Very-light-jet (VLJ) pioneer Vern Raburn has been named CEO and chairman of Titan Aerospace, a New Mexico-based start-up developing solar-powered, high-altitude, ultra-long-endurance unmanned aircraft. Titan is developing the Solara series of “atmospheric satellites,” aiming to fill the gap between conventional aircraft and spacecraft with solar-powered UAVs that can stay aloft at 65,000 ft. for up to five years.
After a summer where business aircraft flying strengthened notably in North America, activity slowed in September, but still ended the third quarter up over the previous year, according to business aviation analyst Argus. The September slide, down 4.9% over August, tracks with historical trends of slowing travel as the summer end. But it was still up 1.3% over September 2012, showing a slow but continual trend of improving flight activity since the first quarter, even if the improvement was only modest.
Quintessentially Aviation Handling is launching what it hopes will be a chain of fixed-base operations, beginning with a facility in Shannon, Ireland. The first QA FBO began operations this month through a partnership with Sky Handling Partners. Quintessentially plans to move into a new facility later this year that includes crew accommodations with a rest area, showers, flight-planning capabilities, WiFi, satellite TV and a lounge. The facility will be a strategic partner with World Fuel and a member of the Air Elite network of independent FBOs.
Mooney Aircraft is taking initial steps to return to production after receiving a round of funding from the California-based engineering firm Soaring America Corp. Mooney and its newest investor completed the deal on Oct. 7, clearing the Kerrville, Texas single-engine manufacturer to restart production in January. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Clay Lacy Aviation has added 15 new aircraft to its charter and managed aircraft fleet so far in the second half of 2013, marking “the most dramatic growth since the company’s founding in 1968 and a resurgent aviation market.” The new additions increase Clay Lacy’s fleet to 75 jets and include Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker and Falcon jets.
A softening of purchase expectations in several regions led Honeywell Aerospace to scale back its 10-year forecast for new aircraft deliveries, but the increasing preference for large-cabin, long-range aircraft is keeping the anticipated dollar value of those deliveries at the same level as in previous forecasts. In its latest Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell predicts a market for 9,250 new business jets valued at $250 billion through 2023.
Embraer’s executive jet deliveries continue to strengthen this year, with third-quarter shipments reaching their highest levels since 2009. The Brazilian airframer’s business jet deliveries eclipsed commercial deliveries in the third quarter, but new commercial orders helped increase its backlog, which is approaching prior levels again.
Cessna Aircraft’s business jet delivery woes continued into the third quarter with shipments dipping to 25 units, down from 41 units last year, resulting in another quarterly loss, Cessna parent Textron reported Oct. 18. Cessna posted a $23 million loss in the quarter, compared with a $30 million profit a year ago. The third-quarter results follow a $50 million loss in the second quarter, when deliveries plummeted by 50% to 20 business jets.
The National Business Aviation Association, celebrating the 60th year of its Flying Safety Awards, plans to recognize 14 member companies for their safety records during this week’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. This year’s program will honor eight companies with the 60 Year Safe Flying Achievement Award: Citigroup Corporate Aviation, Duke Energy Corp., The Kroger Co., NCR Aviation Department, PPG Industries, SC Aviation, Spectra Energy Corporation and Twin Disc. Six others will receive the 50 Year Safe Flying Achievement Award.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is planning a special seminar on safe operations in urban areas on Oct. 24 at Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California (SMO). The seminar, to be held by the AOPA Air Safety Institute, follows a recent Citation crash at SMO that killed four and stirred up ongoing community opposition to the airport there. Activists have long wanted to shut down the airport, arguing its layout is unsafe and the runway buffer zones are inadequate. The most recent accident has spurred Rep.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) [Docket No. FAA-2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD] – proposes to require modification of the direct current power centers. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status indications on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays.
CRAIG FULLER , the former Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president who recently joined the board of directors of Redbird Flight Simulations, was named chairman of the board for the Austin, Texas-based training company. The appointment of Fuller will free founder Jerry Gregoire to focus on expansion strategies, research and new product development, Redbird says. Fuller brings a background of business, public policy and government experience to his new role.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 2000 and 2000EX [Docket No. FAA-2013-0862; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-098-AD] – proposes to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures to advise the flight crew of the new center of gravity (CG) limits. The proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new CG limits applicable during takeoff with a Slat/Flap SF2 setting are necessary. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent an erratic takeoff path and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposal would affect 69 aircraft on the U.S.
GUSTAVO BOTURA has joined Naples Jet Center as director of Embraer sales. Botura will market both maintenance and aircraft sales for Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft. He will also have marketing and sales responsibilities in South America. Botura previously spent seven years with Embraer in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, holding positions that ranged from landing gear and spare parts sales to overseeing Phenom deliveries and customer care.
AgustaWestland has flown the first production AW189 helicopter in Italy. The 8-ton aircraft – ultimately destined for launch customer Bristow – took to the air at the company’s Vergiate facility on Oct. 10. The aircraft is still pending type certification, which is expected soon following what the company called a “milestone” AW189 type board meeting held in Germany in late September.
ExcelAire is expanding its presence in New York with the opening of an office and hangar spaces at White Plains Airport. ExcelAire, which is based at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), says the new facilities will help accommodate a growing demand for management and charter services in the Westchester, N.Y. area. The facility will provide aircraft management and charter services, and currently has a Cessna Citation CJ3 and Falcon 900 based there. ExcelAire’s fleet continues to grow, most recently with the addition of the CJ3.
Bell Helicopter reached agreement on a five-year contract with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) and UAW Local 218, representing about 2,400 of the company’s production and manufacturing employees. The agreement was ratified on Oct. 13 with 93% of the vote. The previous contract lapsed in June and UAW members had rejected two prior contract offers.
DARIN HOWELL was appointed regional commercial sales manager in North America for Bell Helicopter. Howell, a former CH46 helicopter pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps, has held marketing and business development roles in the aviation and technology industries. In his new role, he will be responsible for sales in the Northeast U.S.
Duncan Aviation is expanding its service capabilities with the addition of a 10th Rapid Response engine location in Portland, Ore., and increased accessory shop space at its facility in Lincoln, Neb. Based at Portland International Airport, the new Rapid Response unit will provide mobile engine services such aircraft-on-ground emergency services, and many scheduled and unscheduled events, including engine changes. The Portland area formerly was served by Duncan Aviation’s response team in Seattle.
Airborne is re-entering the fixed-base operation business with a facility at Stewart International Airport in New York. Airborne created a new subsidiary, Airborne Aviation Services, to run the FBO. Jeff Madtes, who serves as president of Airborne’s charter and management subsidiary, Firstflight, will also serve as president of the FBO. The FBO initially will be housed in facilities at the intersection of Runway 9/27 and 16/34, with the company planning future development of a hangar.
A bill designed to boost the general aviation industry took a step closer to final adoption after the Senate recently approved the measure by unanimous consent.
Aviation industry leaders are trying to ratchet up the pressure to get FAA reopened, saying the continued shutdown is halting thousands of certification projects and holding up billions in aircraft deliveries. National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen sent letters urging President Barack Obama and congressional leaders to either end the shutdown or re-evaluate which services are shuttered, saying the current situation is having “grave repercussions” on all aspects of the general aviation industry.
Almost a year after Embraer flew its first midsize jet, the Legacy 500, the company is preparing to fly its smaller sibling, the Legacy 450. The two models, essentially the same aircraft sized for different markets, are part of the Brazilian airframer’s ambitious agenda to offer a product in every major business-jet category.
