The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) to advance expertise and knowledge in the aviation industry. The memorandum of understanding will enable GCAS to expand its training network to include the Middle East business aviation community. Under the MOU, MEBAA and GCAS will establish a joint training committee that would evaluate the training needs of MEBAA’s members and partners and offer educational programs.
Jet Support Services (JSSI) has signed an agreement with Executive AirShare covering the P&WC PW535E engines on two Embraer Phenom 300s under its premium hourly cost engine maintenance program. The program includes coverage of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events, life-limited components, the consultation and support of a JSSI technical advisor, future airworthiness directives, mandatory and recommended service bulletins and rental engines.
West Star Aviation has completed its first installation of an Aviation Partners F2000 series blended winglet on the Dassault Falcon 2000EX. The winglet is designed to improve performance and provide fuel savings. In addition to the installation, West Star also provided a number of other upgrades, including interior refurbishment, exterior paint and a communications installation with Aircell Axxess and High Speed Internet and a Tempus IC telemedicine system.
GlobalAir.com has added an aircraft comparison function to its Aircraft Exchange after customers requested the ability to review details of specific aircraft side by side. The new tool breaks down major factors, such as avionics, engines and maintenance, which are important to the aircraft’s performance and value, says Jeff Carrithers, president of GlobalAir.com.
Constant Aviation has secured a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of an Aircell High Speed Internet and Wi-Fi system in a Gulfstream IV. Constant installed the system in late spring and recently achieved the FAA approval. The Cleveland-based aviation services provider is also in the process of completing an STC to install Aircell’s High Speed Internet system including Wi-Fi in the Embraer Legacy, Citation X, Beechjet and Phenom 300.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0782; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-053-AD; Amendment 39-16396; AD 2010-11-51] – Visually inspect the tail gearbox (TGB) control lever for cracks, per the instructions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 05.00.62 (for AS350 helicopters) or 05.00.57 (for AS355 helicopters), both dated April 23, 2010. If any cracks are found, replace the cracked lever with an airworthy one.
Cincinnati-based aircraft management company Delta AirElite has continued to expand with the addition of nine aircraft—ranging from light jets to super-midsize aircraft—to its fleet.
Citing a slower economic recovery in the small and mid-cabin business jet market, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch is scaling back its estimates for Cessna deliveries this year. “Our previous assumptions were more optimistic for a recovery in small- and mid-deliveries at Cessna versus its competitors,” says the analyst. “Our new forecasts put the recovery more in line with Textron’s competitors.” Bank of America/Merrill Lynch predicts 32 Citation deliveries in the third quarter and 39 in the fourth quarter for 104 deliveries in Fiscal 2010—excluding the Mustang.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW305A and PW305B engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0829; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-23-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to update the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the Engine Maintenance Manual to incorporate revised in-service limits for certain impellers. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, is intended to prevent failure of the impeller, which could result in an uncontained event and possible damage to the airplane.
Conklin & de Decker has released the latest version of its report, “Life Cycle Cost 2010 Volume II.” The report provides extensive ownership and operating cost data for more than 375 jets, turboprops, helicopters and piston aircraft.
B/E AEROSPACE protective breathing equipment (part number 119003-11) installed on various transport airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0797; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-141-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace, before further flight, certain B/E Aerospace protective breathing equipment (PBE) units installed on various aircraft, including ATR, Bombardier, Embraer, Fokker and Hawker Beechcraft airplanes.
Aug. 24-27—Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s Unmanned Systems North America, Colorado Convention Center, www.auvsi.org Aug. 27-28—FltOps.com Global Pilot Career Conference & Job Fair, Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, www.fltops.com/jobs Sept. 1—International Aviation Club’s Luncheon Featuring Martin Chalk, European Cockpit Association and John Prater, Air Line Pilots Association, International, The City Club of Washington, (202) 508-8997, [email protected]
FAA wants to fine Oregon-based Hillsboro Aviation $580,000 for three separate alleged safety and operational lapses, one of which it says involved a Bell 206 JetRanger that flew for several months after it was serviced with improper parts by an unqualified employee. This fine brings the number of proposed civil penalties that FAA has brought against air operators and suppliers in the past month alone to 18, totaling just more than $1.8 million.
JIM GARRETT was named vice president of operations for night vision specialist Rebtech. Garrett has more than 40 years of aircraft instrument manufacturing and repair experience, along with a background in night vision lighting technology. Garrett will maintain an office at the Rebtech facility in Bedford, Texas, where he will focus on the research and development component of the company.
Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) has named Aviasur as its authorized distributor in Chile for Hawker and Beechcraft models. Based in Santiago, Aviasur took delivery of the first Beechcraft King Air 350i in South America earlier this year and also operates a Hawker 400XP. The firm recently built a $2.5 million facility and plans to offer aircraft charter, management and maintenance, as well as line service. Aviasur also is working toward meeting the requirements to become an HBC-authorized service center for the full line of products.
Dubai-based human resources company Titan Aviation has launched a new branch in India to meet the needs of the growing Indian market. Titan Aviation India will have offices in Chennai and Bangalore and has named Imran Ahmed as business development manager.
Cairo, Egypt-based ZAS Aviation Services has unveiled its new Jet Club, a by-the-hour charter flight program. “We have seen tremendous growth within many business sectors in the local and regional markets,” says Raffi Alexanian, director of flight and maintenance operations. “Private travel will definitely see an increase in demand. We have always been on the lookout to launch our jet operations, and now is the right time.”
In a move reflecting the challenging market confronting its membership of aircraft brokers and dealers, the National Aircraft Resale Association is shuttering its headquarters office at Reagan Washington National Airport, and parting with longtime president Susan Sheets. “A lot of it is driven by cost,” NARA Chairman Steve Gade says. He says NARA headquarters was officially transferring to Grapevine, Texas, which “is logical” since it is home to the organization’s meeting planner, Devri Surpless.
The Office of Management and Budget has completed its 90-day review of a final rule designed to address widespread fatigue damage in certain transport category aircraft. The review clears FAA to issue the final rule. Proposed in 2006, the rule is expected to require manufacturers and other design approval holders to establish “limits of validity” (LOV) for aircraft and determine what maintenance actions would be required to prevent widespread fatigue damage before the aircraft reaches those operational limits.
Aircell has rebranded its High Speed Internet service for the business aviation market as Gogo Biz Inflight Internet. The move is designed to more closely align the company’s service in the business aviation and commercial markets, increasing brand familiarity, the company says. Gogo Biz provides high-speed Internet with small and light equipment designed to fit any business jet, while Gogo is designed for inflight Internet on commercial airlines.
In an unusual move, Hawker Beechcraft Thursday began official negotiations with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) on a new contract, a year before the existing contract was set to expire. The Wichita plane maker had been pushing the union to make an early return to the bargaining table, citing a challenging economic environment and the possible need to move most work out of Wichita to save costs (BA, July 19/2).
Pet Airways in Delray Beach, Fla., finalized a deal to become a publicly traded company, providing more financial fuel for its expansion plans. The carrier began service in July 2009 and transports primarily dogs and cats, sans owners, in a fully lit, climate-controlled and pressurized main cabin of a specially equipped Beechcraft 1900 that has had the seats and overhead bins removed. The animals, transported in individual carriers, are monitored in flight by trained pet attendants on aircraft operated by Omaha-based Suburban Air Freight.
JEFFREY SCHLOESSER has joined AAR Corp. as president of the Aviation Worldwide Services business unit. Schloesser will be responsible for strategic planning and growth of the unit, which provides airlift services and specialized aircraft modifications. He formerly spent 34 years with the U.S. Army, retiring as a major general. He has 20 years of senior leadership and operations experience, including leading a $6 billion modernization plan for a fleet of 4,000 aircraft.
Embraer has secured Brazilian Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil, U.S. FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency approvals for use of the Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) on the Phenom 100. The SVT recreates a visual topographic landscape using modeling and a terrain-alerting database to simulate a broad daylight view. The SVT helps increase situational awareness in fog, rain, haze, darkness or other “heavy” instrument flight conditions. The display provides a three-dimensional depiction of ground, water, obstacles, airports and traffic.
