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.
EMBRAER EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1079; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-116-AD; Amendment 39-16377; AD 2010-16-01] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
Hawker Beechcraft has begun offering the Max-Viz EVS-1500 infrared enhanced vision system (EVS) for King Air 200 and 300 series. Under an agreement with Max-Viz, Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution will supply the EVS-1500 unit to owners, operators and repair stations. The EVS systems can be retrofitted on existing aircraft or added to new aircraft through the Hawker Beechcraft Services network.
Hawker Beechcraft has delivered the first Beechcraft King Air series turboprop to a customer in Russia. The aircraft, a specially modified King Air 350, was handed over to Vasilly Popov on behalf of Aviation & Applied Ecology in Moscow. The aircraft was equipped with provisions for dual digital mapping cameras for photographic missions. The King Air 350 also will be used for VIP transport. Hawker Beechcraft received Russian certification for the King Air series in December 2009.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is streamlining the process for pre-screening passengers and crews departing and arriving into the U.S. on non-U.S.-registered general aviation aircraft, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole jointly announced last week.
Montreal-based aviation services firm Zenith Jet is predicting that Cessna will reinitiate the Columbus program with an entry-into-service date of 2016. In its recently released 10-year forecast, Zenith believes Cessna will account for 35% of all business jet deliveries, giving it the largest share of business jet unit volume. Embraer will move into the “Number 2 spot” in terms of unit deliveries, capturing 18% of the market share, Zenith forecasts.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0721; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-56-AD; Amendment 39-16370; AD 2010-15-04] – Visually inspect for cracks near the attachment points of the main-rotor hub (MRH) reinforcement ring where the lugs secure the cone restrainer support and also where the lugs secure the dome fairing support. If any cracks are found, modify the MRH by replacing both the cone restrainer support and the dome fairing support assembly before further flight.
Revenues fell slightly in the second quarter for the General Dynamics’ Aerospace group, but strong performances at Jet Aviation and General Dynamics Aviation Services helped lead to an 16.8% operating margin, the highest quarterly level in two years, notes analyst J.P. Morgan.
Aug. 3-5—FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute’s Cabin Safety Workshop, Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City, www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/aeromedical/cabinsafet… Aug. 10-13—Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International & Flight International: Unmanned Systems North America 2009, Washington, (703) 845-9671, www.auvsi.org/events Aug. 16-20—Terrapinn’s Aviation Outlook Africa, BMW Pavilion Convention Center, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 (11) 463-6001, www.terrapinn.com/2010/aviationza
The House and Senate both approved legislation that extends the FAA’s operating authority and introduces new pilot safety rules, although leading aviation lawmakers expressed frustration that a long-term FAA bill could not be achieved. This is the 15th extension for the FAA since the last full authorization expired in 2007. It will cover the agency through the end of September, effectively giving lawmakers another month to work on the long-term reauthorization after they return from August recess.
