Initial indications of first-quarter results are spurring confidence that the business jet market is finally improving, says analyst RBC Europe Limited. Textron shares are up as it closed on its acquisition of Beechcraft. But other business aviation manufacturers, including Gulfstream and Rockwell Collins, have also enjoyed share gains recently. “Having been buoyed by some improved commentary in 1Q earnings, investors appear to have crossed an invisible threshold between being skeptical and now believing that we are finally seeing a business jet recovery,” RBC says.
Aircell has developed a new inflight communications system for business aircraft that combines voice, narrowband data and cockpit data link services into a single unit. The ST 4300, which provides global coverage, is available with one, two or three Iridium voice/narrowband data channels, plus one dedicated Iridium data channel. It enables business aircraft to tailor the cabin and flight deck communications to their specific needs. Aircell expects the ST 4300 will be eligible for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) certification. Shipments are slated to begin in June.
BRIAN MOORE was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Cessna learning center in Wichita. Moore has 24 years of experience with FlightSafety, joining the company in 1990 as an instructor at the Hawker Beechcraft Learning Center. He has since held positions of increasing responsibility and most recently was FlightSafety’s relationship manager with Beechcraft.
KEITH BENNETT has rejoined PAS Technologies as director of business development. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Bennett will steer business development strategies in the commercial aerospace and oil and gas segments. He first joined PAS Technologies in 1995, holding sales and operational management positions. He later served with Firth Rixson and most recently oversaw business development for OEM aviation and energy markets for Southwest United Industries. He began his career in 1987 as a senior design engineer for Pratt & Whitney.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD; Amendment 39-17784; AD 2014-05-11] – requires inspecting the turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack, and depending on the results, either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for corrosion. This AD was prompted by a report that a turnbuckle had failed because of corrosion.
The market for business and general aviation avionics grew by single digits in 2013, with sales topping $2.4 billion, according to the Aircraft Electronics Association’s (AEA) year-end avionics market report. Sales for the year reached $2.429 billion, compared with $2.229 billion in 2012. In addition to a slight improvement in the market, the 9% increase reflects more companies participating in the AEA survey, which was first reported for 2012. Comparing the same participating companies, sales grew 6.9% from 2012 to 2013.
Dassault Falcon rolled out a revamped Regional Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Seminars program that will encompass nine cities on three continents. The seminar series has grown over the years as the Falcon fleet has surpassed the 2,000 aircraft mark with more than 1,200 operators. The format was expanded to a two-day event that will provide access to Dassault specialists, engineering teams, pilots, authorized service center representatives and suppliers. The seminars will cover both operational and technical issues. The series begins in Paris April 1-2.
Landmark Aviation is entering the Atlantic City, N.J., market with the acquisition of Midlantic Jet Aviation. The agreement, the latest in a string of acquisitions, includes both the Midlantic Jet Aviation fixed-base operation and the Midlantic Jet Charters, based at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey.
BRIAN ANDREWS has joined Duncan Aviation’s airframe service sales team, focusing on providing technical sales support for Embraer clients. He joined Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich., facility in 1998 as an airframe technician and in 2007 became a project manager, working with customers and service areas to ensure aircraft projects remained on time and on budget.
AGUSTA Model A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0643; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-096-AD; Amendment 39-17773; AD 2014-04-14] – requires removing certain rod end assemblies from service. This AD was prompted by reports of fractures on the rod end assemblies that could damage the main rotor assembly and lead to loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates the AD affect 91 helicopters on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $368,186 for the fleet or $4,046 per helicopter. The AD takes effect April 7.
Capitol Hill is ratcheting up pressure on FAA to act on a now-aging industry petition for relief from third-class medical requirements with the Senate introduction of the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act.
Stevens Aviation has permanently based a mobile maintenance unit at Centennial Airport in Colorado. Stationed at the Signature Flight Support hangar, the Stevens mobile unit provides remote maintenance for Hawker, King Air, Phenom, Citation, Beechjet and Learjet aircraft. Stevens mobile units have serviced customers throughout the region, including Wyoming, Idaho and Utah.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0555; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-047-AD; Amendment 39-17779; AD 2014-05-06] – requires inspecting the flight-control bearings repetitively, replacing any loose bearing with an airworthy flight-control bearing, and installing bushings and washers. This AD was prompted by the discovery during a routine inspection of loose flight control bearings because of incorrect installation.
While winter storms may have slowed business aviation traffic in the U.S. and Canada in February from January, the activity was still slightly ahead of February 2013, Argus reports. Last month’s business aircraft flights were up 0.5% from February 2013, with charter operations posting the greatest gain, up 6.8%, Argus says. Part 91 flights, however, were down 2% from a year ago and fractional flights, still reflecting the demise of Avantair, down 4.3%. Aside from Avantair, large cabin fractional flights were up 12.9% and small cabins 19.9%.
FAA remains positive about the long-term outlook for turbine business aircraft even as the agency continues to moderate its annual forecast and predicts a shrinking piston fleet. In the agency’s Aerospace Forecast for fiscal 2014-2034, FAA is predicting the general aviation fleet will increase at an average annual rate of 0.5%, from an estimated 202,865 aircraft in 2013 to 225,700 in 2034. The annual rate of growth matches that of last year’s forecast, but the total number of aircraft is down significantly.
BOB SANCHEZ has joined Universal Avionics as program development manager, military and government. Sanchez previously spent eight years with BAE Systems, where he oversaw business development for a range of military programs. Before that, he spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics flight test specialist.
Textron Friday closed on its acquisition of Beechcraft Corp. parent Beech Holdings, and said that with the deal complete it will combine Cessna, Beech and Hawker operations in a new segment—Textron Aviation—led by Cessna CEO Scott Ernest. Beech CEO Bill Boisture will not continue on in the new company, a Beech spokesman confirmed. “Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker will each remain distinct brands to preserve their rich histories and respective strengths in the marketplace,” Textron said in a prepared statement March 14.
The National Air Transportation Association, working with the Transportation Security Administration, is rolling out a Known Crewmember program that will expedite access to sterile areas of airports for Part 135 and 125 pilots. Known Crewmember, a risk-based screening system, has been in place for Part 121 pilots since 2011. NATA President Tom Hendricks helped develop the program during his tenure with Airlines For America (A4A), and worked with A4A and the Air Line Pilots Association to bring the program to on-demand pilots.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0351; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-049-AD; Amendment 39-17770; AD 2014-04-11] – requires, for affected helicopters with certain tail rotor (T/R) blades, installing additional rivets to secure each T/R blade trailing edge tab, and inspecting for evidence of debonding of the tab after the rivets are installed. This AD was prompted by reports of T/R blade tab debonding.
The ground network for the U.S. automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system is close to completion, but FAA still faces years of work to integrate ADS-B data into air traffic control operations. The agency estimates that ADS-B is already being used operationally at one-third of its terminal approach control facilities, half of its en-route centers and two-thirds of eligible towers. The ADS-B network will have more than 600 ground stations providing complete coverage of U.S. domestic airspace. Exelis Inc.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation’s (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard (IAS) is receiving a significant boost from a teaming agreement with one of the largest and most well-known charter auditors, Argus International, which also was one of the IAS chief skeptics. ACSF and Argus announced their agreement in principle on the IAS during this month’s ACSF Air Charter Safety Symposium in Ashburn, Va. At the same time, Argus formally joined the foundation.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0770; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-057-AD; Amendment 39-17771; AD 2014-04-12] – adds a new operating limitation that requires increasing the minimum density altitude flight limitation for helicopters without certain Eurocopter modifications installed.
Falcon orders continued to strengthen in 2013, prompting Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier to say the market is moving away from a state of crises. Dassault took in net orders for 64 Falcons in 2013, the most since the economic downfall began in 2008, up from the 58 orders in 2012 and significantly improved over the 36 in 2011. But Trappier notes the market is still “convalescing,” and Dassault’s book to bill remained below 1.0.
