PIAGGIO's Avanti flew into the NBAA convention setting a new world speed record, pending National Aeronautic Association verification. The twin pusher-prop flew from Fort Worth's Meacham International Airport to Orlando Executive Airport in 2 hours and 25 minutes, reaching 361 knots at 29,000 feet. Piaggio's 50th Avanti set the record for Class C-1.E aircraft (6,614 pounds-13,228 pounds).
Matthew Betty was named regional vice president of charter services at Executive Jet Management. Based in Arlington, Texas, he will be responsible for aircraft charter sales in the central U.S. Betty was most recently regional sales manager, business jet services for FlightTime Corp.
Pamela Scharlach was named regional vice president of charter services at Executive Jet Management, responsible for sales in the western U.S. She was most recently director of sales at FlightTime Corp., where she specialized in aviation charter sales to the entertainment industry.
Matthew Betty was named regional vice president of charter services at Executive Jet Management. Based in Arlington, Texas, he will be responsible for aircraft charter sales in the central U.S. Betty was most recently regional sales manager, business jet services for FlightTime Corp.
Sino Swearingen reported last week that its SJ30 business jet has completed a third of its flight test program and is on track for FAA certification at the end of 2003. The company also added two new distributors to its network of 27. Business and Commuter Aircraft in Lyon, France and Sino Swearingen Mexico in Mexico City are the latest to join the network.
Delta Airelite Business Jets added two Gulfstream IV-SP business jets to its charter fleet through management agreements. One of the G IV-SPs is based in Grand Junction, Colo., and the other is based in Houston.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT, trying to generate some buyer interest and build the company's order backlog, has reduced the initial deposit to $75,000 for most Citation business jets ordered by the end of the year. Cessna Chairman Russ Meyer said the company also plans to hold prices for aircraft ordered by yearend that are delivered in 2002 and 2003.
CESSNA ADDING THIRD MEMBER TO CJ LINE - Cessna Aircraft, which has enjoyed great success in the entry-level end of the market with its CitationJet 1 and 2 aircraft, is launching a CitationJet 3 at this week's National Business Aviation Association convention, with Cessna officials hinting the new airplane has a substantial order backlog.
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.
