The market's appetite for late-model, previously owned aircraft that are ``ready to go'' has changed perceptions on what features are expected to be included on certain types of newer turbine-powered airplanes. Buyers may now expect such equipment to be included at no extra charge.
The FAA directed its inspectors to increase their oversight of FAR Part 135 operations to ensure that those using a ``d/b/a'' (or doing-business-as) name are doing so properly and complying with regulations. That direction came in a five-page notice issued to all Part 135 principal operations inspectors (POIs) that clarifies the use of a d/b/a and focuses attention on who has operational control of an aircraft (see Point of Law, page 89).
Aero Toy Store issued letters of intent to purchase two Challenger Corporate Shuttles. Shown here celebrating the launch order are Aero Toy Store President Morris Shirazi with Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft; James Bell, sales director, Bombardier Corporate Shuttle Solutions; and a host of Bombardier corporate flight attendants.
``The boss is going to China.'' ``What airline?'' ``Our airline. The Gulfstream.'' ``You're kidding.'' ``Nope. He wants you to call. Tell him how to set it up, what needs to be done, what clearances, visas -- the works. He's counting on you.''
When the time comes to overhaul, you may want to have an experienced person at your side to help guide you through the process. TurbineWorks, LLC, based in Canaan, N.Y., is one of several companies that provides professional advice when it comes to saving money when overhauling PT6 and JT15 series engines. John Burgess, president of the company, has decades of experience managing the intricacies of the overhaul game, having worked both on the technical and sales side with various overhaul providers.
Backers of reopening DCA were to demonstrate their support at a ``Celebrate General Aviation'' event there Jun 23, chaired by Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), a proponent of getting business aviation back to DCA. Organizers of the event -- which was being sponsored by the Washington Airports Task Force, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the NBAA and Signature Flight Support -- had hoped to have half a dozen business aviation aircraft on display.
Epps Aviation marked its 40th year in business in late May with a birthday party that drew several hundred celebrants to the 20-acre facility at Atlanta's DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK). Hosted by Pat Epps, the gentleman-adventurer who founded the FBO, the party included music by the Pilatus Band, which he brought over from Stans, Switzerland, for the occasion.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Cessna have jointly developed an expanded pay-by-the-hour maintenance program for Cessna Citation operators. PowerAdvantage Plus (PA+) will provide participating operators of Citation Bravos, Encores, Sovereigns and Mustangs -- powered respectively by PW530A, PW535A, PW306C and PW615F engines -- with coverage of parts, rental engines and engine shop labor. Certain consumables and Engine Condition Trend Monitoring are also included.
On a warm summer evening just after sunset, a Cessna 500 taxied out to the end of Runway 22 at Rawlins, Wyo., Municipal Airport (RWL). The density altitude at high elevation RWL (6,813 feet msl) was nearly 8,200 feet. Loaded with 800 pounds of electronic equipment as cargo and 325 gallons of Jet-A, the airplane had a gross weight of 11,703 pounds. The flight crew determined the required takeoff distance using a dry, level runway with no wind was 6,530 feet; the takeoff runway was 7,008 feet long.
The breadth of the Cessna Citation line, along with the aircraft's long production history, makes it difficult to generalize about the market for previously owned models of these popular light jets. However, a survey of brokers and dealers who have bought or sold Citations recently revealed a number of trends.
THE ASSIGNMENT WAS CLEAR: The thingamajig at the bottom of the kitchen sink drain had corroded to the point that the brass catchall cross had disappeared altogether. Since the kids for some reason keep removing the catch baskets, the drainpipes were filling with spaghetti scrapings, broccoli bits, soggy fries and other decaying detritus. It was gross.
Gulfstream Aerospace has divided its Appleton, Wis., facility into three separate units, one of which will be dedicated to servicing older Gulfstreams and business jets produced by other manufacturers. Two of the operating units of the Wisconsin facility will be dedicated to completion and product support of Gulfstream aircraft. However, the third group, which will operate under the General Dynamics Aviation Services name, will provide a one-stop capability for maintenance and refurbishment of Raytheon, Bombardier, Dassault and Gulfstream business jets.
B&CA: Some long-time shareholders who have stayed with the same aircraft types for the duration of their contracts and who routinely fly to the same destinations from their home fields are reporting that their trip times seem to be increasing. Please respond to this allegation. NetJets: NetJets' company policy is to fly at high-speed cruise unless the mission dictates to fly otherwise to increase range and/or to avoid inconveniencing the owner with a fuel stop.
You send them away with the hope they will return ``better'' than when they left. You worry and worry more. You know the cost will be high, and you are not at all certain what the final tally will be. You knock on wood and hope for the best. No, you are not sending your kids off to college; you are sending one of your engines off for overhaul. By some measure, the consequences could be equally significant since your future support may depend on either.
Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek has been named an authorized service facility for Bombardier Aerospace, the 12th facility to receive such approval from the manufacturer. The network provides warranty work, engine and airframe inspections and repair, Service Bulletin installations and related service and support for current production Bombardier Challenger 604 business jets as well as the Challenger 600 and 601 models.
Southampton, U.K.-based corporate jet charter operator Club328 is to double its business jet charter fleet from five to 10 aircraft by year-end as a result of a surge in business and re-assessment of its aircraft requirements in the light of AvCraft/Dornier's demise. ``We had eight 328Jet Envoy aircraft on order; we have taken delivery of one and might buy two more from the official receiver, if the price is right, and then fit them with 19-seat VIP interiors,'' said Club328 Managing Director Mike Farge.
PrivatAir has added a Global Express to its fleet of aircraft available for charter. Based in Geneva six months out of the year, the 12-passenger, ultra-long-range aircraft spends the remainder of its time in the Caribbean.
Adam Aircraft has finally earned FAA Type Certification for its A500, a pressurized, carbon-fiber push/pull piston twin. Awarded May 11, the TC comes after a nearly two-year delay during which the company faced numerous unforeseen development and certification hurdles. Even with the TC, much work must be done prior to scheduled customer deliveries in the third quarter 2005. In its present state, the aircraft cannot be pressurized, so flight above 12,500 feet msl is unapproved without supplemental oxygen.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), Chicago, appointed Chistophe Canard to the position of director of technical operations, Eastern Hemisphere. Canard joined JSSI from Dassault Falcon Jet in Teterboro, N.J., where he was manager of service programs for 10 years.
Sentient Jet, the private jet membership provider based in Norwell, Mass., has formed a strategic alliance with international charter broker Air Partner. The alliance will allow Sentient members to fly within Europe under the Air Partner program at fixed hourly rates with guaranteed availability. Air Partner will add features to its Jet Membership Program to make it nearly identical to the Sentient program. Air Partner customers will receive benefits in the U.S. through the Sentient program.
Palm Beach, Fla.-based Jet Aviation has installed into a Dassault Falcon 900 a cabin network accelerator, a device that boosts the performance of the satellite communications system installed on the airplane.
Rockwell Collins' AHS-1000 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) won STC approval from the FAA for installations on Learjet 31/35/35A/36/36A business jets. The AHS-1000 replaces earlier-generation analog and iron gyro systems, Collins said.
FAA has selected CAE to provide initial and recurrent training to more than 150 agency pilots in various business aircraft. The five-year contract was awarded by FAA's Aviation System Standards Aviation Training Team at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. CAE will train pilots at the CAE SimuFlite and Bombardier training centers in Dallas, Tex. The training aircraft will include the King Air 300, Hawker 800, Challenger 601 and 604 and Learjet 60.
Truman Arnold Companies expanded its TAC Air FBO chain to 11 facilities with the acquisition of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Knox Air. Based at McGhee Tyson Airfield for more than 30 years, the Knox Air facility includes three hangars and three rows of T-hangars. TAC moved Randall Honea, who had been general manager of the Amarillo, Tex., TAC Air FBO, to manage the new Knoxville operation. Mike Ryan, the former manager of TAC's Texarkana, Ark. location, takes over Amarillo, while Scott Field succeeds him at Texarkana.
