Inmarsat confirmed that Dec. 8 was the launch for the first of its Global Xpress (GX) satellites, the Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1). Built by Boeing Satellite Systems International, the satellite was to have launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite is the first of three that will be used for Inmarsat's Global Xpress Ka-band. Inmarsat teamed with Honeywell to bring its planned GX Aviation inflight connectivity services to the business aviation market. The service is expected to be rolled out to the business aviation community in early 2015.
Rockwell Collins was recently selected by Jet Aviation Basel to provide its Venue cabin management and entertainment system and high-definition Airshow 3-D Moving Map system for an Airbus A340CJ business jet. The A340CJ will be the largest aircraft to date to carry the equipment, which has been installed on more than 300 aircraft including a number of large VIP jets. HD monitors will be installed throughout the aircraft, along with wireless audio/video-on-demand capability for personal devices. Installation is slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
As could have been expected, the FAA's new emphasis on identifying pilots with sleep issues, and with obstructive sleep apnea in particular, has drawn considerable opposition and commentary from a variety of pilot and aviation organizations, including the AOPA, NBAA, and Air Line Pilots Association.
National Business Aviation Association, Washington, announced that Dick Boubrava, NBAA director, Legislative Affairs, and Christa Fornarotto, who is currently serving as FAA associate administrator for airports, have both been appointed to vice president positions with government-relations responsibilities for the association.
Beechcraft, Wichita, named John Kearns regional sales director for the Central and West Texas region. Kearns formerly spent 15 years with Tulsa Beechcraft and is a former Beechcraft sales distributor in Tulsa. Patrick O'Connell was named regional sales director for the Upper Midwest region. He served as a demonstration pilot for Beechcraft for the past 6 years.
International Bureau of Aviation, Surrey, U.K., announced that Ken Sewell has joined the group as head of Aircraft Transactions responsible for aircraft remarketing and associated transaction management across IBA's managed portfolio.
APG Avionics and Sandel have announced an agreement for APG Avionics to install more than 30 units of Sandel's HeliTAWS on helicopters being flown for the United Nations. Effective Dec. 1, 2013, the U.N. mandated all helicopters flying under its flag to install helicopter terrain awareness and ground-proximity warning systems. In order for these Russian Mi-8 helicopters to comply, they must be equipped with the Sandel ST3400H. APG will provide installations for the systems by year-end.
You could almost hear a collective gulp within the business aviation community last August when a U.S. Bankruptcy Court ordered Chapter 7 liquidation of Avantair, the Clearwater, Fla.-based fractional aircraft ownership program.
Nam Cho's letter about general aviation being too expensive is spot on (October 2013, page 13)! I sold my airplane and bought a new boat; sure, one expensive toy traded for one not quite as expensive, but flying around smashing bugs for fun lost its shine.
According to business aviation consultant Brian Foley, the number of used jets up for sale is descending to normal levels, or about 15% of total fleet. He told delegates to SpeedNews “18th Annual Regional and Business Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference” conference held last month in Phoenix, Ariz., that the number of unsold new aircraft — i.e. “white tails” — is also down. Those facts, coupled with a steady rise in business jet operations around the world and a better global economy, should lead to greater business jet sales, he said.
International aviation insurance underwriter USAIG has introduced Performance Vector PLUS, an “individual good experience program” that returns up to 15% of premiums and more to operators who avoid losses while meeting prescribed safety standards. Customers can earn “good experience returns” when they achieve any of three safety standards during a policy year while also avoiding loss claims. Each standard met earns a 5% “good experience” return.
Citation Mustang is the most successful very light in history. More than 440 have been built since 2006, but production rates now have dropped to about 12 aircraft per year because of slack demand. However, the aircraft remains an ideal entry-level twin turbofan aircraft because it's easy to fly, safe, reliable and well supported by Cessna.
NBAA recently topped 10,000 Member Companies for the first time in the association's 60-plus-year history. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said that reaching that milestone “in difficult economic times” underscored the value of business aviation and his organization's advocacy. The 10,000th member is TCB Air, LLC, which operates a Beechcraft King Air C90A out of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, Mich., International Airport. Two manufacturing companies own the plane and use it for staff transport.
Piaggio investors Tata Group and Mubadala Development Co. have increased their shares in the Italian airframer to 44.5 % and 41%, respectively. Ferrari's stake in down to 2%, while HDI, a hedge fund, holds the balance. Piero Ferrari, part of the team that saved Piaggio from bankruptcy in 1998, remains chairman of the company. Piaggio CEO Alberto Galassi says the investment supports Piaggio's plans to diversify into new markets such as the unmanned and surveillance aircraft.
Gulfstream Aerospace, Inc., Savannah, Ga., expanded the role of commercial sales representative Prestige Jet to handle Gulfstream aircraft transactions in France, Italy and Switzerland.
Some military airborne interceptor operations will come under FAA air traffic control starting Feb. 1, 1964. FAA/military officials agreed air defense activities should be conducted within the ATC system reducing midair collision hazards.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks for receiving Business & Commercial Aviation monthly. I read “Emergency Divert” (September 2013) with interest. This and also most of the articles provide us with good information. Previously I worked for Myanma Airways as senior cabin crew. In 1994, I joined Air Mandalay as traffic manager at Yangon Mingaladon Airport, and then became Sales, Ticketing and Reservation Manager at Head Office. My colleague and I started Auto Net Travels in 2000.
EQ-1 Wireless Communications, Spokane Wash., now has available the EQ-Reverse Link wireless system, which is comprised of two modules. The Reverse Link module is designed to accept input from conventional wired general aviation headset apparatus (either 2-plug GA style of single-plug helicopter style). The module is worn on the user's person and makes a wireless connection with the EQ-Link module that is plugged into the aircraft's intercom system. The system uses 2.4 Ghz TDMA protocol wireless technology instead of Bluetooth technology.
StandardAero launched dedicated Mobile Repair Teams (MRT) conducting on-wing hot section inspections and repairs for the P&WC PW610 and PW615 series engines that power the Eclipse 500 and Cessna Mustang. “Providing on-wing services like HIS at a location of the customer's choice assures the customer of the fastest and most efficient use of the downtime,” said Rob Cords, senior vice president, StandardAero.
Luma Technologies, Bellevue, Wash., introduced new Luma Tech LED products for King Airs and Beechjet 400s, including annunciator panels and a master caution system. The annunciator panels for the King Air family include a 45-stations variant tailored to the C90A and such newer models as the C90GT, C90GTI and C90GTx, Luma says. The new unit is designated LT-4545 and is a one-for-one drop-in replacement for the existing incandescent annunciators.
BizJet International, a Tulsa, Okla.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, was to begin work this month on a Boeing Business Jet completion, its second for a Chinese customer. Earlier it delivered its a BBJ to Chinese Nanshan Group — the first private BBJ delivered to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, in Germany, the parent firm will shortly finalize its cabin installation work on two VIP completion projects from undisclosed customers in its Hamburg hangars.
