Speaking recently in New York, aviation consultant Rolland “Rollie” Vincent said the latest Jetnet iQ Global Business Aviation Survey forecast 9,300 business jets would be purchased over the next ten years.
This year's European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) gave some hope for change in the generally grim economic atmosphere long settled over the continent. At the close of the May 21-23 gathering at Geneva's Palexpo exhibition center, the organizers tallied 12,353 attendees, a figure that's just 285 shy of the previous year's gathering and the third highest in the event's 13-year history. As for the sellers, there were 460 Exhibitors, or 31 fewer than in 2012, and out at the adjacent static display there were 52 aircraft.
Sierra Industries has released their 2013-2014 catalog of products and services. It is organized by aircraft model and product category, including detailed information on aircraft performance, costs of operation and comparative information for a variety of competitive business aircraft. Expanded services include flat-rate inspection pages for aircraft ranging from the Citation CJ2/CJ3 through Beechcraft's King Air and Hawker 400/800 models.
Beechcraft Corp., in the throes of divesting the Premier and Hawker 4000 programs, insists that the Hawker 400 and 800 programs are not for sale. “There's some perception in the marketplace that we're not in the Hawker business,” Brian Howell, vice president sales and business development, Global Customer Support, acknowledged recently. “That perception couldn't be more false.” The company has built up a parts inventory and service network to support a fleet that includes nearly 2,000 “classic” Model 125 Hawkers and another 400 Beechjet/Hawker 400s.
Diehl Aerosystems reports that two of its business units have been awarded Bombardier contracts for cabin interior products for Global 7000 and Global 8000 business aircraft. The work package covers cabin peripheries — including the baggage compartments — with high-end surface treatments and optimized acoustic behavior (Diehl Aircabin). The company is to provide all-LED cabin mood lighting. The contracts are a major success for Diehl in business jets, as they are “the first combined approach with both cabin interiors and cabin lighting products” in the segment.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association continues to expand its commercial service offerings, this time in the financing arena, which has been a significant drag on growth in some market niches. The association hopes to provide its members greater access to financing for both new purchases and upgrades through its newly launched brokerage: AOPA Aviation Finance Company (AAF). AOPA has offered financial services to members for some time, but the new brokerage company will work with a range of lenders to provide a broader range of financing options.
Renovations of the Jet Centre at London City Airport (LCY) are now complete and a Border Force officer installed thereby supporting the facility's pledge to whisk business aircraft passengers from plane to car within 60 seconds. The airport-owned FBO now features an improved reception area, large passenger lounge, private meeting room, ground floor crew rest area and security screening area, as well as the border checking station.
Perhaps you remember the first time you lowered the canopy on the T-37 in the middle of that hot July sun in Columbus, Miss. Or preflighting a Piper Warrior on the Vero Beach ramp at high noon in August. Or maybe you were learning to hover in that “green house” canopy of a TH-55 at Fort Rucker, Ala., or an R-22 in mid-summer outside Sao Paulo — either way, your Nomex flight suit or cotton shirt was completely drenched in sweat. Back then we were young, eager and not about to show others that the heat was a bother.
FlightSafety International, La Guardia Airport, N.Y., announced the Greg Arend was promoted to director, Commercial Programs for FSI's simulation design, manufacture and support facility in Tulsa, Okla. He will be responsible for delivery of all new training devices, as well as the relocation and modification of existing equipment. George Brady has been promoted to director, Product Support and Simulator Operations.
ARINC Direct this summer is planning to begin delivery of its new Xplore device, a portable unit that is designed to bring ACARS services typically found only on large business jets and airliners to a range of aircraft. The Xplore unit combines four capabilities in a portable box — ACARS messaging services, SMS and instant messaging, voice services and BlackBerry email. The device can be attached by Velcro or thumb screws to a panel mount. Incorporating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Xplore can provide access to ARINC's ACARS services.
Unhappily surprised by FAA's notice that it planned to bill for extra controller staffing at its annual summer fly-in in Oshkosh, Wis., the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and its members lobbied Congress hard to block the charge. However, facing a spectrum of unpalatable options, under protest EAA finalized a one-time agreement to cover nearly $450,000 in expenses related to ATC services at the event. “Let me be clear: We have consistently regarded the FAA's move as holding AirVenture and GA hostage this year,” said EAA Chairman Jack Pelton.
At the recent NBAA Regional Forum in White Plains, N.Y., the NBAA announced a new educational initiative to help the general aviation community understand the increasing importance of filing timely and accurate flight plans, and how doing so benefits those using general aviation aircraft as well as FAA aviation-system managers. Called “FileSmart,” the dedicated Internet microsite has three key areas of emphasis: file early, file accurately and check the NAS.
The brooding, blarney and bluster that attend to my surname notwithstanding, the truth is that half my ancestry is German. You see, my given name derives from Wilhelm Gunther, my grandfather, who emigrated alone to the U.S. as a nearly penniless teenager and went on to achieve great success as a commercial printer and paragon of his community. He also loved sports, drove cars too fast, crashed boats with curious regularity and watched proudly but surely with an aching heart as his two sons donned uniforms of his new country and left to defend it from the old.
BlackJet's app is available now in the iTunes App store. Members can book a seat on a private jet from their smartphone in seconds, according to BlackJet. The company's technology enables instant private jet seat booking and real time confirmations. The seat service is currently available in San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles and South Florida, with service to Chicago, Washington, D.C., Boston and Dallas, with Seattle coming soon. You must be a BlackJet member to use the service.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp.'s Autopower automatic throttle system has been selected by Nextant for the 400XTi program. It will be a first in class, full-regime Automatic Throttle System and will provide IAS/Mach speed control from takeoff to landing phases of flight. The system provides increased safety by decreasing pilot workload allowing greater situational awareness. Stabilized speed target allows more consistent approaches. AutoPower increases range with studies showing a fuel savings average of 3%, according Safe Flight. Safe Flight Instrument Corp.
Nearly 1,200 PC-12s have been delivered since the Swiss aircraft's entry into service in October 1994, by far the largest number of single-engine turboprops in the business aircraft fleet. Newer versions of this versatile aircraft can depart a 2,650- ft. runway with a 1,000-lb. payload and fly more than 1,500 nm, assuming standard day conditions. It's just as at home on 3,000- ft. dirt strips, so it's a favorite with utility fleet operators such as Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service, Canada's Air Bravo Corp. and Alpha Flying in the U.S.
Women in Corporate Aviation, an organization dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men seeking a profession in corporate aviation, has voted Paula Kraft to its board of directors. Kraft, the founder of Tastefully Yours and Aviation Catering Consultants, joins a board of 11, which is currently chaired by Brenda Miles. Mary Ann Fash, senior flight manager for flight services at Boeing, was appointed to the board at the same time.
Success or failure of the annual Helicopter Association Inter–national Heli-Expo is generally considered to be the bellwether for the industry. If so, things are going well. HAI President Matt Zuccaro noted that despite the recession in the worldwide market dating back to 2008, sales announced at each show over the past five years have set records, with the 2012 show recording a bit over $2 billion and the show this past March announcing over $3 billion in sales.
Bombardier is confident in the strong, long-term potential of the business aircraft industry and forecasts a total of 24,000 business jet deliveries from 2013 to 2032 in the segments in which Bombardier competes, which represents approximately $650 billion in industry revenues. Bombardier's Business Aircraft Market Forecast anticipates 9,800 aircraft deliveries, worth $269 billion, during the 2013 to 2022 period, and 14,200 aircraft, worth $381 billion, from 2023 to 2032.
These charts list civil helicopters currently in production and certified. They are listed in ascending order of maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) to provide side-by-side comparison to aircraft of similar size. Manufacturer and Model This block includes the manufacturer's name and the aircraft's model name and technical designation.
Piaggio Aero has announced a reduced maintenance program for its P180 Avanti/II aircraft. The C and D check, due respectively at 1,500 and 3,000 flight hours, have been extended to 1,800 and 3,600 flight hours, respectively. These newly approved intervals allow the operator to match the airframe inspection schedule with that of the P&WC PT6-66A engines on the aircraft.
BaseOps International is celebrating its 25th anniversary by opening a new Singapore office. The company employs a global network of offices and partners offering a one-stop solution for flight planning requirements and is backed by World Fuel Services.
