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| AVflash! FAA Not Following Australian Lead | back to top |  |
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No FAA Bonanza Cable AD
The FAA has decided against issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) like those issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Administration (CASA) last week grounding most Beech Bonanzas, Barons and Debonairs in the country. In a news release on Tuesday, American Bonanza Society President Tom Turner said that instead the FAA will issue a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) that will serve to remind mechanics to inspect the full length of the elevator control cables at annual inspection. CASA ordered immediate inspection of elevator control cables in the entire fleet of Beech aircraft with single-pole control yokes after an elevator cable broke on one airplane and another was found to be severely frayed. ABS says there have been no reports of cable problems among its members and it was particularly concerned about a cable replacement requirement in the CASA AD.
In Australia, owners of affected aircraft will have to replace elevator cables that are older than 15 years, regardless of their condition. ABS calls that part of the AD "a difficult, expensive and unnecessary job." Normally, when an aviation safety organization issues an AD like this, agencies in other countries follow suit but ABS says the FAA decided against an AD after consultation with Australian authorities and ABS. "The American Bonanza Society thanks the engineers and leaders of the FAA's office of Continuing Operational Safety for its careful review of the issue before making a rulemaking decision.," the society said. |
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or call (800) 337‑5263.
| ... But Perhaps the Agency Will Be Fully Funded Soon | back to top | |
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FAA Funding Resolution In Sight
For the 23rd time since 2007, the U.S. House on Tuesday passed a short-term extension to the FAA's funding -- but it appears that a more permanent solution is imminent. Leaders in the House and Senate have reportedly worked out their differences and are ready to agree to a long-term funding plan. This week's extension gives them until Feb. 17 to work out the details. One of the thorniest points of contention, about labor rules, has been settled, with a provision that requires 50 percent of airline employees to favor a union before a union election is called, according to The Hill. The House and Senate also still have to work out the actual funding -- the House wants to approve just $14.8 billion, 15 percent below the Senate's $17.4 billion, for four years of operations, according to Business Week.
Among the other issues that will be hashed out in coming weeks are regulations about carrying lithium batteries on cargo aircraft, funding for airport improvement projects, and subsidies for operators who serve rural airports. The assignment of takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., also remains in contention. Senate approval of the short-term bill is expected later this week. |
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| Nevermind the Commercials, What About the Bizjets? | back to top | |
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Indy Prepares For Super Bowl Fly-In
The business jet fly-in that is also known as the Super Bowl is shaping up to be an even larger display of shiny aluminum after the event in Dallas last year attracted 600 aircraft. According to The Wall Street Journal, jet charter and brokerage companies are touting private aviation as being more weather-resistant and generally a lot more fun than holding your arms up to ensure an even dose of radiation. Perception issues surrounding the less than 1 percent of folks who will actually be able to get to Indianapolis in this way seem to be ignored as FBOs and even airport governing bodies tap into the financial windfall that accompanies the biggest game of the year. It doesn't hurt that teams from the net worth Meccas of New York and Boston are playing this year.
Airports close to Indy are reportedly jacking up landing and parking fees for the weekend with at least one charging $75 for landing and $75 a day for a patch of ramp. And at least one Indiana FBO is combining armchair quarterbacking with hangar flying. Million Air at Indianapolis Airport is turning a hangar into a VIP lounge for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those arriving ahead of the game can enjoy snacks, drinks and entertainment in the Touchdown Celebration. On game day the hangar is open from 8 a.m. to midnight. |
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| Bombardier's Year in Jets | back to top | |
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Bombardier Numbers Up
Business is picking up for Bombardier, particularly in the business jet sector where it's been ideally positioned for the continuing big jet boom. The Montreal-based company, the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer, delivered 163 business jets in the 11 months that ended Dec. 31. That compares to 155 delivered in the previous fiscal year and the trend will continue into next year. The company took orders for 249 aircraft (commercial and business) in the 11-month period compared to 201 in the previous fiscal year. "Within this uncertain economic environment, our large business aircraft segment has done extremely well, as seen by our Global business jets family where we have seen continuous growth," Bombardier Aerospace Chief Operating Officer Guy Hachey said in a statement. Bombardier's growth matches industry optimism in other quarters.
Avionics maker Rockwell Collins predicted the long-awaited recovery for business jets will take hold this year. "There's no subtlety: they're going up in rate," Rockwell Collins CEO Clay Jones told Bloomberg in reference to production by major business jet makers. He said the recovery seems to be at hand and "now I can say that more confidently." Rockwell Collins also makes the panel for the Boeing 787 and it's doubled production to four a month as Boeing tries to get caught up with its Dreamliner backlog. |
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| For JSF, the Landing Is the Hard Part | back to top | |
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Tailhook Troublesome For Stealth Fighter
The tailhook might seem like a mature bit of technology for airplanes -- it's been in use for more than 100 years -- but Lockheed Martin is finding it a challenge to get the tailhook to work right on its high-tech F-35C Joint Strike Fighter stealth aircraft. A recent Defense Department report (PDF) about the test program said that during simulated carrier landings at Lakehurst, N.J., last year, the test aircraft "could not engage the arrestment cable. … Resolution of these deficiencies is needed for testing to support F-35C ship trials in late 2013." A Lockheed official, Tom Burbage, told the NavyTimes that a new design for the tailhook is already in the works and will be tested at Lakehurst in the second quarter of this year, with plenty of time to iron out the problem before sea trials begin.
Burbage said one problem with the F-35C is that as the Navy's first stealth fighter, it's the first that had to be designed with a tailhook that can be concealed. As a result, the hook is placed closer to the main landing gear than on a conventional aircraft. Thus the time between when the main gear rolls over the cable and when the hook picks it up is shorter, and is there is less time for the cable's reaction to dampen. The shape of the hook is being redesigned to improve its performance, Burbage said. The rest of the design of the tailhook system, including the doors and a bay that conceal the hook, have proven to work, he said. |
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| Opinion & Commentary | back to top | |
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AVweb Insider Blog: LSA Weight Limits — Is Higher Better?
Raising the 1,320-pound light sport aircraft weight limit is again being discussed. It's far from any action stage, but it's not clear exactly what the benefit is, other than to include in the LSA umbrella some additional legacy airplanes. On the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli examines the pros and cons.
Read more and join the conversation.
AVweb Insider Blog: Red Tails -- Not Awful, But Not Great, Either
George Lucas intended Red Tails to feel like a movie shot during the 1940s. He got the hokey dialog part right, but at the expense of really telling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Still, says Paul Bertorelli on the AVweb Insider blog, it's worth a trip to the theater to see.
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| Who's Where | back to top | |
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Hubner to Telvent DTN
Dave Hubner is now a weather services executive at Telvent DTN. He was previously director of products and services at Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Isaac: Lancair Canada Rep
Ryan Isaac is Lancair's new sales rep for western Canada. He owns Aviate Consulting in Toronto.
Who's Where? You Tell UsGet a promotion or a new job? Your colleagues want to know about it, and AVwebBiz can get the word out. Drop us a line about the staff appointment, with a nice recent photo, and we'll do our best to include it in our new section, "Who's Where." The items will be permanently archived on AVweb for future reference, too. |
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| AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn | back to top | |
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Video: CTLE Light Sport Police AircraftOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos There's a new eye in the sky over Tulsa these days, and it's keeping an eye on things for the local sheriff's office for about 10 percent of the cost of a helicopter. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with Roger Crow of Echo Flight Resources about the Flight Design CTLE law-enforcement platform based on a light sport aircraft.
Video: Allegro Comes to the U.S.Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos Most light sport aircraft are made in Eastern Europe, but there's a slight trend to bring these airplanes to the U.S. for manufacture. One of the companies at the fore of that trend is Allegro. At the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, AVweb talked to the company about its plans.
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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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AVweb's Newstips Address ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. |
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| Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebBiz Team
AVwebBiz is a weekly summary of the latest business aviation news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the world's premier independent aviation news resource.
The AVwebBiz team is:
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? Your advertising can reach over 225,000 loyal AVwebFlash, AVwebBiz, and AVweb home page readers every week. Over 80% of our readers are active pilots and aircraft owners. That's why our advertisers grow with us, year after year. For ad rates and scheduling, click here or contact Tom Bliss, via e-mail or via telephone [(480) 525-7481].
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Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. |
