Cessna has resumed deliveries of the Corvalis single-piston aircraft, now called the TTx and equipped with a number of enhancements. Cessna announced in April 2012 that it would restart the TTx’s production line, and began production later that year. The company flew the first of the new production TTx aircraft in early March.
A modified Diamond DA42 is to be used for flights over Alaska later this year to measure greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost. Aurora Flight Sciences has performed flights of its Centaur aircraft over the Chesapeake Bay to calibrate the specially developed measurement system. The twin-diesel Centaur was developed as an optionally piloted aircraft (OPA), but will be flown manned for the measurement flights over Alaska’s Northern Slope later this year, says Aurora. The research mission is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Jet Aviation’s facility in Basel, Switzerland, was selected to support International Jet Management’s managed aircraft fleet. International Jet Management, a Vienna-based management and charter company, has a fleet that includes nearly 20 Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream and Cessna aircraft based throughout Europe. Jet Aviation will provide both line and base maintenance, including warranty support.
Bell Helicopter’s facility at Fort Worth Alliance Airport is being purchased by Tarrant County College. The educational institution plans to utilize the former 161,000-sq.-ft. Bell Helicopter Military Programs Center to expand its successful aircraft maintenance programs currently offered at the college’s Northwest Campus. Tarrant County College plans to occupy the facility in June 2014.
A French company is getting close to beginning certification work on a small turbofan aimed at replacing piston engines in light aircraft, culminating 15 yr. of work The Anglet, southwest France-based Price hopes its 560-lb.-thrust DGEN 380 and 730-lb.-thrust DGEN 390 turbofans will lead to a personal jet that can be priced at between $1 million to $1.5 million.
As aircraft become more electric, so, too does the complexity of integrating their systems and making sure they work together as planned under all scenarios. Now GE Aviation, better known for engines, has invested heavily in what may be the world’s first facility to do just that. GE Aviation is four months away from opening what it believes is the largest and most sophisticated electrical power research and development facility for future aircraft and UAVs.
CARLOS MONSALVE was appointed vice president of sales, Commercial Aircraft Systems for International Communications Group. Monsalve formerly has been a consultant to ICG over the past several years and represented the company to commercial air transport customers. He has more than 30 years of experience.
Eurocopter Deutschland 105, BK 117 and EC135 series helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1305; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-041-AD; Amendment 39-17475; AD 2013-11-15] –requires modifying and identifying the cyclic stick cantilever or lock. This AD, which was prompted by pilots inadvertently taking off with the cyclic locked, is intended to prevent such an event, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD will affect 416 helicopters on the U.S. Registry, with a cost of $43 per helicopter. This AD is effective July 26.
Anthony Foxx officially became the 17th U.S. transportation secretary after he was sworn in July 2 during a private ceremony at Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington. In a message to staff, Foxx noted that “safety will remain our top priority at DOT. At the same time, I will work to improve the efficiency and performance of our current transportation system while building the infrastructure we need for future generations.” Shortly after the ceremony, Congress already began to weigh in on issues it wants addressed. Rep.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) in September will launch a second review of the interoperability of the Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) and FAA’s NextGen at the request of the House aviation subcommittee. “Interoperability” refers to the ability of European and U.S. aircraft to use each other’s air traffic management systems as next-generation air traffic control systems come online.
Bell Helicopter Model 206L-3 and 206L-4 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0489; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-003-AD] – proposes to require installing a placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer and revising the “Limitations” section of the rotorcraft flight manual. This proposed AD was prompted by several incidents of third-stage engine turbine wheel failures that were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations.
An FAA final rule prohibits the use of Stage 2 business jets in the contiguous U.S. after Dec. 31, 2015. The rule, published in the July 2 Federal Register, essentially implements a ban that Congress made law as part of the FAA Modernization Reform Act of 2012. Since Congress directed the phaseout, FAA bypassed the notice of proposed rulemaking stage and issued a final rule effective Sept. 3. But FAA is still accepting comments on the rule through Aug. 1.
FAA is proposing a series of regulations to permit greater use of enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) during landing, address training for EFVS and facilitate installation without the need for special conditions. The agency touts the proposal as a means to help achieve NextGen goals of increasing access and efficiency at airports in low visibility, while maintaining safety.
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) has appointed Rudy Toering president and CEO. Most recently he served as vice president, operations and business development for FlightPath International. Earlier in his career Toering worked for CAE Industries and FlightSafety International, and he also has experience with business aviation groups, including the European Business Aviation Association, the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations Board and the British Business and General Aviation Council.
AgustaWestland and ENAV, the Italian air navigation company, have successfully completed the first stage of qualification and authorization tests for the creation of the first helicopter localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) IFR approaches.
STEVE GENTRY has joined regional fractional provider Executive AirShare as senior sales director, based at the company’s Love Field (DAL) facilities in Dallas. Gentry formerly served as regional sales manager with a fractional program that concentrated on turboprop flight. He has also held sales and management positions with CitationAir and Bombardier Flexjet.
Avantair remains grounded with its workforce furloughed, but it is presenting “a new business model” to its owner group and says it is “optimistic that a viable and sustainable business plan will encourage owners to support the new program.” The company adds that it is validating the fees it charges. “Avantair has recently faced significant liquidity issues. Our business model assumed efficiencies that never materialized and a pricing schedule based on those efficiencies,” Avantair tells its fractional owners in a letter.
Signature Flight Support’s facility in Dublin, Ireland acquired the assets of gategroup’s aircraft deicing business at Dublin Airport. The acquisition follows the purchase by its parent group BBA Aviation of gategroup’s deicing, washing and cabin cleaning business at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The London services are operated by BBA’s Aircraft Service International Group unit. In Dublin, Signature will provide deicing services for business and general aviation aircraft, along with commercial airliners.
A resurgence of interest in the updated Dornier 228 NG from commuter airlines has prompted RUAG Aviation to consider producing another batch of the twin-turboprop multirole aircraft. “We want to pre-sell the next batch before we go ahead with it, but then keep on selling for another batch afterward,” a company executive says.
BRYAN TRAINUM was promoted to vice president, program services for International Communications Group (ICG). Trainum will be responsible for development and management of ICG core programs and lead the team that works with customers in both ICG’s Commercial Aviation Systems and Business Aviation Systems groups. He joined ICG in April 2008 as director of internal systems development, and also has served as a senior business consult in MetLife’s Systems Project Management Group.
Bombardier Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0420; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-284-AD; Amendment 39-17315; AD 2013-01-01] – supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that requires revising the airplane flight manual, deactivating and removing certain hydraulic accumulators, inspecting for cracks on accumulators and screw caps, and replacing certain accumulators. For certain airplanes, this new AD reduces the compliance time.
Cessna Model LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1330; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-006-AD; Amendment 39-17470; AD 2013-11-10] – requires inserting information into the pilot’s operating handbook and the airplane maintenance manual regarding proper use of the brakes. This AD also requires inspection of the aft fuselage.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-725A1-12 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-0458; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-17480; AD 2013-12-03] – requires removal of the FW64852 fuel pump tube and replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the affected fuel pump tube between the fuel metering unit and the main fuel pump.
