Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is seeking to potentially add one or two more fixed-base operations at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in California. LAWA, which oversees VNY in addition to Los Angeles International (LAX) and Ontario (ONT), issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for parties interested in operating an FBO at the airport. RFQ Statements of Qualifications are due Oct. 28.
Talon Air, a Farmingdale, N.Y.-based charter and management company, is building on its position as the largest Hawker 4000 owner, adding four more to its fleet. The addition of the Hawker 4000s increases the operator’s fleet of the model to nine. The aircraft will be based at the company’s hangar and office complex at Republic Airport. The Talon 4000s are equipped with high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi, two cabin monitors, Airshow, satellite phone, iPod connections and a CD/DVD system.
AgustaWestland is reformulating its plans to launch helicopter assembly in Brazil following the termination of negotiations concerning potential co-production with Embraer earlier this year. The company is now considering going it alone with its Brazilian subsidiary, AgustaWestland Do Brasil, which announced that it is planning a major expansion of its facilities in the city, which the company says will include maintenance hangars with space that could accommodate a helicopter final assembly line.
The National Transportation Safety Board is seeking an expansion of an aviation weather camera program, currently in Alaska, to cover the rest of the U.S. FAA launched an aviation camera program in 1999 to help pilots better prepare for unpredictable weather and varied terrain. Since that time, aviation weather cameras have been installed in at least 185 locations, and are expected to be installed in 221 locations by 2014.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model MBB-BK117 A-3, MBB-BK117 A-4, MBB-BK117 B-1, and MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0520; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-027-AD; Amendment 39-17484; AD 2013-12-06] – requires, for helicopters with a Metro Aviation (Metro) vapor-cycle air conditioning kit installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SH3880SW, repetitively inspecting the air conditioning drive pulley for looseness and properly installed lockwire, and also requires reinstalling the pulley.
While U.S. flight operations have remained stubbornly flat in recent years, European operations are continuing to slide year over year, particularly in the western countries, according to the latest figures by Eurocontrol. Traffic numbers have climbed throughout the year in Europe, as is the typical pattern. But when compared with the previous year’s levels, traffic is down across the board. And last year’s levels were down over those in 2011.
PILATUS Model PC -7 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0383; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-008-AD; Amendment 39-17498; AD 2013-13-10] – requires changes to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), which adds life-limits, revises life-limits or adds inspections not previously identified.
Rectrix Aviation last week broke ground on a new $5 million 27,000-sq.-ft. fixed-base operation at Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts. The facility will provide full FBO services and include space for maintenance, storage, customer service and a training and conference center. The new Worcester facility is one of two FBOs that Rectrix plans to build as part of a multi-million dollar contract awarded by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). Along with Worcester Regional Airport, Rectrix is planning a new FBO at L.G. Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass.
The U.S. Customs office in Fargo, N.D. (KFAR) moved into a new 3,603-sq.-ft. facility on the north general aviation ramp next to Fargo Jet Center (FJC). Fargo Jet Center officials note the move marks a significant improvement for its international customers, who had to clear customs at a facility more than a mile from its FBO and receive FBO services remotely. “The new U.S.
AERObridge was selected as the recipient of the National Aeronautic Association’s 2013 Public Benefit Flying Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying. The award, created in 2003, is recognizing AERObridge for “creating a nationwide network of volunteer aircraft owners, operators, FBOs, and pilots willing to donate their time, effort, and funding for the alleviation of the suffering of those in need due to disaster or circumstance – all of which was put to use in their tremendous response in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy,” NAA says.
Wheels Up, the startup “private membership” charter and business aircraft services operation founded by Marquis Jet co-founder Kenny Dichter, is continuing to take shape, with an executive team forming that includes a number of industry veterans who have held senior positions in both the Part 135 and fractional operations markets. Dichter announced the formation of Wheels Up earlier this month, signing the single largest contract for a fleet of business turboprops.
FAA has agreed to permit pilots operating Experimental Aircraft Association Eagle Flight and Young Eagles flights to seek reimbursement for fuel under certain conditions, providing a little more latitude than previous approvals. But EAA is still assessing the conditions to determine whether the petition will provide benefits to volunteers.
VARIOUS RESTRICTED CATEGORY Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0553; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-041-AD; Amendment 39-17502; AD 2013-13-14] – requires, for helicopters with certain main rotor hub inboard strap fittings installed, magnetic particle inspection (MPI) of the fittings for a crack, and if there is a crack, replacing the fitting with an airworthy fitting.
BEN HUMBERT joined Landmark Aviation’s facility in Grand Rapids, Mich., as general manager. Humbert has more than 10 years of general aviation experience. He was formerly a safety and training manager at Atlantic Aviation.
JOHN MARINO, 65, who spent nearly four decades with FlightSafety International, died on Aug. 16 following a long battle with cancer. Marino began his aviation career in the U.S. Army, where he earned both rotary and fixed wing licenses and held several operational and command positions, including command of a rescue helicopter unit. He joined FlightSafety International in 1979 in its Vero Beach, Fla., facility and held a number of operations, management and marketing roles.
Beechcraft hopes to sign up a launch customer for the AT-6 light-attack aircraft by year’s end, having flown the company-owned first production aircraft on Aug. 20. “There are a couple of customers we are working with,” says Russ Bartlett, president of Beechcraft Defense Co., describing negotiations as “very mature.” One customer is looking for around 24 AT-6s and the other a “similar or higher” number of aircraft, he says, adding Beechcraft is ready to begin deliveries 18 months from contract receipt.
JIM WINKEL has become president of Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU). He joins ASU from L-3 Warrior Systems as vice president of international business development. In that role, he was a driver behind ASU’s global distribution deal with L-3 in 2011. A former U.S. Army aviator, he served as an instructor pilot, standardization instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner and commander in single and multi-engine helicopters as well as fixed-wing aircraft.
DASSAULT Model 2000 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0466; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-156-AD] – proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires repetitive operational tests, repetitive measurements, and repetitive replacement of certain jackscrews. Since FAA issued that AD, the manufacturer revised the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate new or revised maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
THOMAS KENNEDY was appointed regional engine manager for Dallas Airmotive. Kennedy will represent all of the company’s engine and auxiliary power unit services for customers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. He formerly served with Signature TechnicAir Aircraft Maintenance, where he held the positions of director of maintenance and accountable manager. He also spent seven years as director of maintenance at Jet Aviation in Bedford, Mass., and six years at British Midlands as lead technician.
AGUSTA Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0256; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-01-AD] – proposes to revise an existing AD that currently requires inspecting the fuselage frame to detect fatigue cracks which could lead to structural failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Since FAA issued that AD, Agusta has developed a frame reinforcement modification which supports extending the interval for inspecting the fuselage frame for a fatigue crack.
Beechcraft, which is still hoping to land a launch customer for its AT-6 light attack aircraft this year, remains among the leading Pentagon aviation contractors with its trainer T-6 version, along with its special mission aircraft and support deals, according to an Aviation Week analysis of aviation-related transactions in 2011, the most recent year for which data was available. Beechcraft ranked 10th among all aviation contractors – fixed-wing, rotary wing and unmanned – with $364 million worth of business and 122 contracts or contract modifications in 2011.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a contract tender for the reconstruction of a taxiway at the Cape May County Airport in Southern New Jersey as the site of a new airport technology test bed for the FAA. The FAA plans to use the taxiway as a test location where it will design, install, test, monitor and report on new technologies for signs, lighting and markings, as well as for other airport safety and pavement research. The Cape May airport is 30 nm southwest of the FAA’s primary airport research facility at William J.
It pays to be the new guy, according to data gathered for the 2013 Aviation Week Workforce Study. Pay for new college graduates rose by 3.4% between 2011 and 2012, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). In the aerospace and defense industry, the increase was slightly lower, at 3.2%. Companies with fewer employees worked to retain their workforces, awarding pay increases on average of 4.1%.
Aerospace and defense companies large and small plan to hire in 2013. While much of the hiring will replace workers leaving for retirement or a new opportunity, the numbers also include some all-new jobs and new skills.
As a war-weary nation grapples with how to cut military spending and a dysfunctional Congress allows meat-ax budget cuts to fall on the Defense Department and NASA, one might expect that the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industry's best and brightest talent would be heading for the exits. Indeed, one-in-five A&D professionals under the age of 35 submitted resignations in 2012, up from 12% the year before. The good news: most left to go work for another aerospace company.
