Air BP, the aviation division of BP, launched its OMEGA training and support system at London's Biggin Hill Airport. OMEGA sets out how staff manages fuel from the moment it arrives at the airport, to its safe storage and quality testing, to moving it around the airport and filling aircraft tanks, along with how to maintain equipment and respond to problems.
The U.S. government is throwing its support behind the high-level working group on market-based measures to combat aviation greenhouse gas emissions the ICAO convened Dec. 12 and 13 in Montreal. As we go to press, the first meeting of the high-level group brings together delegations from 17 ICAO member states. The group is expected to present its findings to the ICAO Council in March and June next year. The delegations comprise both aviation and climate change experts, rather than just aviation experts, a person familiar with the process told Aviation Week. The U.S.
NetJets took delivery of its first “Signature Series” Global 6000, marking the beginning of a new large-cabin fleet that could include hundreds of Global and Challenger aircraft. The aircraft will help expand NetJets' fleet, and also replace Gulfstreams and Dassault business jets that have traditionally filled the large-cabin role. With the delivery, Bombardier officially joins the NetJets fleet. While NetJets operated Learjets early on, Bombardier has delivered its fractional-bound aircraft primarily to its own operation, Flexjet.
Fractional operator Avantair has restructured some of its financing arrangements and raised $2.8 million in new capital through the issuance of senior secured convertible notes as the company makes strides toward its goal of reaching profitability next year. The financing restructuring and new capital come as the Clearwater, Fla., company continues to regain its footing after grounding its fleet for several weeks in late October and early November 2012. Avantair began returning its Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service in November following comprehensive inspections.
While it's bad enough to discover someone is using your ID and credit when you're at home, it's far worse to make that discovery while you're off on a trip, a long way from home.
AIA is also optimistic about the prospects for the U.S. civil rotorcraft market. U.S. civil helicopter shipments are forecast to increase to 1,154 units this year and experience a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% between 2012 and 2014.
Argus TRAQPak data shows November 2012 flight activity dips after a robust October. November 2012 finished the month down 6.3% overall. By operational categories: Part 91, down 7.8%; Part 135, down 2.9%; Fractional, down 8.0%. By aircraft categories: turboprops, down 9.9%; tmall cabin, down 4.2%; midsize, down 4.6%; large cabin, down 4.3%. Reviewing activity year-over-year (November 2012 vs. November 2011) TRAQPak saw a decrease of 2.3% in overall aircraft activity.
Aveo Engineering has received a TSO for their Ultra Galactica series of 2 and 3 functions wingtip light and the Red Baron anti-collision beacon. These lights are available for installation on most aircraft. The wingtip lights combine red or green navigation, strobe and rear white position lights. The Ultra Embedded version removes the rear position light function in anticipation of being installed under a recessed wingtip lens. The Red Baron is suitable for fuselage or vertical stabilizer mounting.
Embraer Executive Jets' first made-in-the-USA Phenom 300 rolled out and made its first flight Dec. 5. The aircraft entered the production line in September and the flight marked the anniversary of the maiden flight of the first Phenom 100 to be produced in the U.S. Delivery of the light Phenom 300 is scheduled to go to the Embraer Executive Jets' Melbourne-based flight department which will use it as a flight demonstrator aircraft. “This is a major milestone for our facility,” said Phil Krull, Managing Director of Embraer's 23-month-old U.S.-based production facility.
Piper Aircraft is pledging to maintain an employment base of at least 650 workers under an amended agreement with the state of Florida that will enable the company to keep incentive money it received as part of its original contract with the state. Piper in 2008 agreed to keep the company in Vero Beach, Fla., after the Florida had provided an incentive package of up to $32 million based on certain investment and workforce guarantees that included the creation of new jobs and maintaining the workforce. Piper had received an initial payment of $6.6 million from the state.
Sierra added a new maintenance facility at San Antonio International Airport (KSAT) that will provide Hawker-Beechcraft aircraft owners with an alternative to the few remaining HBC factory service centers. Sierra has substantial experience in maintenance and modifications for Hawker 400, 800 and King Air models. Sierra was selected by HBC to spearhead the development and installation of their XPr engine, avionics and winglet retrofit programs for the Hawker 400 and 800.
The fourth MV-22 to be assigned to the Presidential Support Squadron awaits attachment of the tail empennage (painted the iconic dark green of the squadron) on the Bell V-22 assembly plant production floor in Amarillo, Texas, Dec. 1. The first MV-22 is on schedule to be delivered to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), the Marine squadron that provides executive level logistics and passenger support to the president, in early 2013. The MV-22s will replace the CH-46Es currently operating with the squadron.
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.
Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) the region's only industry show dedicated to business aviation, will move to a purpose-built exhibition site under construction at Dubai World Central for its December 2014 iteration. This year's MEBA exhibition ran Dec. 11-13 at Dubai World Central and attracted 7,549 attendees from 84 countries — a 20% increase from the 2010 show.
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.
Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) named Neil W. Book President and CEO of the provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for business aviation operators. He succeeds Louis C. Seno who will continue to serve as chairman emeritus. Robert H. Book will chair the board of directors and Bryan Moss and Joe DaGrosa will serve as vice chairmen of the board. Susan Marr continues as a member of the board, general counsel and chief administrative officer of JSSI, as well as CEO of JSSI affiliate Aviation Insurance Corp.
