHerrera has served with Universal since 1994, beginning as manager of OEM marketing in the company’s headquarters in Tucson, Ariz. He later became vice president of marketing and product support before taking the role of COO in January 2008.
DAVID GARVEY was named supply chain manager of Business Jet Access. Garvey has 35 years of industry experience in aviation material management and sales. In his new role, he will be responsible for all material planning and control, inventory management, shipping and sourcing of future supply chain opportunities.
Key documents laying out the path to integration of unmanned aircraft in national airspace have been released by the U.S. government, but achieving the goals will require “predictable and reliable” funding for the NextGen airspace modernization program, cautions FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
Lisa Piccione, who has served as senior vice president of government affairs for the National Business Aviation Association over the past nine years, is stepping down at the end of the year to move to Brussels. “NBAA is a better organization, and business aviation is a better industry, because of the leadership Lisa has provided during some very challenging times,” says NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Gulfstream Aerospace recently named Prestige Jet as a commercial sales representative in France. The recognition builds on Gulfstream’s relationship with Swiss-based Prestige Jet, which also handles Gulfstream’s transactions in Italy and Switzerland. The firm has representatives in Geneva, Milan and Paris.
Duncan Aviation continues to expand its international authorizations for its maintenance services, with the latest approvals from the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority for its Provo, Utah location and from Bermuda for the Battle Creek, Mich., base. Duncan Aviation’s facilities in Lincoln, Neb., Battle Creek and Provo hold certificates for 10 additional civil aviation authorities around the world, along with FAA approval.
Cessna sold two Citation Mustangs to Yunnan Ruffing General Aviation Company, which plans to become the first to operate the entry-level jet in charter service in China. Yunnan will use the aircraft to connect customers to high-altitude airports, including those around 13,000 ft. above sea level. Cessna plans to deliver the first Mustang to the company in December and the second next year. Founded in 2011, Yunnan operates a Grand Caravan for sightseeing flights in southwest China.
JERRY TINDEL was appointed maintenance supervisor of Business Jet Access. Tindel will oversee operations at BJA’s maintenance facility at Dallas Love Field. He began his aviation career with the U.S. Air Force and since has held roles as field maintenance and lead technician for Falcon and Gulfstream aircraft.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1311; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-204-AD; Amendment 39-17636; AD 2013-22-04] – requires measuring the bellcrank clevis holes, inspecting for cracking of the bellcrank, and reworking the clevis holes with steel bushings, or replacing the bellcrank. This AD was prompted by reports of excessive wear found in the clevis (bolt) hole where the rod assembly attaches to the rudder/brake pedal bellcrank, due to prolonged fretting.
Piper Aircraft is continuing to post improving quarterly deliveries and revenue, as its trainer sales further strengthen. Piper’s third-quarter deliveries were up slightly: it delivered 41 aircraft valued at $37.2 million, up from 40 aircraft valued at $35.2 million a year ago. But through three quarters, deliveries have improved 9% to 127 aircraft, compared with 116 during the same period last year. Revenue during the period grew 6.5% from $106.9 million in 2012 to $113.9 million this year.
