The sudden and severe downturn that hit the business and general aviation industries forced Cessna Aircraft to lay off nearly half its work force, temporarily shut down production lines and cancel development of the Columbus Citation executive jet. In an interview at Cessna’s Wichita, Kan., headquarters, Chairman, CEO and President Jack Pelton told AVIATION WEEK Deputy Managing Editor/Business Aviation William Garvey and Senior Business Editor Joseph C. Anselmo that he is seeing signs of stabilization but cautioned that the road to recovery will be a long one.
– Business aircraft activity in September returned to levels not seen since October 2008, according to the latest statistics released by Aviation Research Group/U.S. (ARGUS). ARGUS, which tracks business aircraft IFR flights through its TRAQPak data program, reported that business aircraft flights in September inched up 2.7 percent over August levels.
The sudden and severe downturn that hit the business and general aviation industries forced Cessna Aircraft to lay off nearly half its work force, temporarily shut down production lines and cancel development of the Columbus Citation executive jet. In an interview at Cessna’s Wichita, Kan., headquarters, Chairman, CEO and President Jack Pelton told AVIATION WEEK Deputy Managing Editor/Business Aviation William Garvey and Senior Business Editor Joseph C. Anselmo that he is seeing signs of stabilization but cautioned that the road to recovery will be a long one.
W. DAVID WILSON was named chief financial officer for Piper Aircraft. Wilson has more than 30 years of experience with U.S. companies in Asia. Wilson previously was senior vice president and chief financial officer for Cleveland-based PolyOne Corp. He also had executive roles with The Geon Company and BF Goodrich.
The sudden and severe downturn that hit the business and general aviation industries forced Cessna Aircraft to lay off nearly half its work force, temporarily shut down production lines and cancel development of the Columbus Citation executive jet. In an interview at Cessna’s Wichita, Kan., headquarters, Chairman, CEO and President Jack Pelton told AVIATION WEEK Deputy Managing Editor/Business Aviation William Garvey and Senior Business Editor Joseph C. Anselmo that he is seeing signs of stabilization but cautioned that the road to recovery will be a long one.
CONSTANT AVIATION, LLC, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has delivered the first Embraer Legacy 600 with Aircell Axxess and ATG 4000 High Speed Internet System. The system provides worldwide Iridium voice telephone service and broadband data in the Continental U.S.
JOHN BORGHETTI joined the board of directors for Piper Aircraft. Borghetti formerly spent 36 years with Qantas Airlines, most recently as executive general manager. He directed all commercial and major operational aspects of Qantas and QantasLink. He also is on the board for CARE Australia.
The sudden and severe downturn that hit the business and general aviation industries forced Cessna Aircraft to lay off nearly half its work force, temporarily shut down production lines and cancel development of the Columbus Citation executive jet. In an interview at Cessna’s Wichita, Kan., headquarters, Chairman, CEO and President Jack Pelton told AVIATION WEEK Deputy Managing Editor/Business Aviation William Garvey and Senior Business Editor Joseph C. Anselmo that he is seeing signs of stabilization but cautioned that the road to recovery will be a long one.
REP. TODD TIARHT (R-Kan.) last week introduced a bill to extend the bonus depreciation allowance for two more years and shorten the recovery period for noncommercial aircraft property from five to three years. The bill, H.R.3844, General Aviation Jobs Act, is designed to provide a stimulus to boost general aviation sales, Tiarht said, adding, “We need to use every available tool to help workers and businesses succeed.” He called accelerated depreciation measures a proven market-driven approach. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The sudden and severe downturn that hit the business and general aviation industries forced Cessna Aircraft to lay off nearly half its work force, temporarily shut down production lines and cancel development of the Columbus Citation executive jet. In an interview at Cessna’s Wichita, Kan., headquarters, Chairman, CEO and President Jack Pelton told AVIATION WEEK Deputy Managing Editor/Business Aviation William Garvey and Senior Business Editor Joseph C. Anselmo that he is seeing signs of stabilization but cautioned that the road to recovery will be a long one.
– The International Civil Aviation Organization’s agreement on an environmental policy came as welcome news to aviation industry leaders, who view it as an important step in keeping the regulation of aviation environmental policy within ICAO. ICAO concluded a three-day, high-level meeting on climate change in Montreal this month with the approval of a declaration that affirms the commitment to address aviation emissions and an agreement of a broad outline of measures.
SUSAN BAER was selected to serve as director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Baer fills the role held by William DeCota, who died unexpectedly in September. Baer, who has spent 21 years with the Aviation Department, joined the Port Authority in the late 1970s as a management analyst. She joined the Aviation Department in 1988 as general manager of aviation customer and marketing services and then managed LaGuardia Airport in 1998. She also has managed Teterboro, Newark Liberty and JFK airports.
NEIL GIBSON joined U.K. helicopter service provider PremiAir to lead the charter and management business. Gibson most recently was chief executive of TAG Aviation Asia, based in Hong Kong. He also helped form TAG Aviation Australia and served with TAG UK. Gibson further has served with Hawker Pacific, Air Partner and the Royal Air Force.
CASA C-212-CB, -CC, -CD and -CE airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0611; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-16033; AD 2009-20-10] – Modify or replace certain servo motors in accordance with the instructions of EADS-CASA Service Bulletin SB-212-22-16 (dated March 13, 2006). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country, is designed to prevent failure of the servo motors, which could result in roll oscillations or possible hard-over failures when the autopilot is engaged.
PR FIRM DOUBLE H COMMUNICATIONS has partnered with Roaring Thunder Media, a provider of advertising in private jet terminals. Roaring Thunder Media provides media opportunities to more than 90 private jet terminals throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Europe.
Airborne communications provider Aircell has unveiled the new ATG 5000 High Speed Internet unit specifically for the business aviation market. The system was specifically designed for aircraft operators that do not require Aircell’s comprehensive capabilities of the ATG 4000, part of the company’s Axxess cabin system.
For the second week in a row, a new Gulfstream model has rolled out. Gulfstream Aerospace and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) last week rolled out the Gulfstream G250 at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. Like its G650 big brother did a week earlier, the G250 rolled out under power from its new, more powerful Honeywell engines. First announced in October 2008, the large-cabin, midrange G250 remains on schedule for customer deliveries in 2011.
AMERICAN EUROCOPTER was selected to provide three new helicopters to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. The EC135s will be delivered later this fall and customized specifically for the MedCenter Air program at Carolinas Medical Center.
LUIS LEAL was appointed Midwest regional sales manager, product support sales, for Gulfstream Aerospace. Based in Houston, Leal will be responsible for maintenance sales to operators in Mexico and the Caribbean. Before joining Gulfstream, Leal was a regional sales manager for StandardAero in Houston.
A watchdog group, Subsidyscope, last week released a study highlighting FAA’s spending on lower-priority airport projects, including the money channeled to many general aviation and reliever airports.
EADS and Eurocopter have signed a cooperation agreement with the sovereign wealth fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA to create a public-private joint venture in Kazakhstan to develop helicopter services. The project includes both European and Kazakh partners. The signing took place during the official visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Kazakhstan. The joint venture will transfer skills to local partners to develop an independent helicopter service industry in Kazakhstan.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE received an order from Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea, for two Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft. The contract included an option for a third Q400. The contract is valued at $60 million for the firm order, and up to $92 million if the option is exercised. Air Niugini’s currently operates two Bombardier Dash 8-100 aircraft (one configured as a freighter), three 36-seat Q200 and three 50-seat Q300 aircraft.
GLASER-DIRKS FLUGZEUGBAU DG-100 gliders [Docket No. FAA-2009-0897; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-048-AD; Amendment 39-16036; AD 2009-20-13] – Inspect the control-column rod end following the instructions of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 301/25, 323/16, Rev. 1 (dated Aug. 4, 2009). If an “X” is not found on the rod end, replace the rod end with a high-strength steel rod end. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, was prompted by the discovery of a broken aileron control push-rod end during a preflight inspection.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (D) won praise from the aviation community for his proclamation declaring October “Aviation Appreciation Month.” The proclamation notes the state of Georgia “has a significant interest in the health of general aviation, aircraft manufacturing, airline industries, education institutions and aviation organizations.”
FOKKER SERVICES formed a strategic alliance with Denim Air to provide a range of services that will enable operators to launch service with out-of-production aircraft. Under the alliance, Denim Air provides aircraft maintenance, crew and insurance while Fokker Services offers logistic and technical support. In addition to Fokker 50 and 100 aircraft, the services will cover Dash 8 aircraft.
