Agusta/Westland Global Support Plan (GSP) -- Designed to provide comprehensive cost control measures, the GSP covers parts and labor for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repair and replacement of components, overhaul, life-limited parts and pilot refresher training. Parts and labor for mandatory Service Bulletins are included. Avionics are also included. Engine services are provided by engine OEMs. The contract is transferable.
I want to thank you for dredging up the 30-year-old photos just to remind me of what the 70s were like. Nice shot of Bob Stangarone, too. And then you show a contemporary photo of yourself instead of the real Bill Garvey that we know must be lurking somewhere from the 70s. I thought you did a good job with the anniversary issue.
Congratulations on a grand tribute to the all-star team that made BCA the unique jewel of business aviation. The staff photo review is so appropriate in this very special industry (aka elite club) of aviation zealots. It is a glowing trip down memory lane. It has been an honor to serve with all of you and I am sure Dave is smiling proudly up there. BCA proves it is not lonely at the top.
Hypoxia is a silent killer and pilots often are unaware of their condition because lack of oxygen affects their judgment. Technicians who fly regularly or who participate in pressurization system maintenance flights need to be prepared as well for this invisible, tasteless danger. To help increase awareness of hypoxia's threat, the military exposes pilots to high-altitude pressure simulators.
*Agusta A109E, A109S and A119 helicopters -- Inspect the pilot and copilot doors' emergency release system. If any interference is found between the lower hinges of the doors and the housing on the helicopter structure, rework the housing slot of the lower hinge. *Cessna Caravan 208 and 208B airplanes -- Inspect the left and right wing wire bundles and repair or replace damaged wire.
As the world's first all-digital air carrier, DayJet, the Boca Raton, Fla.-based startup, has relied on breakthroughs in both emerging aviation and computer technologies, offering a new and unique travel option. The concept of "Per Seat, On Demand" jet service offers the efficiency and convenience of corporate jet travel with the affordability and availability of traveling with scheduled airlines. But you won't hear the word "scheduled" bantered among the DayJet faithful. Instead, they insist, "DayJet sells time."
A Skyship 600 blimp is patrolling the Florida Straits for the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy as part of a six-week joint evaluation of the airship's effectiveness in the patrol mission. The lighter-than-air (LTA) craft and its crew of three pilots, two mechanics and 15 ground crew members began operating from Boca Chica Naval Air Station on June 30. The airship, which is owned and operated by Airship Management Services (AMS) Inc., Greenwich, Conn., is leased to the government. The contract, including mission equipment, is valued at approximately $1 million.
*Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga., announced that Mark Burns has become president of Gulfstream Product Support and General Dynamics Aviation Services, replacing Larry Flynn, who's moving on to take over sales and marketing.
Boeing has teamed with a Canadian company to develop a commercial heavy-lift aircraft that combines helicopter rotor systems with a neutrally buoyant airship. Calgary, Alberta-based SkyHook International has contracted Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems Rotorcraft Division outside Philadelphia to design the JHL-40 and build two production prototypes for certification in Canada and the United States. The aircraft is expected to fly in 2012.
MJET -- providers of integrated engineering, completion, customization and maintenance services for commercial and business aircraft -- has begun its first corporate conversion of a Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet at the company's facility at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. The reconfigured aircraft, which will be operated by Corpac Canada Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta, is scheduled for delivery in January 2009.
ERA Training Center has begun operating its facility at the Lake Charles, La., Regional Airport, near the headquarters of ERA Helicopters. The 7,600-square-foot facility houses two FAA-approved Flight Training Devices for the Eurocopter AS350B2 and EC 135, and will be dedicated to training personnel involved in EMS, airborne law enforcement and business aviation rotorcraft operations.
Sentient Flight Group has been engaged in a massive effort to integrate its aircraft operations/regulatory requirements and its "back office" accounting and billing functions ever since the merger that created the company. Simultaneously, Sentient has continued to add new acquisitions to the mix.
*Northern Jet Management, Grand Rapids, Mich., announced that Dennis Sweet, Kurt Stoddard and Nancy Nyhof have joined the Flight Operations team as pilots.
In April 2001, United Air Lines announced its surprising intention to develop a fractional ownership business jet division as an alternative air transport offering for its high-end travelers. The company said it planned on ordering some $4 billion-plus worth of Gulfstream 200s, IV-SPs, and Vs, as well as Falcon 50EXs, 2000s, 2000EXs and 900EXs. It also had a deal with Airbus whereby the UAL unit would operate as many as 15 Airbus Corporate Jets under FAR Part 121 charter rules.
The original Sabreliner, serial number 282-001, was completed on April 18, 1963, and was originally used as a demonstrator by Remmert-Werner, the St. Louis-based marketing arm of OEM North American Aviation. Today, the venerable Model 40, renamed Sabre One, continues flying up to 150 hours a year, serving as Sabreliner Corp.'s company airplane, as well as a test bed for possible product improvements.
*During testing on April 10, the Fairey Rotodyne transitioned from vertical to forward flight. The transition was made in straight and level steady flight. The big autogyro logged more than 80 flights since its first on Nov. 6. *New VFR cruising altitudes put aircraft on courses of zero to 179 degrees at odd thousands plus 500 feet; those at 180 to 359 degrees cruise at even thousands plus 500 feet. The rule, which applies to VFR aircraft below 29,000 feet, becomes effective Aug. 15.
In the June edition of its Business Jet Monthly, JPMorgan's Global Equity Research department declared, "The market for used business jets continues to cool from unsustainably high levels." Although strong orders recorded at the recent European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition "are indicative of a still healthy new market, the used [aircraft] data are beginning to look more and more like the data from [the year] 2000, particularly for heavy jets, when inventories rose off their lows but before pricing declined significantly.
Pilatus Aircraft delivered its first PC-12 NG. The aircraft features a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, a cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine that provides 15 percent more power than its original engine. The $3.8 million aircraft received both EASA and FAA certifications in March.
A recently issued amended STC will enable European operators of King Air 200GTs to modify their aircraft with performance-enhancing winglets from BLR Aerospace. The FAA granted an STC amendment to the Everett, Wash.-based company in April, and EASA approval was granted in May. Earlier, EASA had certificated BLR's King Air 200 and 300 winglets.
King Aerospace, Ardmore, Okla., announced that Richard (Rick) Penshorn is the company's new president and general manager. John Hartzler is the new chief operating officer and Lloyd Landburg is the new chief inspector.
-Agusta A109C, E and K2 helicopters - Inspect for swelling, deformation, bonding separation or cracks on each main-rotor blade with a certain tip cap installed. If any of these conditions are found, replace the main-rotor blade before further flight. -Bell 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP helicopters - Inspect each tail-rotor blade assembly at specified intervals and repair or replace, as applicable, unairworthy blades.
