Intelligence: Briefs

$500,000 for Technicians

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved the final funding needed to create and launch a series of aviation training programs at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA). A survey of SCLA’s 17 aviation-related business found that the demand for new mechanics is 150 to 300 annually. Beginning this fall, the courses, including general familiar and A&P, are expected to create up to 300 newly trained and certified technicians per year.

Kerosene Engines Certified

The certification of the Centurion 2.0 in a variety of Cessna 172s (Skyhawk) series models increases U.S. market potential. Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH received FAA certification of the kerosene piston aircraft engine nearly a year after European certification.

FAAMA Testifies

The FAA Managers Association (FAAMA) gave evidence on Capitol Hill to the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The testimony focused on FAA Reauthorization and the need for appropriate levels of oversight at the front-line level. The FAA is mandated to employ a minimum of 1,846 air traffic control supervisors, but has not met this mandate. FAAMA believes there should be a minimum of 2,050 supervisors to safely manage and oversee the U.S. air traffic system.

P&W Delivers PW617

The Embraer Phenom 100 very light jets (see February 2007 AM article, page 26) received the first two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines for flight testing. The engines provide 1,615 pounds of thrust for the Phenom 100 and feature a dual-channel, full-authority digital electronic control system. The engines also present a 50-percent reduction in parts count. Certification of the engine is expected in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Mooney’s Seatbelts

Mooney Airplane Company, in cooperation with AmSafe Inc., will retrofit Mooney airplanes with the AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraints. The airbag systems are now standard equipment on new Mooney Acclaims, Ovation 2GXs and Ovation3s and have been offered since 2004. Retrofit kits will only be available through Mooney’s 65 worldwide, authorized service centers. The retrofit applies to: M20J, serial numbers 24-1686 through 24-2999 and 24-3154 and on; M20K, serial numbers 25-1225 and on; M20M, all serial numbers; M20R, all serial numbers; and M20S, all serial numbers.