The National Air Transportation Association is urging the FAA to clarify that Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) are voluntary. The association said it supports the use of SAFOs to distribute important safety information, which usually includes recommended -- but not required -- actions. But the association expressed concern that SAFOs have also said that "failure to adhere to the SAFO recommended actions could result in an FAA determination that operators are not in compliance with their obligations as certificated air carriers," which sounds like an implied threat.
Most manufacturers of business aircraft airframes, engines and avionics systems offer plans that enable a flight department to forecast its budget for maintenance with greater accuracy than would be possible without a plan. By removing much of the element of surprise from maintenance, a department manager or chief pilot is essentially hedging the way airlines buy fuel on long-term contracts to avoid wide swings in prices.
In the late 1980s, British Aerospace (BAe) embarked upon development of the 30-passenger Jetstream 41 regional turboprop, an updated and stretched version of the 1960s-vintage, 19-seat Handley-Page Jetstream 31. The J41 would have a seven foot longer cabin, 25- to 30-knot higher cruise speeds and improved airport performance, especially at high-and-high landing facilities. The low-price, low-DOC J41 was intended to compete against considerably more modern and roomier regional commuters, such as the Dornier 328, Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia and Saab 340.
Operators of late model Falcons need not be jealous of operators who have signed up for the new Dassault Falcon 2000LX, which features winglets designed in collaboration with Aviation Partners Inc. The Seattle-based maker of performance-enhancing airfoils is working with the airframe manufacturer to offer at least a couple of winglet retrofit programs for earlier models of the French-made business jet.
The 4300 Series Attitude Indicator is the latest in a list of key components that Mid-Continent has manufactured for the Robinson R22 and R44 helicopter. It is designed specifically to survive demanding helicopter operation and a high vibration environment, according to the company. New technology to prevent premature wear and tear on critical parts has been incorporated into the design. The new indicator can be used as a primary or standby artificial horizon in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.
Waterbury-Oxford (Conn.) Airport FBO Key Air hosted an invitation-only Jet Day event co-sponsored by Porsche and Airport Journals on June 21. Airframe manufacturers brought their aircraft to OXC, and Porsche brought a lineup of cars for the 1,000 attendees to drive. Among the exhibitors were FlightSafety International, AvFuel and Virgin Galactic (which actually sold a few seats on future suborbital rocket rides).
The Worldwide Campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has teamed with New Zealand-based Aviation English Services (AES) to provide the industry with aviation English training solutions to address ICAO's new requirements, which identify English as the official, recognized language of aviation.
GKN Aerospace has been selected to manufacture the HondaJet fuselage barrel in Alabama, says GKN's CEO Marcus Bryson. The wings are to be built by Avcorp Industries, Garmin will supply the avionics and final assembly will be at Honda's plant, now under construction at Greensboro, N.C. First HondaJet deliveries are scheduled for 2010.
U.S. business and corporate turbine-powered aircraft were involved in 25 accidents during the first six months of this year -- as compared to 29 accidents in the same period in 2006 -- according to information compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates. Eight accidents through June resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and crew. That compares with nine fatal accidents that claimed 22 lives during the first half of 2006. FAR Part 135 operators were involved in 15 accidents during the first half of this year, including five that resulted in 14 fatalities.
Virgin USA, the North American headquarters of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is starting Virgin Charter, a new online marketplace that brings convenience and efficiency to private aviation, according to the company. It is a full-service marketplace that brings together buyers who want to book private air travel with safety-rated charter operators.
In a move to make business aviation more neighborly and accessible, the organizers of this year's NBAA convention are asking attendees -- exhibitors and visitors alike -- to devote a part or all of their pre-show Sunday to constructing a school playground or airport picnic area for local residents.
*Cessna Citation 500, 501, 550, 551, S550, 560, 560XL and 750 air- planes -- Install identification sleeves on the wires for the positive and negative terminal studs of the engine and/or auxiliary power unit fire extinguishing bottles, as applicable, and re-connect the wires to the correct terminal studs. *Dassault Falcon 50 airplanes -- Disable the galley's coffeemaker by pulling and locking out the circuit breaker. Then inspect for damaged wire sleeves, check their proper clearance, and if a discrepancy is found, perform corrective actions.
Healthy corporate profits continue to drive a vigorous market for previously owned aircraft, says Paul Wyatt, managing editor of the Aircraft Bluebook Price Digest. However, "even if corporate profits begin to level out in 2009 [as many predict], an emerging international interest in general aviation [both new and used] will be there to pick up the slack."
Bombardier's 11th annual Safety Standdown will be held Oct. 22-25 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita. Speakers will include Nick Sabatini, the FAA's associate administrator for aviation safety; Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the NBAA; and Mark Rosenker, chairman of the NTSB.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus is launching an International Air Cargo Management Certificate program for industry professionals. This is the first program to specifically address the needs of the air cargo industry on an international basis and is designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the air cargo industry by focusing specifically on the needs and operations of that industry. The program's 23 courses will be offered online to anyone via ERAU's online learning systems. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
David Esler's series on business aviation airports (April, May and June issues) contained just about the best compilation and write-up for and about DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) I have ever read. The copy has been sitting here on my desk for over a week, but I just opened it up today to find this top-notch, first-class article. Thanks so much for working with me on this, and thanks for taking the time to get things right! My very best for a job well done!
While business aviation holds its collective breath as Congress considers whether or not to include aviation user fees as part of FAA reauthorization legislation, another provision that is part of the Senate version of the proposed law may be problematic for operators of older business jets.
CMC Electronics' SureSight M-Series Enhanced Vision System (EVS) sensor has been FAA approved for installation in the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, and the sensor, as well as the PilotView Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) now can be retrofitted on the single-engine turboprop. The EFB can function as a stand-alone system and as a display for the EVS sensor. Retrofit kits are available from Pilatus dealers.
Looking for more information on Safety Management Systems? Three great resources are the International Business Aircraft Council (www.ibac.org), the NBAA (www.nbaa.org) and the Flight Safety Foundation (www.flightsafety.org). IS-BAO has literature, sample SMS documents and plan guidance to help you understand and implement SMS for your operation. If you need more in-depth reading material try the following books and publications: *FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-92, "Introduction to Safety Management Systems for Air Operators" (www.faa.gov)
Flybe, a low-cost European regional airline, has introduced what it claims is the world's first aircraft eco-labeling system. It says the scheme is aimed in part to help passengers make sound environmental decisions in relation to travel. The Web-based system enables passengers to view the ICAO landing and takeoff cycle CO 2 and NOX emissions, fuel consumed for flights of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers, as well as CO 2 emissions per seat for aircraft operated by Flybe and others. Every flight's elements are graded from a high of A to a low of F.
Aviation industry lobbyists have been hearing that FAA Administrator Marion Blakey would leave the agency Sept. 13 when her five-year term expires and that she was looking forward to stepping away from the high-pressure post. But at a July Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) praised Blakey and asked if she would consider staying on at the FAA after Sept. 13 to help ensure that new FAA reauthorization gets enacted into law.
