AIRBUS signed an order for the first Airbus A318 Elite to be based in the U.S. Petters Group Worldwide, which is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., plans to use the A318 for private corporate flights in the U.S. and overseas. The airplane will be managed by a subsidiary, Petters Aviation.
General Dynamics Chairman Nicholas Chabraja said Gulfstream Aerospace executives are striving to find ways to efficiently boost business jet production to help meet growing worldwide demand for the company's line of aircraft.
BUSINESS AVIATION groups are reacting to the latest air traffic control privatization appeal from the Reason Foundation's Robert Poole, which appeared in Chief Executive magazine. In the article, Poole appealed to the magazine's CEO readers to get involved in the debate. "Don't let your chauffeurs -- the corporate flight department -- speak for you," Poole admonished. See article on Page 201.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE plans to begin working on a prototype of a new generation aircraft in late 2008, according to Nicholas Chabraja, chairman and CEO of General Dynamics, Gulfstream's parent company. In a teleconference with financial analysts this month, Chabraja said that one result of an ongoing expansion program at Gulfstream's Savannah, Ga. headquarters will be the completion of a new facility there in 2008.
Production workers at Bombardier's Learjet plant in Wichita, Kan. were returning to work last week following narrow approval of a new contract by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, ending a strike that began in early October.
Turbo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-14796; AD 2006-21-11] - Requires identifying, inspecting and replacing flexible lubrication pipes manufactured after April 1, 2003. If both engines on the same helicopter each have an affected pipe, then this AD requires replacing one of the affected pipes before further flight.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE said Monday its Quiet Spike sonic boom mitigation device successfully accomplished its first supersonic flight Oct. 20. Gulfstream, working with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, has been testing the structural integrity of the Quiet Spike since July. Mounted on the nose of a NASA F-15B, the device was flown to Mach 1.2. It fully extended to its maximum length of 24 feet and performed as expected during its 65-minute flight, which reached an altitude of 45,000 feet, Gulfstream said.
Was promoted to senior director of sales for Dallas Airmotive. Blasingame most recently was director of sales of Honeywell programs. In his new position, he will be responsible for all North American sales of Honeywell TFE731 and auxiliary power unit, Rolls-Royce Spey/Tay and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300 engine services. He joined Dallas Airmotive in 1984 at a former Airwork facility in Millville, N.J.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL earned FAA Level D qualification for its Piaggio P180 Avanti flight simulator. The simulator will be based at FSI's learning center in West Palm Beach, Fla. FSI also is building a new simulator to provide training on the Avanti II, and will decide later where the trainer will be stationed.
FAA originally targeted the end of August for release of A008 and has pushed back the release date a few times since (BA, Aug. 21/79). Earlier this month, FAA officials told attendees at the NBAA annual Meeting and Convention that the document would be out at the end of October.
Was appointed regional engine manager for Dallas Airmotive. McLandsborough will be responsible for sales of Pratt & Whitney Canada engine repair and overhaul services in the North Central U.S. He has 30 years of industry experience as an aircraft mechanic and authorized inspector and in technical support. Most recently, he was manager of maintenance coordination for Jet Linx Aviation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization next month will introduce its new pilot license standard specifically for co-pilots, but pilot unions say they are concerned the new license will degrade safety. The multi-crew pilot license (MPL) will be recognized by ICAO from Nov. 23, and must also be recognized by ICAO member states even if they choose not to adopt the MPL themselves. The license "provides the aviation community with an opportunity to train pilots directly for co-pilot duties," according to ICAO.
UNIVERSAL WEATHER AND AVIATION improved its security services to include an up-to-the-minute, country-specific security intelligence briefing for dispatchers, pilots and passengers. Universal offers an array of security services through third-party providers that includes alerts, assessments and armed guards. The newest offering includes 10 categories of intelligence about a country covering security, health, transportation, entry and exit, culture, weather, environment, financial and communications information. Universal provides a risk assessment rating/ranking.
LANDMARK AVIATION implemented a Total Logistics Control software system for its charter sales and aircraft management customers. The program will provide charter and management customers with information on charter flights, flight tracking, catering and ground transportation. The system also provides flight and aircraft recording. Produced by IPC Logistics, Total Logistics Control uses a proprietary database that is built into Landmark's existing scheduling software.
Worried that the Federal Aviation Administration will forge ahead with a proposal that is tailored to scheduled commercial operations and pays scant attention to other aviation enterprises, the National Air Transportation Association last week urged FAA to establish an industry-based Aviation Rulemaking Committee to tackle the issue of runway landing distance assessments.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is urging FAA to keep weather specialists at all of its en route ATC centers nationwide. According to NATCA, FAA is considering eliminating on-site meteorologist positions from the 21 centers, and instead contracting with a commercial weather company to provide meteorological service from one remote location.
Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25928; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-53-AD; Amendment 39-14797; AD 2006-21-12] - Supersedes AD 2003-22-13, which applies to Models N22B and N24A airplanes. AD 2003-22-13 currently requires visually inspecting the ailerons for damage and replacing them if necessary; adjusting the engine power levers aural warning microswitches; setting flap extension and flap down operation limitations; and fabricating and installing cockpit flap extension and flap down operation restriction placards.
Was appointed president of Intercontinental Jet Services Corporation, a Tulsa, Okla. aircraft maintenance facility that is an MU-2 service center and provides work on the TPE-331. Braner has 35 years of experience with both MU-2s and Honeywell engines.
Was appointed Twin Commander insurance specialist for NationAir Insurance Agencies. Reba will serve as the point of contact for Twin Commander owners and service centers through the U.S. He is a pilot with 20 years of aviation insurance experience.
Was named senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation's Zurich maintenance operation, effective Jan. 1. Rimmi, who has been general manager of the company's FBO and maintenance operation in Dallas, Texas, will succeed Werner Aerne, who has been general manager of the Zurich operation since 1995. Aerne, who joined the company in 1978, plans to retire but will continue to serve Jet Aviation in various functions. Rimmi began his career at the Zurich facility in 1993 when he was hired as a maintenance coordinator.
FOURTEEN HOUSE MEMBERS asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate security vulnerabilities of foreign repair stations that perform work on U.S.-registered aircraft. The Transportation Department Inspector General's Office has indicated there are about 650 foreign aircraft repair stations working on U.S. commercial planes, compared with only about 200 such entities in 1988.
Piper Aircraft officials say they did their homework before announcing a single-engine business jet program and point to initial customer reaction as evidence their new airplane will find a niche in the increasingly crowded market for small jet airplanes. James Bass, who took over as president and CEO at Piper about a year ago (BA, Sept. 19, 2005/123), characterizes the $2.199 million PiperJet as a "sport utility jet for the active lifestyle."
CESSNA enrolled its 1,000 customer in the CESSNAV flight planning program that was rolled out at the beginning of the year. The program, available for most Citation business jets, will be offered for the Citation Mustang in early 2007.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has slipped the expected release date of a new Operations Specification addressing operational control issues until the end of November, but the agency last week gave industry leaders a preview of the final document and received high marks for its efforts (BA, April 3/151). One National Business Aviation Association official called the specification a "very well thought out product" that reflected substantial cooperation between FAA and industry.
