Preliminary analysis of the fatal crash of an air ambulance IAI Westwind on July 2 at Panama City Tocumen International Airport indicates both Honeywell TFE731 engines were “spooling perfectly” before the crash, according to an investigator on site.
AINonline
July 23, 2007 - 11:00am
Automatic throttle systems are now available as a $220,000 option for new Gulfstream 200s, as well a retrofit for the more than 90 Galaxy/G200s currently in service.
July 23, 2007 - 10:59am
Korea Aerospace Industries and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace will collaborate with Bell to “develop, certify, produce and market the 427i light twin IFR helicopter.” The 427i will have IFR capability, as well as increased cabin size and performance over the current VFR-only 427, according to Bell. Certification of the 427i is scheduled for early 2007, with deliveries to begin shortly thereafter.
July 23, 2007 - 10:57am
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee and self-described “persistent bastard,” continues to rail against the lack of action in reopening Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to most general aviation operations.
July 23, 2007 - 10:54am
Bell Helicopter’s commercial division knows as well as anyone about the challenge of making a living in a stagnant industry that appears unlikely to grow beyond generally accepted delivery projections of 400 to 500 helicopters a year. For years the only real avenue to sales growth lay in scratching for more market share–a circumstance unlikely to change in the near future.
July 23, 2007 - 10:43am
When officials at Los Angeles World Airports awarded a contract for a leasehold at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), some of the seven losing bidders cried foul. The winner, Castle & Cooke, is backed by billionaire David Murdock, and the protesters claim it was his support of Los Angeles mayor James Hahn that secured the deal.
July 23, 2007 - 10:39am
Honeywell TFE731 maintenance shops at Harrods Aviation in Farnborough, UK, and Sweden’s Volvo Aero have signed a service agreement combining their offerings. The result is a one-stop, heavy maintenance and overhaul team fully supporting the popular turbofan. Honeywell has designated Harrods’ engine shop a major service center, while Volvo Aero has offered heavy maintenance on the TFE731 Classic, -20, -40 and -60 variants.
July 23, 2007 - 10:37am
Aviation One, now based at Plymouth (Mass.) Municipal Airport (PYM), offers fractional leases on a CitationJet and a Piper Seneca V piston twin. Founded in 1997, Aviation One plans to provide low-cost regional transportation for clients whose needs include both jet travel and relatively short-range trips that are more economically feasible in the Seneca.
July 23, 2007 - 10:35am
National Air Traffic Controllers Association president John Carr said, “Fewer eyes watching busier skies is not a scenario any of us want. Unless funds for hiring [new controllers] are appropriated, staff shortages will inevitably lead to serious delays, congestion and, yes, safety concerns.” NATCA is calling for $14 million to be allocated for hiring and training new controllers as part of the FAA’s 2005 fiscal-year budget.
July 23, 2007 - 10:34am
Beginning in January, PrivatAir will offer daily flights between Zurich and Newark Liberty International Airport, N.J., in partnership with Swiss International Airlines.
