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Magazine Issue

The Weekly of Business Aviation, December 22, 2014

VOL. 99 NO. 25 December 22, 2014
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OEMs/Suppliers

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Dassault Rolls Out New Falcon8X

Dec 23, 2014
The new kid on the business aviation block was unveiled Dec. 17 with the rollout of Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 8X ultra long-range business jet. It will replace the Falcon 7X as the French OEM’s flagship business jet. First flight is expected in the first quarter of 2015. The big tri-jet was announced last May at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and promises to push the performance boundaries.
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FlightSafety To Set Up Middle East Training Center

Dec 23, 2014
A business jet and helicopter training Center of Excellence will be set up in the Middle East by FlightSafety International and helicopter operator Abu Dhabi Aviation. “Selecting FlightSafety to provide industry-leading flight simulators and proven instructional technologies for the new Learning Center will establish Abu Dhabi as a major aviation hub and center of excellence for training in the Middle East,” says Nadir Al Hammadi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation.
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Daher-Socata Delivers 700th TBM

Dec 23, 2014
Daher-Socata delivered the milestone 700th aircraft of its TBM single-engine turboprop series on Dec. 15. The aircraft, a TBM 900 model, was delivered to a private customer in Illinois through a sale organized by TBM distributor Muncie Aviation of Muncie, Indiana. The TBM 900 is the flagship of Daher’s aerospace activities and demonstrates the full acceptance of the single-engine turboprop concept, said Stephane Mayer, president and CEO of Daher-Socata. “We are now setting our sights on the next milestones,” she added.
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Textron Fine-Tuning New Business Segment

Dec 23, 2014
Textron Inc., the parent of Wichita-based Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker, continues to fine-tune its new business segment, Textron Aviation, under which the three companies now fall.
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Turbomeca Marks Two Major Milestones

Dec 23, 2014
Two major milestones coincided within days of each other at Turbomeca, the French manufacturer of helicopter engines: the 40th anniversary of the first flight of its Arriel engine, and the entry into service of its latest engine, the Arrius 2B2 Plus. The Arriel family, ranging from 650 to 950 shp, powers more than 40 helicopter models, including the Airbus Helicopter Dauphin and Ecureuil. The 11,500 Arriel engines produced have logged more than 42 million flight hours.

New Editor

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New Editor Named To Lead Weekly, AWIN Business Aviation Coverage

Dec 23, 2014
Longtime aviation journalist Molly McMillin will join Aviation Week on Jan. 5 as the managing editor for The Weekly of Business Aviation and Aviation Week Intelligence Network business aviation coverage.

Regulatory/Legislative

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ICAO Conflict Zone Task Force Plans High-Level Safety Event

Dec 23, 2014
Civil aviation leaders will work to build a consensus and develop recommendations for improving the safety of business and commercial aircraft operating near conflict zones at the Internaitonal Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) High-Level Safety Conference. The meeting will take place in Montreal Feb. 2-5 at ICAO headquarters.
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$1.1 Trillion Spending Bill Provides $15.72 Billion For FAA

Dec 23, 2014
A $1.1 trillion government spending bill signed by President Barack Obama contains good news for the business aviation industry. Called a “cromnibus” bill, referring to the combination of a continuing resolution and an omnibus spending bill covering dozens of federal agencies, the legislation provides $15.72 billion for the FAA through fiscal year 2015, ending Sept. 30, 2015. The Obama administration request was $15.4 billion.
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NBAA Opposes Changes To Texas Aircraft Leasing Rules

Dec 23, 2014
Proposed tax rule changes recently issued by the Texas state comptroller go beyond the plain meaning of the tax code in Texas, and seek to impose significant new burdens on aircraft owners and operators, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) says. The rules would “significantly change the standards for creating aircraft ownership and operating structures [and] under the proposal, a new rule might determine when operators could qualify for the ‘sale or resale’ exemption through aircraft leasing,” according to the association.

Operations

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NextGen Implementation Gains Momentum

Dec 23, 2014
The three major airports in the Washington, D.C., area are using parallel, satellite-based “highways in the sky,” marking a significant expansion of the FAA’s NextGen concept. Each of the three airports – Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall in Maryland, Dulles International in northern Virginia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in northern Virginia – has its own dedicated NextGen system.
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Project For Advanced Approaches To All Airports Underway

Dec 23, 2014
A consortium of 15 companies called Advanced Approaches for all Airports (A3), led by NetJets Europe, has been formed under the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) program. The program is intended to demonstrate new approach and landing solutions that will increase the capacity of the European airport network while reducing emissions and noise.
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AOPA Urges Mediation In East Hampton Airport Noise Dispute

Dec 23, 2014
The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) has called on municipal officials in East Hampton, N.Y. to seek the services of an independent mediator to address a long-running debate over noise complaints and federal funding of East Hampton Airport, which is owned and operated by the town. According to town records, helicopter traffic at the airport was up 40% this past summer and overall fixed-wing traffic was up 20%. East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said a total of 18,454 noise complaints had been lodged since last January.

Holiday Note

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Holiday Note

Dec 23, 2014
The Weekly of Business Aviation will not publish issues on Dec. 29 or Jan. 5. The next issue will be dated Jan. 12.

Flightsafety

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Embraer, FlightSafety Complete Legacy 500 Pilot Training

Dec 23, 2014
The Weekly of Business Aviation will not publish issues on Dec. 29 or Jan. 5. The next issue will be dated Jan. 12.

Services/FBOs

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Empire Aviation Adds Legacy 650 To Managed Fleet

Dec 23, 2014
Empire Aviation Group, a Dubai-based aviation services company, has added an Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet to its managed fleet based in Oman. The aircraft is being managed on behalf of the owner and longtime client and will operate only from Oman, where Empire already manages three other business jets. Empire completed the full technical inspection, delivery and induction process of the Brazilian-made super mid-size business jet. The Legacy 650 offers three cabin zones with wireless inflight connectivity and Apple TV to enhance the passenger experience.
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Reliable Jet Adds 24-hr. Ops, New Aircraft Models

Dec 23, 2014
Reliable Jet Maintenance has added a third shift at its Boca Raton, Florida, facilities to create a 24/7 service for its customers. A Part 145 repair station, Reliable Jet fields a dedicated team to provide on-site or mobile support anywhere in the world. The mobile response vehicles are equipped with computers as well as scanning and printing capability. Along with this service expansion, the company has added three aircraft to its operations specifications, bringing the total to 33 aircraft models. Additions include the Falcon 900, Citation Sovereign and Citation XLS.

Business Aviation Briefs

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Calif. Fuel Distributors, FBOs Settle Environmental Suit

Dec 23, 2014
Fuel distributors and Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) in California last week settled a 2011 lawsuit brought against them by the Center of Environmental Health (CEH). The organization filed suit seeking the prohibition of leaded aviation gasoline sales and the imposition of millions in fines and penalties. CEH filed under California Preposition 65, which requires businesses to warn individuals of hazardous chemical exposure. Under the agreed-upon terms, affected FBOs will pay a small settlement and provide lead-exposure warnings to individuals residing within 1 km.
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Artist Creates Pilatus PC-12NG Color Scheme, Design Decoration

Dec 23, 2014
Color scheme and design decoration for the new Pilatus PC-12NG demo aircraft have been created by Swiss artist Hans Erni. The 105-year-old artist – whose murals have been commissioned by such organizations as the Swedish Red Cross, UNESCO and ICAO – painted the demo aircraft in a royal blue overlaid with white horses, doves and a Pegasus, symbolizing the type’s workhorse reputation. This particular aircraft, series number 1515, was dated and signed by Erni and commemorates Pilatus’s 75th anniversary.
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Bob Hoover Honored With Wright Brothers Trophy

Dec 23, 2014
Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, the man Gen. Jimmy Doolittle called the “greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived,” was awarded the 2014 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy on Dec. 12 by the National Aeronautic Association, at a dinner sponsored by the Aero Club of Washington. oover’s remarkable career has covered more than 50 years, starting with his enlistment in the Tennessee National Guard to become a fighter pilot. During World War II he flew 58 successful combat missions before being shot down over Germany, where he was taken prisoner.

Airworthiness Directives

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DASSAULT AVIATION

Dec 23, 2014
DASSAULT AVIATION Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2014-0566; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-18050; AD 2014-25-08] — adopts a new AD for FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes requiring inspection of the forward servicing compartment (FSC) for tie-down points and removal of these tie-down points. FAA’s release of this new AD was prompted by a design review, which revealed the FSC is configured with tie-down points neither in compliance nor demonstrated to be in compliance with cargo compliant ADs.
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SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION

Dec 23, 2014
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION Model 269D and 269 Configuration A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-1020; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-078-AD] — proposes adoption of a new AD for Model 269D and 269 Configuration A helicopters that would require reducing the life limit of the ring gear assembly as well as replacing the affected part. This proposed AD was prompted by discovery of a crack in the ring gear carrier assembly during unscheduled maintenance undertaken to determine the source of observed black discoloration of the main transmission oil.

Appointments

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AIRBUS GROUP

Dec 23, 2014
AIRBUS GROUP will overhaul its top management structure effective Jan. 1, following the resignation of COO Gunter Butschek, who will leave at the end of 2014 to pursue other opportunities. Executive Vice President of Programs Tom Williams will succeed Butschek as COO and also become an Airbus Group Executive Committee member. Didier Evrard will in turn succeed Williams and be appointed to the executive commitee. Evrard will remain A350 XWB program head until a successor is found.
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JET AVIATION

Dec 23, 2014
JET AVIATION has created a global client relations position after analyzing feedback from “various Customer Advisory Board Meetings in the U.S. and EMEA and Asia,” according to Jet Aviation Group President Rob Smith. Gary Dempsey, a 10-year employee of the company, has been appointed senior vice president for customer care worldwide. In his new role, Dempsey will build the Jet Aviation network and measure the company’s customer service initiatives and progress.
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WILLIAM AYER

Dec 23, 2014
WILLIAM AYER was appointed to the National Business Aviation Association board of directors. He brings more than three decades of aviation industry experience. Ayer retired in 2013 after 10 years as chairman of Alaska Airlines. He first joined the carrier in 1995 as a vice president of marketing and planning, and climbed the ranks to become the carrier’s CEO in 2002. Ayer began his career in aviation as a salesperson for Piper Aircraft Co., and later founded Washington state-based regional airline Air Olympia.
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JEFF ALASCIO

Dec 23, 2014
JEFF ALASCIO has been named director of North American sales for AMETEK Aerospace and Defense’s Sensors and Fluid Management Systems division. He will be in charge of sales strategy and the management and growth of OEM accounts in North America. Alascio worked most recently at ABB as the global project manager for motion-control products. AMETEK, Inc. is a top global electronic and electromagnetic systems company with annual sales of more than $4 billion.
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AIOFE O’SULLIVAN

Dec 23, 2014
AIOFE O’SULLIVAN was appointed to the board of directors of Aeron Corp. As a member of the board, she will help in both guiding strategy and overseeing the company as it furthers its AS2 supersonic business jet program. O’Sullivan is also a partner at Kennedys, an international law firm, and in this role she works with a 60-attorney team to advise clients in the areas of business and commercial aviation, military aircraft, and civil aerospace.

Calendar of Events

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Upcoming Events

Dec 23, 2014
Jan. 13-14—MRO Latin America, Buenos Aires, Argentina, www.aviationweek.com/events Jan. 14-16— ACI-NA 2015 Risk Management Conference, San Diego, CA, www.aci-na.org/conferences Jan. 27-29—ACI-NA 2015 Customer Service Seminar, Reno, NV, www.aci-na.org/conferences Feb. 1-3—Routes Americas, San Salvador, El Salvador, www.routesonline.com/events/166/routes-americas-2014/