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Magazine Issue

The Weekly of Business Aviation, October 27, 2014

VOL. 99 NO. 17 October 27, 2014
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Programs

article

NetJets Launching Second Bombardier Challenger

Oct 28, 2014
NetJets is launching its second Bombardier Challenger aircraft, this time the Challenger 650. Chuck Suma, NetJets senior vice president of global asset management, stood alongside Bombardier Business Aircraft President Eric Martel as they announced the new model Oct. 19 in front of the mockup of the follow-on to the Challenger 605 on the eve of last week’s National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition.
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Aerion and Airbus Ink JV

Oct 28, 2014
Robert Bass, chairman of Aerion Corp., and T. Allan McArtor, chairman and CEO of Airbus Group North America, celebrated a joint venture that will boost development of the AS2, the first supersonic business jet. It also will give Airbus complete access to Aerion’s broad range of proprietary design tools, including its supersonic natural laminar flow airfoil (SNLF) designs. “We are delighted to formally launch our partnership with Airbus to launch the AS2,” says Bass. “We are aerodynamicists. Airbus can provide systems design and certification.”
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PW800 Engine is First of Jet Engine Family

Oct 28, 2014
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is on track to certify the PW800 by the end of December, says company president John Saabas. Officially unveiling the engine last week at the NBAA convention, Saabas says the 16,000-pounds-thrust powerplant will provide the jumping-off point for a new family of business jet engines covering the 12,000-pounds-thrust to 20,000-pounds-thrust range.
article

Legacy 500 Wins FAA Approval

Oct 28, 2014
National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen and General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce believe business aviation is in a stronger position heading into debate on the next FAA reauthorization bill thanks to a concentrated effort by industry to educate lawmakers and the general public on the important role the industry plays in the national economy.

Intelligence

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Huerta Seeks Industry Unity As Congress Focuses On Reauthorization

Oct 28, 2014
NetJets is launching its second Bombardier Challenger aircraft, this time the Challenger 650. Chuck Suma, NetJets senior vice president of global asset management, stood alongside Bombardier Business Aircraft President Eric Martel as they announced the new model Oct. 19 in front of the mockup of the follow-on to the Challenger 605 on the eve of last week’s National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition.

Airframers/Suppliers

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Textron Aviation Aligns Beechcraft, Cessna Workers Under Single Contract

Oct 28, 2014
Textron Aviation took another step toward integration with the 73% vote by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) to accept a new six-year collective bargaining agreement covering for the first time both Beechcraft and Cessna workers.
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Gulfstream, Jet Aviation Profits Soar In Third Quarter

Oct 28, 2014
General Dynamics’ (GD) Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation businesses combined for their highest quarterly earnings ever reported by the GD Aerospace Group as third-quarter revenues approached $2.3 billion. Revenues were up by 6.4% ($137 million) in the third quarter and earnings grew 11.4% to $411 million, resulting in margins of 18%. GD is crediting the increase in margins to the continued improvements in G650 and G280 manufacturing and outfitting. But returns from Jet Aviation also provided a boost to performance, the company says.

Regulatory/Legislative

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EASA Outlines Road Map For Fostering GA In Europe

Oct 28, 2014
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is laying out a six-pronged road map to foster the growth and safety of general aviation in Europe. At the recent EASA Safety Conference on General Aviation in Rome, EASA released its 2014 road map report and made six “commitments” that EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky says are “part of the strategy to change fundamentally the way the GA sector is regulated in Europe.”
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Bolen, Bunce: Keep Business Aviation Voice at Forefront

Oct 28, 2014
National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen and General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce believe business aviation is in a stronger position heading into debate on the next FAA reauthorization bill thanks to a concentrated effort by industry to educate lawmakers and the general public on the important role the industry plays in the national economy.

Safety/Training

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Vnukovo Falcon 50 Airborne Before Striking Snowplow

Oct 28, 2014
Russian and French investigators have downloaded the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from a French-registered Falcon 50EX (F-GLSA) that slammed into a snow removal vehicle during takeoff at Moscow Vnukovo airport late Oct. 20.

NBAA 2014

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NBAA By The Numbers

Oct 28, 2014
26,000: The National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida reflected increased activity in the marketplace with a busy convention floor, two general sessions, the first indoor static display at the Orange County Convention Center and 1,100 exhibitors. Executives from a number of the exhibitors, including Signature Flight Support President and CEO Maria Sastre, noted that business had picked up at this show with many of the displays drawing crowds.

Services/FBOs

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Sastre: Signature Filling In Gaps

Oct 28, 2014
Signature Flight Support’s latest expansion into Canada is part of an overarching and aggressive growth strategy the company has employed in recent years as the fixed-base operation chain seeks to fill in the gaps of its network for its customer base. Signature Flight Support last week announced a new licensing agreement with Skyservice that gives Signature a branded presence at the top five busiest business and general aviation airports in Canada.
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Sparkling Flying Colours on a Roll

Oct 28, 2014
National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen and General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce believe business aviation is in a stronger position heading into debate on the next FAA reauthorization bill thanks to a concentrated effort by industry to educate lawmakers and the general public on the important role the industry plays in the national economy.
article

Sabreliner Bounces Back

Oct 28, 2014
Sabreliner, an iconic name in business jet aviation since the late 1950s, is making a comeback with ambitious plans to expand beyond maintenance and repair to provide aircraft rebuilds, refurbishments and engine overhauls.

Operations

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Flexjet, Flight Options Realign

Oct 28, 2014
Nearly a year after acquiring fractional ownership operator Flexjet from Bombardier, Directional Aviation Capital is realigning its fractional aircraft ownership businesses, positioning Flexjet as a more premium brand that sells shares in new aircraft and returning Flight Options back to its roots as a value proposition that sells shares in pre-owned aircraft.

Business Aviation Briefs

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Boeing’s Flight Services Unit Promotes Taylor To Chief Pilot

Oct 28, 2014
Capt. Steve Taylor, who has led Boeing Business Jets for the last five and a half years, is being promoted to chief pilot of Boeing’s Flight Services unit. The organization runs training programs, simulator services, navigation and various flight operations support operations. The move will enable Taylor, who has been flying since he was 16, to stay in the cockpit and exercise his Boeing 737, 747, 777 and 787 type ratings, as well as expand his leadership role at Boeing. He leaves BBJ on a high note.
article

Jet Aviation To Manage Executive Flight Support FBO In Nassau

Oct 28, 2014
Jet Aviation has signed an agreement to manage the Executive Flight Support fixed-base operation at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas. The FBO will be operated as Jet Aviation Bahamas beginning in January. Based at the largest airport and main international gateway into the Bahamas, the facility encompasses 305,000 sq. ft. of ramp space and a full-service terminal building with onsite Bahamas Customs and immigration available.
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Gogo Business Aviation Adds Moving Map To Inflight Services

Oct 28, 2014
Gogo Business Aviation has added moving map capabilities to its Gogo Vision on-demand inflight entertainment and information service. Integrated without additional fees, the moving map includes a flight progress bar and, bird’s-eye view of aircraft’s position, routing previously traveled, planned route to destination, current altitude and ground speed, arrival time and destination weather. Passengers can zoom, opt for full or partial screen and switch between satellite, terrain and standard map.
article

Channel Islands Aviation Joins Phillip 66 Aviation’s FBO Network

Oct 28, 2014
Channel Islands Aviation (CIA), a Camarillo, California family-owned and operator fixed-base operation, has joined Phillip 66 Aviation’s fixed-base operation network. FBO owners Mark and Janie Oberman opened the facility in 1976 after being selected as the first operator at Camarillo Airport. The facility provides FBO services, charter, rental and sales, along with serving as a Part 145 repair station. CIA flies Britten-Norman Islanders, along with a CitationJet and CJ3.
article

International Communications Group Celebrating 20th Anniversary

Oct 28, 2014
International Communications Group (ICG), the Newport News, Va.-based airborne communications specialist, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The company was founded in October 1994 with a handful of technicians and investors. At the time they were focused on telecommunications for the cruise ship industry and admittedly knew little about the aviation industry. But they quickly realized their communications technology would be an asset in the air, as well as at sea.
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Satcom Direct Opens Delaware Office At Dassault Aircraft Services’ Facility

Oct 28, 2014
Satcom Direct opened an office at Dassault Aircraft Services’ facility in Wilmington, Delaware to support both completions and maintenance, repair and overhaul customers. Satcom is working with Dassault Falcon Jet to provide full operational checkout, system setup and customer configuration. This includes system integrity checks, hardware reliability checks, communication diagnosis/resolution and review of system capabilities, services and pricing. It also includes maintenance and operational training.

Airworthiness Directives

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Alpha Aviation

Oct 28, 2014
ALPHA AVIATION Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0759; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-028-AD] – proposes to require inspection of the engine air intake box (including the deflection flap) and the engine air intake ducting (including the area downstream of the filter). The AD would require replacement of any defective part found before further flight. This proposal is prompted by reports of paint adherence defects inside the engine air intake box and cohesion defects inside the laminated ducting from the filter to the air intake box.
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Beechcraft

Oct 28, 2014
BEECHCRAFT Model G58 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0771; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-006-AD] – proposes to require inspecting for and replacing, as necessary, certain fuel cells. This proposal also would require inspecting and replacing parts, as necessary, of the left and right fuel system installations and correcting torques on fuel system fittings; and prohibit future installations of certain fuel cells. This proposal was prompted by reports of fuel leaks due to fuel cells that did not properly fit in Model G58 airplanes.
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Brantly International

Oct 28, 2014
BRANTLY INTERNATIONAL Model B-2, Model B-2A and Model B-2B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1093; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-020-AD; Amendment 39-17989; AD 2014-20-16] – requires inspecting each main rotor (M/R) blade for a crack or delamination and removing the blade if a crack exists or if the delamination exceeds certain thresholds. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of M/R blade cracks and an incident in which a crack that originated near the M/R blade trailing edge resulted in the loss of a large section of the M/R blade.
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Embraer

Oct 28, 2014
EMBRAER Models EMB-110P1 and EMB-110P2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0740; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-030-AD; Amendment 39-17978; AD 2014-20-05] – requires inspection of the rudder trim tab actuator components to detect discrepancies and corrosion on the rudder trim tab actuator components and, if any discrepancy exists, repair before further flight is required. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service occurrence in which an EMB-110 airplane performed a forced landing due to a strong vibration felt by the pilots after the takeoff.
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Kaman Aerospace

Oct 28, 2014
KAMAN AEROSPACE Model K-1200 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0758; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD] – proposes to require, for affected helicopters with certain main rotor blades (MRB) installed, inspecting each MRB for a crack or damage. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that a crack was found on an MRB during a tear-down inspection. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack in the MRB, which could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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Pacific Aerospace

Oct 28, 2014
PACIFIC AEROSPACE Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2014-0494; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-017-AD; Amendment 39-17986; AD 2014-20-13] – requires inspection of the fin forward pickup fitting and replacement of both plates if cracks are found. The AD is intended to prevent failure of the fin forward pickup. FAA estimates the AD will affect 17 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $1,445, or $85 per aircraft, for the inspections and $753 per aircraft for follow-on actions. The AD takes effect Nov. 12.
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Rolls-Royce

Oct 28, 2014
ROLLS-ROYCE 250-C20, -C20B and –C20R/2 engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0961; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-22-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2012-14-06, which currently requires a one-time visual inspection and fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine blades. Since FAA issued AD 2012-14-06, the agency determined that the one-time inspection required by AD 2012-14-06 should be changed to repetitive inspections and that an inspection should be added after any engine hot start.

Appointments

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Everett Horst

Oct 28, 2014
EVERETT HORST was named director of Decatur, Texas, operations for Air Methods’ United Rotorcraft. Horst has a 30-year background in the aviation industry, starting out as an avionics supervisor for Addison Avionics and later becoming a completions manager for the San Francisco Emergency Nurses Association. He co-founded two companies, Premier Aviation and Heritage Aviation, holding the title of vice president. In his new role he will oversee completion projects at United Rotorcraft’s Texas facility.
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Tim Rayl

Oct 28, 2014
TIM RAYL was appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing for ICG. He brings more than 29 years of industry experience to his new role. He spent 28 years with Rockwell Collins, beginning as a systems engineer and moving into product line and program management. Most recently he was director of sales and marketing for Cobham Avionics.
article

Bob Youngreen

Oct 28, 2014
BOB YOUNGREEN joined United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods, as account manager within the global sales and marketing department. Youngreen has 30 years of industry experience, beginning as a technician for Rocky Mountain helicopters. There he supported utility and logging operations in the Western U.S.

Upcoming Events

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Calendar

Oct 28, 2014
Upcoming Events Oct. 27-29—23rd AVSEC World, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, D,C., www.iata.org/events/Pages/avsec.aspx Oct. 27-29—Crisis Communications in the Social Media Age, Conrad Istanbul Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey, www.iata.org/events/Pages/comms-conference.aspx Nov. 3-5—SpeedNews 19th Annual Regional & Business Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Montelucia, Paradise Valley (Scottsdale), Ariz., www.speednews.com/all/conferences

Industry Data

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Honeywell Business Aviation Outlook

Oct 28, 2014
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