Business jet-makers are expected to deliver an average of almost 1,000 business jets annually over the next 10 years, compared with the 572 delivered on average between 1997 and 2006, according to a new Bombardier forecast. Last fall, Honeywell predicted in its 15th annual Business Aviation Outlook that business-jet makers would top 1,000 deliveries in a single year for the first time ever in 2007 (BA, Oct. 16/171). Manufacturers appeared on pace to reach that mark, reporting first quarter 2007 business jet shipments of 211 (BA, April 30/193).
Named director of aircraft certification at Associated Air Center in Dallas, Texas. Farsi will oversee the Certification Department and Designated Alteration Station (DAS). He also will develop training curriculum for staff members to pursue FAA certification. Farsi has more than 22 years of industry experience and previously was DAS administrator for L-3 Communications. He has held positions with Lockheed, United Airlines, Galaxy Aerospace and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Eclipse Aviation hired J. Mark Borseth, a 23-year veteran of 3M Company, as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Borseth most recently was vice president of global business process at 3M, where he managed the development of a worldwide IT application and deployed several global processes. Other posts he held included corporate treasurer and president and general manager of the company's Canadian operation.
The Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Raytheon a multiyear, potentially $14.4 million contract to develop an improved composite material for infrared windows and missile domes. The goal is "significantly" enhanced materials and manufacturing processes compared with those currently in use for windows and aerodynamically shaped domes in the 3-5 micron mid-wave infrared band, according to Mark Russell, vice president of engineering at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems.
Eclipse Aviation, which struggled for months to win a Production Certificate from FAA, achieved that milestone late last month, improving the prospects for increased production and delivery of the company's Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet (BA, April 30/193).
The National Transportation Safety Board said it believes a Piper PA-46-310P Mirage crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last month shortly after taking off from the Bahamas. The aircraft, N444JH, had departed Nassau International Airport for the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fla. International Airport April 10 at about 1650 EDT. The pilot and the controller had several communications about altitude and heading before the pilot was advised to contact Miami Air Route Traffic Control after being cleared to climb to 12,000 feet.
William G. (Bill) Robinson, who held senior public relations posts at all three of Wichita's major business aircraft manufacturers, died April 27 in Topeka, Kan., where he had resided for a number of years. A journalism graduate of Butler University in his native Indiana, Robinson subsequently joined the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Panama Canal Zone and later was a public relations officer at McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita.
Schubach Aviation added a King Air 350 to its charter fleet. The addition comes shortly after Schubach moved into a new 30,000-square-foot hangar and 3,000-square-foot office space at Premier Jet's facility at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif. The aircraft will be available for charter this month. Schubach also expects to add a Challenger 601 and Hawker 800 to its fleet by late spring. Schubach currently has a fleet of 12 business aircraft ranging from King Airs and CitationJets to Hawkers and a Bombardier Challenger.
Models 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, and 182R airplanes equipped with Air Plains Services Corporation Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA00152WI [Docket No. FAA-2007-27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-15031; AD 2007-09-01] - Requires disconnecting or removing the electrical cable between the forward ground power relay and the starter relay, installing a placard, inspecting the fuel line between the auxiliary electric fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump for chafing, and replacing the fuel line if chafing is found.
AirShares Elite expanded to the West Coast with the opening of new bases in the Los Angeles area. AirShares Elite will initially operate from John Wayne-Orange County, Santa Monica and Van Nuys airports to build the foundation for the West Coast expansion of its shared ownership program. AirShares Elite sells shares in new Cirrus SR22 GTS airplanes, and will add the SR22 G3 airplane to the fleet when Cirrus begins delivery later this year.
Models 150 and 152 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27747; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-030-AD] - Propose to require replacing the rudder stop, rudder stop bumper, and attachment hardware with a new rudder stop modification kit. This proposed AD also requires replacing the safety wire with jamnuts. This proposed AD results from two accidents in which the rudder was found in the over-travel position with the stop plate hooked over the stop bolt heads.
Joined the training staff of Jet Stream Aviation University. Based in Dallas, Jet Stream provides a three-day certification program for aircraft interior and exterior detailing. Pierce has more than 20 years of aviation detailing experience.
The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, scheduled for May 22-24 in Geneva, Switzerland, is on pace to become the largest yet, organizers said. Co-hosted by the European Business Aviation Association and the National Business Aviation Association, the 2007 EBACE so far has attracted more than 340 exhibitors who have contracted for 1,410 booth spaces. EBAA and NBAA said only a limited amount of indoor exhibit space remains at the Geneva PALEXPO; the static display at Geneva International Airport is sold out.
Bombardier Aerospace says in its most recent annual market forecasts for the business and commercial aircraft markets, which were released last week, that "overall demand for aircraft in the segments in which Bombardier competes will remain strong." Michael McAdoo, vice president of strategy and business development at the Canadian airframe manufacturer, believes that the company is "well-positioned for continued success," and he anticipates that Bombardier's business jets and regional aircraft will "continue to generate strong interest."
Gulfstream late last month handed over the 150th Gulfstream G200 mid-range business jet. Gulfstream acquired the G200 product line in 2001 and has since redesigned the interior, reduced the aircraft weight by 600 pounds and began offering installation of the Safe Flight Enhanced AutoPower automatic throttle system. The G200 fleet has accumulated 200,000 flight hours and has achieved a 99.75 percent dispatch reliability.
In a series of safety recommendations issued last week, the National Transportation Safety Board asked the Federal Aviation Administration to require that current and future traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS) "provide an enhanced aural and visual warning requiring pilot acknowledgment" if the system loses functionality "for any reason."
CAE sold a new CAE 7000 Series Embraer 190 simulator to Flight Training Finance LLC. The Canadian simulator manufacturer and training firm also will provide FTF with a used CAE-built Embraer 145 simulator, which is being upgraded.
Aircraft Electronics Association is calling for a moratorium "on all but essential changes to Part 145." In comments on the FAA's proposal for a new repair station rating system and stronger quality system requirements, AEA said, "The repair station industry has been administratively burdened by regulatory action almost continuously since 2001." AEA acknowledged FAA's belief that the number of changes to repair station rules is necessary because of the effect on Part 121 carriers.
Gulfstream Aerospace says a Gulfstream 550 set two new city-pair flight records in March. The aircraft departed Auckland International Airport, New Zealand on March 26 and flew 5,097 nautical miles to Hong Kong in 11 hours, 32 minutes. Four days later the aircraft flew from Hong Kong to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in 13 hours, 9 minutes. Gulfstream is seeking confirmation of the record flights from the National Aeronautic Association.
Liberty Aerospace is hoping to expand its presence in Asia, placing an XL2 with Patrick Carroll, the company's regional representative in Japan. Carroll hopes to tap into the flight training market with the single-piston aircraft, and will fly the aircraft between Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Carroll formerly spent 25 years in Asia, holding posts with Airbus and BAE Systems.
Model SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27866; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-055-AD; Amendment 39-15027; AD 2007-08-09] - Requires repetitive inspections of the cable assembly end fittings for corrosion and replacement, if necessary. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency.
The most recent effort by the Federal Aviation Administration to define "known icing" is improved over past interpretations, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said, but AOPA also worries that the newest determination leaves open the door for enforcement action. FAA last month sought comments on a revised interpretation of what constitutes "known icing" (BA, April 9/165).
Bombardier continued the evolution of its customer support programs with the creation of customer support teams to provide customers a single point of contact 24 hours a day for aircraft-on-ground (AOG) situations. The Canadian plane-maker opened Customer Response Centers (CRCs) in Montreal and Wichita to serve as the single contact for customers. Operators of Bombardier-built aircraft previously might have had three or four contacts within Bombardier to answer concerns, but the CRCs combine various customer support activities, the company said.
While the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday released its version of an FAA reauthorization bill, the general aviation industry is still waiting for second bill that could contain a substantial tax increase for business jet operators. The Senate Commerce proposal addresses a basic $25 air traffic control user fee, but does not discuss the aviation excise taxes that currently go into the aviation trust fund. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to address those taxes in a separate bill.
