Falcon 7X airplanes equipped with an Enhanced Flight Visibility System (EFVS) are subject to special certification conditions recently issued by the FAA. The agency said the EFVS’s head-up display, which has been modified to show forward-looking infrared imagery, is a “novel or unusual design feature” for which the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards.
In 1989, Jack DeCrane, who managed merger and acquisition activities for the Aerospace and Defense Group of BF Goodrich, set up his own venture to acquire aircraft suppliers. That company, DeCrane Aerospace, evolved into a leading supplier of business aircraft cabin products with projected 2010 sales of $170 million. And on Aug. 3, DeCrane Holdings agreed to sell off its core business. The buyer: Goodrich.
Famed aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker and aircraft collector Kermit Weeks have joined the board of The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, which was founded in 1977 to further the Lindberghs’ interest in applying technology to solve environmental problems.
Frasca International has received an order from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., for an Embraer Phenom flight-training device (FTD). The FTD will meet FAA Level 6 flight training device requirements and will be equipped with the Garmin Prodigy flight deck. The FTD will be installed in the Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Laboratory at Purdue for the professional pilot training program. Frasca also is building two Phenom synthetic training devices for the Finnish Aviation Academy.
Argus International has launched a new online registry for charter operators that have obtained the Argus Charter Evaluation and Qualification (CHEQ) rating. Argus has used the CHEQ data analysis system to rate operators, but the ratings have never been available to the public through a free, searchable, online registry. Currently, 418 charter operators worldwide have received a Gold, Gold Plus, or Platinum rating. The registry of Argus-rated charter operators can be found at http://www.aviationresearch.com/CHEQOnline/search/op_search.asp.
ROBERT (BOB) CONYERS has joined Baldwin Aviation as director of safety management. Conyers previously spent more than two decades with Global Aerospace, most recently as manager of general aviation safety. He also has served as director of operations at American Flyers, in Islip, N.Y., and also as an air traffic controller at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The National Business Aviation Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association have outlined plans for their first joint Light Business Airplane Conferences that will be held in conjunction with NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention Oct. 19-21 in Atlanta and AOPA’s Aviation Summit Nov. 11-13 in Long Beach, Calif. The conference was originally scheduled as an NBAA event, but the association subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding with AOPA to team on the effort (BA, Oct. 26/190).
Mexican aviation authorities are stressing that FAA’s decision to downgrade the nation’s safety rating is due to a lack of inspectors rather than quality problems.
Holstein Aviation was recently formed by three aviation veterans to provide a range of business aviation consulting services, including aircraft use, acquisition, asset disposal, short-term leasing, supplemental lift, personnel recruitment and outplacement support for displaced flight crews and maintenance technicians. The founding partners are CEO Jim Holstein, President Shawn Holstein and Executive Vice President Brad Stacil. Also supporting the Indianapolis-based firm is veteran business aviation communications specialist Steve Fushelberger.
GARRETT JERDE was named regional sales director, Beechcraft sales, southwestern Europe, for Hawker Beechcraft. Jerde was a former Hawker Beechcraft demonstration pilot and also has served as the regional sales director for piston aircraft sales in Europe.
The death of Carl Hirschmann, Jr., eldest son of the namesake founder of Zurich-based Jet Aviation, ends a chapter in a family saga marked by wealth, infighting, reconciliation, industrial success and high style. Hirschmann died July 31 at University Hospital in Zurich after a months’ long bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 61.
Hawker Beechcraft’s Boisture last week further addressed the company’s plans to relocate certain manufacturing operations from Wichita. He estimates that a relocation decision would be made in six-nine months. The evaluation, he says, is part of a larger program the company is undertaking “to reduce costs and reposition our business for the future,” he says. The program, internally called Project Challenge, “is focusing the company on projects that generate sustainable savings,” Boisture says.
The first Dornier Do228NG took off for its first flight on July 30, the aircraft’s manufacturer, RUAG Aerospace, says. The aircraft performed all planned tests during the 2.5-hour flight. RUAG expects to receive an expanded type certificate this month and plans to deliver the aircraft to an undisclosed Japanese customer before the end of September. The Do228NG has upgraded interiors, cockpit and a new propeller. It is based on the Dornier 228. The program was acquired by RUAG after the Fairchild Dornier bankruptcy in May 2002.
Hawker Beechcraft is increasing its customer support in the Asia-Pacific region. Steve Porte, vice president, international support, is relocating to the regional headquarters at Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, the company is adding $6 million in spare parts inventory within the region. The parts will be based in Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore. Porte will further develop the Hawker Beechcraft support infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region and manage the field service representatives.
Despite a drenched beginning that initially forced organizers of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture 2010 to turn away thousands of aircraft, attendance at the weeklong event ending Aug. 1 rebounded to a total of 535,000 people. The rains had curtailed attendance by 75% in the early part of the event, and fewer than 1,200 aircraft were tied down in grass parking areas by the second day. But by the end of the week, the event in Oshkosh, Wis., had drawn more than 10,000 airplanes.
The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that FAA research the effects of mountain wave and downslope conditions at airports such as Denver International Airport that are located downwind of mountains. The safety board also urged FAA to gather data on surface winds to develop gusty crosswind profiles for pilot training programs and require manufacturers to develop type-specific, maximum-crosswind takeoff limitations on transport-category airplanes.
NetJets last quarter canceled the last of its orders it had with Hawker Beechcraft, a move that trimmed about $400 million from the company’s backlog. Company executives stress that the cancellation has little impact on the company’s current bottom line, with none of the aircraft on order scheduled for delivery this year and only one in 2011.
KEN ESTELLE was appointed senior director, business development, for Rockwell Collins. Estelle will align the business development organization to support both the commercial and government business units. He also will support the regional sales and marketing teams for the company.
Aviation services provider Business Jet Access (BJA) has received a “Platinum” rating recertification by Aviation Research Group/US (Argus) following a biannual audit. The Platinum rating is Argus’s highest designation for FAR Part 135 aircraft charter operators. Argus notes that about 1,000 companies operate jet and turboprop aircraft for passenger charter in the U.S., and only 79 have achieved the Platinum rating.
Belgian-based business jet service provider Abelag Aviation has launched a five-hr. Try & Fly Jet Card as a way to introduce its jet card program to potential new customers. Launching the Try & Fly card was a way to bring people into business aviation without paying the typical fees of €85,000 ($112,523) or more. This would give them time to determine whether use of a jet card program would suit their needs, says Herve Laitat, general manager of Abelag Aviation. “It is a cheaper way to test it,” he notes. The five-hr. card costs €17,000 ($22,504).
Cessna Aircraft recently delivered a 12th 172 Skyhawk to a Russian training program, part of nine training fleet contracts the company secured in the first half of the year. Cessna has delivered more than 60 aircraft to major university and training programs in countries including the U.S., Egypt, Korea, Turkey and Uganda, in addition to several in Russia. Most of the contracts have involved the 172 or the 162 Skycatcher, but some contracts have included 182 Skylanes and 206 Stationairs, 208 Caravans and Citations.
THIERRY TOSI was named vice president, strategy and mergers & acquisitions, for Rockwell Collins. Tosi will be responsible for international strategic plans supporting the international and service solutions organization. He will identify and pursue potential merger and business alliance opportunities.
JULIE DONAGHY was named regional sales director, Beechcraft Baron and Bonanza sales, Europe, for Hawker Beechcraft. Donaghy will be responsible for Baron and Bonanza sales in Europe. She previously supported the company’s flight and sales departments in Europe.
Jet Aviation Basel recently received contracts to complete two Airbus 319 CJs and a Boeing BBJ3. Work on the aircraft interiors will begin in the next few months. Jet Aviation Basel will design the interiors in-house for two of the three aircraft. All three aircraft will have living and dining areas, and private bedrooms. The contracts come as the company outfitted and delivered two A319 CJ aircraft to Monaco-based Boutsen Aviation and a Boeing 737-800 to an undisclosed customer. All three incorporate interiors were designed by Jet Aviation’s in-house studio.
