Tennis champion Novak Djokovic was named Learjet Brand Ambassador for Bombardier. He becomes the fifth brand ambassador for Bombardier Business Aircraft, joining actor and pilot John Travolta, architect Frank Gehry, maestro Valery Gergiev and classical pianist Lang Lang.
The business aviation community is concerned that a new Internal Revenue Service interpretation is opening the door for aircraft management programs to be treated as commercial carriers and taxed accordingly. The interpretation marks a departure from the treatment of managed flights, which are flown under Part 91 as private operations and have been taxed accordingly. But business aviation advocates say the interpretation also underscores growing pressure by the IRS to change the treatment of aircraft management.
Piper Aircraft named Aircraft Search & Aviation Professionals (ASAP) to its growing international network of dealers. ASAP’s aircraft sales branch will be called Piper India. Piper India has a strategic alliance with Saraya Aviation Pvtd., at IGI Domestic Airport in Delhi, to maintain and service Piper aircraft in the country.
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-2011-0994; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-143-AD; Amendment 39-16949; AD 2012-03-08] – supersedes an existing AD that currently requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracking or deformation, or pulled or missing fasteners, on the lower panel of the left- and right-hand main landing gear (MLG) doors, as applicable, and corrective actions, if necessary.
After years of delay, the Transportation Security Administration is placing a high priority on its long-awaited repair station security rule, but the agency is still targeting the fourth quarter for its release, a senior TSA official says. The rulemaking remains in coordination between the agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
Prospects for President Obama’s proposed $100-per-flight user charge are continuing to weaken, at least this year, as 28 U.S. senators express their opposition to the proposal. In a March 12 letter, the senators wrote the president expressing concern that the proposed charges would create a disincentive for pilots to use air traffic control services or fly in controlled airspace. “By discouraging ATC use, the proposal may inadvertently create a less safe aviation environment,” they say, endorsing the current aviation excise tax system.
Constant Aviation, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility based in Cleveland, has developed a Beechjet thrust reverser program to provide repair, overhaul, loaners and exchanges. The program culminates six months of groundwork, says Constant, adding that its research shows that thrust reversers on the Beechjet “are one of the most common issues operators are dealing with on a routine basis.” The company has built up an inventory for exchanges and loaner units. The program will also offer loaner units on TR doors. Constant will perform the work at its 18,000-sq.-ft.
Aerion Corp., the Reno, Nev. firm designing the Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ), has tapped U.K.-based Indigo Lyon to serve as an international sales representative. Based in Windsor, Indigo Lyon was founded by former ExecuJet Aviation Group managing director Peter Smales in 2001, originally in Australia, and provides aircraft sales and services internationally. The firm is the third to become an SBJ sales representative, along with ExecuJet Aviation Group, headquartered in Zurich, and Florida-based Aero Toy Store.
328 SUPPORT SERVICES Model 328-100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0912; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-035-AD; Amendment 39-16962; AD 2012-04-06] – proposes to require a modification of the engine control box assembly. This proposed AD was prompted by several runway excursion incidents and a single accident in which the power lever could not be operated as intended during the landing rollout on Model Dornier 328-100 airplanes. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent runway excursion, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.
Czech aircraft-maker Let Aircraft Industries has secured two customers in India for its 19-seat turboprop, the Let 410 UVP-E20. The Let sales agent in India, InterGlobe Established (Estd.), disclosed the orders at the India Aviation air show March 15 in Hyderabad. The customers are New Delhi-based Asia Aviation, which has ordered three aircraft, and Hyderabad-based Turbo Aviation, which has ordered one, InterGlobe President and CEO Nigel Harwood says.
Fargo Jet Center’s Keith Murray was named North Dakota Aviation Technician of the Year. Murray has been an aircraft mechanic for 25 years and has worked for Fargo Jet Center the past 16 years, currently as lead mechanic. He is certified to work on all single and multi-engine piston, single and multi-engine turbine and jet aircraft.
A Hawker Beechcraft management/employee group has decided to keep open a plant at its headquarters in Wichita that was scheduled to have closed in 2011 with the work either outsourced or transferred to Mexico. The Joint Partnership Steering Committee re-examined the plant and decided “operations will essentially remain unchanged.”
San Francisco-based business jet operator XOJet is continuing its marked turnaround that began as the business jet industry was in the midst of its worst slump in history, but company executives acknowledge they still have work to do. XOJet’s flight hours grew 30% last year alone, while the company added a third type to its fleet, developed three new programs and opened a new 22,000-sq.-ft. operations center in Sacramento, Calif.
Chattanooga Airport (CHA) officials are stepping up their defense of their eight-month-old fixed-base operation as the facility has begun to come under scrutiny for mounting losses. The facility has been controversial almost since its inception over the use of state and federal funding to run an operation in direct competition with a private fixed-base operator (FBO).
The Senate is pushing two seemingly contradictory measures designed to improve and yet further restrict air tours over national parks. The Senate approved two amendments on air tours to the comprehensive highway reauthorization bill before passing the legislation in a 74-22 vote March 14.
DANIEL WRIGHT is joining Simplex Aerospace as director of sustaining engineering. Wright has 25 years of aviation industry management, engineering and research and development experience, along with an expertise in aerospace composites. He most recently served as vice president of operations for Morgan Aircraft, a startup manufacturer, and he also has led projects for the Bell 206 twin engine retrofit, Pratt & Whitney PT6 Dual Pac Program, Cessna 206 and 207 turbine conversions, Boeing, Airbus, and other experimental aircraft manufacturers.
The small end of the business jet market continues to lag, says analyst J.P.Morgan. “Select management comments, anecdotal evidence, and an improving U.S. macro outlook are fueling expectations for the bizjet recovery to finally make its way into the lower end of the market, but we do not see this clearly in the data,” the analyst says. While Textron and Rockwell Collins have expressed optimism, “we see little change in tone from other players,” J.P.Morgan states.
Vietnam Air Service (Vasco), a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines, plans to buy a second general aviation aircraft for aerial surveying. Vasco is evaluating the Cessna 208 and the Pacific Aerospace 750XSTOL, Vasco Deputy Director Vu Duc Bien told Aviation Week in Ho Chi Minh City. Vasco is based in Ho Chi Minh City and currently uses one Beechcraft King Air for aerial surveying. The King Air is a twin-engine aircraft, whereas the new aircraft it is evaluating both have single engines.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes Docket No. FAA-2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-AD; Amendment 39-16968; AD 2012-04-12] – requires replacing air-driven generator (ADG) power feeder cables. This AD was prompted by reports of the ADG failing to provide power during operational/function checks due to wires in the ADG power feeder cables being damaged. The damage was due to galvanic corrosion and inadequate silver-plating. This AD requires replacing ADG power feeder cables.
Avfuel has added Eagle Creek Aviation Services in Indianapolis to its network of dealers. The fixed-base operation is participating in the Avfuel Contract Fuel and AVTRIP rewards programs. Along with a range of fuel and FBO services, Eagle Creek is an authorized Embraer Phenom and Twin Commander service center.
RON NUSSLE has joined Icon Aircraft as vice president of operations. Nussle previously served as director of strategic supply chain management at Cessna Aircraft for three years and spent 12 years at Honeywell Aerospace, holding engineering, operations, and program management positions. He has 26 years of operations, supply chain and program management experience.
Flight Options has received FAA authorization to use Apple iPads as a Class 1 electronic flight bag (EFB) device, becoming the first business jet operator to receive such approval. FAA has cleared a number of operators for use of the iPad to access charts in certain phases of flight, but the recent clearance covers a range of EFB activities. Initial clearance covers the Legacy 600 fleet, but the fractional ownership provider is working on authorization for the remaining fleet.
BILL THOMAS was named chief pilot for Jet Aviation’s aircraft management and charter division for the Americas. Thomas will direct 250 flight crew members and be responsible for helping develop operational policies and procedures, and oversee record-keeping for pilot recruiting, training and standardization. Thomas formerly was an FAA aviation safety inspector and all-weather operations program manager. He also has held positions as chief pilot, director of operations and captain for various flight operations.
Hawker Beechcraft is opening a new satellite Hawker Beechcraft Services maintenance facility at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta. This new facility will specialize in piston-engine aircraft services, including annual inspections, routine maintenance inspections, avionics checks, recertification, oil changes, and performance and upgrades such as the Bonanza Xtra package. While focused on piston aircraft, the center is equipped to service Hawker Beechcraft’s King Air, Premier and Hawker aircraft. The facilities include 12,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 2,300 sq.
BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG ROTAX 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2012-0126; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-16959; AD 2012-04-03] – requires performing a one-time inspection of the oil system for leaks and a torque check of the oil pump attachment bolts, and if leaks are detected, performing a one-time inspection of the oil pump and engine valve train, on certain serial number (S/N) BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating engines.
