Million Air Lafayette announced that its new state-of-the-art FBO complex opened in late October. The facility features an atrium lobby with leather furniture and flat-screen televisions. It also offers multiple weather briefing and flight planning computers located in plain sight of the passengers’ arrival area. Million AIR LFT preserved the historic turtle water park (or pond to some) from the previous facility due to popular demand.
— At 1358 UCT, a Cirrus SR22 (N467BD), was destroyed when it impacted terrain 100 meters short of Runway 14 at Zurich Airport, Zurich, Switzerland. It was IFR at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from Geneva, Switzerland, and was en route to Berlin, Germany. The Swiss investigators reported that the airplane was diverting to Zurich due to a reported system failure. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Swiss government.
Bombardier is claiming a civil-aviation first — the flight of a test aircraft entirely equipped with all-electric braking. The Canadian company’s strategic technology demonstrator, a Global 5000 business jet, has been fitted with Meggitt’s EBrake electric braking system. Tests including landings and high-speed braking runs evaluated the system’s normal, emergency and parking braking functionality. Electric braking combines brake-by-wire control with electric brake actuation.
— At1518 MST, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) paramedic was killed after coming into contact with the main rotor blades of a Bell 407, N42AZ, while performing a mountain rescue on Doe Mountain near Sedona, Ariz. The helicopter was operated by the AZ DPS as a public-use search and rescue (SAR) flight. The pilot and two hikers were not injured and the helicopter was not damaged. The flight had departed on the SAR mission from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Ariz., at 1440, to aid in the search and rescue of two stranded hikers.
The NTSB is scheduling a three-day hearing on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) safety beginning Feb. 3 at the Safety Board’s Washington DC headquarters. Representatives from the FAA and the EMS community, including pilots and medical personnel and managers, will gather to discuss flight operations, aircraft, training and oversight.
French industrial group Daher will take over Socata by purchasing a 70-percent stake from EADS, which will retain a 30-percent share for the near future. The deal, which is expected to close in early 2009 barring unexpected regulatory obstacles, includes an agreement for Daher to have the first right to buy the remaining EADS stake if EADS decides to unload those shares after a three-year period, says Patrick Daher, chairman and CEO of the Daher Group. The sales price to privately owned Daher has not been disclosed.
AirPlus International , Alexandria, Va., has announced that Colleen Black is the new vice president, Key Account Sales and John Callahan is regional sales director for the Northern Midwest United States.
Michimasa Fujino, the president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Co., Greensboro, N.C. is charged with the development, production and sales of a light business jet that will never be mistaken for another — the HondaJet. And it is most appropriate that he receive a Vision award because this unique aircraft and the new company created to produce it are direct results of his personal vision.
Cessna reports that it is still on course to begin deliveries of the Model 162 SkyCatcher during the second half of 2009. A mockup of the SkyCatcher was on display Nov. 6-8 during AOPA Expo at the San Jose (Calif.) McEnery Convention Center. This schedule matches the timeline announced when the light sport aircraft launched in July 2007. Major program development milestones achieved since then include prototype first flight March 8 and first flight of the first production model May 1.
— At around 1900 PDT, a Cessna P206 (N2570X) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Valley View Airport, Estacada, Ore. It was night VFR and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Lexington Airport (9S9), Lexington, Ore., about 1745. According to a witness located at Valley View Airport, the pilot called him using a cell phone about 1845 stating that the airplane had lost all electrical power. The pilot asked the witness to turn on the runway lights so he could locate the airport and land.
The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) has scheduled a training session titled “The How To’s of an Aircraft Transaction — Buying or Selling.” The seminar — which will be held from noon Wednesday, Dec. 3 to noon Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Hyatt Regency on Dallas Fort Worth Airport — is based on the content of the recently released NARA Aircraft Sales Guide.
Embraer selected Elbit Systems of America to provide the Kollsman EVS II enhanced vision system for the Lineage 1000 jet as optional equipment. The system, which is expected to be certified by 2010, would be offered in combination with the Rockwell Collins Head-Up Guidance System Model 5600E.
Mooney Airplane Co. , Kerrville, Texas, appointed Jennifer Mitchell regional sales director for California. Stan “Skip” Feher is the regional sales director for the Pacific Northwest.
— About 1041 ADT, a Cessna 402C, Paraguay registration ZP-TVA, owned and operated by AsisMed, impacted terrain near Asuncion, Paraguay. VMC prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot and four passengers were killed. The flight originated from the Asuncion Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, Paraguay, about 1039.
— At around 1900 PDT, a Cessna P206 (N2570X) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Valley View Airport, Estacada, Ore. It was night VFR and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Lexington Airport (9S9), Lexington, Ore., about 1745. According to a witness located at Valley View Airport, the pilot called him using a cell phone about 1845 stating that the airplane had lost all electrical power. The pilot asked the witness to turn on the runway lights so he could locate the airport and land.
The FAA has a Web site dedicated to PMA parts at www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/pma. The site has a link to the FAA-PMA Parts Database, which lists approved replacement parts. While there, download FAA Order 8110.42C, as well as Order 8120.2E.
A recent posting by a niece on the family blog informed all that she and her brother were planning a doozy of a trip next summer and wanted to know if we had any friends who might welcome them along the way. The ports of call include the Galapagos Islands, Macchu Pichu, Rio, Cape Town, Dubai and a romp through Europe.
Just one week after it reported strong financial performance for its FY2008, Rockwell Collins announced Nov. 10 a cost reduction plan that includes laying off 300 full-time employees and 100 contract personnel — about 1.5 percent of its workforce. “We’re dealing with significant challenges in meeting our business objectives. These challenges include air travel declines resulting from the weaker global economy, delays and cancellations in several government programs, and the prolonged Boeing strike,” said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clay Jones.
It’s an axiom in aviation that like old soldiers, good business aircraft never die — they just get reengined and keep right on flying. It’s the not-so-good ones that fade away.
Proposed Rules Embraer EMB-135BJ airplanes — Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new maintenance inspections of the aircraft’s fuel tank system.
