Lufthansa Introduces BBJ On Dusseldorf-Newark Route - Lufthansa is the first airline worldwide to introduce a business jet on one of its thin long-haul routes. The airline plans to reintroduce its six-times-weekly service from Dusseldorf to Newark, N.J. on June 17 using a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) wet-leased from Swiss VIP operator PrivatAir. The aircraft will be configured in a 48-seat, all-business layout, a cabin interior superior to Lufthansa's mainline product.
Central Flying Service (CFS), the Little Rock, Ark. company that bills itself as "Arkansas' largest and oldest aviation center," completed the acquisition of Midcoast Aviation's Little Rock facility from Sabreliner Corp. of St. Louis. With the addition of Midcoast Aviation's modern executive terminal, nine aircraft hangars, and maintenance and paint facilities, Central Flying Service is now "the largest full-service fixed-base operation in the world," according to Dick Holbert, president of CFS.
Federal Aviation Administration issued special certification conditions for an S-Tec modification of the Piper Mirage PA-46-350P airplane. The supplemental type certificate covers the installation of a singled-sided electronic flight instrument system, which includes a Meggitt "Magic" display. The special conditions are designed to ensure that the display can be adequately protected from the effects of high intensity radiated field.
Lufthansa is the first airline worldwide to introduce a business jet on one of its thin long-haul routes. The airline plans to reintroduce its six-times-weekly service from Dusseldorf to Newark, N.J. on June 17 using a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) wet-leased from Swiss VIP operator PrivatAir. The aircraft will be configured in a 48-seat, all-business layout, a cabin interior superior to Lufthansa's mainline product. Seat pitch in business class on Lufthansa's Airbus A340s and Boeing 747-400s is 48 inches; PrivatAir offers 55 inches.
Jet Aviation recently received an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong, which permits the company to operate private jets for commercial aircraft charter in the Pacific Rim region. Jet Aviation manages a Bombardier Global Express aircraft that is available for charter. Equipped with seating for 10, plus a three-person couch, the aircraft has a maximum range of 6,700 nautical miles.
Lufthansa Technik, which previously completed its first two Boeing Business Jet 2 (737-800) aircraft, is preparing a specialized interior for a third BBJ 2 contracted for by Multiflight Ltd. The aircraft, which will be the first United Kingdom-based and G-registered BBJ 2, will have a 19-passenger layout.
NTSB'S NEW DIRECTION TO INCLUDE MORE HIGH TECH - Proclaiming that "the days of kicking tin are over," National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Marion Blakey said her agency's future direction would include using more advanced technologies and becoming a more open, knowledge-sharing operation. Blakey, speaking to the Aero Club in Washington late last month, said NTSB's future tools will be more high tech, and industry and academic input will be encouraged.
THE IOWA legislature last week agreed to cut the remaining $500,000 in aviation program funding (BA, May 27/245). While the state's Office of Aviation was given enough money to cover its operations, it was not given any money to spend on aviation programs. "We are already working on the challenges that lie before us," said Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa Office of Aviation.
BOMBARDIER-ROTAX 914 F series reciprocating engines (Docket No. 2002-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-12760; AD 2002-10-14) - requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain exhaust bend assemblies, which are located between the cylinder heads and exhaust manifold assembly. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks found in exhaust bend assemblies. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the cabin and to prevent the possibility of an engine fire.
TINA RULO was named vice president of human resources and administration for Eclipse Aviation Corp. Rulo has more than 20 years of human resources experience, serving as vice president of human resources for Western Multiplex, Hyperion Solutions and VLSI Technology Inc.
TAG AVIATION NAMES THREE TO NEW POSTS -TAG Aviation USA, Inc. named three individuals to new positions, including one who is returning to the company. William Glodfelty returns to TAG as director, client services, with responsibility for customer accounts in the western U.S. A 35-year veteran of the industry, Glodfelty began his career as an aircraft sales representative for Beech Aircraft. He later was district sales manager and western regional vice president for Gates Learjet Corp.
DONN E. SEIDHOLZ was named sales vice president at NetJets. He will be responsible for sales in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Seidholz was most recently the vice president, sales and marketing for Jet Linx Aviation.
Raytheon Aircraft is seeking new markets for its Beech 1900D 19-passenger airliner as regional airlines continue to transition their fleets from turboprops to jets. RAC was displaying a German-registered Model 1900D Executive configuration that includes an air ambulance component at last week's European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE). Beechcraft Berlin Aviation GmbH completed the 16-passenger interior that includes a Spectrum Aeromed Systems air ambulance installation in the aft cabin adjacent to the aircraft's cargo door.
Larry Ulrich, the veteran fixed-base operations executive, is stepping down as president of Denver jetCenter at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Calif. Ulrich has been named senior vice president of the parent company, jetCenters, Inc., where he will be involved in coordinating and enhancing FBO operations and analyzing potential acquisition opportunities. Succeeding Ulrich at Denver jetCenter is another industry veteran, David C. Miller, who most recently was director of finance and administration at the Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport.
DAN PROSSER was named western regional sales manager at AirCell, Inc. He will be responsible for sales and marketing in the western U.S. Prosser previously held sales and management positions at Avidyne, AlliedSignal, Stevens Aviation and IFR Avionics.
Cessna Aircraft named Trans Global Aviation Limited a Caravan authorized sales representative in Spain. The company will represent Cessna as MB Aviacion S.L. The appointment comes as Cessna delivers its first four Caravans to cargo companies in Spain. The Wichita, Kan. manufacturer said interest has picked up in the aircraft over the past six months from European operators thanks to a release of a proposed rule change that would allow single-engine turbine aircraft to operate commercially in instrument meteorological and night conditions.
OUIMET NAMED CHAIRMAN, BELLEMARE PRESIDENT AT P&WC - Pratt & Whitney named long-time company executive Gilles Ouimet chairman of Pratt & Whitney Canada and Alain Bellemare to succeed Ouimet as president of the Montreal-based engine maker. "Pratt & Whitney Canada is a strong and growing segment of the Pratt family with remarkable contributions to our overall company performance," said Louis Chenevert, president of Pratt & Whitney.
Central Flying Service (CFS), the Little Rock, Ark. company that bills itself as "Arkansas' largest and oldest aviation center," completed the acquisition of Midcoast Aviation's Little Rock facility from Sabreliner Corp. of St. Louis. With the addition of Midcoast Aviation's modern executive terminal, nine aircraft hangars, and maintenance and paint facilities, Central Flying Service is now "the largest full-service fixed-base operation in the world," according to Dick Holbert, president of CFS.
Larry Ulrich, the veteran fixed-base operations executive, is stepping down as president of Denver jetCenter at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Calif. Ulrich has been named senior vice president of the parent company, jetCenters, Inc., where he will be involved in coordinating and enhancing FBO operations and analyzing potential acquisition opportunities. Succeeding Ulrich at Denver jetCenter is another industry veteran, David C. Miller, who most recently was director of finance and administration at the Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport.
DAN PROSSER was named western regional sales manager at AirCell, Inc. He will be responsible for sales and marketing in the western U.S. Prosser previously held sales and management positions at Avidyne, AlliedSignal, Stevens Aviation and IFR Avionics.
F.I.T. Aviation LLC, Melbourne, Fla., a subsidiary of Florida Tech, recently took delivery of two Cessna 152s, two Cessna 172s and a Piper Warrior to meet its growing pilot training and rental needs.
BAE SYSTEMS LTD. Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-48-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the existing "Low Temp" terminal blocks "G" with new, fireproof ceramic terminal blocks "G" in engine zones 412, 422, 432, and 442. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the engine fire detection and suppression systems to operate properly in the event of a fire due to failure of non-fireproof terminal blocks, which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire in an engine.
Raymond Bennett was named sales vice president at NetJets. He will be responsible for sales in Georgia, North and South Carolina, as well as Chattanooga, Tenn. Bennett has previously worked as regional sales manager for Raytheon Travel Air and AlliedSignal Aerospace.
McKinney Aerospace expanded its avionics capabilities to cover a range of retrofits and factory-certified installations on medium, large and ultra-long-range business jets. McKinney decided last year to expand its internal avionics services after a four-year partnership with avionics specialist ElectroSonics. "Once this decision was made, the company moved aggressively to create an avionics department that would be an industry leader from its inception," McKinney said. The company hopes to receive FAA Designated Alteration Station recognition within the next year.
GULFSTREAM Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-123-AD; Amendment 39-12755; AD 2002-10-09) - requires repetitive inspections for evidence of fuel accumulation inside of the aft service compartment; and follow-on actions, if necessary. This AD also provides for an optional terminating modification. This action is necessary to prevent such fuel accumulation, which could result in fuel vapors coming into contact with ignition sources and consequent fire.
