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.
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.
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.
While many business jet makers initially believed 2013 is shaping up to be another flat year, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is seeing recent strength in the market and believes there could be moderate growth next year. But AIA's Year-end Review and Forecast, released last week, notes that 80% of those looking to purchase general aviation aircraft over the next five years are planning to do so in the latter part of the time frame. AIA's annual U.S. aerospace and defense forecast estimates that the U.S.
International Governor Services (IGS), an operating company of BBA Aviation, launched a new website featuring its engine control products in an easy to navigate format. The site features a full listing of all units available from IGS by product type and model as well as downloadable files of certification, warranties and related documents. International Governor Services Broomfield, Colo. (888) 808-5297 www.internationalgovernor.com
Too many to mentally process, difficult to read and occasionally understand, not prioritized by importance, archaic in format and distribution in the digital age — Notices to Airmen, good old “NOTAMs” — remain both the bane and deliverance of pilots worldwide.
GAMA is teaming with the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) to promote and help develop business aviation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. GAMA and MEBAA plan first to focus on the regulatory environment, including urging aviation authorities to adopt a common set of rules that facilitate business aviation operations.
Embraer Executive Jets' ultra-large Lineage 1000 business aircraft received its Type Certificate from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), also known by its Russian acronym MAK. Certification paves the way for Russian customers to register and operate the type in Russia. The Lineage 1000 is Embraer Executive Jets' largest executive aircraft in a family of seven business aircraft models. The aircraft also can accommodate 19 passengers in five distinct private zones.
KingAirNation is a social platform designed to connect anyone involved with the King Air aircraft, as well as provide information and articles related to the aircraft and services. Visit KingAirNation.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The TSA could issue foreign repair station certification rules early this year, perhaps as soon as this month, a senior official says. The rules are “hopefully on track to be out in January,” Ann Zipser, director-global programs and engagement in TSA's Office of Global Strategies, said in December at an American Association of Airport Executives aviation security summit.
The 2012 National Business Aviation Association Convention in Orlando, Fla. closed with 25,150 people in attendance, a number comparable to the final Attendee total of 26,077 for the 2011 Convention, and to the final attendee total of 24,206 for the 2010 event. The number of exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center was 1,073; booth spaces totaled 4,361, an increase over last year's booth-space total. A total of 105 aircraft were shown on two separate static displays, and an additional four aircraft were shown inside the convention center.
The EU has postponed by one year its plans to include international operators in its emissions trading system (ETS). The decision followed meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) council in Montreal on market-based measures for emissions mitigation. The council on Nov. 9 said it would convene a high-level group to create a framework for a global market-based system. The EU cited the council in its decision to postpone the broader implementation of the ETS.
In its amended disclosure statement for the joint plan of reorganization, Hawker Beechcraft said that it needs to either sell or shutter the jet lines because “significant capital investments would be required to achieve competitive performance and product cost for the Hawker 4000 and Hawker 900XP aircraft.
Slow sales in the mid- and light segments are keeping business jet deliveries relatively flat for the year, but the market for turboprops has continued to gain momentum in 2012, according to the latest GAMA deliveery report. Manufacturers delivered 428 business jets through the first nine months of 2012, just one more compared with the same period in 2011. Turboprop deliveries, meanwhile, are up 10.5% to 368 units in 2012. Piston aircraft deliveries also inched up 3.5% to 597. With the improving turboprop shipments, deliveries on the whole are up 4.2%.
In the past few years, communications and electronics technologies have made tremendous advances. As soon as a new system hits the market, its replacement is already in the works. For business aviation, we have been at the forefront of incorporating new systems at an equally aggressive pace. We are way ahead of the airlines and even the military in many respects. Our customers are very demanding and expect the latest technology to be available as soon as they see it on the Internet.
In its 21st annual Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell forecasts a market for 10,000 new business jets through 2022. In terms of overall delivery numbers, the outlook remains little changed from the predictions Honeywell made in 2011. But the fleet composition is changing, with a greater number of large-cabin, long-range aircraft pushing up billings estimates by 9% over 2011 levels. Large-cabin jets now account for more than 40% of new purchase plans, says Honeywell, which surveys more than 1,500 business jet operators worldwide for its annual outlook.
A recent investigation by USA Today found that a large percentage of people don't follow the rules and leave their electronic devices on during takeoff and landing. That's understandable, given the lack of evidence that doing so causes any major difficulty to the flight crew or the aircraft's navigation systems (despite the few anecdotal claims otherwise). Even the feds are looking into the matter, at long last, probably because FAA personnel are as dependent on their electronic appendages as any of us and they know better.
Dassault Falcon received EASA and FAA approval to install SmartStem Tire Pressure Systems on Falcon 50 series aircraft. The existing tire inflation valve stem is replaced with a special valve stem containing integral sensors that communicates tire pressure, temperature, and other stored information wirelessly to a handheld reader without the use of an internal battery in the stem. The reader stores up to 10,000 readings and can be downloaded to a PC.
The November issue was outstanding, cover to cover. Starting with your tribute to Neil Armstrong and ending with Fred George's Lear 35 “20/Twenty” column, every article was really good. Every month I look forward to reading BCA, but something about the November issue was particularly good. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Fractional ownership provider Avantair has returned its fleet of Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service after several weeks of groundings while the company conducted thorough “nose-to-tail” of inspections on each aircraft and scrutinized its maintenance and inspection procedures
BLR Aerospace delivered its 500th winglet system to its largest winglet customer, the FAA. The agency has purchased 18 Winglet Systems with LED lights for installation on its King Air 300 fleet. The FAA is in the process of installing its third set of Winglets as part of a larger fleet upgrade effort, and the first modified aircraft is flying. BLR Winglet Systems are in operation in 40 countries.
I enjoyed “Oceanic ATC” (November 2012, page 40); however, I am not sure I agree with the following: (1) Page 40, 2nd paragraph: If reading back an oceanic clearance on a designated North Atlantic Track (NAT) and the Track Message Identifier (TMI) is included, there is no requirement to read back each waypoint. (2) Page 40, 3rd column, 2nd paragraph: I am familiar with the 3-min., but not the 5-min., requirement. (3) Page 45, 2nd column, 3rd paragraph: I thought the air-to-air frequency was 123.45.
