BLR Aerospace has named Heritage Aviation in Burlington, Vt., an authorized dealer for its King Air winglet systems. Under the deal, Heritage may sell and install BLR’s complete line of certified winglet systems for Beechcraft King Air series aircraft. Heritage has equipped its four King Air C90s with winglet systems, which offer fuel savings ranging from 5%-15% in climb and 2%-4% in cruise for composite savings of 3%- 5%.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0643; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-030-AD; Amendment 39-16462; AD 2010-21-02] – Replace the access panel latch assembly of the alternate extension system for the landing gear with a modified latch assembly, in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-166, Rev. A (June 15, 2009) or Rev. B (dated March 2, 2010), as applicable.
Only three new jets were delivered to fractional fleet operators in the first half of 2010, and net incremental sales of new ownership shares deteriorated, Honeywell Aerospace reports in its 19th annual Business Aviation Outlook. Honeywell forecasts slow deliveries in this segment as “excess capacity is worked off and shareholder levels are rebuilt.” But the company adds some improvement could begin later next year leading into 2012 as fractional operators begin to replace existing aircraft. See article on Page 2.
Elliott Aviation’s headquarters facility in Moline, Ill., has received Class IV repair station certification from FAA. Elliott Aviation performs maintenance on aircraft manufactured by Beech, Hawker, Cessna, Embraer, Daher-Socata, Dassault and Bombardier. The company also has facilities in Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, and Omaha, Neb.
The National Transportation Safety Board last week released the preliminary details of two runway overruns involving business jets on Oct. 1, including a Gulfstream G-IV that encountered wind gusts at Teterboro, N.J. In addition to the Teterboro overrun, a Cessna Citation 550 slid off the runway in Manteo, N.C. into the Croatan Sound. Minor injuries were reported in the Cessna accident, and no one was injured in the Gulfstream overrun, thanks in part to the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) installed at Teterboro Airport in 2006 (BA, Oct. 11/2).
Signature Flight Support, which operates the fixed-base operation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), is offering corporate flight departments and charter operators personalized assistance in gaining access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Representatives will be at Signature’s booth (3257) at the 2010 NBAA annual meeting and convention in Atlanta, where attendees can complete the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) application process and learn more about implementing and using the DASSP.
Business Jet Access (BJA), a family-owned aviation services company based at Dallas Love Field, has achieved International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations registration. Registration follows an audit of the company’s operations, standards, procedures and risk-management systems. The company also has been issued an ARGUS platinum rating recertification. Founded in 1993, BJA provides charter, management and maintenance services. The company’s air carrier certificate includes a “10 or more seats” authorization.
London-based global spares support company A J Walter Aviation will open an office in Miami Nov. 1. The new operation will back up its recent deployment of service-ready component inventories for Airbus and Boeing spares in Los Angeles and Miami.
Yingling Aviation and Garmin Inter–national concluded an agreement with FedEx Express last week to install the TKS Ice Protection System and the Garmin G600 avionics suite in the express freight company’s fleet of 252 Cessna Caravans. Yingling President Lynn Nichols says the idea to upgrade the aircraft originated at FedEx some years ago but took shape following discussions between FedEx and Peter Wilkinson, general manager of Cessna’s McCauley Propeller Systems. The contract’s value was not disclosed.
Although aircraft sales remain stubbornly slow, the service side of the industry appears to have bounced back. Gulfstream Aerospace’s service center in Savannah, Ga., the largest of Gulfstream’s 12 service centers, is rapidly approaching capacity with 50-60 corporate jets being worked on each day. Hawker Beechcraft’s aftermarket sales are up by more than 20% from this time last year, and Cessna also is reporting a 20% growth in aftermarket revenues.
TIMCO Aerosystems Interiors Engineering and Manufacturing division is adding a facility in Wallburg, N.C., to accommodate an expansion of its FeatherWeight galleys, lavatories and passenger seating lines. The company is investing $2.75 million in the new facility and expects to hire 275 new employees over the next five years.
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND Model 247F propellers [Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD] – This supplemental proposed rule changes the applicability of an earlier proposal that would require removing certain propeller blades from service because of corrosion pits in the tulip area of the blades. This proposed AD is intended to prevent cracks from developing in the tulip area, which could result in separation of the blade and possible loss of airplane control. This proposal would affect 10 propellers installed on airplanes on the U.S.
CHARLENE BRETT was promoted to director of corporate sales and marketing for charter and management company FirstFlight. Brett joined FirstFlight in 2008 and has nearly 20 years of aviation experience, working in charter sales, aviation services and marketing for several charter/management companies in the New York metro area.
Business jet deliveries will not improve in 2011, and things may even get worse, predicts Honeywell’s 19th annual Business Aviation Outlook. The forecast, to be released Oct. 17 before the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention in Atlanta, projects just 675-700 new business jets will be delivered this year – down from 849 in 2009 and 1,139 in 2008 – and sees them staying under 700 next year. “2011 will be another ‘bouncing along the bottom’ type of year,” says Rob Wilson, president of business and general aviation at Honeywell Aerospace.
Bell Helicopter Textron has sold 32 units, including one sale of the new 429, to Mercy Flight of New York. The announcement was made from last week’s 2010 Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer last week reported it delivered 44 jets during the third quarter. Twenty jets went to airlines, and 24 were delivered on the executive jet side. Embraer delivered 154 jets during the first nine months of 2010.
Aircell’s Aviator 300 SwiftBroadband system has received European Aviation Safety Agency supplemental type certification for installation on Bombardier Challenger business aircraft. The STC, completed on a U.K.-based Challenger 604 owned by A J Walter Aviation, is valid for all Bombardier Challenger models, including the CL-600, CL-601, CL-604 and CL-605. Avionicare Ltd. of Essex completed the STC, which covers the Aviation 300 equipment package, including Wi-Fi service and a fuselage-mounted intermediate-gain antenna.
Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi reported a 34.4% increase in aircraft movements in the first six months of this year, compared with the same period in 2009. The airport generated 3,973 commercial traffic movements. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Airports Co. has begun a redevelopment plan for Al Bateen Airport, with Phase 1 designed to accommodate the second Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month. Operators based at Al Bateen include Al Jaber Aviation, Falcon Aviation, Prestige Jet and XO Jet.
While the actual space used at this year’s National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention in Atlanta may be the same or less than last year’s convention, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen is optimistic that all of the major exhibitors have returned to the convention floor, and key indicators are showing an industry resolved to move forward.
ENRICO EVERS was named director of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Piper Aircraft. Evers will work with Piper dealers and agents throughout those regions from his office at Lelystad Airport, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He has more than 20 years of aviation experience and has been involved in sales of a range of aircraft, including Lancair, Beechcraft and Cessna. He has served with Piper Germany and has been responsible for fleet operations involving Falcon jets.
HEIDI MCNARY was named vice president and chief technical officer for Hawker Beechcraft. McNary will manage the product development and engineering organizations. She formerly served with DeCrane Aerospace in Phoenix, where she was chief operating officer and executive vice president of sales and marketing. She also has held a number of positions with Honeywell Aerospace.
Oct. 19–21—National Business Aviation Association 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention, Atlanta, (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org Oct. 22—The Wings Club’s 68th Annual Dinner-Dance Honoring Allan McArtor, Chairman Airbus Americas, with its Distinguished Achievement Award, The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Oct. 22—European Aviation Club seminar on passenger rights, Hotel Bristol Stephanie, Brussels, e-mail: [email protected]
The AOPA Foundation is hosting the inaugural “A Night for Flight” benefit on Nov. 13 aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif. Proceeds from the benefit will help fund the foundation’s general-aviation preservation and improvement initiatives. The AOPA Foundation was established to support initiatives that include preserving community airports, increasing pilot safety education, growing the pilot population and educating the public on the benefits of general aviation.
European leaders last week put off action on a proposed package of pilot certification requirements after aviation stakeholders voiced concerns about specific issues, including a measure that would not recognize third-country pilot credentials. The European Aviation Safety Agency recently forwarded the proposal to the European Commission (EC), but drew fire from general aviation groups, which fear that it would raise trade barriers (BA, Oct. 11/6). Industry representatives discussed their concerns during a hearing in Brussels Oct. 14.
