FLIGHT ACTIVITY
In a sign of a market upturn, November business aircraft flight activity climbed 3% over the previous month, according to Aviation Research Group US. Flight activity across the business aircraft spectrum was up, with large-cabin jets leading the charge with a 28% hike compared with November 2008. Midsize jet activity climbed by over 26%, light jets by over 24% and turboprop utilisation by over 24% during the same period. Meanwhile, commercial charter flying increased by 34%, fractional ownership activity by over 21% and private flying by more than 18%.
SETTING STANDARDS
StandardAero says it has become the first authorised independent service centre in North America trained to perform wing tank (dry bay) modifications on the Dassault business jet types. The requirement - outlined in recent service bulletin advisories issued by Dassault - is mandatory for all operators of Falcon 50, 900 and 2000 models "and it is anticipated that both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration will release airworthiness directives in the first quarter of 2010". The modification - which is expected to take about three weeks to complete - incorporates a sealed boundary area between ribs four and five in front of the rear spar, which is designed to reduce the risk of a fuel spill in the event of a main landing gear failure due to overloading.
PROP AGREEMENT
Hartzell Propeller has signed an agreement with Hawker Beechcraft to supply constant-speed propellers for the airframer's new piston and turboprop aircraft, including the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, G58 Baron and the King Air C90GTX, B200GT and 350i.
PIAGGIO SYNAPED UP
Piaggio has appointed Air Synapsis of Dubai as sales representative for the P180 Avanti II twin turboprop in Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Flight International
