June 7-8 — Canadian Business Aviation Association Conference, Calgary, Canada, www.cbaa.ca/portal/convention June 7-9 — National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Summit, Chantilly, Va., 800-808-6282, www.nata.aero/acs June 8-13 — Internationale Luftfahrt-Ausstellung Air Show, Berlin, Germany June 16 — The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Jim Guyette, President & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, The Yale Club, New York, 212-867-1770, email: [email protected]
While the air taxi business model remains uncertain in the current economy, especially in Europe, the head of London Executive Aviation (LEA) feels its fleet of Cessna Citation Mustangs are making a positive contribution to conventional air chartering.
FlightSafety International’s American Eurocopter AS 350 B2 flight training device (FTD) was approved for night vision goggle training. The Level 7 FTD is stationed at FlightSafety’s learning center in Tucson, Ariz. The AS 350 FTD is equipped with FlightSafety’s VITAL X system, providing 220-degree by 110-degree visual capability. FlightSafety provides a range of AS 350 training programs, including aircraft systems, emergency and abnormal procedures, as well as human factors and specialty training such as inadvertent IMC.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions (JDA) has begun conducting certified International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) audits. JDA’s IS-BAO accredited auditors have undergone training and are recognized by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) as proficient to assist new or existing business or private flight departments and charter operators that want to meet internationally-recognized safety and security processes. In addition, they are ISO 9001 auditors.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has appointed Metrojet Hong Kong to its worldwide network of authorized service centers to support its Hawker 900/800/700 series of business jets. Metrojet is located at the Hong Kong International Airport. Founded in 1995, Metrojet provides engine and airframe service, avionics line maintenance, routine inspections, interior and exterior cleaning and detailing, and scheduled base inspections.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has proposed merging the 60-year-old AOPA Air Safety Foundation with the more recently created AOPA Foundation in a move the association says will “eliminate confusion” and more closely align activities. Details of the merger are still being ironed out, and a final plan must receive the blessing of the AOPA Board of Trustees.
The NTSB is offering a five-day rotorcraft accident investigation course that is designed for investigators from regulatory authorities, industry, investigative agencies and other potential parties to an NTSB investigation. The course will provide an overview of procedures, methods and skills required to perform a rotorcraft accident investigation, and include examples from recently concluded investigations. The training will be held Aug. 16-20 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Va. For more information, visit www.ntsb.gov/TC/CourseInfo/AS102_2010.htm.
DASSAULT Falcon 2000 and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0791; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-16303; AD 2010-10-24] – Inspect the main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber for damage, per the instructions of Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin F2000-366, Rev. 2 or F2000EX-167, Rev. 1 (both dated Dec. 1, 2008), as applicable. If any damage is found, repair the shock absorber.
Pentastar Aviation has met the qualifications for International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). The Waterford, Mich.-based aviation services provider achieved IS-BAO registration following an audit done by ARGUS International Inc. IS-BAO was created by the International Business Aviation Council to assist flight departments in providing aircraft operations in accordance with an internationally recognized quality system that goes beyond existing applicable national authority regulatory standards.
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. has secured the availability of aircraft hull and liability insurance for EA500 very light jet operators through Chartis Aerospace Insurance Services, Inc. and Willis Global Aviation. The insurance will be offered to qualified operators who have participated in the recently announced Eclipse/SimCom factory initial and recurrent training programs.
FAA’s final rule outlining equipment requirements for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) received a mixed reaction from industry groups, which see the FAA as the primary beneficiary.
Jeppesen recently introduced a new flight tracking application for its JetPlan.com website and JetPlanner programs. Jeppesen Flight Tracking enables operators to view aircraft position reports. Jeppesen Flight Tracking uses a number of sources, such as the FAA Aircraft Situation Display for Industry and the EuroControl Central Flow Management Unit. The service is available for business, commercial and military aviation.
Hawker Beechcraft has developed a new maintenance and training program for its used aircraft customers during the first year or 150 hours of service after purchase. The Hawker Beechcraft Select Pre-Owned Program covers all scheduled and unscheduled airframe, engine and avionics maintenance. The program also includes initial flight-crew training at FlightSafety International and a first-year subscription to the computerized maintenance tracking program. The program will be offered for certain turbine aircraft.
Baldwin Aviation in Hilton Head, S.C., is joining forces with Dover, Del.-based Fireside Partners LLC to provide emergency-response planning (ERP) to its clients, including customized emergency response training, consulting and crisis management and mitigation. Fireside Partners uses a system that taps expertise to develop custom-tailored programs that meet the working needs — and realities — of its clients.
CAROL OCHSENFELD was appointed to the newly created position of director, supply chain and material management for Sabreliner Corp. Ochsenfeld joins Sabreliner with a background in supply chain management, including with Pratt & Whitney.
BOMBARDIER Challenger 300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0475; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-083-AD; Amendment 39-16297; AD 2010-10-18] — Revise the maintenance schedule and repetitively clean the cabin pressurization system safety valves, removing discrepant material from the area surrounding the valves. Also, modify the valves with a gridless cabin pressure-sensing port plug.
European business aviation leaders are attempting to prompt a change in flight/duty time limitation rules that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to introduce for business aviation. Since 2008, commercial air transport operations throughout the European Union have been governed by an interim set of rules, known as EU-Ops, drawn from specifications written by the Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA) and national operating and flight crew licensing (FCL) rules. Noncommercial activities have continued to be guided largely by national regulations.
MORRISTOWN, NJ — Luxury office space available at Morristown, NJ Airport. 500-15,000 sf. Office units include use of conference room, kitchen and security. Hangar space also available. Contact Charles Dorison at 973-765-0100 x 4475. Click here to view the pdf
General aviation advocates have appealed to the California legislature and government officials seeking relief from a measure that could raise costs and increase requirements on flight schools. The measure was included in California Assembly Bill 48, which was passed last year to protect students from tuition losses in the event a school goes out of business. But that bill captured flight training schools in the requirements.
The Office of Management and Budget on Thursday, May 20, completed its 90-day review of FAA’s final rule outlining equipment mandates for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The completion of the OMB review clears the rule for publication. The rule is expected to require installation of ADS-B “Out” equipment, including either a Universal Access Transceiver or 1090 Extended Squitter datalink, on all aircraft that will operate in certain airspace. FAA originally proposed a 2020 equipage deadline, which was welcomed by general aviation advocates.
Online booking engine PrivateFly.com has partnered with specialist Caribbean travel agency Cruise and Rail Int’l. The partnership gives Cruise and Rail Int’l access to online travel tools including instant private charter pricing and an itinerary planner that locates closest airfields and calculates aircraft suitability based on factors such as runway length and passenger numbers. After the initial cost estimate, Cruise and Rail’s team of agents can submit their client’s flight request to all relevant aircraft operators worldwide.
Investissement Quebec, the investment arm of the provincial government, is providing Dornier Seaplane with C$35 million ($34 million) in financial support to build a final-assembly plant for the Seastar amphibian in Montreal. The reimbursable contribution will cover half the expected C$71.5 million cost of establishing the factory at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near Lake Champlain, with the plant projected to create 250 jobs within five years.
FAA has issued special conditions for installation of an autobraking system on Dassault Falcon Model 2000EX airplanes. The system includes a pilot-selectable function that enables earlier maximum braking at landing without pilot pedal input. If armed before landing, the system would automatically command maximum braking at main wheels touchdown, FAA says. “The current Federal Aviation Regulations do not contain adequate requirements to address the potentially higher structural loads that could result from this type of automatic braking system,” FAA says.
Average charter pricing continues to inch up for most models of aircraft, according to aircraft charter broker and analyst Avinode. In the large aircraft category, hourly prices for large aircraft have improved by less than 1% for a Gulfstream V (average of $7,580) to about 3.6% for a Challenger 604 ($4,786). Pricing for other classes of aircraft are showing similar gains. See Page 1 chart.
Signature Flight Support and Aviapartner Executive have opened a new facility at Nice Cote d’Azur Airport in France. The opening followed the completion of a new general aviation terminal at the airport. The facility includes a VIP lounge that is five times larger than its predecessor; a pilots’ lounge with entertainment systems and flat-screen televisions; WSI weather and business center services. Signature and Aviapartner provide ground handling, flight planning, crew accommodations coordination, crew transportation and catering services.
