JEFF LONG was promoted to director of safety for Executive AirShare. Long joined Executive AirShare in 2010, and previously was managed aircraft manager, overseeing the scheduling, maintenance and operations of Kansas City, Mo.-based aircraft managed by Executive Flight Services. Before joining Executive AirShare, Long served in the U.S. Air Force from 1988 to 2008.
Team BBJ has a clear goal for this year, encapsulated by the slogan: “12 in 12.” Specifically, the makers of Boeing VIP jets plan to deliver a dozen executive airplanes in 2012. These include eight of Boeing’s Brobdingnagian 747-8s, two BBJs and a pair of BBJ 2s. In late February, Capt. Steve Taylor, president of BBJ, delivered the first 747-8 to Wichita for installation of an “Aeroloft,” an aft-mounted sleeping berth designed by Greenpoint Technologies for up to eight people.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the General Aviation Infrastructure and Investment Coalition (GAIIC) have released a guide of best practices for airport leases with aeronautical service providers. The practices, developed in conjunction with Airports Council International – North America, are designed to help to facilitate long-term private investment in on-airport facilities.
Forbes Chairman Steve Forbes believes that business aviation is a key to growth in emerging markets, and that its growth days will return to old markets as well.
Senate Commerce Committee leaders are pressing Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to release the final repair station security rule sooner than year’s end and seeking regular updates until it is issued. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief John Pistole told industry groups late last year that the agency believed the rule would be completed by the end of 2012.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0142; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-275-AD] – proposes to require an inspection for part numbers; repetitive inspections for any cracking of certain hydraulic system accumulators, and replacement, if necessary; and revising the maintenance program to include a life limit for certain hydraulic system accumulators.
CESSNA Model 560XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1414; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-227-AD; Amendment 39-16982; AD 2012-06-01] – requires modification of the drain installation of the tailcone stinger on the aft canted bulkhead, inspections for drain holes in the forward and aft frames, and modification of the drain holes. This AD was prompted by reports of jammed or stiff rudder control due to water freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys of the stinger.
Now armed with additional information, the Obama administration and Congress are revisiting whether LightSquared should be able to build its 4G broadband communications network.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0267; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-174-AD] – proposes to require replacing the timer and monitor unit (TMU). This proposed AD was prompted by reports that the automatic de-icing mode became unavailable due to a TMU failure. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent loss of the automatic de-icing mode and consequent increased workload for the flight crew, which, depending on additional failures, could lead to loss of control of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 81 aircraft on the U.S.
Lufthansa Technik (LT) has undergone a careful and slow expansion of its capabilities to handle three widebody completions simultaneously – just in time for a peak in that market, says Walter Heerdt, senior vice president marketing and sales. A Boeing 767-400 now being completed at LT’s Hamburg facility will be joined by a Boeing 747-8, the first of that model, in September and then another 747-8 in December or January, Heerdt says.
Bombardier’s Vision Flight Deck recently entered service on a Global 5000 jet. The aircraft was handed over late last month to Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda, a longtime Bombardier customer. Bombardier partnered with Rockwell Collins to develop the flight deck, which incorporates synthetic imagery on a head-up display. The technology was certified as part of the Pro Line Fusion avionics suite. The Vision Flight Deck was awarded FAA certification in late February, and previously had received approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency and Transport Canada.
Bombardier Aerospace received an order valued at $292.5 million from AVWest of Australia for five Global 6000 ultra long-range jets. AVWest is a corporate jet operator that also owns and operates the fixed-base operations and business aviation services company Perth Jet Centre. AVWest’s fleet includes a Challenger 604 and three Global Express XRS jets. AVWest also has firm orders for four Global 7000 and two Global 8000 jets.
Correction: An article in the April 2 edition of BA misquoted Gulfstream’s Leo McStravick. The article should have stated that most business aviation operators emit less than 1,000 tons of CO2 annually, far less than the 25,000 tons allowed for the small commercial operators exempted from the European Union’s emissions trading system.
April 14-18—46th International Aviation Snow Symposium, Buffalo, N.Y., www.snowsymposium.org April 16-19—Airports Council International-NA Operations & Technical Affairs Conference, Las Vegas, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ April 16-19—Airports Council International-NA Environmental Affairs Conference, Las Vegas, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ April 18—2011-12 Balchen/Post Award For Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow & Ice Control. For application information & deadline visit www.snowsymposium.org
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) last week released preliminary information on its new model MD 540-F, single-engine turbine helicopter intended as a contender for the U.S. Army scout helicopter program and which is also likely to be offered to commercial operators, according to MDHI CEO Lynn Tilton. The company describes the 540F as an upgrade to its model 530F with a new all-composite, six-blade, fully articulated main rotor and ruggedized landing skids to allow for increased gross weight and useful load in high/hot conditions.
The Safran group’s Aircelle business unit signed an agreement to enlarge the scope of jet engine thrust reverser and nacelle repair and services performed by Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) in the U.S. The new agreement – concluded at the MRO Americas conference in Dallas – sets the framework to expand ACE’s maintenance, repair, overhaul and services activities for Aircelle. Aircelle produces nacelles and thrust reversers for a full range of jet engines, including powerplants used on regional and midsized airliners, as well as business jets. ACE is a U.S.
SHARON PFLIEGER was named director of organizational effectiveness for Gulfstream Aerospace. In her new position, Pflieger will lead employee learning and development, compliance and technical training and organizational development groups. She formerly was organizational development manager, providing support to Gulfstream’s business units in the areas of coaching, change management, facilitation and implementation of the Gulfstream leadership model.
Industry groups are lining up behind the pending nomination of FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta to be the next FAA Administrator, but Capitol Hill appears in no hurry to act on it. The White House on March 27 announced its intention to nominate Huerta to fill the role vacated by Randy Babbitt in December. Huerta currently is deputy administrator of the agency and has been acting administrator since Babbitt’s departure.
Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. is spearheading an alliance of 17 companies that are declaring their intent to develop the Chinese business aviation industry in an orderly fashion and to Western standards. “By founding the Shanghai Alliance … Minsheng aims to help nurture China’s business jet market on a sound, healthy and sustainable course,” the company says.
Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, which last fall became the first business aviation services provider in China to win Part 145 approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), is expanding its service reach with recent agreements with Dassault and Cessna to support the growing Chinese business jet fleet.
RUDY TOERING was appointed vice president of business development for FlightPath International. Toering joins FlightPath from CAE, where he held a number of positions, including director, global training delivery standards and data management. While with CAE, he established the pilot and maintenance training standards division and also managed all North American commercial training centers. He also has served with FlightSafety International as managing director of business development.
Hawker Beechcraft is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The airframer was founded in 1932 by Walter H. Beech, who left an executive position with Curtiss-Wright Corp. to design and manufacturer airplanes in Wichita. The company first delivered the Beechcraft Model 17 biplane, called the Staggerwing, and has since delivered a range of general aviation, business, commercial, special mission, trainer and light attack piston, turboprop and jet aircraft. “Hawker Beechcraft changed the course of general aviation,” says Bill Boisture, chairman, Hawker Beechcraft.
JUDITH MORETON was appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s facility at London Biggin Hill. Moreton has 25 years of aviation industry experience, holding operational roles with commercial airlines, senior management positions with Shell Aircraft and as operations manager for UPC Aviation Service. She also served as managing director of Bombardier Skyjet International and established her own business aviation consultancy.
Charter capacity in the Asian region has increased 20-25% over the past 12 months, as operators try to keep pace with the rapidly expanding market, reports Magnus Henrikkson of Avinode Business Intelligence on the opening day of the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai, China, Henrikkson attributes the capacity growth to airlines, including China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines and Korean Air expanding into the regional charter market with dedicated business jets.
