Bell is attempting to reinvent the JetRanger and re-enter a market it left behind five years ago. Juggling development of the Model 525 super medium and the V-280 Valor, the company’s tiltrotor aircraft for the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift requirements, Bell has now added what it calls the Short Light Single (SLS). The helo was unveiled at the Paris air show in a bid to regain market share lost to the Robinson R66 and Eurocopter’s EC120, which filled the void when JetRanger production ended in December 2010.
BELL Model 214B and B-1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0288; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-25-AD] – revises an earlier proposal, which would require inspecting certain pylon support spindle assemblies for any corrosion, or a nick, scratch, dent, or crack, and repairing or replacing any unairworthy spindle before further flight.
Charter operator Travel Management Company is adding Aircell’s Gogo Biz service to its fleet of nearly 70 aircraft. The company, which operates Hawker 400XP and Hawker 800XP aircraft, began introducing inflight Internet service aboard its Hawker 800XP aircraft last year, and is expanding it to the entire fleet. TMC General Manager Scott Wise says inflight Internet has become a “must-have amenity” and says “you have to offer it or you’re going to lose business.”
Embraer President and CEO Frederico Fleury Curado is keeping the door open to a possible helicopter venture in the future even though the teaming agreement with AgustaWestland unraveled. In April, Embraer and AgustaWestland dropped plans to create a joint venture to produce helicopters in Brazil. “We had a memorandum of understanding, but we could not come to terms on fundamental points. It was very peaceful; we agreed to disagree,” he says. But “the business opportunity is still there” to produce helicopters in Brazil, Curado says.
FRANKLIN DAVIS was appointed safety consultant and auditor for Wyvern Consulting. Davis formerly served as director of aviation for American International Group in Teterboro, N.J. Davis has a 34-year career in corporate aviation and has served as chairman of the National Business Aviation Association’s Operations Committee.
The long wait for the release of the final aircraft repair station security rule continues as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) extends its review of the new regulation past its 90-day window.
AARON MOOI was appointed president and general manager, Americas for Pattonair. Mooi is based at the aerospace supply chain provider’s Fort Worth facility and will oversee the company’s North American business. He formerly held a number of leadership positions with Parker Hannifin Corporation, including in its supply chain management business. He also has served with Aviall.
40 Years Ago June 25, 1973 – The Environmental Protection Agency calls for airport noise certification criteria, reduced-thrust takeoff limits on noise-sensitive runways, and new aircraft noise regulations. 30 Years Ago June 6, 1983 – British Aerospace unveils new 125-800 business jet, powered by two Garrett TFE731-5 engines. 20 Years Ago
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ [Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD] – proposes to require inspecting each linear transducer bearing for freedom of movement. This proposed AD would also require replacing the bearing if there is binding or rough turning or if there is chafing or damage on the lower side of the floor. Also, this proposed AD would require modifying and reidentifying a certain rod.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0445; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-098-AD; Amendment 39-17458; AD 2013-10-05] – requires revising the operating limitations to prohibit flights under instrument flight rules (IFR) or under night visual flight rules (VFR) when the autotrim is inoperative. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent a workload situation whereby stabilizing the helicopter in flight would be difficult if not impossible, resulting in possible loss of helicopter control.
Eurocopter expects the three interim fixes that will return the grounded fleet of EC225 heavy helicopters back into operations to be certified in the coming days. The EADS-owned company is packaging together the fixes, which it hopes will allow the aircraft to return operations over hostile environments by mid-July. Eurocopter has already indicated to EC225 operators that the final definitive correction to the problem will be redesign of the bevel gear shaft, a critical component in the main gearbox that drives two lubrication pumps.
VistaJet is expanding its operations with a new office in Malta. The European carrier celebrated the opening of the new Malta operations center with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the minister of tourism and other top-ranking Maltese officials. The center currently employs more than 75 VistaJet employees, and the company has five aircraft under Maltese registry, with plans to add another Global 6000 before the end of June.
FAA is poised to take steep cuts under the House version of the fiscal 2014 transportation funding bill, but air traffic controller salaries and the contract tower program would be protected. The House transportation, housing and urban development appropriations subcommittee on June 19 approved a fiscal 2014 funding bill that would provide FAA with $11.8 billion (not including Airport Improvement Program, or AIP, funding), $756 million below the current fiscal year and $103.3 million below the level from the automatic sequestration cuts.
VistaJet is continuing its rapid growth with another major order for Bombardier business jets, this time a 20-aircraft deal valued at $518 million that further entrenches the European carrier as one of Bombardier’s biggest business jet customers. The order was one of two that Bombardier announced during last week’s Paris air show. The second, from an undisclosed customer, was for 12 Global 8000 aircraft valued at $804 million.
The Experimental Aircraft Association is paying $450,000 to cover FAA controller expenses, but the association says it is continuing to fight the charges and “this isn’t over.”
FAA, trying to strengthen its access to aircraft registration information, released a policy clarification that acknowledges the use of non-U.S. citizen trusts (NCTs) for registration, but stresses that the agency expects to have access to owner and operator information on request.
SHAWN SCHMITZ was named turbine engine tech representative for Duncan Aviation. Schmitz will work with Honeywell and Rolls-Royce lines of aircraft engines. He joined Duncan Aviation in 2001, most recently as team leader for the engine line shop. He also spent six years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Siksorksy and Zhuhai Helicopter Company (ZHC) have signed an agreement for four more S-92 offshore utility helicopters. Since May 2011, ZHC has contracted for eight S-92s to support its customers’ expanding offshore oil operations in the South China Sea. When it takes delivery of the new helicopters in 2014 and 2015, ZHC will operate a total of nine S-92s and 12 S-76s, maintaining its place as the largest Sikorsky commercial fleet operator in Asia and one of the key offshore helicopter operating companies in the region’s offshore market.
HAMILTON STANDARD Model 6/5500/F, 24PF, 14SF, 247F, and 568F series propellers [Docket No. FAA-2013-0262; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-13-AD] – proposes to require incorporating inspections, based on a calendar time, into the propeller maintenance schedule. This proposed AD was prompted by the amount of corrosion detected during major inspections. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent corrosion that could result in propeller failure and loss of airplane control. FAA will accept comments through July 22.
With all the talk of the potential of electric and hybrid propulsion to revolutionize general aviation, it is easy to forget that light aircraft have largely missed out on one of the most fundamental advances in aeronautics—the jet engine. Now, after 15 years of work, a French company is getting close to beginning certification work on a small turbofan aimed at replacing piston engines in light aircraft. And it is fitting such a venture should be French, because the SIPA S.200 Minijet, flown in 1952, was the first jet-powered light touring aircraft.
