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.]
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.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) recently made a presentation to a listening session of the ICAO Safety Information Protection Task Force. The purpose of the listening session was to solicit recommendations on balancing the protection of safety information with the administration of justice, safety-regulatory action, and the public's right to know. “The ACSF believes that the current safety climate can only be enhanced through the protection of voluntarily submitted safety information,” said ACSF Director of Safety Russ Lawton.
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.
Bombardier celebrated its addition to the NetJets fleet on the heels of announcing another landmark order — a potential $7.8 billion, 142-aircraft deal from Swiss-based VistaJet. That contract includes firm orders for a mix of 56 Global business jets valued at $3.1 billion, making it the largest single firm order that Bombardier has received for its business jet line to date. The NetJets and VistaJet orders will help push total new business jet sales for the year well past the 200 mark, says Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.
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.
When certified in early 2013, the final performance specifications for the Falcon 2000S will be substantially better than initially projected, the company said. An 18 month test program that lasted 350 flight hours over 150 flights demonstrated better than expected low speed performance, in particular. Landing distance at typical landing weight has been reduced to 2,315 feet (705 m), from 2,600 ft. (792 m); approach speed, to 107 kt.; and balanced field length, to 4,325 ft. (1,318 m).
The U.S. Transportation Department is working with its counterparts in several Asia-Pacific countries to create a regulatory framework for business aviation, says Robert Letteney, deputy assistant secretary of transportation for aviation and international affairs. In most countries in the region, business aviation is regulated in the same way as scheduled commercial airlines, which means “business aircraft simply can't fly when and where they want.” Vietnam is working with the U.S.
Regulatory Changes for 2013 Federal agencies tend to stall in their regulatory work leading up to presidential elections. With 2012 finally behind us, we can expect a number of final regulations and new proposed regulations to appear this year. FAA Rulemaking
The email chimes and there it is, notification of another planned international trip. Some of the destinations provided are familiar, while others are not. You pull out your checklist and mentally tap into the international knowledge base you've assembled from experience. For some, that base may be modest, and for others perhaps a bit dated. Regardless, the trip will launch and the tips that follow are intended to help ensure it proceeds seamlessly and on schedule.
Raisbeck Engineering and Hartzell Propeller have developed and certified the first swept-blade propellers incorporating swept-wing aerodynamics, similar to those on the Airbus A400M and Lockheed Martin C-130J, in a civilian application, specifically for the Beechcraft King Air 200 family. The Raisbeck/Hartzell 96 in., 4-blade, Swept Turbofan Power Props will be available Mar. 1 as a stand-alone installation or as part of the Raisbeck Epic Performance package for Beechcraft King Air 200/B200/B200GT aircraft. The standard King Air 200 props have a 93-in. diameter.
A U.S. bankruptcy court cleared Hawker Beechcraft to sell off its remaining inventory of Hawker 4000 business jets. The approval, Dec. 11, by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, comes after the court earlier had rejected Hawker Beechcraft's request to expedite the inventory sale without meeting certain notice requirements under bankruptcy rules.
Landmark Aviation will acquire First Aviation Services at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, marking a return to the acquisition trail a little more than month after it came under new ownership. The acquisition was expected to close by year-end 2012. Landmark did not reveal terms of the agreement, but a spokeswoman says purchase details likely will be revealed once the acquisition closes. The acquisition will give Landmark a major base at the nation's busiest general aviation airport. First Aviation has 120,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 480,000 sq. ft.
When President Barack Obama on Nov. 27 signed into law a bill that prohibits U.S. operators from participating in the EU's emissions trading system (ETS), environmental groups were quick to object. But industry officials say the action allows the issue to be decided by the ICAO, which is weighing its own plan for global market-based measures to combat greenhouse gas emissions. “With passage of this measure, the U.S.
Kenneth E. Gazzola (President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.)
Beautiful tribute to Al Ueltschi (“The Alabama Bet,” December 2012, page 9). He was a man for all seasons and as colorful as they make them, [the source of] so many great memories and stories never to be forgotten. President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.
Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., has expanded its EU-ETS Emissions Reporting Portal to provide easy access for business aviation operators purchasing carbon credits. “To minimize confusion dealing with new, complicated processes and procedures, we've selected a carbon brokerage firm and provided easy access to its trading platform via our reporting portal and extended our 24/7 support to include consultation for trading and submitting emission allowances to member states,” according to Adam Hartley, supervisor, Global Regulatory Services at Universal.
Airbus Corporate Jet Centre launched its new website showing the wide range of services dedicated to its customers. Its design is based on an “haute couture” spirit and offers a panorama of ACJC's values. It also includes a career space targeted for aeronautical experts and listings of available positions. It's designed for most browsers and will be optimized for viewing on smart phones and tablets.
Nov. 6 — At about 1900 EST, Delta Air Lines Flight 241, a Boeing MD-88 (N908DE), experienced a loss of power in the left engine, a P&W JT8D-219, shortly after takeoff from the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL), Atlanta. The pilots shut down the engine and the airplane returned to ATL without further incident. After landing, the examination of the airplane revealed a portion of the lower engine cowl was missing and there was a hole in the fan duct.
Hangar8 is expanding its charter and management business with the acquisition of International JetClub for 1.1 million pounds (U.K.) ($1.76 million) and the issue of 500,000 ordinary shares. The acquisition increases Hangar8's managed fleet from 40 to 50 aircraft, including four helicopters. Nearly half of the fleet are large-cabin, long-range jets.
Online registration is now open for the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., Mar. 4-7, 2014. Attendees and exhibitors can register, book housing and request exhibit space at the association's website: www.rotor.org.
Business jet charter, management and maintenance services company, TAG Aviation, has started a new advisory service for business aircraft operators who must comply with the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS). TAG ETS Solutions offers operators turnkey compliance and carbon credit purchase support, or customized help for those who have already begun the process only to become stalled by its complexity. The new offering draws on TAG's experience complying with the EU-ETS for its owned business aircraft as well as for its managed fleet.
