A softening of purchase expectations in several regions led Honeywell Aerospace to scale back its 10-year forecast for new aircraft deliveries, but the increasing preference for large-cabin, long-range aircraft is keeping the anticipated dollar value of those deliveries at the same level as previous forecasts.
The FAA has given Applied Research Associates Inc.’s (ARA’s) Nighthawk IV micro-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) a special airworthiness certificate, which will allow potential customers to apply for agency approval to operate the 2-lb. aircraft in the national airspace. “This special airworthiness certificate is supported by extensive safety, manufacturing, inspection, maintenance and crew training procedures that were reviewed and accepted by the FAA as part of a recent visit to witness post-certification maiden flights,” ARA says in an announcement.
Embraer Executive Jets has announced, during its press conference at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2013, Jackie Chan is the launch customer of the Legacy 500 executive jet in China, with scheduled delivery for 2015.
Citing the U.S. interstate highway system and the space program of the 1960s, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in an address last week at Princeton University argued that “only the government” is capable of coordinating the development of major transportation infrastructure projects such as NextGen. However, he also stressed that close coordination across government agencies and with private sector partners will be essential to successful deployment of the system.
BELL Model 214B, 214B-1, and 214ST helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0288; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-25-AD; Amendment 39-17587; AD 2013-19-05] – requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for certain pylon support spindle assemblies, establishes a new retirement life for spindles installed on Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, reduces the retirement life for spindles installed on Model 214ST helicopters, and requires replacing any spindle that has reached its airworthiness retirement life.
The end of the 16-day government shutdown comes as a relief to the business aviation industry, but questions linger as to how long it will take FAA to ramp back up and whether the industry will face the same situation in another three months. National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen says the agreement ending the shutdown is welcome because “it brings a resolution to an untenable situation,” adding the consequences have been devastating.
The number of U.S. business jet accidents appears to be going down based on the 2013 returns, but landing-phase accidents continue to be a problem and have helped spur an increase in fatal accidents, according to preliminary data from safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates.
Bombardier Aircraft held a ceremonial celebration for the “delivery” of the first Learjet 75s on Oct. 17 – ceremonial because the aircraft is not yet certified. Bombardier had hoped to have U.S. FAA certification of the aircraft leading into the National Business Aviation Association convention Oct. 22-24, but the U.S. government shutdown pushed it off. Official deliveries will occur later this year when the aircraft is certified.
Jet Aviation was named an authorized reseller of VisionSafe’s Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS) cockpit smoke protection system. Jet Aviation will offer the technology to its aircraft management and maintenance customer based in the U.S. Jet Aviation’s facilities in Bedford, Mass., Teterboro, N.J. and Houston will be authorized to train and install the system. EVAS is standard on the Gulfstream G650 and is certified for use in more than 80 aircraft types. FAA has installed EVAS on its jet fleet.
Beechcraft reportedly has instructed Credit Suisse to approach prospective buyers, including Cessna Aircraft, just months after the manufacturer emerged from an extensive Chapter 11 reorganization. Beechcraft is not commenting on the Bloomberg report, but CEO Bill Boisture last summer noted to Aviation Week that three of the company’s major shareholders are those that specialized in distressed properties. In those cases, he said, the question comes up on whether they’re long-term owners. “I wouldn’t think so,” he said.
Oct. 22–24—National Business Aviation Association 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013), Las Vegas, Nev., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Nov. 6-8—SpeedNews 18th Annual Regional & Business Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Paradise Valley (Scottsdale), Ariz. www.speednews.com Nov. 6-8—Aircraft Electronics Association Regional Meeting, Kansas City, Mo. www.aea.net/events.asp
SPP Canada Aircraft (SPPCA) is forming a business alliance with established maintenance, repair and overhaul companies Lufthansa Technik and its subsidiary Hawker Pacific Aerospace in a move that the landing gear system supplier hopes will help build its base in the North American market and attract new programs as a Tier 1 supplier.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0822; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-004-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires installing two placards and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). The AD also requires certain checks and inspecting and replacing, if necessary, all four laminated half-bearings.
CHAD CUNDIFF was appointed president of Astronautics Corp., succeeding Michael Russek, who is retiring. Cundiff has more than 20 years of aerospace experience, most recently leading strategy and business development for UTC Aerospace Systems. Before that, he spent more than 15 years with Honeywell Aerospace, where he held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of crew interface products. He began his career as an engineer with The Boeing Company, working on the development of the 777.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, C, D, D1, AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1158; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-018-AD] – proposes to revise AD 2011-22-05 for affected helicopters with certain tail rotor pitch control rods installed. AD 2011-22-05 currently requires, before the first flight of each day, checking the tail rotor (T/R) pitch control rod outboard spherical bearing for play. If play exists, AD 2011-22-05 requires measuring the bearing’s radial and axial play.
ROBINSON Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0380; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-067-AD; Amendment 39-17588; AD 2013-19-06] – requires, for affected helicopters with certain fuel shutoff valves installed, replacing the fuel shutoff valve with a newer design fuel shutoff valve. This AD is prompted by three accidents that occurred because the fuel shutoff valve was inadvertently moved to the “off” position.
PILATUS Model PC-12/47E airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0610; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-017-AD; Amendment 39-17592; AD 2013-19-10] – requires relocation of the electronic standby instrument system (ESIS) ground connection. This AD is prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information from the European Aviation Safety Agency that cited the discovery during a design review the common grounding of both the pilot primary flight display (PFD) and the ESIS.
Honda Aircraft last week held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., to formally open a customer service facility. The new 90,000-sq.-ft. facility is part of an effort to build up a company alongside an aircraft program, Honda Aircraft says, adding it will provide a corporate base for its customer service organization that manages warranty administration; service programs sales and administration; 24/7 technical support center; technical publications; and training.
OWEN COULMAN was named regional commercial sales manager in North America for Bell Helicopter. Coulman will be responsible for sales in the Western U.S., including California, Arizona and Hawaii. A former U.S. Marine, he flew the AH-1W SuperCobra. He is also a commercial pilot and aircraft owner who holds a certified flight instructor instrument (helicopter) rating.
The National Business Aviation Association expects attendance during this year’s newly-dubbed Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas to remain on par if not be a little stronger than last year’s event that drew a little more than 25,000 people. NBAA is hosting an indoor display of light fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters for the first time, along with the 1,100 exhibitors who will be on site. The static display at Henderson Executive Airport is sold out with 85 aircraft.
Very-light-jet (VLJ) pioneer Vern Raburn has been named CEO and chairman of Titan Aerospace, a New Mexico-based start-up developing solar-powered, high-altitude, ultra-long-endurance unmanned aircraft. Titan is developing the Solara series of “atmospheric satellites,” aiming to fill the gap between conventional aircraft and spacecraft with solar-powered UAVs that can stay aloft at 65,000 ft. for up to five years.
