Pan Am International Flight Academy has acquired Airline Career Academy (ACA), a pilot training academy specializing in JAA/EASA and FAA Ab Initio training. ACA will be integrated in Pan Am's operations to offer professional pilot training programs that enhance Pan Am's core business. Training will continue to operate under the Pan Am brand with no interruption of service. ACA was established in 1995 and trains an estimated 250 pilots annually. The company provides private, instrument and commercial multiengine training with a fleet of about 50 aircraft.
I was downing my eighth chocolate chip cookie when the marvel of today's global air transportation system struck home. Again. The killer batch of double-dark confections were baked by my niece, recently arrived from New Zealand, and there about to return with her brood. Meanwhile, the stack of classic, morsel-dotted blondes were baked in wonderful abundance by my youngest sister, soon to be launching for Abu Dhabi where her physician-husband is working on contract in a clinic.
CAE announced that its CAE-built Gulfstream G450/G550 full-flight simulator in Shanghai, China, has received Level D certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The training program will be offered at the Shanghai Eastern Flight Training Centre, in Shanghai Pudong Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone starting this year. Shanghai is CAE's tenth business aviation training location worldwide. The G450/G550 pilot training programs will feature standard CAE courseware in Mandarin as well as English.
Air medical services specialist Air Methods is expanding its scope with its acquisition of Las Vegas operator Sundance Helicopters for $44 million in cash. Sundance becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Methods, and not only adds air tours to the Air Methods portfolio, but also a range of helicopter services supporting firefighting, natural resource agency operations, vertical lifts, aerial photography/motion pictures, newsgathering and aerial surveying.
What is the accepted generic label for a private aircraft? There are many terms associated with aircraft that are not used for commercial purposes. Your magazine has, I think, used them all: “business jet,” “bizjet,” “executive jet,” “private jet,” “private plane,” etc. Wikipedia says the generic is “bizjet.” However, I have recently discovered that “bizjet” is a registered trademark even though there are many websites that use it in their titles.
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has found that repair station executives are bullish on 2013 business prospects, with more than half the respondents to a recent AEA survey expecting revenue improvement in 2013. The survey generated 180 responses, the association says. Big-picture takeaways include a more bullish outlook than last year's survey, and a range of services driving the growth. AEA's survey results show that 56% of respondents expect business to increase in 2013, compared to 49% responding to last year's survey on 2012 prospects.
Cessna is beginning delivery of its more powerful Grand Caravan EX following the receipt of FAA type certification. The Caravan, which sports the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, is the first of as many as six new or follow-on aircraft that Cessna expects to bring to market this year. The Caravan has long been considered a workhorse with close to 2,200 delivered, but has been criticized for being underpowered.
Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), Alexandria, Va., announced that Averitt Air of Nashville, Tenn., is the newest charter operator to join the ACSF. Averitt Air is a subsidiary of Averitt Express, a leading freight transportation and supply chain services provider. They specialize in aircraft maintenance, management, charter services, sales and acquisitions, and consulting.
The next year looms as a critical period for the effort to implement NextGen. While some of the core programs are on track to achieve major deployment milestones, the FAA will need to show that it has solved policy and technology headaches that still could stymie progress. The target date for full implementation is 2025, and two of the crucial foundation systems are scheduled to be largely completed by the end of this year. Succeeding with these will boost confidence that other NextGen goals can be achieved as planned. NextGen was launched in 2004.
Garmin has received the FAA's TSO authorization and AML STC approval for the GDL 88 series, its dual-link ADS-B solution for certified aircraft. With these certifications, the GDL 88 is approved for installation on most Part 23 fixed-wing aircraft and is available immediately. The unit provides a simple ADS-B rule-compliant solution for aircraft operating in the U.S. and below 18,000 ft. It also brings the added benefit of access to advanced traffic information and subscription-free weather for aircraft flying at any altitude, the company says.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S. registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record. The number of U.S. business jet accidents increased by five in 2012 to 19 accidents. Of those, five were fatal and involved 21 deaths.
Pilatus is offering a configuration tool featuring the PC-12 NG. Two apps — one for the interior and one for the exterior — may be downloaded and installed on the iPad platform. These new electronic tools allow customers in North and South American to design a personalized aircraft. The interior design app enables prospective owners and enthusiasts to select from one of four BMW DesignWorks USA interior themes specifically designed for those markets. Customers can also make individual adjustments to woods, carpet, leather, plating and other interior materials.
Baker Aviation recently expanded into their second hangar at Addition Airport (KADS) and was scheduled to move into a third hangar in January. This expansion brings the total turbine aircraft maintenance space to more than 25,400 sq. ft. Baker Aviation Maintenance received its FAA Repair Station certification in 2012 and specialized in airframe maintenance for Hawker, King Air, Beechjet, Citation, Learjet, Challenger and Gulfstream aircraft. The Baker facility in Ft.
Embraer Executive Jets has enlarged the authorization scope of ExecuJet Middle East as an Embraer Authorized Service Center (EASC). The service center, located at Dubai International Airport, is now authorized for line maintenance on the ultra-large Lineage 1000 and for base maintenance on the Phenom 300 light jet. ExecuJet Middle East was first appointed an EASC in October 2010.
Dear Colleagues, It's easy for me to accept the new role of Associate Publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation since BCA is the best brand with the best team in the business. Add to that my experience working with BCA for 16 years and my pleasure to be immersed in such a vibrant community — and there's no effort to the transition at all.
Michael S. Meloche (Director of Flight Operations Air Lease Corp. Van Nuys, Calif. )
I applaud BCA for the continued education of all in aviation including myself. Being a professional pilot/director of flight operations for an international aviation corporation and an A&P/IA, we need to keep apprised of new regulations and procedures. There are ever-changing regulations coming into effect each day in all regions of the world. Your article “Oceanic ATC” (November 2012, page 40) had several mistakes. [Already noted and corrected by the author in “Readers' Feedback” [December 2012 — Ed.]
The historic Grumman airfield in Calverton, Long Island, N.Y. is being use as a junkyard for cars and boats wrecked by Hurricane Sandy. Thousands of cars, trucks, boats and other detritus pack the runways and taxiways of the formerly magnificent facility. No doubt to the delight of local NIMBYs who have feared that someday the airfield would return to aviation service.
Avjet Corp. recently equipped its charter fleet with high-speed internet access. Their aircraft either have Aircell Gogo Biz high-speed internet service or Inmarsat SwiftBroadband. Gogo Biz allows passengers and crews internet capabilities above 10,000 ft. in the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska using their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, tablets, smart phones, EFBs or other mobile devices. Inmarsat SwiftBroadband provides voice and high-speed data simultaneously. Avjet Corp. Burbank, Calif.
Flexjet has launched FlexShare, a program providing fractional jet owners with guaranteed access to two different aircraft types with the purchase of a single 50-hr. share. Based on their specific flight requirements, FlexShare owners may now customize the allocation of their annual hours among Flexjet's fleet of Learjet and Challenger aircraft. FlexShare customers pay the full purchase price for one share of a selected aircraft type based on vintage.
