The FAA Air Traffic Organization could be headed for a reorganization, says FAA Managers Association President David Conley. While there has been “no vision articulated by [FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt]” for such a restructuring, it has been discussed and consultants hired, he says. “We don't think he'll revolutionize it, but will evolve it.” A decision has been made to recombine the jobs of VP-technical training with the safety group, so training will again be part of safety, he adds.
Comlux Aruba N.V. registered a Boeing 767-200ER in Aruba. The aircraft will be based in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of Comlux's VVIP fleet. This is the fourth aircraft Comlux has registered in Aruba as part of its strategic cooperation with the Registry of Aruba. The company is in the process of applying for an Aruba Aviation Operating Certificate.
FAR Part 91 and Part 135 operators increasingly are asking aircraft manufacturers to provide range charts based upon crew duty times rather than aircraft fuel endurance.
For more than three decades, it was standard practice for corporate flight departments to charge part or all of the cost of operating company aircraft to other departments that used them. Allocating operating costs to internal customers helped flight departments justify the expense of the aircraft to top management, to apportion equitable operating costs according to usage patterns and to meter access to prevent over-scheduling, among other purposes.
Balancing workload with available manpower is a never-ending struggle for maintenance managers. Even so-called “normal” operations can be highly unpredictable, and aircraft always seem to break at the worst possible time. Having extra help on call for unplanned maintenance work is a great way to cushion the impact.
At Moscow's JetExpo 2011 in September, Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo to establish an enhanced maintenance service able to respond 24/7 with certified mechanics, special tools and a readily available on-site spare parts stock. Already approved as an Embraer Authorized Service Center at Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) since 2009 for line support, Jet Aviation will stock parts consigned by Embraer for Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets.
When a military CASA 212 with 21 people aboard was lost off Chile's seacoast in September, authorities used an iPhone app called Find My iPhone to locate the remains of the airplane, which crashed in a zone between the islands of Robinson Crusoe, Santa Clara and the Juan Fernandez airport. One of the victims' relatives knew the victim had an active iPhone at the time of the crash. Using the app, the relatives were able to isolate the coordinates of the last place the phone generated a signal before it crashed and passed that information to the Chilean Navy.
As well noted in “High-Altitude Upset Recovery” (July 2011, page 52), pilots must know the basics for maintaining or, if necessary, regaining controlled flight. But what is the primary obstacle to maintaining that control? I would suggest that the answer, both at high and low altitudes, is confusion — the old, “Where's this thing taking us now?”
It takes considerable effort on our part, but BCA's annual Purchase Planning Handbook (May issue) has become one of the most trusted specifications and performance references for business aircraft extant. The handbook is regularly used to gauge the capabilities of business aircraft during pre-purchase negotiations because multi-million-dollar investment decisions frequently hang in the balance. PPH readers have confidence that aircraft in the listings will perform up to published expectations.
An easy-to-surf guide to 31 CFR 515, the federal code governing licensing for travel to Cuba. Note, especially, the “definitions” section. (http://www.law.justia.com/cfr/title31/31-3.1.1.1.4.html) worldtravelguide.net/cuba/ passport-visa (Good review of Cuban visa requirements.)
Canadian Chris McCabe, chief pilot for Toronto-based Chartright Air Group, has had extensive experience flying chartered business jets into several locations within the Republic of Cuba. As the country adheres to ICAO procedures and altimetry, McCabe offered to provide a PANS OPS review for domestic operators who might eventually be Cuba-bound (or flying anywhere else that uses ICAO procedures):
The Caribbean region is a popular recreation and business destination for North Americans, Europeans and Middle Eastern residents. Universal Weather & Aviation's Dwayne Janczak, who is assigned to the Flexjet fractional ownership headquarters in Dallas, provided a review for operating in the area.
Thirty years ago, Jim Haynes was working in finance in Washington, D.C., when an accountant friend mentioned that he was trying to settle the estate of a couple who had been killed in an automobile accident. He said it appeared that they had an interest in a business out at Leesburg (Va.) Airport. That tragedy and that piece of information would soon set Haynes off on a course of action that would cause a change in taxation and help transform a region in ways no one could have imagined.
The comments made concerning the Dassault 7X recent trim incident are from customer briefing sessions that Dassault has held ever since the incident occurred.
George Best Belfast City Airport and FBO Eurojet Aviation will partner with U.S.-based Avfuel for business aviation fuel and services. According to Mark Beattie, operations director for George Best Belfast City Airport, “Introducing an alternative fuel supplier allows us to be more competitive, which will ultimately drive more business aviation traffic to the airport.” Beattie has been focused on growing general aviation activity at the airport.
Computerized maintenance management systems have all but replaced paper for the same reason that such digital systems usually take over any task: It's all become too complicated for humans.
In late September, Cessna introduced the Citation M2, a less-expensive and more-capable version of the CJ1+ that's intended to be a more attractive intermediate step up in speed, range and cabin comfort that will be positioned between the Citation Mustang and the CJ2+. The new design has been in development for three years and it's slated to fly during the first half of 2012.
Skyservice Inc., Canada's largest charter/management company, often dispatches Learjets from its air ambulance division to Cuba for patient-transfer missions. Based in Montreal, Skyservice has 56 managed and company-owned business aircraft in its stable, including five Learjet 35 air ambulances equipped with intensive-care units that routinely operate on a worldwide basis.
In the last budget request the Department of Labor (DOL) requested an additional budget and manpower specifically to investigate employee misclassification and this topic has been identified as one of the department's leading initiatives. If you use or plan to use contractors, you need to understand the rules. The DOL has a website to help you navigate the rules. You can visit it at: http://www.dol.gov For those of you who missed Attorney Greg Ripple's presentation at the NBAA MMC on this topic, the NBAA has posted his presentation on their website:
ARINC plans to set up a Russian office next year to tap growth in commercial and business aviation in that market. The aviation electronics specialist already has contracts with Russian airports and business jet operators for its infrastructure and inflight offering. Andy Hubbard, vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says that even though the market has long been of interest, a meeting with potential customers this year prompted ARINC to step up its engagement in Russia. Business outside the U.S.
NetJets has signed a long-term lease with Van Nuys, Calif.-based FBO Maguire Aviation to build a dedicated, private terminal at Van Nuys Airport, custom-designed and operated to NetJets' specifications and owner preferences. The project includes a new 10,000-sq.-ft. terminal with a conference room and business center. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2012.
Cuba is the largest and westernmost island in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. It also bears the distinction of having been “discovered” by Christopher Columbus on his first journey to the New World in 1492.
