The worst year for corporate aviation (professionally flown) safety was 1986, with 11 fatalities in 20 accidents, or 0.53 accidents per 100,000 hours flown (Robert E. Breiling&Associates).
``I'm from the government. I'm here to help.'' Elizabeth Tritt, a U.S. Customs executive, assisting a presenter correct a PowerPoint glitch during the NBAA's International Ops meeting -- successfully and to loud applause ``I can think of no better way for Boeing management to assure the success of Airbus than to tell its own employees their hometown is a place not worth working in.'' Letters published in the Seattle Times reacting to the relocation of Boeing's headquarters
The evolution of the corporate jet into flying office and entertainment center continues, driven by the telecommunications revolution, new classes of extended-range aircraft, and the ongoing need for business to be more productive. Passengers are remaining on board for longer periods of time, and completion centers and cabin equipment manufacturers are responding by creating airborne environments to support both work and relaxation.
Infusion Design, Kansas City, Kan., is expanding its network of studios in Bonner Springs and Wichita in order to meet increased demand from its aviation, retail and product-design customers. The Bonner Springs facility is a 3,500-square-foot building featuring offices and a prototype shop, while the Wichita site features 1,200 square feet of offices. The company employs 10 designers for its industrial services, which support Galaxy Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Haggar Clothing and Adam Aircraft.
A AC -- Advisory Circular. ACARS -- Airline Communications Addressing and Reporting System. ACAS -- Aircraft Collision Avoidance System. ADC -- Air Data Computer. ADF -- Automatic Direction Finder. ADI -- Attitude Direction Indicator. ADS -- Air Data System. ADS-B -- Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. AES -- Aircraft Earth Station. AFCS -- Automatic Flight Control System.
Sweden's West Air has begun operations with three BAE Systems ATPs converted from passenger to freight configuration. Formerly operated in the U.S. by United Feeder Services, the aircraft join West Air's HS748 freighter fleet on several overnight cargo routes. A fourth ATP undergoing conversion work at West Air's Lidkoping facility is expected to enter service this month, and two additional ATPs are expected. Modification work to the twin turboprops includes installation of Universal's UNS-1K FMSes, JAA harmonization, and a gross weight increase.
Commercial air carrier and general aviation representatives, working with the FAA on parallel initiatives to significantly reduce the number of aviation accidents, believe their efforts already are bearing fruit and will ultimately permit them to achieve some aggressive safety goals.
Florida Air has inaugurated regional service within Florida. Also known as Flair, the carrier is operating nine-seat Cessna 208 Caravans linking Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahas-see, Fort Myers, Marathon and Fort Lauderdale. Plans call for service to Miami; service to other Florida cities is under consideration. Most destinations are served with two daily roundtrips; some legs require multiple stops. Harbor Air Caravans operate the service, and Flair hopes to add 19-seat Jetstream 31s as demand increases.
Raytheon Aircraft rolled out the first Hawker Horizon business jet at its Wichita plant. The company claims more than 150 orders for the $16.9 million jet, and plans to build 36 per year. FAA certification is expected in 2003.
Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. completed its 2000 Annual Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review, a detailed report that summarizes more than 300 business turbine aircraft and helicopter accidents and incidents. The report specifies phase of operation during which the accident occurred and primary causes. The review also notes exposure of positioning flights, in-aircraft training, single-pilot operation and pilot experience vs. aircraft sophistication, among other factors. It also presents accident rates of individual aircraft by model and by operator type.
Bringing a new aircraft to market is a daunting task, even for the most experienced manufacturers. The journey from drawing board to certified aircraft is a long and uncertain one, full of financial, marketing and regulatory challenges. Challenges facing untested manufacturers are even tougher, with investors, buyers and regulators casting a jaundiced eye toward the would-be Bill Lears, Walter Beeches and Bill Pipers of the aviation world.
Aviation maintenance schools in the United States are running at 70-percent capacity despite the global shortage of qualified mechanics, according to Larry Head of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Speaking at the recent European Aviation Safety Seminar, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Head said lack of interest on the part of high school students is driving the trend, along with a declining number of ex-military people seeking aviation maintenance as a career.
Air charter may represent a cost saving for groups of business travelers who would normally pay the airlines' first-class or full coach fares, according to a recent study. The Harrell Associates survey, which Bombardier's Skyjet online booking service commissioned, found that four or more executives traveling together may save as much as $6,000 or more for a turboprop charter over the cost of first-class travel or more than $4,000 for a business jet charter.
Galaxy Aerospace, Fort Worth, has appointed Dean Anderson as its vice president of customer support. Anderson's responsibilities include all of the factory authorized service centers, field support personnel, parts distribution, warranty administration and all in-house technical support functions.
The worst year for business aviation (non-professionally flown) safety was 1990, with 95 fatalities in 167 accidents, or 3.71 accidents per 100,000 hours flown (Robert E. Breiling&Associates).
In 2000, general aviation aircraft revenues grew by 9.1 percent to $8.6 billion compared to 1999, setting a new record for billings, according to GAMA. More than 900 turbine aircraft were delivered as production capacity soared to keep up with record backlogs in manufacturers' order books. Cessna, for example, doubled the number of Excels it delivered and increased Bravo production by 50 percent. Dassault Falcon Jet deliveries reached 73, five more than in 1999, while its backlog of orders increased. Learjet 45 deliveries were up from 43 in 1999 to 71 in 2000.
April 11 marked the dedication of Bombardier's new flight training center in Dallas, to be run in conjunction with SimuFlite Training International. The center will first offer classroom and simulator instruction for Learjet 31A, 45 and 60 pilots and technicians; training for the Continental and Challenger 604 will be available by late 2002, the company said.
Yingling Aviation, located at Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) in Wichita, has begun a $1.5 million renovation of its facilities. ``We will be adding offices for the corporate pilots that are based at Yingling, as well as many other special amenities,'' said Lynn Nichols, Yingling president.
