During the National Business Aviation Association's (NBAA) most recent convention in Las Vegas, John Pistole, who heads the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), had welcome words for the business aviation community. He pledged to continue to work with industry on initiatives to improve access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
It has long been one of the true world capitals, a center of international finance, culture and power. Moreover, London generates a kind of permanent vortex that draws in those from throughout the globe who hope to enrich their coffers or enhance their status. All roads may have led to Rome, but the sea lanes and airways all find their way to the storied metropolis 30 miles up the River Thames.
Beginning Jan. 8, Airbus Helicopters became the official name of the organization formerly known as Eurocopter. The name change tracks with that of its parent, formerly known as the European Aeronautic Defense and Space ace and Defense Co. (EADS), but henceforth to be called the Airbus Group. “This rebranding works hand in hand with our ongoing transformation, which is now bolstered by the Airbus brand's strong foundation in innovation, quality and industrial excellence,” said Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus Helicopters.
Cockpit automation is here to stay, and will probably increase in the future. Automated cockpit systems have contributed significantly to improvements in safety, operational efficiency, and precise flight path management, all welcome developments. Unfortunately accidents continue to point out vulnerabilities attendant to automation as well.
Safe Flight, White Plains, N.Y., announced the appointment of Matthew Greene as executive vice president. Since joining the company in 2003, he has taken on increasing roles of responsibility, most recently as vice president of Program Management where he led the improvement of new product time to market.
The battle for the future of Santa Monica, Calif., Airport (SMO) is fully engaged. The city has filed suit in federal court seeking full control over the facility and, if successful, would likely result in its permanent closure in 2015. The FAA is opposing the move, insisting the city must operate the facility as an airport in perpetuity — a position the municipality flatly rejects. Santa Monica maintains its airport obligations expire in 2015 under a settlement agreement the city reached with FAA in 1984.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is mulling recommendations of an international working group that would permit commercially operated, single-turbine aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions. It is expected to release a formal proposed rulemaking in the next several months. The action brings Europe the closest to permitting such operations, which have been sought by local operators for decades. It would also take a step toward operating regulations long in place in the U.S., which permits both single turbine and piston operations.
In April 1997, the American Airlines Flight Academy produced a seminar on the hazards of automation dependency, particularly the perils of attempting to reprogram flight management computers in time-sensitive, high workload environments.
In the early days of aviation, the fragile wood and fabric aircraft were simple to repair with some patches and glue, a handsaw and drill. As aircraft became more advanced, specialized tools and processes and the knowledge to employ them became necessary. Eventually, the equipment and systems became so complex, their repair became the exclusive purview of the manufacturers or authorized service centers, effectively putting a stranglehold on the operator for the long haul.
Avflight has increas–ed its chain of FBOs with the acquisition of the assets of America Jet at Salina Regional Airport. Avflight will provide the serves out of the existing FBO facilities. An Avfuel-branded dealer, Avflight operates at eight other locations,including Detroit (DET), Flint (FNT), Lansing (LAN), Saginaw (MBS), and Ypsilanti, Mich. (YIP), along with Durango, Colo. (DRO), Harrisburg, Pa. (MDT) and Roswell, N.M. (ROW).
Zenith Aviation, a Fredericksburg, Va.-based marketer and distributor of Dornier 328 parts, has significantly increased its inventory with the purchase of Dornier 328 jet assets from Comtran and Jetran International. The assets include two Dornier 328-310 heavyweight jets, six Pratt & Whitney 306B engines, two sets of Dornier 328-310 heavyweight landing gear, a complete 12-seat executive interior, and more than 2,000 line items of rotable parts .
Call letters of the renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport changed from IDL to JFK. The cost, including navaid signals, air navigation charts and reservation computer codes, is estimated at $500,000. Then, there's all those little baggage tags. No matter how successful, an airplane sooner or later goes back to the drawing board to be taken from good to better. The twin-Baron recently emerged from a face lifting with a longer airframe, added baggage space, increased useful load and upped performance figures.
Keith Plumb, president and COO of regional fractional ownership provider Executive AirShare, added the title of CEO on Jan. 1. Plumb is succeeding Bob Taylor as part of a succession plan that began in early 2013. Taylor, who has been chairman and CEO, will become chairman emeritus, focused on various sales and business development projects. Taylor, who turns 67 shortly, jointly founded Executive AirShare with Plumb in 2000 in Wichita.
Signature Flight Support won San Jose City Council approval for its planned $82 million fixed-base operation complex at Norm Mineta San Jose International Airport. The approval included a 50-year lease and operating agreement to build and operate the FBO on 29 acres on the west side of the airport. The city council in April formally approved Signature's bid to develop the project. Signature teamed with Blue City Holdings, a San Jose company representing the personal aircraft of the principals at Google, on the project.
Elliott Aviation,. Moline, Ill, hired Scott Noack as regional sales manager for the South Central U.S., responsible for maintaining and building Elliott's customer relationships in that region
The FAA recently selected six operators to conduct civil unmanned aircraft system (UAS) research: The University of Alaska, the State of Nevada, New York's Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. University of Alaska Fairbanks leads a multi-state team that includes Hawaii and Oregon with a total of 14 test ranges among them. Nevada's test resources include airfields and special-use airspace in sparsely populated areas.
Although cleared, the driveway was snow crusted. So, I watched with keen interest as my daughter made her way up its steep incline, her all-season tires going slower and slower until just inches from the summit, they stopped. Not good. Hustling up, I told her to take a back seat. Daddy would get it over the top. A perfect Papa Berenstain Bear* moment: Don't be upset getting stuck on a hill, Driving cars through snow takes know-how and skill
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has given it assurances that he will make the petition for an exemption from third-class medical requirements a priority. AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association jointly petitioned the agency seeking the ability to use the driver's license medical standard. In a letter to AOPA, Huerta wrote it was important to “ensure that such an unprecedented change will not result in any adverse impact that could lead to degradation in safety.”
In the interim, there are specific recommendations from the 2013 study that are worthy of consideration by business aviation operators: First Seek out a true subject matter expert on your exact FMS who can provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skill necessary to operate the equipment expertly during line operations. Second Maintain and improve knowledge and skills in manual flight operations. Third improve autoflight mode awareness as part of an emphasis on flight path management.
AgustaWestland is continuing to add improvement modifications to its AW609 as the aircraft moves toward its confirmed certification scheduled for 2017. The hybrid fixed/rotary wing aircraft currently has “almost 60 potential orders from global customers,” according to Roberto Caprarella, Communications Manager for the company. These are from both civil and government customers in a range of configurations, primarily VIP/executive transport and offshore oil and gas operators.
Honda Aircraft's new customer service facility in Greensboro, N.C., has received FAR Part 145 certification. Opened in October 2013, the facility is initially cleared for component-level repairs, but Honda expects to expand the approvals to cover heavy aircraft maintenance and major services repairs this year. The facility is also the base for Honda's customer service organization and will provide warranty administration; service programs sales and administration; provide 24/7 technical support and training; and develop technical publications.
AP On Air launched a range of fresh blended cocktails offering passengers exotic drinks at altitude. In partnership with London-based Pontoon Cocktails, a menu of seven mixes will be offered to flight attendants along with its regular food and beverage menus. The drinks incorporate hand-pressed juices, infusions and syrups and are delivered frozen to maintain freshness. They are individually packed and come with the appropriate garnish and serving instructions.
Avic has launched full-scale development of its MA700 78-seat turboprop airliner, aiming at a first flight in 2016 and first delivery in 2019. New details show the MA700's cabin width has shrunk during pre-development. Adoption of a narrower fuselage and shorter wingspan than previously planned partly explain a reduction in what already looked like an aggressive weight target. Avic will choose an engine supplier within a few months, according to MA700 designer Dong Jianhong. Bids were due in June.
