Additive manufacturing has captured industry's imagination, but even as the first parts appear inside jet engines, the technology's possibilities are only just being realized.
Since he was appointed CEO of Thales earlier this year, Jean-Bernard Levy has repeatedly proclaimed that there is nothing wrong with the company's business portfolio, because all of its operational units are profitable, if only marginally. Unfortunately, this view is symptomatic of the way most European aerospace and defense (A&D) players fail to understand the value of dynamic business portfolio management.
Embraer will participate in the 13th edition of the Dubai Airshow during November 17-21, at Dubai World Central (DWC), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Swiss-based Vertis Aviation has announced that as part of its international expansion strategy it will open a new Dubai branch of its aviation charter business in January 2014.
Embraer's Commercial Aviation Services and Support division will host the global edition of the Embraer Operators Conference (EOC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from October 13 to 15.
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.
The first Bombardier 415 amphibious waterbomber sold to a U.S. customer has been delivered to Tenax Aerospace and leased to firefighting operator Aero-Flite for use on a multiyear contract with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). With a list price of $34.5 million, the 415 is expected to enter service by the spring, says the USFS, under a five-year, $57 million contract mandating that the aircraft be available 210 days a year. The contract allows for a second 415 to be brought into service if needed.
Al Bateen Executive Airport has announced a 21% increase in visiting aircraft traffic in January through April 2013 versus the same period in 2012. Commercial movements, including that of base operators, also registered an increase of 3% in the first four months of the year compared with the same period last year, reaching a total of 3,506 movements.
Lawmakers are continuing to put pressure on Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to detail and justify stops and searches of general aviation aircraft that are flying within U.S. borders. Eight Senate Republicans wrote Homeland Security acting Secretary Rand Beers seeking a report by Nov. 15 on every stop and search since 2009 and the reasons behind the searches. “The abrupt increase in the number of stops and searches of personnel aboard general aviation aircraft raises concerns that CBP may be violating our citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights,” says the letter, led by Sen.
FAA has formally approved a rulemaking to rewrite Part 23, a key step toward what is expected to be a dramatic change in how the agency approaches small aircraft certification. The authorization to begin the rulemaking comes as Congress nears final passage of a bill that would require FAA to complete the Part 23 rewrite by the end of 2015.
Inefficient certification processes are delaying hundreds of new applications for aircraft operations and repair stations, says Jeffrey Guzzetti, assistant inspector general for aviation audits for the Department of Transportation.
Xojet, which last winter sold its recently acquired Hawker 800XP fleet to partner Travel Management Company (TMC), plans to hold its fleet at a little more than 40 aircraft, a move that is helping the company strengthen its balance sheet to its strongest position in years.
Bombardier missed its third-quarter revenue and earnings forecasts on lower aircraft deliveries and orders the third quarter of 2013. Aerospace revenues for Bombardier fell from $2.3 billion to $2 billion due to a lower level of deliveries, partly because of the transition to the Learjet 70 and 75 programs. The aerospace division achieved a $86 million operating profit, compared with $118 million a year earlier.
RON LADNIER was promoted to vice president of FlightSafety Services Corp., the division of FlightSafety International that provides military training, advanced technology devices and support. Ladnier has served with FlightSafety since 2011 as director of military development. He formerly served in the U.S. Air Force, reaching the rank of major general.
Wilson Air Center is significantly expanding its facilities at Houston Hobby Airport with a new hangar and terminal. The multi-phase project will include a hangar that can accommodate aircraft the size of a Gulfstream G650 and a new 10,000-sq.-ft. executive terminal. The project will be designed for future expansion. Phase I involved a renovation of the existing facilities. Phase II, which is kicking off, includes a new 25,000-sq.-ft. hangar and office complex.
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.
