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

David A. Lombardo

Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) has announced that he and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) are working on legislation to provide general aviation parts manufacturers with common-sense protections against lawsuits. “These lawsuits are driving up insurance costs and forcing some manufacturers to stop production on parts certified by the FAA,” Ehlers said.&nbsp; 
Ehlers’ announcement comes a month after Precision Airmotive, a general aviation parts supplier based in Washington, shut down production of its float carburetor because the cost of insurance exceeded total sales revenue. The company had manufactured carburetors since the 1930s, but despite what it describes as an excellent safety and sales record, it could no longer afford liability insurance to defend its product in lawsuits.
“The risk of frivolous lawsuits is making it nearly impossible for many aviation-parts manufacturers to stay in business,” said Ehlers. “We must tighten up current law to protect these manufacturers from damaging lawsuits while still providing safeguards to consumers. 
A common-sense reform will do both without driving manufacturers out of business, just as the original protections in the 1994 law restored growth in the airplane manufacturers industry,” he concluded. Ehlers noted that numerous manufacturers have cited rising costs related to litigation as a major impediment to their future operations.

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.

Congressional protection proposed for parts OEMs

Rep.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Purchase enables company to offer retail aircraft maintenance services in U.S. Southwest

Pinnacle Aviation Buys Mx Provider Aviation One

Work involved major disassembly of the airframe

ExecuJet MRO Completes 120-month Check on Legacy 500 

Extension goes to six years or 4,000 flight hours, whichever is first

Hartzell Lengthens Warranty on Props for Raisbeck King Airs

Curt Epstein

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

The addition will support Flightstar’s MRO growth

Illinois MRO/FBO Flightstar Expands with New Hangar

Combines component repair and overhaul and parts services companies

Jet Parts, DAS Aviation Merger To Improve Efficiency

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Installation supports ISR and law enforcement missions

SEA Adds Mission Console and Sensor Mount for Caravan

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Pinnacle Aviation Buys Mx Provider Aviation One

Purchase enables company to offer retail aircraft maintenance services in U.S. Southwest

ExecuJet MRO Completes 120-month Check on Legacy 500

Work involved major disassembly of the airframe

Hartzell Lengthens Warranty on Props for Raisbeck King Airs

Extension goes to six years or 4,000 flight hours, whichever is first

Illinois MRO/FBO Flightstar Expands with New Hangar

The addition will support Flightstar’s MRO growth

Jet Parts, DAS Aviation Merger To Improve Efficiency

Combines component repair and overhaul and parts services companies

SEA Adds Mission Console and Sensor Mount for Caravan

Installation supports ISR and law enforcement missions

Gulfstream Steps Up Investment in Customer Support

New customer support leader Lor Izzard is building on earlier improvements

Back on the Plate, Pre-buys Still Face Post-covid Challenges

Industry experts caution on the need for a full pre-buy and one that is carefully laid out

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