Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

MD Helicopters MD 500, 500D, 500E, 500ER, 520N, and 530F

David A. Lombardo

Aerometals has received PMA approval for spiral bevel gears for the main rotor transmission of the MD500. According to the company, the approval marks the first time the FAA has granted manufacturing approval for transmission gears to a company that is not the OEM. The testing required a test stand using a 500-hp electric motor instead of a gas turbine. The MD transmission is rated for 425 hp for up to five minutes, but Aerometals ran the gears for eight hours at 467 hp to satisfy FAA testing requirements.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Aerometals PMA on Gears for MD500 Transmission

Aerometals receives PMA approval for spiral bevel gears

Aerometals has received PMA approval for spiral bevel gears for the main rotor transmission of the MD500.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Florida location will be an Ontic MRO global center of excellence

Ontic Expanding To the Sunshine State

Intuitive program promises to ease clerical tasks

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Kerry Lynch

Pratt & Whitney Canada has produced 6,700 JT15D turbofans

StandardAero Marks 50 Years of P&WC JT15D Support

Charles Alcock

Bournemouth-based MRO facility will support Phenom and Legacy jets

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

In this article

MD 500 Series

Aerometals

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Ontic Expanding To the Sunshine State

Florida location will be an Ontic MRO global center of excellence

WingWork Launches Aircraft Mx Bookkeeping Software

Intuitive program promises to ease clerical tasks

StandardAero Marks 50 Years of P&WC JT15D Support

Pratt & Whitney Canada has produced 6,700 JT15D turbofans

Embraer Adds Gama in the UK to Service Center Network

Bournemouth-based MRO facility will support Phenom and Legacy jets

EASA Clears ExecuJet To Support Bombardier Global Bizjets

Approval covers the Dassault-owned MRO's bases in Belgium

FAI Technik Approved to Maintain Nigerian Business Aircraft

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority issued aircraft maintenance approval to German company

StandardAero Van Nuys Bizav MRO Marks 25th Anniversary

Former Western Jet Aviation facility joined StandardAero in 2023

Bombardier's booming aftermarket segment keeps expanding

Bombardier strives to keep its customer base in-house

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