While not yet officially Beechcraft Corp. as we go to press, the newly forming company that is emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection already has received a rating on expected new debt. Moody's Investor Service assigned a B1 corporate family rating to Beechcraft Holdings, LLC on a proposed $375 million term loan that will be used as part of its financing to exit from Chapter 11. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on Feb. 1 confirmed Hawker Beechcraft's reorganization plan, clearing the way for the company to emerge from bankruptcy.
The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention will now be called the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE). “NBAA's largest U.S. show has been referred to as an 'annual meeting' [since its 1947 inception], but in recent decades, it has grown in size and importance to be much more than just a meeting, and this change reflects that reality,” says NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. At the same time, Bolen says the change strengthens the brand for all NBAA-related shows. While the U.S.
Kathleen E. Bangs (Honda Aircraft Co. Greensboro, N.C. )
I just read “The Alabama Bet” about Al Ueltschi (Viewpoint, December 2012). Very good, as always. And as always, I learned something — namely — the meaning of the word “macadam” (after I Googled it). Honda Aircraft Co. Greensboro, N.C.
Corporate Angel Network has transported its 42,000th patient. The flight carried one-year-old cancer patient Alexander Hopper home to the Denver area after he received treatment for Retinoblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. The milestone flight was operated by Ball Corporation, a CAN participating company since 1985. The charity arranges about 250 patient flights each month.
Zenith Jet's recently released 10-yr. forecast, says total business aircraft deliveries for the 2013-2022 forecast period are projected to be 9,400 units representing $253 billion in revenues based on 2012 pricing. The company made several interesting points: It sees the emergence of another high-end category above, but not replacing, the current Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) segment with its own distinct customer buying preferences and requirements.
Pilots soon will be able to control many avionics and aircraft systems by touching panel and console screens in much of the same way as they use their smart phones and PDAs. Avionics and airframe makers rapidly are embracing this proven user interface because, in most instances, it's easier to touch, tap, scroll and stretch screen icons and images with your fingertips than it is to use a multifunction control display unit (MCDU) or point-and-click cursor control device (CCD).
Signature Flight Support appears to have won a competition to develop and operate a 29-acre FBO facility at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC). A selection committee will recommend Signature Flight Support be awarded a 50-yr. lease on the airport's west side for the development. With SJC airport staff's report to the Airport Competitiveness Committee Feb. 22, the proposal evaluation process is complete. The airport will present its recommendation to the San José City Council in early spring.
Eclipse Aerospace hopes to contract to replace the fleet of T-1A Jayhawks (Beechjet 400s) flown for the U.S. Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. The company responded Jan. 7 to an Air Force request for information (RFI) for a potential large fleet of very light jets (VLJs) to support the SUPT Multi-place Training Track. The Air Force released the RFI on Nov.
Hawker Beechcraft is seeking court approval for a “distress termination” of two of its three pension plans, calling the move critical for the completion of its reorganization and emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Wichita airframer had reached an agreement with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to continue its pension plan covering hourly workers but ending plans covering salaried workers (salaried plan) and nonunion workers in the customer support segment (base plan).
You pick up USA Today from under your hotel door and the front-page headline shouts about another aviation accident. As you glean the details of the misfortune that befell the crew and passengers, know that your own passengers are possibly reading the same article. Many will want to talk to you, to be reassured by you.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller ( D-W.Va.) plans to retire at the end of his term next year, concluding a more than 30-year career in the Senate. An outspoken proponent of NextGen, Rockefeller has had both spirited debates with and praise for the business aviation industry. He has strongly believed that business aviation operators should pay more into the national air transportation system, but was willing to compromise his position on a need for aviation user fees to ensure that long-term FAA reauthorization legislation would pass the Senate.
For general aviation, the return on investment in NextGen aircraft equipage may not be as apparent as it is for commercial air transport operators, an industry analyst says. The U.S. NextGen air traffic control modernization program could yield $281 billion through 2035, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's 2013 Global Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook. This includes fuel efficiency gains and reductions in weather-related and congestion delays.
The youngest member of the Aero Commander family, christened Grand Commander, is already the biggest of the clan. Six feet, 2 in. longer than current models, the big twin almost doubles baggage room and will accommodate nine passengers and two crew in separate compartments. It offers performance similar to that of the Commander 680F. It is now in the process of certification, with first deliveries scheduled for April 1963.
Along about hour eight of your primary flight training, an instructor sat you down with Advisory Circular AC61-134 and told you to burn its words into your head and soul. Here's the pertinent section:
Constant Aviation, which expanded into the Beechjet landing gear overhaul business last summer, has found demand for the service so strong that it is relocating the services from Birmingham Ala., to a larger facility near its Cleveland headquarters. The sister company of Flight Options and Nextant Aerospace, Constant in July announced the opening of a new landing gear repair and overhaul shop at its Birmingham service center.
More than one airline recommends that captains relinquish flying duties when faced with unexpected circumstances in order to promote optimum crew coordination and to minimize the potential for misunderstandings and errors. Anticipating that unforeseen emergencies can occur for which there are no published procedures, air carrier training departments often recommend guidelines for assignments of responsibilities.
Dec. 29, 2012 — About 1148 CST, a Bell 407 (N534MT) lost engine power and crashed while diverting to Reagan Municipal Airport (E41), Big Lake, Texas. The three crewmembers and one passenger received no injuries. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Med-Trans Corporation as a Part 135 on-demand Emergency Medical Services operator. The aircraft received substantial damage. VFR conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on a company VFR flight plan. It originated from a hospital helipad in Ft.
The Fatigue Toolbox The FAA has created a one-stop source for your fatigue resource needs. The site has a comprehensive tool box with training programs, including the award-winning film “Grounded,” and tools such as the Return on Investment calculator, Fatigue Risk Assessment Tool, and newsletters with articles authored by industry leading scientists in the subject of fatigue. You can visit the site at: www.mxfatigue.com
December 2012 flight activity sees a slowdown over the holidays. Argus TRAQPak data shows that December 2012 flight activity levels decreased from November, finishing the month down 6.9% overall. The results by operational category saw very slight rise in fractional flight activity, up 0.1%. Part 91 and Part 135 flight activity finished the month down 11.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Aircraft category results were down across the board. Reviewing year- over-year activity (December 2012 vs. December 2011), TRAQPak data indicates an overall decrease of 2.0%.
Soloy Aviation Solutions is now a Cobham/S-TEC dealer. Cobham Commercial Systems, Integrated Systems (formerly S-TEC Corp.) is a leader in analog and digital autopilot systems. Soloy is authorized for autopilot, display and HeliSAS systems in Cobham's line of avionics products.
For about $9 million, you can by a new or nearly new super-midsize Hawker 4000 that can fly eight passengers 3,000+ nm at Mach 0.80 and land with 200 nm NBAA IFR reserves. Inspired by the systems architecture of the Gulfstream GIV, this is the only aircraft in its class to have standard dual Honeywell IRSes, dual ACM packs, auto-throttles, an AC electrical generation system and a standard hydraulically powered, emergency AC electrical generator. The aircraft has a flat floor, aft lavatory and inflight access to the aft baggage compartment.
Waterford, Mich.-based Pentastar Aviation has acquired Aviation Interior Solutions, also of Waterford, to strengthen its interoir refurbishment and completion offerings. At the same time Pentastar's Oxford, Conn. facility has recieved Part 145 Satellite Repair Station certification. The company also said it would exit its Van Nuys, Calif. FBO and service facillity to focus on its Eastern U.S. customers.
Just a quick note to mention I very much enjoyed “The Colorful Mr. Coyne” (Washington Watch, December 2012, page 70). Our company has been around since 1946 (we rebranded from Bridgeford Flying Services in 2011) and while I have not been around that long (although close), I can say my aviation experience spans a few decades back to the days when the DuPont family owned Atlantic Aviation. However that is a story over a glass of Napa wine perhaps someday.
Chinese interests continue to build up their aerospace portfolios with the purchase of light helicopter manufacturer Enstrom. The Michigan-based helicopter manufacturer, which has been producing helicopters since the late 1950s, was acquired by the Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. (CQHIC). Enstrom hopes the move will enable it to expand its reach into China as well as permit the company to invest in its plant at Menominee to meet current and expected future demands. “This is a major step in moving Enstrom to a new level,” Enstrom President Jerry Mullins says.
