Gulfstream Aerospace officials, who have been researching a supersonic business jet (SSBJ) for a number of years, are considering launching an SSBJ demonstrator in time to help convince regulators - who are scheduled to meet in 2013 - that overland operations of such an aircraft would not have adverse environmental consequences. Company officials insist a decision on proceeding with the program has not been made. But their comments at last week's EBACE exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland indicate they are getting closer to going forward.
River Hawk Aviation, Inc., an aviation parts and components supplier, said Friday it had executed an agreement to merge with Profile Aviation Services, a fixed-base operation based in Hickory, N.C. River Hawk, which is headquartered in Traverse City, Mich. with an inventory warehouse in San Antonio, Texas, specializes in providing parts for Saab-built airplanes and other commuter and regional aircraft. The company also provides consulting and appraisal services. Profile operates two businesses, Profile Aviation Center, Inc.
PRESTOSIM secured FAA approval for a Beechcraft King Air simulator at its Grapevine, Texas center. The simulator has a 180-degree wraparound visual system to provide realistic training scenarios. In addition to King Air training, PrestoSIM offers initial/type, recurrent, single-pilot and differences training on Citation Bravo, Ultra and Encore models. Established in 2004, the company operates a 30,000-square-foot facility.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE OFFICIALS, sounding more serious about proceeding with development of a supersonic business jet, have identified a key date before which they hope to have an aircraft flying in order to achieve critical regulatory approvals. See article on Page 241.
Eclipse Aviation said its distributor for Eastern Europe has signed an agreement for nearly 200 of the manufacturer's Eclipse 500 Very Light Jets. ETIRC Aviation Europe placed a firm order for 120 aircraft and took options for 60 more. ETIRC was founded by Roel Pieper, an executive with a background in high-technology companies. The latest order pushes the total Eclipse 500 order book to just under 2,700 units, including both firm orders and options, the manufacturer said.
Model SR20 and SR22 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27976; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-042-AD] - Proposes to require replacing the pick-up collar support and nylon screws of the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS) with a new design pick-up collar support and custom tension screws. This proposed AD results from a Cirrus Design Corp. report of an in-flight CAPS activation in which the parachute failed to successfully deploy. FAA is proposing this AD to correct pick-up collar support fasteners of the CAPS, which could result in the premature separation of the collar.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE secured FAA supplemental type certification to install the AirCell Axxess EZ satellite communications system on Challenger 600, 601 and 604 business jets. The Bombardier Service Center in Hartford, Conn. completed the first installation on a Challenger 604. The Axxess EZ system will replace the MagnaStar airborne telephone system that is scheduled to go out of service at the end of December 2008. The installation uses existing MagnaStar wiring and component locations, eliminating the need to modify the aircraft interior and reducing downtime.
AVFUEL teamed with Signature Flight Support to jointly offer Avfuel Commercial Contract Fuel along with the pilot incentive program, AVTRIP, at Signature's fixed-base operations in Europe. The agreement will implement the Avfuel programs at 19 bases in Europe. Under the contract fuel program, customers use a centralized purchasing system and receive a single bill for fuel purchased in a given time period. The AVTRIP program allows customers to accrue points that are credited toward U.S. savings bonds or international equivalents.
PERUVIAN AUTHORITIES said Friday there were five survivors of the crash of a government-operated Twin Otter that went down in a remote area some 360 miles northeast of Lima. The airplane was believed to be carrying a total of 20 passengers and crewmembers. Helicopters searching for the missing aircraft spotted a fire set by some of the survivors to attract attention. The government operates flights to a number of isolated towns and villages that do not have commercial air service.
Model P68 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27208 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-010-AD; Amendment 39-15040; AD 2007-09-08] - Requires inspections and modification of the backrest recline of the pilot and copilot seats. This AD stems from MCAI from the airworthiness authority of Italy. The MCAI notes that the backrest recline of pilot and co-pilot seats requires the removal of a "quick release pin" that is not correctly indicated in the AFM and not readily detectable by the passengers. The MCAI added the removal the device is difficult.
Airbus and Boeing used the annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition to highlight recent sales successes for the corporate jet versions of their airline offerings, including a significant new U.S. order for Airbus. Minnesota-based Petters Group ordered five A318 Elite corporate jets, and the company also plans to establish A318 marketing and outfitting centers in the U.S. Meanwhile, Boeing said it has received nine corporate jet orders this year, including two for modified 787s.
Vienna, Austria-based charter operator JetAlliance ordered 25 Citation business jets in a deal valued at $280 million. The order includes one CJ1+, six CJ2+, five CJ3, three XLS+, one Sovereign, two Citation X and seven Citation Mustang aircraft. The Mustang recently earned certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. Deliveries of the 25 aircraft are scheduled for 2009 and 2010. JetAlliance is the third largest charter operator in Europe and is an authorized Cessna sales representative.
JET AVIATION BASEL will soon begin construction on a 377,000-square-foot hangar large enough to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-8. The CHF 35 million ($28 million U.S.) hangar is expected to open on the south end of EuroAirport in spring 2008. The new facilities also will include shops and ramp space. The hangar will help Jet Aviation accommodate its growing maintenance business at Basel. The hangar will house sheet metal, composite, avionics and component repair shops.
Model 750XL [Docket No. FAA-2007-27859; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-033-AD; Amendment 39-15049; AD 2007-10-08] - Requires disconnection of the autopilot, inspection of the pitch servo, and modification of the autopilot pitch trim circuit. This AD results from MCAI issued by the aviation authority of New Zealand. The MCAI was designed to help prevent failure of the Autopilot System Computer, which could cause an out-of-trim condition and loss of aircraft control. The AD becomes effective June 15. FAA will accept comments on the AD through June 11.
AVIATION FLEET SOLUTIONS recently installed its QuietEagle noise reduction kit on a VIP MD-87 owned by Siviera Invest Ltd. The QuietEagle System will bring the aircraft into compliance with FAR Part 36 Stage 4 and ICAO Annex 16 Chapter 4 noise standards. The system includes a 16-lobe internal exhaust mixer, an exhaust muffler, a new tabbed nozzle and an improved front fan case. The new hardware replaces older-technology components and is designed for seamless installation into the Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engine.
National Air Services, a major provider of business jet transportation in the Middle East, signed an agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace that includes firm orders for three Gulfstream 450 business jets and options for 17 more. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2009, continuing for the next five years. Gulfstream values the order, if all options are exercised, at more than $650 million.
June 4-6 - American Helicopter Society's/IHST Latin American Regional International Helicopter Safety Symposium, Renaissance Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil, (703) 684-6777, fax (703) 739-9279, www.vtol.org June 11-15 - Bombardier Aerospace CRJ World Wide Operators' Conference & Tradeshow, Montreal. Contact Laurence Villion at (416) 375-4208, [email protected] June 13 - Wings Club Luncheon featuring Pedro Heilbron, CEO of COPA Airlines, Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, email: [email protected]
JET SOURCE is planning to expand on the West Coast with the opening of a second facility in 2008 at Henderson, Nev. The Henderson facility will include two 35,000-square-foot hangars and an executive terminal with amenities such as a VIP room and concierge services. The facility will provide aircraft charter, aircraft management, maintenance, avionics, and aircraft sales/acquisitions. One of the Henderson hangars will be used for the aircraft management and charter operation, and the second hangar will house Jet Source's avionics and aircraft maintenance operation.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit this month upheld earlier decisions that resulted in a pilot for fractional aircraft provider NetJets getting his job back after being fired by the company for his dramatic opposition three years ago to a proposed labor agreement with the company.
Piaggio secured European Aviation Safety Agency approval for upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-66B engines on the P.180 Avanti II, clearing the twin pusherprop to fly at a maximum speed of 402 knots. The Avanti II first won EASA certification in October 2005, and was billed then as "the world's fastest turboprop" with a maximum cruise speed of 398 knots.
THE VERSACE/TAG AIRCRAFT INTERIORS collaboration received its first design project for the Airbus A319 Corporate Jet. Versace Design and TAG-AI teamed a year ago to provide an interior design service and have developed a catalog of luxury interior designs for private jets. Versace is responsible for content, design and style and TAG-AI is managing marketing, logistical and technical aspects of the completion.
Model F406 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26692; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-89-AD; Amendment 39-15043; AD 2007-10-02] - Requires a one-time inspection of the rudder brackets-hinge and bearings for corrosion and replacement of the parts, if corrosion is found. The AD also requires repetitive lubrication of the rudder bearings. This AD results from MCAI issued by the French aviation authority. The MCAI cites reports of corrosion on the bearings with propagation to the bracket-hinge of the rudder.
Model EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28158; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-018-AD] - Requires replacement of the water and waste system drain masts with new ones bearing a new part number. This proposed AD results from MCAI issued by the aviation authority of Brazil. The MCAI cites cases in which the drain mast of the water and waste system does not meet the SFAR-88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88) requirements.
John W. Douglass, who has headed the Aerospace Industries Association for the past nine years, will retire as president and CEO of the organization at the end of the year. Douglas, 66, is a former assistant secretary of the Navy and U.S. Air Force brigadier general. During his tenure as head of AIA, he was heavily involved in the effort to establish the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, on which he also served.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION asked FAA Flight Standards Director James Ballough to change regulations regarding wet leases to clear up lingering confusion about the rules. In a letter last week to Ballough, NATA President James Coyne praised FAA for its cooperation in implementing a new operational control policy. While the policy answers many questions surrounding operational control issues, Coyne said wet lease rules raise several unresolved questions.
