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.
After a summer where business aircraft flying strengthened notably in North America, activity slowed in September, but still ended the third quarter up over the previous year, according to business aviation analyst Argus. The September slide, down 4.9% over August, tracks with historical trends of slowing travel as the summer end. But it was still up 1.3% over September 2012, showing a slow but continual trend of improving flight activity since the first quarter, even if the improvement was only modest.
Quintessentially Aviation Handling is launching what it hopes will be a chain of fixed-base operations, beginning with a facility in Shannon, Ireland. The first QA FBO began operations this month through a partnership with Sky Handling Partners. Quintessentially plans to move into a new facility later this year that includes crew accommodations with a rest area, showers, flight-planning capabilities, WiFi, satellite TV and a lounge. The facility will be a strategic partner with World Fuel and a member of the Air Elite network of independent FBOs.
Mooney Aircraft is taking initial steps to return to production after receiving a round of funding from the California-based engineering firm Soaring America Corp. Mooney and its newest investor completed the deal on Oct. 7, clearing the Kerrville, Texas single-engine manufacturer to restart production in January. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Clay Lacy Aviation has added 15 new aircraft to its charter and managed aircraft fleet so far in the second half of 2013, marking “the most dramatic growth since the company’s founding in 1968 and a resurgent aviation market.” The new additions increase Clay Lacy’s fleet to 75 jets and include Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker and Falcon jets.
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 in previous forecasts. In its latest Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell predicts a market for 9,250 new business jets valued at $250 billion through 2023.
Embraer’s executive jet deliveries continue to strengthen this year, with third-quarter shipments reaching their highest levels since 2009. The Brazilian airframer’s business jet deliveries eclipsed commercial deliveries in the third quarter, but new commercial orders helped increase its backlog, which is approaching prior levels again.
Cessna Aircraft’s business jet delivery woes continued into the third quarter with shipments dipping to 25 units, down from 41 units last year, resulting in another quarterly loss, Cessna parent Textron reported Oct. 18. Cessna posted a $23 million loss in the quarter, compared with a $30 million profit a year ago. The third-quarter results follow a $50 million loss in the second quarter, when deliveries plummeted by 50% to 20 business jets.
The National Business Aviation Association, celebrating the 60th year of its Flying Safety Awards, plans to recognize 14 member companies for their safety records during this week’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. This year’s program will honor eight companies with the 60 Year Safe Flying Achievement Award: Citigroup Corporate Aviation, Duke Energy Corp., The Kroger Co., NCR Aviation Department, PPG Industries, SC Aviation, Spectra Energy Corporation and Twin Disc. Six others will receive the 50 Year Safe Flying Achievement Award.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is planning a special seminar on safe operations in urban areas on Oct. 24 at Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California (SMO). The seminar, to be held by the AOPA Air Safety Institute, follows a recent Citation crash at SMO that killed four and stirred up ongoing community opposition to the airport there. Activists have long wanted to shut down the airport, arguing its layout is unsafe and the runway buffer zones are inadequate. The most recent accident has spurred Rep.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) [Docket No. FAA-2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD] – proposes to require modification of the direct current power centers. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status indications on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays.
CRAIG FULLER , the former Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president who recently joined the board of directors of Redbird Flight Simulations, was named chairman of the board for the Austin, Texas-based training company. The appointment of Fuller will free founder Jerry Gregoire to focus on expansion strategies, research and new product development, Redbird says. Fuller brings a background of business, public policy and government experience to his new role.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 2000 and 2000EX [Docket No. FAA-2013-0862; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-098-AD] – proposes to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures to advise the flight crew of the new center of gravity (CG) limits. The proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new CG limits applicable during takeoff with a Slat/Flap SF2 setting are necessary. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent an erratic takeoff path and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposal would affect 69 aircraft on the U.S.
GUSTAVO BOTURA has joined Naples Jet Center as director of Embraer sales. Botura will market both maintenance and aircraft sales for Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft. He will also have marketing and sales responsibilities in South America. Botura previously spent seven years with Embraer in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, holding positions that ranged from landing gear and spare parts sales to overseeing Phenom deliveries and customer care.
AgustaWestland has flown the first production AW189 helicopter in Italy. The 8-ton aircraft – ultimately destined for launch customer Bristow – took to the air at the company’s Vergiate facility on Oct. 10. The aircraft is still pending type certification, which is expected soon following what the company called a “milestone” AW189 type board meeting held in Germany in late September.
ExcelAire is expanding its presence in New York with the opening of an office and hangar spaces at White Plains Airport. ExcelAire, which is based at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), says the new facilities will help accommodate a growing demand for management and charter services in the Westchester, N.Y. area. The facility will provide aircraft management and charter services, and currently has a Cessna Citation CJ3 and Falcon 900 based there. ExcelAire’s fleet continues to grow, most recently with the addition of the CJ3.
Bell Helicopter reached agreement on a five-year contract with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) and UAW Local 218, representing about 2,400 of the company’s production and manufacturing employees. The agreement was ratified on Oct. 13 with 93% of the vote. The previous contract lapsed in June and UAW members had rejected two prior contract offers.
