* Dassault Falcon 10, 20, 50, 200, 900, 900EX, 2000 and 2000EX airplanes - Conduct repetitive tests and inspections to detect (and, if necessary, correct) problems with the overwing emergency exit. * EADS Socata TBM 700 airplanes - Check for proper operation of the locking handle for the upper access door and modify the adjacent window trim panel.
Universal Weather and Aviation is now an FAA-approved dispatcher training provider and will start offering dispatching classes to the public this year. The intensive course, which was developed in-house by staff, is claimed to take six weeks to complete, less time than those taken in a traditional college classroom. Universal says it has successfully completed a trial course and is now ready to roll out the approved course to all students. The first class convened in early September, and the next one is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Neal Douglas is a 49-year-old investment manager based in California who has been flying for business and pleasure for only two years. He undertook Mustang training in the very first session, held in April 2007 in Wichita. His PI score recommended an SIC type rating based on his low experience level, but he had a multiengine and instrument rating along with 250 hours total time in a Garmin G1000-equipped Baron. His comments:
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC), maker of Hawker midsize business jets and King Air turboprops, has opened its new international sales headquarters at Hawarden Airport in Broughton England, which is near Chester. "Locating at Hawarden Airport close to our service center is the ideal headquarters for our international sales efforts," said Sean McGeough, HBC's vice president of international sales. "This enables us to centralize all customer interfaces - from initial sales inquiries to demonstration flights to maintenance - in one location."
TAG Farnborough has caused a hotel boom. Two more hotels, as well as the 169-room Dakota due to open in June 2008, are to be built within close reach of the airport. Work has begun on the $48 million 154-room De Vere Hotel at the Farnborough Business Park, opening in late 2008, and a 77-bed Travel Inn is to be part of Farnborough's $106 million town center facelift, which will include an eight-screen cinema and better shopping mall; completion is set for July 2009.
As we go to press, adventurer-pilot Steve Fossett had been missing for over a week in a barren Nevada badland twice the size of the state of Massachusetts. Fossett took off in decent weather from hotelier Barron Hilton's Flying M Ranch, roughly 70 miles southeast of Reno, in a Decathlon to survey sites for a land speed record attempt, but failed to return. The Decathlon carried an ELT. In the search that followed, six old, undocumented crashes were discovered, but there was no sign of Fossett's aircraft.
(Waterford, MI) - Rick Maloney has been named president and CEO of this aircraft services firm, which is headquartered at Oakland County International Airport. Maloney has three decades of experience in commercial and business aviation.
General Electric has agreed to buy the assets of Walter Engines, based in Prague, the Czech Republic. Transaction terms were not disclosed, and the sale will be completed after regulatory approvals and customary closing formalities. "Walter Engines will broaden GE's capabilities in the small turboprop segment of aviation," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "Walter Engines has a strong heritage and an outstanding customer base.
The first European Citation Mustang VLJ was officially handed over to pilot/owner Jane Howell at Farnborough in September. A portrait artist, Howell originally founded an office design and construction firm, which she sold in 2001. She earned her FAA license 20 years ago and has since accumulated 1,850 hours, mainly on Cessna piston twins. She has flown single pilot all over Europe and intends to continue to do so in the Mustang.
The FAA finally released new standards covering performance and handling characteristics of transport aircraft in icing conditions. The standards harmonize U.S. and European standards for flight in icing conditions, the FAA said. According to the agency, the standards are designed to ensure that minimum operating speeds determined during certification of all new transport category airplanes would provide adequate maneuvering capability in icing conditions during all phases of flight.
Attorney, Lynn, Mass. Among the most prominent and controversial defense attorneys of modern times, Bailey was an aviator before he was a litigator, earning his U.S. Navy wings in 1954 and then flying FJ-2 Furies for the Marines. His aviation credentials include past ownership of Enstrom Helicopters, consultant to Fairchild Aircraft, and stewardship of the Bailey Bullet, his much-upgraded Piper Twin Comanche. He has logged in excess of 20,000 hours.
Ciao, paisano. If the new Avanti II had rearview mirrors, its pilots could watch every other turboprop business aircraft disappear in its wake. That's nothing new for the Genoa jet-prop. The first-generation Avanti, dating back to 1990, also could speed by all prop-driven competitors. The Avanti II, equipped with more powerful engines, just widens the lead by at least 10 to 15 knots. Pilots can expect maximum cruise speeds of 400 KTAS at FL 310 at mid-weights assuming standard-day conditions, according to Piaggio Aero's latest cruise performance numbers.
I agree with the writer of your "orchid" letter in the August issue (page 11). I, too, used to go to Torch Lewis' page first, then work my way forward. Now I go to the Viewpoint page and work my way aft.
Eurocopter officially reopened a redesigned and enlarged rotor blade facility at the company's main German complex in Donauwoerth on July 18. Eurocopter Executive Vice President Global Supply Chain Bert Stegkemper said the success of the company's military and civilian programs worldwide, particularly the EC 135 and EC 145, have driven requirements for production capacity increases up to 40 percent in the short term.
Thank you so much for that most interesting background. You're right about the U.S. Air Forces's KC-135s, but as your countrymen at Airbus will tell you, the service is trying to replace those old birds with something newer and much more quiet.
Flight testing has begun with Embraer's Phenom 100. The very light jet (VLJ) flew for the first time July 26 at the company's main Sao Jose dos Campos facility and was conducting its eight flight during a visit by B&CA and others Aug. 6. The flight test program goal is to obtain Brazilian and full FAA certification in time for the six-/seven-passenger jet to enter service in mid-2008. EASA certification is anticipated in early 2009.
In the late 1970s, Cessna realized it needed an entry-level turboprop to compete with the Beech King Air C90. Too many Cessna 421 owners, who wanted to step up to turbine reliability, were deserting the brand for the Beech twin-turboprop. Cessna's own 290-plus KTAS Model 441 Conquest was too big a jump up in price, performance and pilot proficiency.
Eastern General Aviation Corp. (EGAC) has taken delivery of a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, making it the first operator of the big twin in China. It also took delivery of two S-76C++ helicopters. They will be used for offshore oil operations as part of EGAC's plans to expand its business with China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and ConocoPhillips China, Inc., a joint venture with CNOOC. The aircraft are upgrades for EGAC's current fleet of three S-76A++ aircraft.
You might describe Bill Shea's career in aviation as "checkered," because he's held so many jobs -- and all of them entailing a lot of responsibility. Then-governor Ronald Reagan named him chief of aeronautics for California, where he served in 1973 to 1974 and oversaw activities at 525 airports in the state. He's run aviation departments or airports for over half a dozen agencies, both state and local.
I enjoy Kent Jackson's articles and constantly send them to my clients as a reminder of why they should stay away from doing all this FAR Part 135 business. I found "DOT Attacks Illegal Charter" (Point of Law, July, page 90) on Jet Choice I, LLC interesting as it never made the news that it was finally fined. What I find odd is that the FAA has given Jet Choice its own Part 135 certificate, which is strange if the FAA just issued this fine.
Gore Design Completions, Ltd. recently welcomed the arrival of a green Airbus A320 Prestige, marking its elevation as the second Airbus-approved U.S. completions center for Airbus corporate jetliners. The Aug. 10 occasion was marked by speeches and hors d'oeuvres at Gore's 120,000-square-foot hangar at Port San Antonio, Texas, site of the former Kelly Air Force Base. Among the 350 in attendance were the mayor and a group of Airbus executives. "This is the first of many projects," said CEO Jerry Gore.
