The in-flight entertainment market continued to shake out after Boeing decided last week to phase out its Connexion by Boeing high-speed broadband communications service at the end of the year. The Boeing decision leaves customers who have spent upwards of $500,000 to equip their aircraft for the service looking for a new Internet service provider - and possibly new equipment.
Was named vice president of quality for Eclipse. Pacheco will be responsible for ensuring Eclipse 500 quality and airworthiness. He most recently was global director of quality and reliability for medical technology specialist Medtronic. In that role, he was responsible for evaluating manufacturing processes, documentation, controls and procedures for all products Medtronic released into the medical market. He also spent 11 years at Motorola in a number of manufacturing and quality roles.
GEORGE J. PRIESTER, a business aviation pioneer in the Chicago area who turned Palwaukee Airport into one of the most vibrant business aviation airports in the country, died last week. He was 98. Born Jan. 31, 1908 in Chicago, Priester received his first airplane ride in 1928 in return for helping fix a friend's airplane engine. Priester began his career working for the railroad, but he found time to earn his private pilot's license and bought a Hess Warrior Argo. In 1938 he became an instrument instructor pilot for the War Training Service.
The Federal Aviation Administration's recent attempt to clarify Part 135 flight and duty time requirements has drawn appeals from operators for caution on major policy changes but calls from pilots seeking stronger enforcement. Part 135 representatives urged FAA to hold off on any substantial changes to flight and duty time requirements until the agency finishes work on a more comprehensive proposal based on the recommendations of an industry-led Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
Address: Comments may be submitted via the Web: http://dms.dot.gov; by fax: (202) 493-2251; or by mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street S.W., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, D.C. 20590. Identify docket number. Petitions for Exemption Docket No.: 2006-25223 Petitioner: Air Center Helicopters, Inc. Section of 14 CFR Affected: Section 135.145 Description of Relief Sought: With regard to proving flights for S-61 (VFR operations only) aircraft.
Cutter Aviation, the family-owned chain of fixed-base operations in the Southwest, expanded its territory with the acquisition of Colorado Aviation, Inc. of Colorado Springs (COS).
TEN MONTHS after the Oct. 18, 2005 flight of a Hawker 1000 business jet into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport -- the "first" private jet to land at DCA since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (BA, Oct. 24/181) -- the number of business jet flights into the airport is still minuscule. Officials have logged only about 60 business jet arrivals at DCA since last fall, despite the approval of additional gateway airports in recent months (BA, June 26/283).
FAA ECONOMISTS are beginning to delve into how much revenue the Airport and Airway Trust Fund stands to lose under a year-old tax law that channels business jet fuel tax revenue into the Highway Trust Fund. Under the law, jet fuel sold to business jet operators is taxed at the highway diesel fuel rate, which is 2.5 cents more than the jet fuel tax.
1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21242; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-09-AD; Amendment 39-14721; AD 2006-02-08R1] -- Revises an existing AD that requires initial and repetitive position checks of the gas generator 2nd stage turbine blades on all Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD also currently requires initial and repetitive replacements of 2nd Stage turbines on 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines only.
LANDMARK AVIATION completed a $2 million hangar and office expansion of its fixed-base operation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. The project added 13,500 square feet of aircraft storage and maintenance space and a new three-bay ground equipment support hangar. The expansion also included an additional 4,800 square feet of office space. The FBO provides ground handling, fueling, concierge assistance, a pilot lounge and weather room along with aircraft charter and sales.
BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN-2T-4R series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22420; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-47-AD; Amendment 39-14719; AD 2006-16-19] -- Requires an inspection of the internal surface of the elevator system final drive control rod and replacement if found corroded. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of the U.K. FAA is issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products. The AD will affect an estimated 91 aircraft on the U.S. Registry.
A veteran of more than 20 years at Dassault Falcon Jet, has formed Brian Foley Associates to provide management and marketing guidance to companies engaged in the aviation industry, particularly corporate aviation. Based in Sparta, N.J., Foley is offering management assistance and problem solving, helping investors and newcomers understand the aviation industry landscape and providing guidance in areas including product branding, market research, strategic planning and business process improvement.
The Defense Acquisition Board review for the estimated $13 billion Combat, Search and Rescue (CSAR-X) helicopter program has been delayed yet again, this time by another month to Oct. 31, industry sources familiar with the aircraft purchase proposals said. The contract award is now tentatively scheduled for Nov. 3, the sources said. Air Force officials confirmed the Oct. 31 DAB date, but refused to comment further because of acquisition policies.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTATION issued a National Security Flight Advisory Friday, which replaces NOTAM FDC 6/6101, the National Business Aviation Association said. The new advisory, effective Aug. 23, boosts the Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight from 95,000 pounds to 100,309 pounds, matching the weight specified in the Private Charter Standard Security Program. Existing waivers to NOTAMS 2/5319 and 6/6101 remain in effect for the duration of those waivers. Operators of aircraft weighing 100,309 pounds MTOW or less are no longer required to fly through "portal countries."
Compact series propellers [Docket No. 2000-NE-08-AD] -- Proposes to supersede an AD for constant speed or feathering propellers with Hartzell manufactured "Y" shank aluminum blades. That AD currently requires initial blade inspections, with no repetitive inspections; rework of all "Y" shank aluminum blades including cold rolling of the blade shank retention radius, blade replacement and modification of pitch change mechanisms for certain propeller models; and changing the airplane operating limitations with specific models of propellers installed.
Model ERJ 170 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24788; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-073-AD] -- Withdraws a proposed AD that would have required performing a one-time inspection for proper crimping of the terminal lugs for the power cables of each integrated drive generator (IDG), installing a new sleeve on the terminal, and re-crimping if necessary. Since the proposed AD was issued, FAA has received new data from the manufacturer that the proposed actions have been done on all affected airplanes. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.
THE AIR GROUP developed a new fuel program that will enable the charter provider to pass on its bulk fuel discounts to its management program clients. The Air Group has developed a SmartFuel! co-branded Visa card that will give its management clients access to the company's fuel and handling discounts. "The single largest component of an aircraft's annual budget is fuel and our program takes some of the sting out of recent escalations in price," said Jon Winthrop, chairman and CEO of The Air Group.
Was named general manager of Bombardier's Wichita Service Center, which employs nearly 360 technicians and specialists who service Learjet and Challenger business jets. Schiebelhut, who holds an FAA airframe and powerplant license, has more than 25 years of aviation industry experience. He has been with Bombardier since 1995, serving in management capacities in customer service and maintenance. Schiebelhut succeeds Mick Harrison, who recently retired as general manager of the Wichita facility.
ROCKWELL COLLINS developed a new satellite television system for super-mid-size and larger business jets operating within the contiguous U.S. The Tailwind 300 is designed as a lightweight system, which Collins officials say "delivers crystal clear reception at the lowest cost available today." Rockwell Collins teamed with DirecTV to provide a package that includes CNN, Fox, Bloomberg, ESPN, The Weather Channel, A&E, Discovery, local networks, and a variety of other channels. Rockwell Collins expects to begin delivery of the system in mid-2007.
The 2004 fatal Challenger crash in Montrose, Colo. has again thrown the spotlight on charter brokers and the practice of "doing business as," or DBAs, and the National Transportation Safety Board last week called for mandatory disclosures of such arrangements on Part 135 flights. NTSB also urged FAA to improve icing training and require Part 135 operators to adopt crew resource management training programs that meet Part 121 standards.
National Business Aviation Association scheduled the next Business Aviation Regional Forum Nov. 16 at Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, Calif. The day-long forum is designed to bring together the business aviation community and discuss local and state issues affecting the industry in Southern California. The forum, which will be held at AirFlite, is expected to include 30 aircraft on static display and 60 exhibitors.
Joined Sharp Details as operations manager. Maher will coordinate with base managers as the company continues to grow its operations at White Plains, Washington Dulles International and other locations. Maher formerly held operations positions with UPS.
