Dassault Falcon will begin operations at a new customer service headquarters in Beijing in early 2013. It will be staffed by local specialists experienced in receiving and processing spare parts orders, warranty and FalconCare claims. At least two type-rated Falcon pilots will be based in Beijing to provide jump-seat support for new and existing Falcon customers.
Companies that used business aviation during the “Great Recession” fared much better than businesses that parked their aircraft or did not use business aviation, according to a new study released last week by the National Business Aviation Association. The study, “Business Aviation—Maintaining Shareholder Value Through Turbulent Times,” finds that business aviation users represented 84% of the S&P 500 companies in 2011, and a significant number of companies that dropped off the S&P 500 list during the downturn were non-users.
Used business aircraft sales slowed slightly, particularly in the light jet segment, and inventory began to creep back up in the third quarter. But used market indicators overall were a “mixed bag” as pricing strengthened for both business jets and turboprops, according to industry analyst Amstat. Aircraft manufacturers and industry analysts closely follow used jet indicators—particularly the available inventory and pricing—to monitor the overall health of the industry.
National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen notes the prevailing sentiment has been that buyers of large business jets have been more immune to the effects of the prolonged recession. But Bolen disagrees with the sentiment. “The reality is the recession has affected them,” he says, but the needs of those buyers have shifted. “I just think the business model has changed,” he says.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model G58 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0829; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-024-AD; Amendment 39-17221; AD 2012-21-05] – requires replacement of the incorrect gauge wiring with the correct wiring required by type design and the aircraft’s circuit protection. FAA estimates the AD affects 40 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $56,400, or $1,410 per aircraft. The AD takes effect Nov. 27. For more information, contact Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kan.
Kestrel Aircraft selected a Cox and Company electrical-mechanical expulsion deicing system for its single-turboprop aircraft, part of a series of refinements that the company is making as it works toward finalizing a design. Alan Klapmeier, the former Cirrus Aircraft founder who is developing the Kestrel, says use of the electrical-mechanical deicing system will provide a smooth leading edge surface to lower drag and reduce fuel consumption.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1015; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-069-AD] – proposes to require modifying the main landing gear control panel 33G, connector 100G, and wiring. It also would require tests to ensure that these modifications function correctly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of electro-valve power supply disruptions while a helicopter is on the ground, causing the landing gear to retract and the helicopter nose to drop.
Aviation Week promoted Beth Wagner to associate publisher of BA affiliate Business & Commercial Aviation (BCA). Wagner, who has 15 years of sales experience primarily focused on the business aviation community, will lead business development, expansion and the global sales efforts across the U.S., Canada, and Europe for BCA. She also will represent Aviation Week’s integrated business aviation portfolio.
ANDY FERNANDES was appointed regional manager for Duncan Aviation in India. Fernandes joined Duncan in 1999, holding airframe, customer services and projects roles. In addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to serve as avionics installations sales representative supporting operators in India.
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is pledging to work alongside industry to combat user fees and other proposals that he considers harmful to the business aviation industry. Speaking during the opening general session of the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla., Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) called the industry’s No Plane No Gain the “absolutely perfect” message to convey to decision makers in Washington.
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a hurricane and a nearly 12-hr. presidential temporary flight restriction (TFR), attendance at the National Business Aviation Association’s 65th Annual Meeting and Convention dropped off only slightly and only two of the nearly 1,100 exhibitors dropped out for weather reasons. This year’s event drew 25,150 attendees – down from the 26,077 in 2011, but still up from the 24,206 a year earlier.
DAVID POWELL joined FlightSafety International as executive director, helicopter business development. Powell previously spent 25 years with Sikorsky Aircraft, most recently as vice president of sales for the Americas. He also served as vice president of sales for Asia.
MIKE WEST was named vice president, product support sales and new business development for Gulfstream Aerospace. West joined Gulfstream in 1999 and has been director, product support programs since September 2002. He also has served as executive vice president and general manager, respectively, for TBM Inc. and AC Tech.
Bombardier and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are set to return to the bargaining table as the nearly month-long strike involving 825 workers in Wichita continues. Bombardier’s Learjet unit and IAM Local 639 agreed to resume negotiations at the request of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), FMCS Director George Cohen said Friday. Members of Local 639 went on strike Oct. 8 after rejecting a five-year contract proposal over health benefits and wage increases.
Hawker Beechcraft, which is asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for permission to cancel certain warranties and factory-sponsored programs for the Hawker 4000 and Premier 1A, is estimating that the costs of continuing that support over the next five years could exceed $200 million.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS365N3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-1014; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-058-AD] – proposes to revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or night visual flight rules (VFR) for each helicopter with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1 installed upon a non-reinforced shelf in the rear cargo compartment.
ALPHA AVIATION CONCEPT Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0798; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-023-AD; Amendment 39-17208; AD 2012-20-02] – requires an inspection of air filters of P/N 57.34.00.010 to determine if a metallic mesh is fitted and replacement if necessary. This AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the civil aviation authority of New Zealand.
Rolls-Royce will triple the number of its authorized service centers (ASC) around the world by the end of this year in a major expansion spurred by the entry into service of the globe-trotting Gulfstream 650. The company announced in May that it intended to increase its ASC network to 19 by the end of the year. It will now have agreements in place with 34 maintenance providers worldwide by year’s end, says Andy Robinson, senior vice president for customer services. “We had nine ASCs in the beginning of the year,” he says.
Bombardier is expanding its support efforts for its business aircraft customers in the U.S. with plans to install seven dedicated “Mobile Response Parties” (MSP) throughout the country, along with the opening of three regional support offices (RSO). Each MSP will be staffed by an avionics and maintenance technician and equipped with a customized truck carrying tooling to provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance at an operator’s location. The MSPs will be established over the next two months. They will augment Bombardier’s RSO network.
Honeywell, named the exclusive wireless airtime reseller for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band for business aviation, is partnering with Arinc Direct and OnAir to distribute the connectivity services to the market. Honeywell recently signed a five-year agreement to serve as a “master distributor” for Global Xpress, marking the company’s first entry into distribution of the service itself.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model C90GTi (King Air) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0830; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-026-AD; Amendment 39-17222; AD 2012-21-06] – requires replacing incorrect gauge wires in certain electrical power wiring bundles, inspecting associated wiring bundles and components for heat damage, and taking all necessary corrective actions. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect gauge wires used in certain wiring bundles for the cockpit electrical power for backlighting and instrument panel components.
RICHARD GARDNER was appointed regional manager for Duncan Aviation in Australia and New Zealand. Gardner will build and maintain relationships with aircraft operators, management organizations and other service providers in the region, along with closely following regional regulatory issues. Gardner has served as an international representative in New Zealand for Duncan Aviation since 2007. Before that, he served with Air New Zealand and Pacific Turbine. He initially became affiliated with Duncan through his own company, SinglePoint Assist.
Hawker Beechcraft has accumulated 45 flight-test hours on three aircraft for its Hawker 400XPR program and expects to receive the remaining certifications and begin delivery of the first fully upgraded aircraft by the end of first quarter 2013.
