Docket No.: FAA-2002-11986 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Secs. 61.101(a)(2) and 61.113(a) Desription of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit volunteer pilots who hold private or recreational pilot certificates to conduct EAA Young Eagles flights for compensation to include meals for the participants, aircraft operating expenses, aircraft and airport security costs, and logging of flight time as pilot in command (PIC). Partial Grant, July 2, 2002, Exemption No. 7830
Jet Aviation, which has been seeking a buyer for its far-flung business aviation empire, has narrowed the list of potential buyers to four and signed an exclusivity agreement with an investment capital firm. Published reports last week identified 3i plc, a United Kingdom private equity fund that specializes in logistics and transportation companies, as the bidder with the inside track.
Jet Aviation's West Palm Beach, Fla. facility completed its first installation of a Universal Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and a Universal flight management system on a Gulfstream IISP. FAA requires the installation of TAWS in all turbine-powered aircraft by March 2005. The Universal TAWS provides visual displays and aural warnings of the surrounding terrain. The FMS, which contains a 12-channel GPS receiver, interfaces with the TAWS to display three-dimensional navigation maps and the aircraft's intended flight route.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9237 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 135.293(b) Desription of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Petroleum Helicopters Inc. and Air Logistics to consider the Bell Model 212, 412, and 412EP helicopters as a single type helicopter for pilot testing, training, and checking. Denial, July 12, 2002, Exemption No. 7834
Aircraft Technical Publishers has developed a new maintenance CD-ROM product line for Lycoming series engines. The Lycoming CD-ROMs incorporate maintenance manuals, parts catalogs, wiring diagrams, service information, component maintenance manuals and structural repair manuals. The CD-ROMs are indexed to ease accessibility to specific information on the four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines. ATP also provides monthly service and daily e-mail notifications for airworthiness directives.
Midcoast Aviation signed an agreement with Really Quiet LLC to provide ongoing engineering support for Really Quiet's hushkit and integrated thrust reverser system for Spey-powered Gulfstream aircraft. Midcoast also took options to install 10 of the hushkits, which were the first to win FAA approval on Gulfstream II, IIB, and III business jets (BA, Feb. 4/59). The hushkit incorporates a pylon-mounted translating ejector. During takeoff and approach, the hushkit forces exhaust through a nozzle into an ejector shroud that reduces exhaust velocity and noise.
TRANSPORTATION CHIEFS SCALE BACK GA RESTRICTIONS FOR 9/11 - The Federal Aviation Administration, coordinating with the Transportation Security Administration and several other government agencies, Thursday released four notices to airmen that restrict general aviation flights during specific hours on Sept. 11 in airspace over Washington, D.C. and Somerset, Pa., as well as during a three-day period over New York.
Jeppesen launched a new Flight Operations Services unit to deliver aircraft dispatch services to corporate operators. The new enterprise is designed to "support those operators who are constrained by limited resources by enabling them to remain focused on running healthy operations, while freeing them from making large investments in dispatch and flight operations support departments," the company said. The Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League is the launch customer for Flight Operations Services. The team operates a DC-9 under Part 125.
The Senate last week approved an amendment to the Homeland Security Department bill allowing pilots to carry guns in the cockpit and requiring self-defense training programs for flight attendants. The amendment passed 87-6 over objections from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Senate Commerce Chairman Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) also protested the amendment, but dropped his objections when the amendment was modified to require that the cockpit door remain closed throughout the flight, except for mechanical or "physiological" emergencies.
The major fractional providers operate more than 700 aircraft with more than 4,000 shareholders, according to AvData, Inc., of Wichita, Kan. Fractional aircraft's dramatic growth over the past six years - in shares, shareholders and fleet size - is depicted in a chart on Page 116.
One person aboard a Model 25C Learjet was killed and six others injured Aug. 30 when the aircraft ran off the end of the runway while making a landing at the Lexington, Ky. Airport. The aircraft, N45CP, was being operated by an emergency medical services provider.
Cessna chairman Russ Meyer said aircraft sales have improved over the past three months, adding that company will deliver almost as many Citation business jets this year as in 2001, when it delivered 306. The business jet production rate will fall to around 250 units in 2003, but Meyer said he "feels ever more confident about the long-range prospects of the industry." He indicated that Cessna will announce new products in each of the next several years. "The key for all of us is to get people excited about acquiring a new aircraft," he said.
Edward C. Araujo was named general manager of retail operations for BAA Boston. He will oversee day-to-day operations and handle leases and marketing. Araujo has more than 10 years of experience in airport retail, hospitality and tourism. BAA Boston is the developer and manager of a new retail program in Terminals B, D/E at Logan International Airport.
Jet Aviation, which has been seeking a buyer for its far-flung business aviation empire, has narrowed the list of potential buyers to four and signed an exclusivity agreement with an investment capital firm. Published reports last week identified 3i plc, a United Kingdom private equity fund that specializes in logistics and transportation companies, as the bidder with the inside track.
Despite a projected two-year decline in business jet deliveries that began this year and which will continue through 2003, healthy order backlogs for new business jets should enable manufacturers to deliver more than 7,600 aircraft valued at more than $121 billion between 2003-2012, according to Honeywell Aerospace's 11th annual Business Aviation Outlook.
Another production projection, from Forecast International/DMS, predicts a less bullish market for turboprops and pistons. In its study, The World Market for General Aviation/Utility Aircraft 2002-2011, Forecast International/DMS projects shipments at the lighter end of the market will peak at 2,100 units in 2006 and steadily decline after that. "The outlook would be brighter...were it not for the growing popularity of fractional ownership programs employing turbofan-powered corporate jets," said Forecast International aviation analyst Bill Dane.
Wing Aviation opened a new service center at Montgomery County Airport in Conroe, Texas, near Houston. The facility, which has 54,000 square feet of hangar space, will provide maintenance for most Gulfstream aircraft as well as services for other mid- and large-cabin corporate aircraft. The facility is equipped to provide interior refurbishment and upgrades, FBO line services, custom paint and detailing, avionics upgrades and repair and other maintenance services.
The Federal Aviation Administration, coordinating with the Transportation Security Administration and several other government agencies, Thursday released four notices to airmen that restrict general aviation flights during specific hours on Sept. 11 in airspace over Washington, D.C. and Somerset, Pa., as well as during a three-day period over New York. As expected, the NOTAMs establish 30-nautical-mile temporary flight restrictions over the designated areas, but are somewhat scaled back from the original plans (BA, Sept. 2/101).
Models AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, AT-501, AT-502, and AT-502A airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-60-AD) - proposes to require installation of an overturn skid plate in the cockpit area. This proposed AD is the result of reports of foreign material entering the cabin area and contributing to accidents of the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to minimize the possibility of dirt or mud penetrating the cockpit.
Cessna Aircraft delivered a Citation Excel to the Swiss government's Federal Office for Civil Aviation for government and ministerial transportation, the first Excel delivered to the Swiss government.
DPI Labs has teamed with Airshow to develop a multi-region airborne TV system and cabin management operating system for a Jet Aviation project. The system includes Airshow's new Tailwind 550 multi-region airborne TV system that connects to DPI Lab's Smart-Link III (SL-III) cabin management operating system. The Tailwind 550 system is designed for multi-region satellite reception including the Middle East and can receive satellite programs over the entire Ku-band from 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz.
Cessna chairman Russ Meyer said aircraft sales have improved over the past three months, adding that company will deliver almost as many Citation business jets this year as in 2001, when it delivered 306. The business jet production rate will fall to around 250 units in 2003, but Meyer said he "feels ever more confident about the long-range prospects of the industry." He indicated that Cessna will announce new products in each of the next several years. "The key for all of us is to get people excited about acquiring a new aircraft," he said.
Clay Lacy Aviation, which has operated a fixed-base operation at Van Nuys, Calif. (VNY) for 35 years, has partnered with Joe Clark, the chief executive of Aviation Partners, Inc. (API), to acquire the Flight Center FBO at Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle, Wash. The facility will be rebranded as the Clay Lacy Flight Center.
Number of employees at Cessna is about 12,800 now, following acceptance of a voluntary separation program by about 400 workers (BA, July 1/4). Employment will drop below the 12,000 mark next year as some production rates slow, but officials are confident hiring will rebound in 2004 as new aircraft models enter production.
