Business & Commercial Aviation

Of all the weather phenomena with which pilots must contend, that old nemesis, the thunderstorm, remains the most feared. And for good reason.

Duncan Aviation, based in Lincoln, Nebraska, has expanded its non-destructive testing services to helicopter operators. It has provided NDT services to business aircraft for more than 20 years. Helicopter operators can remove and send components to Duncan Aviation, along with the appropriate maintenance manuals and documentation, for any required NDT testing. It provides eddy current, florescent penetrant, ultrasonic and magnetic and particle inspections on all makes and model aircraft.

Worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for 2014 totaled $2.53 billion, a new Avionics Market Report said. The figure was 4% higher than 2013 sales. Of the total, 62.6% came from the North American market. The dollar amount includes electronic sales for business and general aviation aircraft, including components and accessories in the cockpit, cabin, software upgrades, portables, certified and noncertified aircraft electronics, hardware, batteries and chargeable-product-upgrades from manufacturers.

Bombardier has certified and delivered its first Learjet 75 light business jet to a customer in Poland. The Learjet 75 received certification by officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Poland. “We are confident the Learjet 75 aircraft will provide customers in Poland with an experience that exceeds all expectations,” said Veria Kolyuchaya, Bombardier Business Aircraft regional vice president of sales for Eastern Europe, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States.

Years ago, advancing from being a hands-on mechanic, to technical supervisor and, ultimately, to the director of maintenance (DOM) position was actually kind of easy. That’s because few wanted the top job. So, whoever was standing in the right (or wrong) spot when the old DOM quit, retired or was fired would get the title . . . and the headaches.

VistaJet has said farewell to it last Learjet, as it moved to an all-Bombardier Challenger and Global business jet fleet. The company has operated 20 Learjets since 2004. Since then, the Learjet fleet has made 18,262 flights, logged 42,962 flight hours and carried 28,685 passengers. Founder and Chairman Thomas Flohr bought the first Learjet, a Learjet 60 for personal use, in December 2003. That became the catalyst for the company, which operates the largest privately owned Bombardier business jet fleet of more than 45 large-cabin Global and Challenger aircraft.

A proposal by the FAA would reduce the ability of both business and general aviation operations to access airports in the New York City area, hurting business aviation users and the fixed base operators (FBOs) who service them, according to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The FAA recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would reduce availability of unscheduled slot allocations at La Guardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Airbus Americas will move its engineering center, along with 400 employees, from Wichita’s Old Town to Wichita State University’s new Innovation Campus, the company said. The Wichita State Innovation Alliance has signed letters of intent with Airbus for the move, which will bring new opportunities for applied learning in aerospace engineering to Airbus, the company said. The move is expected to take place in January 2017. Most of Airbus’s Wichita employees are engineers who work on Airbus wings and airframes.

Looking for opportunities to advance your career, or for the technicians who work for you? There are plenty of ways to help build the skills and confidence to become better technicians, and better leaders, while improving the safety and effectiveness of your operation. Consider the NBAA’s Professional Development Program (PDP) and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program. Both provide the skills and leadership training necessary for managing and developing a well-run flight department.

et-A and Avgas Per Gallon Fuel Prices April 2015

AgustaWestland’s third prototype AW609 civil tiltrotor is expected to take to the air this month and after completing several proving flights be dismantled and sent to Philadelphia for reassembly. It is then to undergo icing tests in Minnesota late this year. The Italian manufacturer says it has managed to increase range of the aircraft to 730 nm and is developing auxiliary underwing fuel tanks that could up that to 1,100 nm — increases that make it “an ideal transportation solution for offshore travel,” according to AgustaWestland.

Aergen Management Services, Bellevue, Washington, announced Heinz Westen has been appointed chief financial officer. Michael Barry has been appointed as the company’s chief marketing officer and Tom Kaluza has been named senior vice president. Westen most recently served as chief financial officer of Dubai Aerospace Enterprises, while Kaluza served as senior vice president of marketing for DAE Capital Advisors.

IBAC Buys Aviation Safety Data Business The International Business Aviation Council recently bought Robert E. Breiling Associates with the assistance of the National Business Aviation Association and will incorporate the company’s safety data and collection methods.

While operators bought 1,325 new turbine business aircraft last year, a lot more legacy aircraft changed owners.

Short and simple checklists pay off with a more relaxed working environment in which flight crews have the most time to devote to situational awareness and dealing with unexpected occurrences.

Nextant Aerospace's remanufactured, small-cabin business jets are taking on a new life amid austerity measures and discouragement of opulence in China. Plus, Asian Sky Group and Nexus will jointly provide flight operations services in the Asia-Pacific region. And international rates are now no higher than domestic rates in Deer Jet's jet card program, according to the company.

The FAA is proposing a $430,000 civil penalty against Beechcraft Corp. for allegedly failing to maintain the required aircraft production-quality-control system, the FAA said. Plus, Cessna Aircraft has received a new order for the Citation XLS+ business jet in China, the company announced. And Piper Aircraft introduced new aircraft and aircraft enhancements at an April 13 event at its Vero Beach, Florida, headquarters.

U.S. turbine-aircraft accidents rose slightly during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same time a year ago, according to newly released report. Plus, NBAA says an FAA proposal would reduce the ability of both business- and general-aviation operations to access airports in the New York City area. And the NetJets’ pilot union has filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) following 22 months of contract talks, the union said.

In March 2015, air charter customers and brokers requested more quotes for flights arriving at Teterboro Airport than any other airport, and Miami International Airport was the departure airport searched the most, according to an analysis of Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder data.

Teterboro Airport was the most popular business aviation airport in North America during March 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic from that month. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport in Florida, Dallas Love Field and Opa-Locka Executive Airport in Miami rounded out the top five North American business aviation airports.

Teterboro Airport was the most popular business aviation airport in March 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic from that month. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Hollywood International Airport, Paris Le Bourget Airport and Dallas Love Field rounded out the top five.

It would make sense for Bombardier to sell its Learjet plant in Wichita for a number of reasons, and Textron would be a natural buyer, Cowen and Co. analyst Cai von Rumohr says. Plus, Dassault Aviation has added a second Falcon 8X into its flight test program, the company said. And the International Business Aviation Council recently bought Robert E. Breiling Associates and will incorporate the company’s safety data and collection methods.

The downside to owning a Falcon 20-F5 is the potentially eye-watering maintenance expense. But conscious operators have found numerous ways to slash costs.

Stabilized approaches are always important for a reasonably good landing, but they are absolutely essential for a safe approach at minimums. If, for some reason, you are forced into a below minimums approach, then conducting a stabilized approach is vital in the true sense of the word.

Several high-altitude/high-Mach accidents reveal deficiencies in pilot handling of the aircraft. The NTSB has pointed out several times the glaring lapses in training curriculum to adequately prepare pilots for flight in this environment.