EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP [Docket No. FAA-2013-0878; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-033-AD; Amendment 39-17625; AD 2013-21-01] – requires certain inspections of each tail rotor pitch horn assembly for a crack, and if there is a crack, before further flight, replacing the pitch horn with an airworthy pitch horn. This AD is prompted by a report of a crack in the yoke of a pitch horn.
The City of Santa Monica is turning to the courts to gain control over the future of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), a step that would allow the city to close the airport.
BRYAN SHELTON was named director of field operations for Zenith Aviation. 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 (Executive Division). For Zenith, Shelton will manage special projects.
BELL Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0500; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-45-AD; Amendment 39-17624; AD 2013-20-18] – supersedes an existing AD that requires reidentifying each affected part-numbered main rotor yoke on its data plate, reducing the retirement life of the reidentified yoke, and revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) accordingly. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-05-09 with the exception of the P/N marking location.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is continuing to expand its portfolio of hourly cost maintenance programs for business aircraft. JSSI unveiled Tip-to-Tail coverage for the Gulfstream G650 business jet, covering engine, airframe and auxiliary power unit coverage in one maintenance program for G650 owners. JSSI President and CEO Neil Book sees the program complementary to the manufacturer’s warranty programs, covering areas where the warranty would not.
KENNETH WITCHER was named dean of the College of Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. Witcher has served with the university for nine years in a number of roles, including adjunct faculty member, director of academics and program chair. In his new role, he will lead nearly 50 full-time faculty and more than 900 active adjunct faculty who teach courses online and at more than 150 locations worldwide. Before joining Embry-Riddle, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Aerion is hoping to have a final engine selection in place by the end of next year for its supersonic business aircraft, or aircraft family, and believes the design could be ready to hit the market by late 2020.
Gulfstream’s G650 recently established a westbound, around-the-world flight speed record for non-supersonic aircraft. The aircraft, Gulfstream’s largest and fastest, traveled the globe in 41 hr. and 7 min., a record for the C-1.l aircraft class (aircraft with takeoff weights of 77,162 to 99,208 lb.). Both the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale have certified the record. The aircraft averaged speeds of 568.5 mph. (494 kt.) and captured 22 city-pair records. The 650 has accrued 38 records since January 2011.
Embraer is rolling out an upgraded version of its AHEAD (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis) system for support of the new Legacy 500 and 450 jets. AHEAD integrates onboard aircraft systems, technical publications and a maintenance tracking system and provides inflight advance notification to provide troubleshooting. The upgraded system improves performance, is accessible through mobile devices and is integrated with maintenance tracking provider CAMP. The AHEAD upgrades, designed for the support of the 500 and 450, also were migrated to the Phenom 300 and 100.
LYCOMING and CONTINENTAL MOTORS Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A, and Continental TSIO-360-MB, TSIO-360-SB, and TSIO-360-RB reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-1245; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-17626; AD 2013-21-02] – supersedes an existing AD affects engines with AD certain Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) turbochargers (Model TA0411). The original AD required removing certain HET turbochargers from service before further flight. This AD also requires removing certain HET turbochargers from service before further flight.
AGUSTAWESTLAND Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0881; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-056-AD; Amendment 39-17628; AD 2013-20-51] – publishes an emergency AD sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters that requires, before further flight, inspecting certain Thomas coupling nuts on the tail rotor drive shaft line for a crack and replacing all the nuts if any nut is cracked. This AD also requires replacing all affected Thomas coupling nuts within 10 hr.
Bombardier has undertaken initiatives to increase certain maintenance intervals for Learjet 40/45 and newer Challenger and Global aircraft. The manufacturer says the intervals for hourly task and monthly checks are improving by as much as 50%, lowering direct maintenance costs and reducing aircraft downtime. Bombardier estimates the changes could reduce labor costs by nearly 50% while improving dispatch availability by 250 days over the lifetime of an aircraft, depending on the model.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6A-114 and -114A turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0766; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-26-AD] – proposes to require initial and repetitive borescope inspections of compressor turbine (CT) blades, and the removal from service of blades that fail inspection. This proposed AD was prompted by several incidents of CT blade failure, including two fatalities, resulting in power loss and inflight shutdown of the engine. FAA estimates that the proposal affects 300 engines installed on U.S.-registered aircraft at a cost of $102,000 for the fleet.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0833; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-140-AD; Amendment 39-17615; AD 2013-20-09] – requires replacing the panel assembly of the main distribution center (MDC) rack. This AD was prompted by findings of chafed power wires due to flexing of the MDC rack panel. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent damage to power wires, which could cause simultaneous loss of systems such as electrical power, pilot indications, and caution/advisory lighting systems, which are essential for safe flight.
The National Business Aviation Association, continuing its effort to raise the visibility and underscore the importance of business aviation, is highlighting the key role the industry plays in global marketplaces with a new study that finds most top global companies rely on business aircraft.
Dallas Aeronautical Services (DAS) broke ground on a new 50,000-sq.-ft. facility in Cedar Hill, Texas that will enable the company to consolidate operations currently spread among five separate buildings. Completion of the new facility is slated for early 2014. The facility will accommodate DAS’s aircraft component work and include two autoclaves, custom paint center and a range of testing facilities. In addition, the company’s Brazil operation is expanding into a new facility in Sao Jose do Campos, Brazil in the first half of 2014.
Business jet billings are surging ahead on the strength of large-cabin business jet deliveries, but ongoing delivery woes at the light end of the market continue to temper overall business jet shipments. Industry billings for the first nine months have reached $15.4 billion, nearly one-quarter more than the $12.4 billion in billings a year ago, according to the latest report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. This is despite a 2.1% decline in business jet shipments from a year ago.
Beechcraft received a follow-on order from the Mexican air force (FAM) for six T-6C+ military trainers. The order doubles the original order for six T-6C+ aircraft that FAM placed in January 2012. The order calls for the trainers to be delivered later this year after the necessary export licenses are obtained. The trainers will replace FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD] – proposes to require inspecting the turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack, and depending on the results, either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for corrosion. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that a turnbuckle had failed because of corrosion.
Eyeing difficult budget negotiations and the prospect of more sequestration cuts, a dozen aviation organizations are urging lawmakers to ensure that the contract tower program receives adequate funding and is shielded from potential dismantling. The organizations, representing airports, local communities, business aviation, airlines and other interests, wrote the House and Senate Appropriations Committees endorsing language that dedicates $140 million in funding to the contract tower program.
The city of McKinney, Texas, took over operations, including a new city-run fixed-base operation, at Collins County Regional Airport. McKinney Air Center will provide fuel, ground services and a range of amenities for aircraft at the airport and will be headed by Mark Jaraczewki, who brings 20 years of experience as an FBO general manager. McKinney says the move is designed to spur economic development.
Embraer is planning to more than double its footprint in Melbourne, Fla., as it expands its business jet operations there to include assembly of its new Legacy 500 and 450 business jets.
A Senate panel on aviation led by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) convenes this week to discuss how to keep aviation manufacturing in the U.S. competitive. But competition in the increasingly global airline and aerospace industries is in the eye of the beholder. U.S. unionized pilots and flight attendants are scrutinizing how Norwegian Air Shuttle proceeds with its latest round of contract negotiations. The contract talks represent a test case for the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement in 2010, which allows more European flights into the U.S.
