Honeywell, releasing its most optimistic business-jet forecast yet, is predicting shipments of some 12,000 new aircraft valued at $195 billion by original equipment manufacturers through 2016. Honeywell's 15th annual Business Aviation Outlook, to be unveiled at this week's National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Fla., also forecasts that business-jet makers will top 1,000 deliveries in a single year for the first time ever in 2007.
GENERAL AVIATION LEADERS are calling the political pressure and media calls for tighter restrictions on small aircraft unwarranted. National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne called the appeals for tighter GA security "a political response to public fear." See article on Page 174.
A Michigan firm has launched a program to re-engine Cessna Citation II (CE-550) business jets with Williams International engines, aiming to provide significant performance improvements.
ELLIOTT AVIATION teamed with a Bonner Springs, Kan. design firm, Infusion Design, to offer a new technology that will enable aircraft owners to visualize aircraft refurbishments or completions before the work begins. The technology, EnVision, adapts computer modeling capabilities for interior design work. Elliott believes the technology will save owners both time and money. Elliott designers will use custom software to build floor plans and exteriors for Hawker, Citation, King Air, Beechjet and Falcon 10 models.
ATR received a contract from Praia, Cape Verde-based TACV (Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde) for three new ATR regional turboprops. The contract, valued at $50 million, calls for delivery of one ATR 42-500 and two ATR 72-500s in 2007. TACV currently operates three ATR 42-300s.
Model Mystere-Falcon 50 and 900 airplanes and Falcon 900EX airplanes, and Model Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25988; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-113-AD] - Proposes to require an inspection of the identification plates on the outboard slats to determine the type of identification plates and the P/Ns.
HONEYWELL'S latest business jet forecast predicts the industry will deliver nearly $20 billion worth of new business jets annually within a few years. That compares with total GAMA-member aircraft deliveries of $5.9 billion in 1998 and $7.9 billion in 1999.
Was named vice president and chief accounting officer for Raytheon Company. Wood formerly was an audit partner for KPMG, where he handled several large international and Fortune 500 clients, including some in the aerospace and defense industries.
MILLENNIUM CONCEPTS was selected to build interior packages for a new 10-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft under development by Sandpoint, Idaho-based Quest Aircraft. The aircraft, called the Kodiak, is a short takeoff and landing utility aircraft that will accommodate both cargo and passengers. Quest will offer three interior packages based on customer needs. Millennium Concepts has provided interior design, fabrication and completion services for aircraft ranging from the Cessna Grand Caravan to the Boeing Business Jet.
NATA'S COYNE believes the Teterboro pact underscores the importance of the GA community working with local airport managers and communities to foster good relationships. Improving those relationships will become a key priority for NATA over the next year, Coyne said, adding that one initiative under consideration is elevating airport managers to full membership in the association. Currently, airport managers may hold associate membership.
The FAA's New England Regional Aviation System Plan predicts that airline traffic in the region will grow substantially during the next 15 years, and that growth will require the expansion of both air carrier and general aviation airports within the six-state area. The report, released last week, describes a regional strategy to accommodate the anticipated increase in airline passengers at New England's 11 major commercial-service airports from the current 43 million airline passengers annually to an estimated 76 million yearly by 2020.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which concluded a $1 million settlement with the City of Chicago last month over the city's destruction of Meigs Field (BA, Sept. 25/137), told Chicago officials last week it has given preliminary approval of the city's application to lease Midway Airport to private investors.
October 17-19 - National Business Aviation Association 59th Annual Meeting & Convention, Orlando, Fla., (202) 783-9000 October 22-24 - International Aviation Womens Association 18th Annual Conference, "Aviation's Global Resurgence: Five Years Later and Climbing," W Hotel, New York, Ellyn Slow, (732) 326-3703, email: [email protected], www.iawa.org or Karen Griggs, (410) 571-1990, [email protected]
FLIGHTWORKS, an Atlanta-based charter and management company, added a second Falcon 2000 to its charter fleet. FlightWorks operates a fleet that includes heavy, mid-sized and light jets, helicopters and turboprops.
Model TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25637; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-43-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the pilot door locking stop-fittings for correct length and, if any incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings are found, replacing them. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for France. FAA is proposing this AD to detect and replace incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in depressurization of the airplane.
CF34-10E series turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-25896; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-14775; AD 2006-20-06] - Requires removing the main fuel pump (MFP) inlet strainer from certain MFPs, installing a certain replacement flange as an interim repair, and performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the main fuel filter. This AD results from three reports of release of the tripod support legs on the MFP inlet strainer, leading to engine in-flight shutdown.
The Department of Transportation last week outlined the parameters under which Washington-area aviation businesses can seek reparations for lost income stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent security restrictions. DOT released the proposal a year after Congress called for the department to provide a fund for aviation businesses that have suffered both direct and indirect losses since 9/11.
Raytheon Aircraft Company officials broke ground Tuesday for a major expansion of the company's business jet completion facilities in Little Rock, Ark.
CHC HELICOPTER CORP. said Friday that Craig L. Dobbin, the company's executive chairman, will take a leave of absence for health reasons beginning immediately. Mark Dobbin, who was elected to the CHC board as deputy chairman less than two weeks ago, will assume the duties of chairman on an interim basis. CHC is a major provider of helicopter services for offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling companies.
Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24710; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-14779; AD 2006-20-10] - Requires repetitive inspections of the attach angles on the firewall mounted hopper rinse tank shelf for damage and/or cracks and replacement of damaged and/or cracked attach angles with steel attach angles. Replacing the attach angles with steel attach angles terminates the repetitive inspection requirement.
JET SOURCE completed the first of four American Eurocopter AS350B-3 helicopters for the San Diego Police Department. The contract calls for installation of a law enforcement package that includes night vision capability, a thermal imaging system, Avalex moving map and radio command suite. Jet Source designed and installed a custom panel, console and racks. Other equipment includes a Garmin GNS430 Com/NAV/GPS and SL30 COM/Nav, Garmin GTX330 transponder, Wulfsberg RT5000 multi-band transceiver, Motorola 800 HHz transceivers, N.A.T.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is working with Spill Center, a Hudson, Mass.-based hazmat support and environmental claims management company, to provide hazardous spill reporting and support to NATA members. Through its partnership with Spill Center, NATA will provide members access to free online resources that include a state-by-state spill-reporting database listing current regulatory requirements and agency contact information. Members can access this data and other information through the Spill Center link on NATA's Web site, www.nata.aero.
Quest Aircraft Company won Type Inspection Authorization approval from FAA last week for the manufacturer's single-turboprop utility aircraft, one of the last steps required before the start of FAA certification flight tests. Issuance of the TIA certificate means Quest and FAA can now conduct final inspections to ensure that the aircraft conforms to specifications. Following those inspections, Quest and FAA test pilots will begin a detailed schedule of required flight tests designed to lead to type certification of the airplane.
