Broker: Used G650 Inventory Declines, along with Prices - The inventory of pre-owned Gulfstream G650s/650ERs has been steadily decreasing since supply peaked at 21 aircraft for sale during the first quarter of last year, according to the just released fourth-quarter market report from Gulfstream broker Hagerty Jet Group. Over the past two quarte
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FOCUS ON MRO - January 4, 2017
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Broker: Used G650 Inventory Declines, along with Prices

The inventory of pre-owned Gulfstream G650s/650ERs has been steadily decreasing since supply peaked at 21 aircraft for sale during the first quarter of last year, according to the just released fourth-quarter market report from Gulfstream broker Hagerty Jet Group. Over the past two quarters, supply has decreased to 12 aircraft for sale, representing just 5.4 percent of the fleet.

“What’s interesting to note is the lack of like-new or ferry time aircraft for sale,” the broker noted. During the peak supply, there were at least eight G650s for sale with ferry time versus just two at present. Many of the G650s now for sale are older models with higher time, “and there seems to be a lack of demand in the pre-owned segment,” the company said.

In fact, 10 of the 13 G650/650ER transactions last year were for ferry-time-only aircraft, Hagerty Jet noted. As a result, older pre-owned G650s are sitting on the market for 314 days, up from 209 days in the company's last market update. Because of this, asking prices are falling and Hagerty Jet believes those for older G650s will dip into the mid to upper $40 million range within the next 120 days.

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NATA Asks FAA To Hold Off On Mx Human-factors Guidance

NATA is asking the FAA to set aside a revised draft Advisory Circular (AC) on maintenance human factors training, saying the proposed changes are inconsistent and could be contradictory with existing policies. Draft AC 120-72A, “Maintenance Human Factors Training,” is designed to provide guidance for certificate holders to develop and implement aircraft maintenance human factors training programs.

The draft, NATA noted, is based on AC 120-72, which was issued in 2002 and sought to establish a maintenance resource management process that corresponded to the cockpit resource management philosophy at the time, NATA said. However, NATA stressed that applying a maintenance resource management model to fit human factors “results in a document that does not fit the proper audience.”

NATA also pointed out that the AC references a regulatory requirement for human factors training, but said that such training is not required by FAA regulations. “It is a requirement of EASA,” the association said. “The FAA has taken advantage of the EASA requirement under the bilateral [agreement] to ensure that at least the repair stations with EASA certification have human factors training.” The FAA needs to remove the reference to required human factors training to further analyze the application of such training for regulatory consistency, according to NATA.

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FAA Shelves Aircraft Engine Parts Policy

The FAA has withdrawn a policy memorandum that would have essentially defined “engine influencing parts.” The decision to drop the memo came at the request of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) and Airlines for America. The associations in October wrote the agency objecting to the memorandum, saying it incorrectly defined engine influencing parts by erroneously relying on an Advisory Circular providing guidance on life-limited engine parts.

Noting that policy memoranda should not create new regulation, the associations said the term “‘engine influencing parts’ is not defined and it should not be added.”

In response last month, the agency noted that “additive manufacturing is a new and novel technology without current statute, regulation, guidance or industry-wide accepted standards,” but added, “We have removed this policy memorandum from the FAA’s Regulatory and Guidance Library website.” It also stated the agency would coordinate future policy on additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing). ARSA warned that this means “maintenance providers must remain attentive to continued attempts to constrain parts production.”

The aviation organizations joined several other groups in the summer of 2015 in pushing back on an attempt by Congress to mandate identification and marking of “influencing parts,” saying such a requirement would have been duplicative and only serve to further burden FAA and industry resources.

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Duncan Teams Again with 328 Support for 604 Completion

328 Support Services GmbH, the German subsidiary of U.S.-based Sierra Nevada Corp., has teamed with Duncan Aviation on its latest project—certifying and delivering a full cabin completion on a Finnish-registered Bombardier Challenger 604. Since 2014, 328 has partnered with Duncan on several business aircraft models, and this collaboration, their 31st, had the German company verifying all the engineering data and certifying the modification with a new EASA Part 21 minor change approval. Duncan handled all the production, installation and testing activity at its Battle Creek, Michigan facility.

The project features a new interior with carpeting throughout the flight deck, galley, cabin and entrance hallway, new pilot seats, reupholstered leather cabin seating and a new countertop and sidewalls.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Duncan Aviation and deliver another successful project for a European customer,” said Jörg Gorkenant, COO and head of 328 Design. “We look forward to starting work on some other projects together in 2017.”

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Rectrix Rebrands Its AirFlyte Repair Business

Massachusetts-based aviation services provider Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services has rebranded its AirFlyte Part 145 maintenance operation as Rectrix MRO to better associate its corporate name with the MRO business. The company acquired AirFlyte in 2013 along with its FBO at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, Massachusetts.

“AirFlyte has a tremendous reputation as a corporate aircraft maintenance provider,” said company CEO Rich Cawley. “Rebranding the name to Rectrix helps position one united brand to our customers, highlights the growth and importance of our MRO services and strengthens our sense of shared community.” 

Rectrix, which began in 2005, also has a Part 145 repair station at Florida’s Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and a satellite facility at Worcester Regional Airport. In addition to Barnes Regional Airport, it also operates FBOs at Worcester, Bedford and Hyannis in Massachusetts, as well as Sarasota.

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Textron Offers G1000 NXi Upgrade for King Airs, Pistons

Textron Aviation service centers are now offering Garmin’s new G1000 NXi integrated flight deck for its Beechcraft King Air 200, 250, 300 and 350 twin turboprops, as well as for its new-build piston aircraft. The latter includes the Cessna 182 Skylane, Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Cessna T206 Turbo Stationair HD, Beechcraft Baron G58 and the Beechcraft Bonanza G36.

The G1000 NXi flight deck offers faster processors, LED back-lighting and improved graphics. Other new features include map overlay on the horizontal situation indicator (HSI), as well as ADS-B in and out capability, VFR and IFR chart visibility and animated XM weather depiction. Garmin claims the technology offers a weight savings of up to 250 pounds for the King Airs, which would allow operators to add an additional passenger, baggage or more fuel.

King Air owners can easily upgrade to the G1000 NXi with minimal downtime because panel modifications are not required. Textron Aviation’s factory-direct training team will support piston aircraft owners in installing the new flight deck. Textron already has an STC covering the King Air 200/250, and one will soon be available for the 300/350.

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Aero-Dienst Defends Its Bombardier Mx Crown

German MRO provider Aero-Dienst was named Bombardier’s top authorized service facility (ASF) last year in the worldwide and Europe categories once again, having earned that distinction in 2015 for the first time. The airframer introduced the award in 2011, honoring its ASFs for exceptional quality, performance and outstanding service, and Aero-Dienst was once more singled out among the 33-member global Bombardier Aircraft service network.

“This success is a great incentive for continued excellent performance in customer service and workmanship,” noted Viktor Peters, managing director of the Nuremberg-based maintenance company. “Achieving temporary success is one thing, but being able to consistently attain the top position among your competitors is a special achievement.”

With an eye toward the 2017 awards, he added the company will strive to carry out maintenance, repair and overhaul services for its Global, Challenger and Learjet customers at the highest level over the coming year.

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Idaho Maintenance Provider Expands Authorizations

Idaho-based FBO and maintenance services provider Jackson Jet Center has been named an authorized service center for the Beechcraft King Air twin-turboprop series, including the 90, 200/250, 300/350, as well as the Beech Baron and Bonanza piston-powered models. The location, which has been a Cessna-authorized single-engine-piston service facility since 2015, also added approval to work on Cessna's Caravan turboprops.

“We are excited to expand our offerings and advantages to our customers throughout Southern Idaho and the Northwest,” said CEO Jeff Jackson. “This is a great addition and natural extension of the maintenance, parts and management we have been doing for Cessna and Beechcraft owners for years.”

One of three FBO/maintenance providers at Boise Gowen Field, Jackson also provides factory-authorized avionics installation and service.

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Torqued: Could Pride Be a Factor in Some GA Loss-of-control Accidents?

Loss-of-control in-flight remains the most common type of general aviation accident. Can pride or fear of looking incompetent be a factor? And if so, how can pilots overcome that to ensure the safety of their future flights? 

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Recent Airworthiness Directives
AD Number: FAA 2016-25-19
Manufacturer: Airbus Helicopters
Model(s): AS350B3, EC130B4
Published Date: December 29, 2016
Effective Date: February 2, 2017
 

Supersedes but retains requirements of AD 2010-21-07, which calls for repetitive inspections of the pilot’s and copilot’s throttle twist for proper operation of the contactors. New AD includes additional inspection procedures and revises the inspection interval.

AD Number: FAA 2016-25-13
Manufacturer: Safran Helicopter Engines
Model(s): Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1 and 2S2
Published Date: December 30, 2016
Effective Date: February 3, 2017
 

AD requires initial and repetitive wear inspections of the engine accessory gearbox (AGB) cover. Prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of an Arriel 2S2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine AGB

AD Number: FAA 2016-26-04
Manufacturer: Robinson Helicopter
Model(s): R44, R44 II and R66
Published Date: January 4, 2017
Effective Date: February 8, 2017
 

AD requires inspecting the main rotor blade (MRB). Prompted by a determination that some MRBs may have reduced blade thickness due to blending out corrosion.

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