Linear Air, a startup air-taxi service, announced it has closed $2.5 million of additional funding, which will cover initial deposits on 30 Eclipse 500s and support the company's expansion in Boston, New York and the Caribbean. "Linear Air's strategy with the VLJ market has given us credibility with investors and with Eclipse, which has recognized our success by putting us near the head of the line with our jet order," said William Herp, CEO and president of Linear Air. The funding round comprises new and existing investors, mostly private individuals.
GAMA's third quarter 2005 numbers for general aviation showed shipments rose to 2,423 units, and billings rose to $10.3 billion. "Our industry is very satisfied with the positive numbers," said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. "This is an affirmation that the efficiency and advanced capabilities of general aviation products are very attractive to markets around the world." Shipments of piston-powered airplanes manufactured worldwide increased to 1,685 units in the first three quarters of 2005, up from 2004's 1,342.
The U.K.'s Corporate Jet Services, parent company of executive jet services operator Club328, has bought the principal businesses of AvCraft Aerospace GmbH. The contract covers engineering, maintenance and refurbishment, product support, the spare parts business, and the type certificate for the Dornier 328Jet and 328 turboprop. AvCraft Aerospace GmbH will become 328 Support Services GmbH, a new wholly owned German subsidiary of CJS. The deal became effective Jan.
At the NBAA in Washington, D.C. (www.nbaa.org), Mike Nichols can assist flight department managers in understanding the tax, insurance and liability implications of using independent contractors as temporary flight crewmembers. Nichols can be contacted at [email protected].
Finnish operator Jetflite Oy has ordered two new Challenger 604s from Bombardier to replace older and smaller Falcon 20F-5s. The new Challengers will be delivered this October and December. Jetflite Oy has operated one Challenger 604 since 2001. The new aircraft will have flexible seating configurations for 12, 14 or 18 passengers. Jetflite Oy is a leading business aviation and air ambulance company in Scandinavia.
The current officers and founding fathers of the National Aircraft Resale Association, along with members of NARA's associate member council, were scheduled to meet in mid-January to discuss the future direction of the organization, according to NARA President Susan Sheets.
Bob Kidd, head of Tulsa-based Intercontinental Jet Corp., has no illusions about the painful learning curve associated with the MU-2B's entry into service decades ago. It had multiple propeller and prop-coupler failures, a resonant vibration that cracked prop blades and plenty of engine failures. But now the aircraft is a mature design and it's as reliable as any general aviation turboprop --- if it's properly maintained.
The FAA recently warned air carriers against operating in heavy snow or when ice pellets adhere to critical surfaces. "It has come to the attention of the Air Transportation Division that a number of air carrier operators are continuing to dispatch in ice pellet conditions," the agency told operators in a Dec. 21, 2005,, notice. The FAA warned that such operations are contrary to its guidance for FAR Part 121 and 135 operations.
In 2002, a small flock of independent contract pilots and flight attendants congregated at the NBAA Convention to discuss what they could do to promote themselves as skilled and trained business aviation professionals operating at the highest standards recognized by the industry. Out of that informal meeting came the Independent Business Aviation Contract Professionals Association, or (thankfully) IBACP.
After 13 years in aviation, most of them with US Airways where he served as an executive in its operations, service, Express, MetroJet and Shuttle divisions, Scheeringa joined Flight Options in 2004 and took the helm of the company in November of that year. Founded in 1998, the fractional operator, now a wholly-owned Raytheon subsidiary, operates nearly 200 aircraft in behalf of more than 2000 owners and employs 1800 "team members," including some 800 pilots. 1 Flight Options originally operated refurbished jets. Is that practice over?
The Ibis Aerospace Ae270 received EASA Type Certification, which was awarded to its manufacturing partner Aero Vodochody. Ibis says that certification of the single-engine turboprop was based on a Technical Visa issued by the Czech CAA and that the FAA is likely to award its certification soon. The company says it will need new funding from another source to begin production. Anthony Han, the Ibis chairman, who represents funding partner Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.
Raytheon has purchased the remaining shares of Flight Options, the Cleveland -based fractional ownership company. Raytheon had been slowly building up its ownership in Flight Options, and had a 97.6 percent stake until the latest agreement to purchase the remainder from Flight Options International, making Flight Options a wholly owned Raytheon subsidiary.
During the annual membership meeting of the National Aircraft Resale Association, which was held Nov. 7, 2005, in Orlando in conjunction with the NBAA annual convention, NARA elected the following people to leadership positions: * Chairman, James Markel of Apex Aviation * Vice Chairman, Phil Jordan of Business Air * Treasurer, Michael O'Keefe of Banyan Air Service * Secretary, Mike Zabar of Bombardier Aerospace
Midcoast Aviation, St. Louis, has appointed Mike Coate as senior vice president, business development and J.P. Michenon as senior vice president, operations. Additionally, Michelle Averso and Mary Smith have joined the sales department as customer account managers. Alan Averso joined the program management office as senior planner/scheduler and Derrick David has been named senior graphic designer.
Herb Elliott, 90, died on Dec. 10, 2005, at North Collier Hospital in Naples, Fla. Elliott and his wife, Arlene, ran the Elliott Aviation FBO network for decades. In 1936 in the middle of the Great Depression, Elliott founded a flight school at Cram Field in Davenport. Elliott Aviation became one of the first Beech Aircraft dealerships in the United States and later opened FBOs in Des Moines, Minneapolis and Omaha, with company headquarters at the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill.
The European Court of Justice rejected the airlines' complaint against the European Union's new rules on compensation payments for denied boarding, delays and flight cancellations. The plaintiffs were not surprised but expressed bitter disappointment. "It is a sad day for Europe, for consumers, for international law and for the airline industry," said IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani. Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, secretary general of the Association of European Airlines, argues that the new rules will poison the relationship between airlines and passengers.
Piaggio Aero Industries delivered its first P-180 Avanti II to a private Swiss customer on Dec. 23, 2005. The seven-passenger aircraft (s.n. 105) will enter service this month, providing corporate and private flights into Lugano Agno Airport, Switzerland. Certificated by EASA in October 2005, the Avanti II features Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics with three 10-by-eight-inch liquid crystal adaptive flight displays, an FMS 3000 flight management system and the AHS 3000 attitude heading reference system.
Executive Jet Management placed five new aircraft in its charter fleet this past fall, increasing its managed fleet to 102 aircraft in more than 60 locations. The new aircraft include a Citation Sovereign based at Aurora Municipal Airport in Chicago; a Falcon 900EX at Centennial Airport in Denver; a Citation X at Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, Calif.; a Gulfstream 200 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas; and a Learjet 60 at La Crosse Municipal Airport in La Crosse, Wis.
While on base leg at Sacramento, Calif., the pilot of the Learjet 24D heard a helicopter pilot make a radio call. At that point the approach checklist was complete and the copilot called for the landing gear to be extended. So while searching for the nearby helicopter, the pilot lowered the gear, or so he thought.
Jack DeCrane, 59, CEO of DeCrane Aircraft Holdings, died Dec. 29, 2005, of complications from lung cancer. DeCrane founded the company in 1989, in the basement of his home. Under his leadership, DeCrane located and acquired companies to offer everything from seats and cabin furniture, to entertainment systems and cabin management systems, to auxiliary fuel tank systems. Revenues are approaching $500 million.
One way to add versatility to your flight crew is to cross-train an experienced maintenance technician to perform cabin attendant duties. Considering that your flight attendant is responsible for the safety and comfort of your passengers, and spends more time in front of your principal passengers than you do, you should carefully consider who you select for this important position. Technical skills are important, but professionalism, dedication and a customer first attitude are key attributes for a good flight attendant.
"HEY BRO, JUST ONE question: Was it Chinese or French?" His face broke into a broad smile. "Oh, Chinese at first sight. No question." With that, the ever-hopeful womenfolk let out a collective groan as their mates laughed heartily. The exchange and reaction have always been thus.
The National Air Transportation Association has urged its members to contact their congressional representatives in support of repealing a new law that took effect on Oct. 1, 2005. Ostensibly to counter fuel tax fraud, it imposes the highway diesel tax rate on most jet fuel pumped by FBOs, presuming that they and buyers of jet fuel are potential criminals that will divert the fuel from aircraft into diesel cars and trucks. Aircraft operators can't even apply for a rebate on the difference between the highway and lower aviation tax rates.
Experience an exhilarating documentary film that celebrates the unsung hero of aviation - the local airport - by tracing the life, history and struggles of an airport icon: Southern California's Van Nuys Airport. Featuring thrilling aerial photography and a sweeping original score, the film dispels common misconceptions and opposes criticism of general aviation airports. Through the love story of one airport, past to present, the 73-minute film shares the timeless romance of flying with all ages. Exclusive Mail-Order DVD Special Features:
The Spectrum 33 completed its first flight on Jan. 7, a mission abbreviated by deteriorating weather conditions. The test flight took place at Spanish Fork, Utah, airport, where Rocky Mountain Composites and Spectrum Aeronautical LLC designed and built the aircraft. The 3,851-pound BOW proof-of-concept (POC) aircraft, filled with 1,088 pounds of fuel and 350 pounds of ballast, was crewed by former U.S. Navy test pilot William "Bill" Davies and Ian Hollingsworth.
