Category: PRs

Ontic Appoints New General Manager

Ontic has appointed  Mark Gobin as the general manager of their Chatsworth facility. In this role, he will oversee and manage all Chatsworth product lines and services. Ontic’s current site director, Chad Robson, transitions into a newly created position of VP of Strategy and Operational Optimization.
“As the general manager, Mark Gobin, joins our Senior Leadership Team,” Gareth Hall, Ontic
president and MD said. “In each of their new roles, Mark and Chad are integral to Ontic’s strategic growth. Mark, with his vast leadership experience and aerospace expertise, will be an asset to the business and we are proud to have Mark lead the team’s efforts in providing legacy aircraft support.”

Gobin brings more than 27 years of aerospace OEM and Aftermarket experience in commercial and
defense aerospace markets. In his career, he has served in numerous executive management roles
driving improvements and operational success at companies such as Triumph Group Inc.,
PerkinElmer Fluid Sciences and Simplex Time Recorder Company. Gobin will be located at
Ontic’s Chatsworth facility in California.

Emergency AD 2018-09-51 Released to Owners/Operators of CFM Model CFM56-7B Engines

From FAA:

This emergency AD was prompted by a recent event in which a Boeing Model 737-700 airplane powered by CFM56-7B model engines experienced an engine failure due to a fractured fan blade, resulting in the engine inlet cowl disintegrating. Debris penetrated the fuselage causing a loss of pressurization and prompting an emergency descent. Although the airplane landed safely, there was one passenger fatality. Fan blade failure due to cracking, if not addressed, could result in an engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD), uncontained release of debris, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and possible airplane decompression.

Video Showing Turbine Engine Blade Fail Test

Shown in this YouTube video is the testing for fan blade failure that is done during the engine certification process. Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 likely had this type of event during this week’s incident. Watch through as there are several different examples shown.

 

Avcorp Appoints of New CEO

Their board has appointed Amandeep Kaler, currently the general manager of Avcorp’s Delta operations, as the new CEO of Avcorp Group.

Peter George will remain on the Board as a non-executive member and will now chair the executive committee to support the transition with Amandeep Kaler.

 

Inspections Called for Following Southwest Uncontained Engine Failure

The FAA will issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD) within the next two weeks that will require inspections of certain CFM56-7B engines, a statement released by the agency said. The directive will require an ultrasonic inspection of fan blades when they reach a certain number of takeoffs and landings. Any blades that fail the inspection will have to be replaced.

Southwest Airlines has already announced that it is accelerating its existing engine inspection program relating to the CFM56 engine family. “The accelerated inspections are being performed out of an abundance of caution and are expected to be completed over the next 30 days,” a company statement said. The accelerated checks are ultrasonic inspections of fan blades of the CFM56 engines.

CFM International, maker of the CFM56, is a 50/50 joint company of GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. CFM has sent aircraft engine technicians (about 40 in total) to support Southwest Airlines’ (SWA) accelerated inspection program related to the CFM56-7B engines. “Out of an abundance of caution, the ultrasonic inspections are being conducted on a population of fan blades,” a CFM company statement said.

GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, SWA and Boeing are expected to complete the inspections over the next 30 days.

CFM says it has sent a team of technical representatives to the site to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its investigation of Tuesday’s event. CFM will support the NTSB and Southwest Airlines in determining the cause of the accident. “CFM and its parent companies, GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, will make every resource necessary available to ensure support,” the company said in a statement.

These initiatives come as a result of Tuesday’s Southwest Airlines uncontained engine failure that killed one passenger and injured several more.

Cutter Now Authorized Pilatus Sales/Service Center for Southwest U.S.

Cutter Aviation has been appointed as the Authorized Pilatus Sales & Service Center for the Southwest United States. Cutter Aviation joins the Pilatus network to provide sales and service for the PC-12 NG and PC-24 Super Versatile Jet in the Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado region.

Cutter will be responsible for all Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 sales and service in the Southwestern United States. New and existing clients will benefit from Cutter Aviation’s service centers, located in Phoenix, Arizona; and both, Addison and San Antonio, Texas. This region is base to approximately 300 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, nearly 20% of the global fleet.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft, recently signed the Pilatus Center Agreement with Will Cutter, president and CEO of Cutter Aviation.

Bucher stated, “We are very pleased to have Cutter Aviation join the Pilatus family of owners, operators, pilots, employees, dealers, and partners.  The strong core values that the Cutter team embodies align precisely with those of Pilatus.”

CEO Cutter added, “We look forward to a long lasting relationship with Pilatus Aircraft.”

Carpenter Avionics Gains FAA Approval of the Big Sky MVP STC Digital Engine Display for Cessna Conquest II

Carpenter Avionics has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of the Big Sky MVP STC digital engine display upgrade for Cessna Conquest II/441-series turboprop aircraft. This is the first commercially available digital engine system upgrade certified for this venerable aircraft model and the first commercially available STC for a twin turboprop aircraft application of the highly regarded Electronics International MVP-50T system. The complete STC kit is available now for installation by Carpenter Avionics or by other repair stations.

“The Big Sky MVP STC is an important upgrade as this enables Cessna 441 operators to be smarter and safer about how they manage their valuable twin turboprop engines – not just in real time but also over time, thanks to trend monitoring,” said Mark Lee, president of Carpenter Avionics.  “The completion of this STC also represents the culmination of a major, multi-year, multi-disciplinary effort to bring this sophisticated solution to market with an economically-priced conversion that’s designed to be performed with minimal aircraft downtime by qualified FAA Repair Stations.”

“After flying with the dual MVP-50T setup in the test article Conquest II, I was excited about not only how the units look in the instrument panel, but more importantly about how much more information I could clearly see about the condition of our TPE331 engines during each phase of flight,” said Josh Kearns, who has deep expertise in the Cessna 441 and served as flight test pilot during the STC program. “This seemingly simple upgrade results in an airplane that is more reliable, capable and, I believe, safer to fly, in large part because of the clearer situation awareness it affords the pilot.”

More than 350 Cessna Conquest II aircraft were produced between 1977 and 1987, and nearly 200 continue to fly today in North America, according to industry sources.  The aircraft’s original analog engine instruments are becoming harder to find and increasingly expensive to repair when they fail. Plus, the aircraft is unavailable for use when it is down for repair of its analog engine instruments.

“With a proven history of reliability in hundreds of single turbine-engine applications, the MVP-50T digital engine system not only eliminates reliability issues common with analog engine instruments, but they provide Conquest II pilots capabilities that are just not possible with the legacy analog instruments,” said Ron Roberts, CEO, Electronics International. “These capabilities give pilots flying with the Big Sky MVP STC upgrade superior engine management and situational awareness otherwise found only on today’s brand new turboprops.”

Each display in the Big Sky MVP STC delivers a wealth of clear information on its main screen, system screen, and flight data screens.  The installation provides for redundant operation in the unlikely event one display fails. This system is state-of-the-art with features such as Automatic Crew Advisory/Alerting annunciations, Dynamic ITT ranging during start-up, clearer EGT management, an array of fuel management functions, dynamic weight & balance, customizable checklists and more.

The Big Sky MVP STC package for the Cessna 441 includes the detailed engineering documentation and instructions for replacing the legacy analog engine instruments with a pair of high-resolution MVP-50T engine multi-function display units. The STC kit also includes the engine-mounted hardware, interface units, other specialized gear and the two MVP-50T display systems – all configured specifically for the Cessna 441 aircraft. The complete STC kit is offered at $39,175 list price, which includes the STC license. Night vision goggle compatibility is also available.

Carpenter also announced an early adopter program for Mitsubishi MU-2 and Twin Commander aircraft, as the company plans to extend support of this dual MVP-50T digital engine management system upgrade for these popular twin-engine Honeywell TPE331-equipped aircraft. Carpenter has initiated an Approved Model List (AML) STC for these two airframes that may in future also extend to other models.

Hawthorne Breaks Ground on Hangar at KPWK

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has announced that the growing FBO chain has begun construction of a major office/hangar addition at its existing Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) location.

“We are extremely proud to announce that the construction of our new 33,000 square foot office/hangar complex is underway,” stated Hawthorne Global Aviation Services President and CEO Bryon Burbage. “With the growth of business aviation here in the Chicago area, we will double our hangar space to serve the growing list of corporate flight departments and individuals who are anxious to get their aircraft into our beautiful new facility.”

“Since opening their new FBO at Chicago Executive Airport in 2014, Hawthorne has played an active part in our mission to provide world-class services to the General Aviation community,” explained Jamie L. Abbott, C.M., executive director of Chicago Executive Airport. “David Annin, his staff, and the executive team at Hawthorne Global Aviation Services understand what an important role CEA plays in the Chicago aviation system, and we appreciate their continued investment at our airport. It has been a pleasure to work with David and his team on their newest corporate hangar, and it’s exciting to watch Hawthorne grow their business at CEA.”  

“In the four-years since we opened our FBO here at Chicago Executive, the number of corporate flight departments and aircraft that are based with us has grown to a point where we need a dedicated office/hangar facility for their use that is separate from our transient customers,” stated David Annin, General Manager of Hawthorne Global Aviation Services’ Chicago Executive facility. “Whether they are a tenant or transient aircraft, our customers expect the best passenger and crew experience. Having two dedicated facilities will enable us to continue to deliver the exceptional service they expect from Hawthorne.”

“To provide maximum convenience to our corporate customers, the new office/hangar complex is located on the northern side of the existing FBO just off the Charlie taxiway”, said Annin.“This location is not only very convenient for taxiing aircraft, but the street entrance is directly off Milwaukee Avenue, which provides easy access to the expressways, downtown Chicago, O’Hare and the surrounding communities.”

The new office/hangar facility will include all of the convenient amenities and services that have made the current Hawthorne FBO a leading destination, including concierge services for lodging, catering and ground transportation, courtesy shuttle, crew and rental car availability,wireless internet access, conference rooms, pilot lounge and U. S. Customs Services with prior arrangement.

“Whether here at Chicago Executive or at any of the other five Hawthorne Global Aviation Services FBOs, our corporate goal is to build customer loyalty one experience at a time,” stated Burbage. “This brand new, state-of-the-art facility is proof of Hawthorne’s dedication to the value we place on customer satisfaction and retention.” 

Duncan Aviation’s Georgia Avionics Satellite Shop Moves To A New Facility

Duncan Aviation announced that its Satellite Avionics Shop in Atlanta, Georgia, has moved into a new facility at the Hill Aircraft Fixed Base Operator (FBO). Manager Edduyn Pita and his crew of avionics technicians have moved into a newer, bigger hangar owned by Hill Aircraft. Long-time Atlanta Satellite Shop customers need not worry about losing the convenience of the shop, as the new hangar is located on the same ramp as the previous shop and is less than two minutes from the satellite’s old hangar.
The new address is:
3950 Aero Drive, Building 8R-7, Suite A
Atlanta, Georgia 30336
The shop’s phone numbers are the same:
Main number: +1 404.696.6525
Manager Edduyn Pita (and after hours): +1 404.227.9766
“One of the most positive aspects of our move is that our new hangar is bigger and more spacious than our previous one, so we are now able to work on large-cabin aircraft inside our hangar,” says Pita. “Of course we’ll still travel to our customers’ hangars when they prefer that.”
It’s been a busy year for the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shops and workaway stations – all 26 of which are located at home airports for the nation’s busiest business aircraft. The proximity of the experienced avionics installation technicians has been a benefit for many of our customers who share hangars, ramps, or airports with us as the final months tick away before the FAA’s mandated deadline to get aircraft outfitted for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ASD-B).

Microcrane Aircraft Maintenance Hoist

Microcranes has introduced the ISO-Certified pick and carry M1 Global Model Microcrane. The company focuses on developing, producing and distributing eco-friendly battery powered or electric, small, portable lifting equipment for repairing, installing and maintenance. The M1 Global design fits through 36 in. doorways, narrow aisles and inside elevators, yet expands to boom up to a 22 ft. tip height for installation and repairs of control surfaces, wings, flaps, tails, helicopter engines, rotor gear heads, rotor blades and miscellaneous components in the aviation industry.

The new M1 Global hydraulic pick & carry portable crane is rated at 2,000 lbs. (905kg) (no operator license required) and has a hook height of 20’-3” (6.1m). You can visit Forklift Safety Solutions to find out more information. It is only 30 in. (762mm) wide and weighs 1,800 lbs. (816kg) with 300 lbs. of removable counterweights to reduce weight while transporting.

Using a multi-purpose design, the M1 Model has several configurations including a roof top configuration allowing floor to floor or ground to roof lifting of materials of up to seven stories.
The ISO Certified M1 Global is built to ASME standards, exceeds OSHA standards and is CE Certified to meet international standards for the USA and Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South America and other territories that look to a CE mark for a measure of conformity. Safety features include an upper limit switch (anti-two-block), 1.5 load safety factor, 4:1 rated hook with safety latch, brakes on rear and front wheels, brake on winch, dual stop points on four piece boom and a winch shield.

The company says it is designed with a small footprint for ease of transport. But, like a transformer, the machine unfolds from the sides and back for stabilization, and the four piece boom extends to a 22 ft. tip height. Users can easily raise and lower the hydraulic boom with hand controls, and raise or lower live loads with a DC power winch powered by 24v deep cycle battery power with an on-board charger. The line speed is 30 FPM (9m/min.).

The mobile crane is used for repairing or removing parts such as inlet cowls, reversed cowl flap, slats in aircraft fleets, helicopter maintenance for ejection seats, rotary blades, ground support equipment (GSE), canopy windshields, vertical stabilizers, ammunition drums, horizontal stabilizers, cannon guns and window cockpit replacement.