David A. Lombardo
Contributor
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.
Lombardo holds an A&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.
Latest from David A. Lombardo
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA grants ODA status to American Eurocopter
During the company’s 40th-anniversary celebration in July at its Grand Prairie, Texas headquarters, American Eurocopter cut the ribbon for its new customer
Maintenance and Modifications
Falcon Aviation expands Embraer Middle East ASC
Embraer reinforced its partnership with Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, by signing an agreement to extend FAS’s mainten
Maintenance and Modifications
West Star Aviation in growth mode
A pair of significant milestones underscores West Star Aviation’s continued growth in a depressed economy.
Maintenance and Modifications
GDAS-Westfield renews Hawker Beechcraft ASC status
The General Dynamics Aviation Services (GDAS) facility at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, Mass., recently had its Hawker Beechcraft authorized servi
Maintenance and Modifications
MRO D&K Aviation seeks buyer
Class 4 FAA repair station D&K Aviation, located at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y., is up for sale.
Maintenance and Modifications
Atlantic Aero OK'd as TBM service center
Daher-Socata has selected North Carolina-based Atlantic Aero International as its newest North American authorized TBM service center.
Maintenance and Modifications
H+S Aviation authorized for P&WC PT6T overhauls
BBA Aviation engine repair and overhaul company H+S Aviation has been awarded distributor and designated overhaul facility authorization by Pratt & Whi
Regulations and Government
FAA orders retesting for 1,400 mechanics
The FAA has decided to require a retest for 1,400 mechanics who used Tobias Aerospace Services, an FAA-approved airplane mechanic testing facility.
Regulations and Government
Ameco Aviation College expansion complete
After 18 months and approximately $6.9 million, Ameco Aviation College (AAC) on Beijing Capital International Airport has opened the doors on its new addit
Regulations and Government
DOT to require observed return-to-duty drug test
The Department of Transportation has issued a final rule that provides a start date for mandatory direct-observation drug testing.
The provision was staye
Maintenance and Modifications
Engine-preservation rules apply to parked aircraft
A number of business jets–more than 3,000 by some estimates–are sitting idle on the ramp as their owners wait for the economy to improve.
Maintenance and Modifications
Corporate Jet Support Offers 24-hour Maintenance
The newest addition to Corporate Jet Support’s maintenance capability is 24-hour on-call service at the company’s White Plains, N.Y., and Oxford, Conn.
Maintenance and Modifications
Despite Economy, 300 Trainees Join Lufthansa Technik
As Lufthansa Technik’s new training year gets under way, 307 young people have joined the company on the first step of their career.
Maintenance and Modifications
Business As Usual As Twin Commander Moves
Twin Commander Aircraft is making progress on its move from Arlington, Wash., to North Carolina.
Maintenance and Modifications
FSDO Accused Of Paying Inspector To Stay At Home
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (Pass) AFL-CIO union
Maintenance and Modifications
Embraer Closes Bradley Facility Temporarily
Embraer has temporarily closed its Executive Jet Services facility at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., in response to the economic cl
Maintenance and Modifications
Embraer Continues To Expand Customer Support
Embraer has expanded on its North American Phenom 100 support system, in service since last December.
Maintenance and Modifications
NCAT To Offer NDT courses
Wichita’s new National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT), still under construction, is offering nondestructive testing (NDT) courses this fall.
All-digital Mx Documentation Reduces Workload
Avantext of Conshohocken, Pa., is offering a digital documentation system called TechPubs to provide technical information to the maintenance technician in
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Issues SAIB for Western Aircraft Propeller
A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB NE-09-48) has been issued regarding propellers, or propeller component parts, repaired, inspected or ove
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Cites Duncan Battle Creek for Improper Paint Use
A Falcon operator filed a complaint with the FAA against Duncan Aviation Battle Creek citing the unauthorized use of Krylon 1401 paint on the airplane’s la
Maintenance and Modifications
RCFontana Receives Lens-polishing Approval
Bombardier Aerospace has approved RCFontana as a training provider to teach technicians how to polish landing light, wingtip, walkway and emergency light l
Maintenance and Modifications
Jet Aviation Expands Capabilities in Tight Economy
Jet Aviation Dubai has expanded its service offerings to include base and line maintenance for the Hawker 750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP, Gulfstream G350/G450 a
Maintenance and Modifications
NATA Sponsors Survey Of FAA Inconsistencies
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is conducting a survey of regulated aviation businesses affected by the lack of FAA standardization on r
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Moves From Paper To Electronic AD and SAIB
The FAA will be publishing Airworthiness Directives (AD) and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB) in
Maintenance and Modifications
DOT To Require Direct-observation Drug Testing
The Department of Transportation has issued a final rule, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs, that requires direct-o
Maintenance and Modifications
MTU and General Electric Team On Repair
Going against the common practice of replacing rather than repairing, MTU Aero Engines has teamed with General Electric to make repairs more cost effective
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Dedicates Techs to Airborne Support
Eight full-time technicians have been assigned to Gulfstream Aerospace’s airborne product support program.
Maintenance and Modifications
Arrius 2F Subject of FAA Airworthiness Directive
The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive for Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, citing insufficient clearance between the P3 air pipe and the rea
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA To Retest 1,400 Mechanics
The FAA plans to retest 1,400 people who passed the A&P written, oral and practical exams at Tobias Aerospace Services, an airplane mechanic testing fa
