Bombardier Aerospace named ExecuJet Aviation Group as the exclusive sales representative for the Challenger 300 and Learjet family of business jets in Germany. ExecuJet Aviation Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with operations in Europe, Australasia, Africa and the Middle East. The company has more than 70 aircraft in its fleet under partial or full management. ExecuJet will manage its German business from bases in Frankfurt and Berlin.
ANTHONY KIOUSSIS was appointed vice president and head of Jet Aviation's Aircraft Sales division in the U.S. Kioussis formerly held key management positions during 10 years with British Aerospace. In his new role, he will oversee aircraft sales for the division, which has sales offices in Dallas, Texas, Palm Beach, Fla. and Teterboro, N.J.
The Fixed-Base Operation at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico is the 29th member of the Million Air chain of FBOs. Nick Schneider is chief executive of Million Air San Juan. The facility has a new 5,600-square-foot passenger facility and a 14,000-square-foot hangar. Construction is scheduled to be finished in mid-April with a formal grand opening planned for May 1.
The DCA access plan is expected to take a phased-in approach with charter companies receiving clearance to DCA first. While some advocates were expressing concern about the prospects for corporate operators, there appears to be renewed optimism that the new leadership at DHS is working toward enabling corporate access of DCA as well. This likely would be through some form of the NBAA/TSA TSA Access Certificate Program.
FAA DELAYS REPAIR STATION TRAINING PROGRAM DEADLINE - The Federal Aviation Administration today (Monday) will formally push back by one year to April 6, 2006 the deadline for Part 145 repair stations to have an approved training program. In a notice slated for the March 28 Federal Register, FAA called the delay necessary because the agency has not yet released guidance material to help repair stations develop appropriate training programs.
Cessna began engine testing and slow-speed taxi evaluations on the Citation Mustang prototype, undertaking one of the last system tests necessary before first flight. Cessna is planning first flight this summer. Cessna installed the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F engines on the Mustang in February. The company has accrued more than 210 hours of flight time on the engine test bed. The engines are flat rated at 1,350 pounds of takeoff thrust at sea level to ISA +10 degrees Celsius and are controlled by dual-channel full authority digital engine control.
AHS International is planning an International Helicopter Safety Symposium Sept. 26-29 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Conducted in concert with government and industry, the symposium will cover accident and safety characteristics of helicopter operations, weather and human factors and maintenance-related issues. The symposium will host workshops to discuss various factors and causes affecting helicopter operation safety and serve as a springboard to form working groups that will set safety goals for the next five years. For more information, contact www.ihss2005.com.
Symphony Aircraft Industries, based in Three Rivers, Quebec, received type and production certificates from Transport Canada for the Symphony 160 two-seat, single-engine aircraft. Symphony will deliver the first 160 this week to Ron Corbi of Corbi Aircraft Sales in Salem, Ohio.
"I am more optimistic than I've ever been," said NATA's Coyne about the prospects of general aviation once again accessing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The senior leadership at the Department of Homeland Security has been briefed about the Transportation Security Administration's plan to reopen DCA to GA, and that plan could be presented to Congress this week (BA, March 21/129).
EMBRAER BELIEVED TO BE LOOKING CLOSELY AT LIGHT JET MARKET - Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, which just recorded the most profitable year in the company's 35-year history producing large regional jets for the scheduled airline market, is believed to be seriously considering developing a new entrant in the light jet market. Two sources in recent weeks have said Embraer is exploring the launch of a new light jet program - possibly in conjunction with a partner - to compete with aircraft such as the Eclipse 500 and the Adam Aircraft A700.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is testing a series of laser warnings that will be directed at pilots who stray into restricted airspace around the Washington, D.C. area and hopes to have the system implemented in the next couple of months, according to the House aviation subcommittee. The House aviation subcommittee explored NORAD's plans at a hearing earlier this month on safety hazards associated with lasers directed at aircraft (BA, March 21/136).
FAA PROPOSES THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF O'HARE FLIGHT LIMITATIONS - The Federal Aviation Administration last week formally extended the flight limitations and reservation system at Chicago O'Hare International Airport through Oct. 29, 2005 and proposed continuing limits through April 2008. FAA called the proposal an interim measure, saying the agency "anticipates that the rule would yield to longer-term solutions to traffic congestion at the airport."
STEVENS NAMES ROLLS-ROYCE VETERAN PRESIDENT - Stevens Aviation named Glenn J. Brown, a veteran employee of Rolls-Royce Engines, as president and chief operating officer of the Greenville, S.C.-based aircraft service company.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-34-AD; Amendment 39-13998; AD 2005-05-09] - requires modification of the mid, aft, and forward upper liners in the baggage compartment. The modification involves replacing the plastic lens protection grids on all upper liners with new, light metal lens protection grids.
YINGLING OFFERS REPAIR HELP FOR CESSNA 400-SERIES OWNERS - Yingling Aviation says it is prepared to help operators of Cessna 402C and 414A twin-engine airplanes comply with a recent airworthiness directive (AD) requiring detailed inspections of the airplanes' wing spars.
Air Security International formed a Homeland Security Division to advise clients on global terrorism threats and implement plans to protect against imminent incidents. The services will include developing facility plans and preparedness programs; developing emergency preparedness, contingency and response plans; training; and security education programs. Offer Baruch, who has more than 20 years of experience in counter-terrorism, counterintelligence and security management, is heading the new division.
March 31-April 2 - Latin America Business Aviation Convention and Exposition LABACE2005, Sao Paulo, Brazil, (202) 783-9000 April 12-18 - Sun 'N' Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, Fla., (863) 644-2431 April 26-28 - Flight Safety Foundation/National Business Aviation Association Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, Orlando, Fla., (202) 783-9000 April 27-30 - Aircraft Electronics Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, Grapevine, Texas, (816) 478-3100
The Falcon 50-4, the Premier Aircraft/Honeywell program to upgrade the Falcon 50 with three TFE-731-4 engines, passed the first engineering milestone with the integration test of the existing nacelle and new engine nozzle at Honeywell's facilities in Phoenix, Ariz. The tests validated engineering estimates for initial nozzle development and verified thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption estimates. The upgrades are expected to give the Falcon 50 longer range, better hot-and-high performance, improved climb performance and more cruise thrust.
Jack Faris, president and chief executive of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), announced plans to retire from the organization March 31, 2006.
NORAD AUTHORIZED TO SHOOT DOWN AIRCRAFT THAT THREATEN NUCLEAR PLANTS - The military has signed agreements to provide air intelligence and protection for the nation's nuclear plants, including the shooting down of rogue aircraft that threaten the facilities, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says.
Precision Castparts Corp. completed the acquisition of Air Industries Corp. (AIC), a manufacturer of bolts, pins and screws made from titanium and nickel-base alloys. AIC employs 510 people at its facilities in Garden Grove, Calif.
SAAB SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary.
