Nov 14 2013

CRJ200 Operators to check for emergency gear release issues

Bombardier_logoA Transport Canada Safety Alert has indicated to CRJ200 operators that they should inject the emergency manual landing gear release systems on their aircraft for correct operation after a published report of a latent failure potentially caused by unrelated maintenance on the aircraft type..

The notice from Transport Canada states:

…a rapid or inadvertent release of the manual gear release handle” and a mis-rigged system component could cause the systems to jam. “The operator stated that the mis-rigged condition of the manual gear release system was due to the distortion of the cable turnbuckle located alongside the lower floor panel of the forward avionic bay,

Transport Canada recommended that operators inspect the systems in accordance with guidelines in the aircraft’s maintenance manual. The European Aviation Safety Agency alerted CRJ operators in Europe in the beginning of November 2013 of this issue as well.

Nov 09 2013

California Pacific issues continue with further delays to 2014

California Pacific AirlinesCalifornia Pacific Airlines has been informed by the FAA that their application is being delayed until sometime in 2014 as a result of several FAA issues.

As a result, the airline has suspended operations until the FAA more clearly informs the airline of its plans. As well, the single Embraer that had been delivered to the airline has been returned to the lessor as well in order to relieve the airline of the $200,000 per month cost of having the aircraft idled while the FAA delay continues.

The airline had its application to begin service rejected, and its reapplication delayed due to sequestration this year. The FAA then denied that application before the airline resubmitted it for a third time in September 2013. The airline had indicated that it expected to begin service by the end of 2013 previous to the delays suffered.

Nov 07 2013

Will MRJ delays mean SkyWest changes its order plans?

SkyWest LogoQuestions are being asked about SkyWest’s future plans with regards to the ongoing delays being suffered by the Mitsubishi MRJ program and whether those delays may force SkyWest to alter its future fleet plans.

Mitsubishi announced a further delay to the delivery of the first MRJ aircraft to the second quarter of 2017 which would then indicate that SkyWest could not expect its first aircraft to be delivered until sometime in 2018. In 2012 SkyWest ordered 100 Mitsubishi MRJs to the surprise of Bombardier and Embraer. While SkyWest has publicly indicated that it continued to support the MRJ program, it also noted that it expected Mitsubishi to deliver all the airplane as advertised and in a timely manner. SkyWest did not indicate if it was considering modifying its agreement with Mitsubishi, or whether the carrier was speaking to other planemakers.

Previous to the MRJ order, Bombardier had long been SkyWest’s aircraft supplier. In 2012, SkyWest ordered the MRJs and in 2013 agreed to buy 100 of upgraded Embraer 175s with options for 100 further aircraft.

Nov 06 2013

Lion Air in talks with Bombardier for up to 50 CSeries

Lion Air LogoDuring the handover of a new 737-800 in Seattle to Lion Air, questions were asked of the airline’s president about their possible agreement with Bombardier to order up to 50 CSeries aircraft.

His comments placed doubt on the imminent completion of a deal as he noted that there would be no early decision on a firm order, despite the potential the airline sees in the CSeries. Commenting in Seattle, where Lion Air was marking the handover of its 100th Next Generation 737, it was stated that Lion Air was interested in “up to 50 minimum” of the  CS300, but that no firm decision was likely before the end of 2013 and did not place any expectations of when that decision might be made.

The airline in September said it was considering a “double-digit” order for the aircraft and commented that a decision could come as soon as the end of this year. However, now the airline has indicated that their decision will be based on the results of the CSeries flight test program which is currently underway. Flight tests of the CS300 are expected to begin early in 2014.

It was also stated in the president’s comments that the airline’s requirement is not “urgent” and the airline can wait for Bombardier to prove the CSeries is as good an aircraft as they are expecting it to be.