By modernizing a component as rudimentary as a mechanical circuit breaker, Albuquerque, N.M.,-based Vertical Power has opened the door to a wealth of new applications and safety features for the experimental market, including an automatic landing system that flies to the threshold. The offering is similar to new systems being developed for high-end business jets, but at a much lower cost.
A light bulb went off in Dan Miller's head several years ago as he struggled to complete the avionics behind the panel of his company's newest light sport aircraft, the Spirit Grand Edition. Miller, sales manager for World Aircraft Co., based in Paris, Texas, had an idea that was so obvious it seemed silly that no one had thought of it before.
Sentient Jet, the Boston-based jet card and charter sales provider, is expanding its product portfolio, a move the company says is a response to sales that have reached levels not seen since before the financial crisis in 2008. “We started to see a sharp increase in jet card sales at the beginning of the year – a trend that continued throughout the summer,” says Sentient Jet President Andrew Collins.
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0527; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-014-AD; Amendment 39-17577; AD 2013-18-04] – requires inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fitting (LHF) and, depending on findings, replacement of the MLG. This AD stems from reports that during scheduled maintenance, cracks have been detected at the joint between the hinge pin subassembly and the lock pin of the MLG LHF. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cracks were initiated by an unforeseen friction in the MLG wheel lever subassembly.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-65N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0399; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-064-AD; Amendment 39-17574; AD 2013-18-01] – requires inspecting the collective pitch lever for correct locking and unlocking conditions. This AD was prompted by two separate reports of inadvertent collective pitch lever locking and unlocking. The actions of this AD are intended to detect an incorrectly adjusted collective pitch lever, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
Cessna’s new midsized Latitude is continuing to take shape as the company mated the wings late last month, keeping the business jet on pace for first flight in early 2014. The wing-mating took place two years after Cessna unveiled plans to develop the midsize Latitude, a nine-passenger aircraft that is positioned between the company’s Citation XLS+ and Sovereign aircraft.
Aircell this month is rolling out a new Gogo Biz inflight Internet equipment package targeting smaller operators, including light jets and turboprops. The ATG 2000 system was developed to bring Internet services to aircraft that have lighter passenger loads, the company says.
Magellan Jets recently introduced a new 25-hr. Wi-Fi Jet card, underscoring the importance of Wi-Fi capabilities on charter aircraft. The card guarantees flights aboard a later model midsize or super midsize jet that is equipped with Wi-Fi. “Wi-Fi is arguably the biggest market driver in charter today, and the 25 Hour Wi-Fi Jet Card addresses that demand perfectly,” says Magellan CEO Joshua Hebert.
Business aviation officials are welcoming the deal on a global system to limit aviation emissions, agreed to on Oct. 4 at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, saying it provides a pathway toward a single global standard. Approved on the closing day of the Assembly, held once every three years, the resolution commits ICAO to determining the details of a global system of market-based measures (MBM) by 2016, for implementation from 2020.
MARK HOOD was promoted to global market director for general aviation transparencies for PPG Aerospace, based in Huntsville, Ala. Hood has served with PPG since 1984, beginning in product support engineering. Most recently he was original equipment manufacturer market segment manager for commercial transparencies covering Canadian, South American and European airframe customers.
The business and general aviation community has already begun to feel the ripple effects from the U.S. government shutdown, with a range of critical services coming to a standstill – from FAA’s registration branch to an accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Not only have more than a dozen new aircraft transactions been delayed, but an investigation of one major business aviation accident has been halted.
The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for the FAA to release its enforcement investigative reports (EIRs) to parties appealing emergency enforcement actions. The notice of proposed rulemaking, released recently, expands on requirements of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (PRIA) that was passed last year and designed to provide pilots greater protections during enforcement actions.
BELL Model 206A, 206B and 206L helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD; Amendment 39-17576; AD 2013-18-03] – requires replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system.
BELL Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0400; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-48-AD; Amendment 39-17579; AD 2013-18-06] – requires inspecting each bearing to determine if it has been properly staked and replacing the bearing or assembly if it has not been properly staked. This AD was prompted by bearings not being properly staked and migrating out of their proper position, which may limit the functionality of the affected part.
SCOTT NORDSTROM was appointed director of business development for Zenith Aviation. Nordstrom previously has served as vice president of corporate sales and services for AvCraft Support Services, the former distributor of the Dornier 328 regional aircraft. Most recently, he was president of the International Trade Group.
Duncan Aviation’s base in Provo, Utah, recently received approval from the Brazilian civil aviation authority (ANAC) as an approved aircraft maintenance organization. Brazilian approval follows similar certification for its Battle Creek, Mich., location from Argentina. The Battle Creek and Provo locations hold certifications from 10 international civil aviation authorities, along with FAA approval.
ARTHUR SCOTT was named global market director for commercial transparencies for PPG Aerospace. Scott, who joined PPG’s automotive glass business in 1977, had served as global director for general aviation transparencies since 2010. He joined the aerospace transparencies group in 1987 and in 1991 directed operations at the Wichita office. He returned to Huntsville, Ala., where he is now based, in 1996.
The Department of Transportation is considering a proposal to strengthen consumer protections for the use of charter brokers and charter transportation.
Jet Aviation Hong Kong received authorization from the Hong Kong Business Aviation Center to provide maintenance services for third-party aircraft, along with those in Jet Aviation’s aircraft management division in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong base serves as an authorized factory warranty center for Gulfstream and an authorized service center for Dassault Falcon. Jet Aviation also has a 24/7 aircraft management and charter operation in Hong Kong and 25 aircraft in its Asian Management fleet.
Oct. 8-10—Latin American & Caribbean Engineering & MRO Summit, Bogota, Columbia, www.alta.aero/2010/ Oct. 10-12—2013 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Summit, Fort Worth, Texas, www.aopa.org Oct. 20–21—National Business Aviation Association Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference, Las Vegas, Nev., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Oct. 20–23—ATCA 58th Annual Conference and Exposition, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Washington, D.C., www.atca.org/58annual
