Business aviation users dodged a bullet last week when House negotiators prevailed over their Senate counterparts and killed a couple of provisions in a tax bill that would have sharply increased tax liability for both executives who use company aircraft for personal trips and the companies that own those aircraft. See article below.
Analysts at Cathay Financial apparently believe a lot of what FAA and Air Transport Association officials have been saying about the possible impact a new generation of Very Light Jets could have on the air traffic control system (BA, March 13/113).
Titanium supplier RTI International Metals, Inc. announced two facilities expansion programs last week and a new agreement with Airbus that could generate nearly $1 billion in revenue over the next 10 years.
Corporate operators last week received a reprieve from two measures in a comprehensive tax bill that would have dramatically increased the tax burden for use of aircraft for personal or recreational purposes. House and Senate negotiators agreed to strip out the two measures in the Tax Relief Act of 2005 that would have increased the tax liability of business executives who use company aircraft for personal reasons and limit the tax benefits companies receive when the aircraft are used for recreation (BA, Dec. 5/259).
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24586; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-100-AD; Amendment 39-14579; AD 2006-09-08] - Requires modifying the wiring on an alternating current (AC) service bus contactor located in the avionics bay. This AD results from incidents of short circuit failures of certain AC contactors located in the avionics bay. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent short circuit failures of certain AC contactors, which could result in arcing and consequent smoke or fire.
Rockwell Collins is seeking FAA approval for an upgrade on the Piaggio 180 liquid crystal displays (LCD) that will include the Pro Line 21 IDS Integrated Display System and AHS-3000 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS). Jet Works in Denton, Texas will perform the upgrade on the twin pusherprop aircraft. Certification of both the Pro Line 21 IDS and the AHS-3000 are expected by September 2006.
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23820; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-249-AD; Amendment 39-14578; AD 2004-03-15 R1] - Revises an existing AD that requires performing a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repairing, if necessary; installing additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; applying sealant to rivet heads; and modifying electrical wires in certain sections. FAA issued that AD to prevent chafing of electrical wires.
Seven months after the Transportation Security Administration began letting business aviation flights back into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the agency last week added three airports to the list of those from which such flights may originate. Added to the list of "gateway" airports were Dallas Love Field (DAL), Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
Air Security International, an intelligence and security specialist, developed a new risk-forecasting tool, Praeteus, that provides intelligence from around the world via the Web and mobile data devices. Version 1.0, released during the Energy Security Council Annual Conference this month in Houston, Texas, is the first in a series of tools ASI plans to bring to market this year. Praeteus subscribers can access a "morning risk" video forecast that covers business risk and corporate security issues, including the impact of worldwide events on global business operations.
Excelaire, the Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based jet charter company, added a Bombardier Global Express business jet to its fleet. The company also operates Gulfstreams, Hawkers and Learjets, plus a fleet of helicopters.
Sikorsky Aircraft has launched a recruitment campaign to hire more than 300 engineers for its military and civil helicopter product lines and services. The Stratford, Conn. manufacturer is planning to hold job fairs in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Alabama and New York.
Triumph Group bolstered its aircraft refurbishment business with the acquisition of Air Excellence International. Air Excellence repairs and refurbishes aircraft interiors and is an FAA-PMA-approved manufacturer of aircraft interior components. The company, which employs 95, operates repair stations in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Portland and Shannon, Ireland. The company specializes in sidewalls, ceiling panels, overhead bins, lavatories and bin doors.
National Transportation Safety Board will hold a two-day hearing beginning June 20 as part of its continuing investigation of the Dec. 8 runway overrun accident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 at Chicago Midway Airport. The accident occurred during a heavy snowstorm. The aircraft slid off the runway after landing, went through two fences and struck a car on an off-airport street. A child in the car was killed in the collision.
Boeing will spend $1.7 billion to acquire Aviall, the largest independent supplier of aviation parts in the industry. The deal, announced last week, is the first big acquisition by Boeing since James McNerney took over as CEO last June and one that will spread Boeing's reach significantly into the supply chain management business.
SR TECHNICS signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel Aircraft Industries to buy a controlling stake of IAI's Rome, N.Y. airframe maintenance subsidiary, Empire Aero Center. Under the MOU, SR Technics will acquire 60 percent of Empire and IAI will retain a 40 percent stake. The transaction will give SR Technics a presence in the U.S., and help SR Technics to expand its reach. SR Technics and Empire Aero already have begun collaborating on joint proposals for several U.S. customers. The agreement is expected to be made final in July.
Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24091; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD] - Proposes to supersede AD 98-12-01, which applies to certain PC-6, PC-6/A, PC-6/B, and PC-6/C series airplanes equipped with turboprop engines. AD 98-12-01 currently requires modification of the fuel system to improve the venting between the collector tank, the main wing tanks, and the engine.
ASSOCIATED AIR CENTER completed its fifth Airbus Corporate Jetliner. The aircraft was completed in concert with Airbus and a head-of-state customer based in southwestern Asia. The interior was designed with seats and divans for eight passengers, a master bedroom with queen-sized bed, master lavatory with stand-up shower, first class ministers' area with seating for eight passengers, a guest staff area that seats 42, storage, and forward and aft galleys. Associated Air Center has signed completion contracts for 10 ACJs and currently has five in the completion process.
1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21242; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-09-AD] - Proposes to revise an existing AD that currently 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.
THE NORDAM GROUP has expanded the size of its facility in Wales by more than 40 percent to 155,000 square feet. The expansion will help NORDAM Europe accommodate maintenance, repair and overhaul work on nacelles and reversers for customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The expansion comes as NORDAM celebrates the 10th anniversary of operations in Cardiff, South Wales.
The National Business Aviation Association asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to retain the current reporting method for personal use of company aircraft when the agency completes its review of executive compensation reporting requirements. SEC in February released a comprehensive proposal to update and clarify executive compensation and related party disclosure requirements. The agency proposed retaining the current aggregate incremental cost standard to value personal benefits, including personal use of corporate aircraft.
Boeing is considering adding a convertible passenger/ cargo version of the 737 to its business-jet (BBJ) lineup, the company said. The new BBJ would be based on the convertible 737-700C, which incorporates the 737-700 fuselage and the strengthened landing gear and wings of the -800. The aircraft would provide multi-purpose capability for business-jet customers, such as governments, heads of state and entrepreneurs.
SPECTRO and its U.S.-based affiliate Jet-Care in Cedar Knolls, N.J., have continued to pick up major contracts for their oil and debris analysis programs. Jet-Care won a deal to provide oil and debris analysis for more than 200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2CG engines powering the re-engined HH-65C Dauphin helicopters. Jet-Care also was selected to provide the services for Eurocopter Mexico engines and gearboxes.
PILATUS handed over the 600th PC-12 late last month to Aviation Sales, Inc. (ASI), which accepted the aircraft on behalf of a customer in California. The delivery comes a little more than one year after the Stans, Switzerland-based manufacturer passed the 500-aircraft milestone in the PC-12 program. Based at Centennial Airport in Denver, Colo., ASI has been an authorized Pilatus dealer and service center since 1994.
The Federal Aviation Administration is moving ahead with nationwide implementation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast system over the next decade and officials expect to sign a Memorandum Of Agreement with the Helicopter Association International in coming weeks that will outline a cooperative effort for providing ADS-B coverage in the Gulf of Mexico within the next few years.
PENTASTAR AVIATION expanded its catering division, FIVEStar Gourmet, through the acquisition of Chef In The Sky. The acquisition gives FIVEStar a base at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Pentastar is headquartered at Oakland County International Airport in Michigan.
