The average prices of used business aircraft are still dropping, and average time for sale continues to lengthen, market research firm Jetnet reports. However, the used market is still better compared with the past couple of years. The used market is considered a key indicator of the general health of business aviation industry overall.
Supply issues hampered Hawker Beechcraft’s production of its Hawker 4000, King Air and piston lines, contributing to a nearly 23% drop in third-quarter deliveries, the company reports. Deliveries fell from 49 in the third quarter of 2010 to 38 in the most recent quarter. As a result, revenues for the company’s Business and General Aviation segment dropped 15.9% for the quarter, but operating losses improved 39.4%, the company says.
Elite Aviation has entered a partnership with Piaggio Aero to expand aircraft sales in North America. Elite Aviation will be the West Coast sales center for Piaggio, covering California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada, and spearheading sales of Piaggio Aero’s P180 turboprop aircraft out of the company’s office in Van Nuys, Calif.
AGUSTA AB139 and AW139 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1034; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-014-AD; Amendment 39-16816; AD 2011-20-06] – Conduct a daily check of the tailboom panels to detect bulging or deformation of the outer skin. If any bulging or deformation are found, perform a tap inspection for debonding. If a debonded area exceeds a certain limit, modify the tailboom. If a debonded area does not exceed the limit, repair the debonded area or replace the tailboom.
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-1041; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-109-AD; Amendment 39-16821; AD 2010-26-52] – Before further flight, unless accomplished previously, replace certain tail-rotor blades with airworthy blades. This AD supersedes an existing emergency directive (AD 2010-26-52), retaining its requirements, but adding new blade part numbers and serial numbers to the applicability.
The Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) has started its first helicopter ab initio technician training class at its campus in Guanghan, Sichuan Province. This is the first step in a long-term plan devised by Eurocopter and CAFUC to develop a pool of qualified helicopter technicians to meet China’s future needs. The goal is to train 120 helicopter technicians annually by 2015. Using a “train the trainer” approach, Eurocopter provides training to CAFUC instructors in China for one month and at its training academy in Germany for three months.
BOMBARDIER Challenger CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL-604 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1095; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-241-AD] – This proposal would require operators to replace or relocate certain bus bars and inspect (and rework, if necessary) any loose or improperly crimped lugs in affected circuit breaker panels and junction boxes. Also, operators would need to ensure there is no foreign object damage in the affected areas. This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is intended to prevent short circuits from occurring.
BRUCE COUSINS was appointed CEO of lighting specialist Carmanah Technologies Corporation. Cousins succeeds Ted Lattimore, who has served as CEO since 2007. Cousins formerly spent 13 years with Johnson & Johnson in finance and operations and in 2004 helped start up Aspreva Pharmaceuticals. Most recently he has been involved in the renewable energy industry, including tenures with Xantrex and Ballad Power.
Aviation industry groups are keeping up the pressure on Capitol Hill to stay away from user fees. The Air Transport Association last week released a “unified message to Congress” against the White House’s proposed $100 per-flight user charge from a coalition of nearly 30 organizations – including the major general and business aviation groups. ATA, which just a few years ago had sparred with the business aviation community over user fees, Oct. 27 reiterated its position that “Our policymakers should be focused on increasing U.S.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1088; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-099-AD] – The proposed AD would require operators to conduct a general visual inspection of the airstair structure and gearbox drain paths for sealant blockages, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-53-48 (dated Dec. 2, 2010). If any blockages were found, operators would need to remove them before further flight.
EMBRAER EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2011-0312; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-16838; AD 2011-21-15] – Conduct repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the rearward and forward face of the auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall. If any cracks are found, repair them.
Oct. 31-Nov. 2—ACI World Annual General Assembly and Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition, Marrakesh, Morocco, (514) 373-1219, www.aci.aero Nov. 7-8—National Air Transportation Association’s Line Service Supervisor Training, Atlanta, (800) 808-6282, www.nata.aero/events Nov. 7-10—Airports Council International-NA Airport Concessions Conference, Atlanta, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Nov. 8-10—National Air Transportation Association FBO Success Seminar, Atlanta, (800) 808-6282, www.nata.aero/events
Daher-Socata rolled out its 600th series production TBM turboprop aircraft, a milestone that the company says matches the original expectation for the life of the program. The 600th aircraft, a TBM 850, was unveiled during a ceremony at Daher-Socata’s factory in Tarbes, France, and will be destined for a customer in the northwestern U.S. The company first certified the TBM 700 single turboprop in 1990 and delivered the 300th in June 2004. The aircraft evolved into the TBM 850 with an 850-hp. engine in 2006. “With the roll-out of TBM No.
All commercial passengers arriving into the U.S. from another country will be subject to the $5.50 U.S. Customs user fee beginning Nov. 5. Previously, arrivals from Canada, Mexico and the nearby islands were exempt. Now, only U.S. territories are exempt. The National Air Transportation Association has advised operators to ensure they have the systems in place to begin collecting the per-passenger fee on Nov. 5.
Freestream Aircraft Limited, an international used aircraft broker, has opened offices in Hong Kong and Beijing to better serve the growing Asian business jet market. “Business jet use is accelerating as the Asian economies continue to grow and realize their vast potential,” says Alireza Ittihadieh, Freestream CEO. “Doing business in person is preferred in this region. Our offices here will enable business jet buyers and sellers to work directly, face to face.” The opening of the new office comes as Freestream celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Mobile flight information providers have been warning that a recent software update for the Apple iPad and other devices could cause charts and other navigation information to “disappear” from their systems. The problems are surfacing as operators have increasingly turned to the iPad for navigation and other electronic flight bag use. FAA has approved the iPad chart use for certain phases of flight with operators such as Executive Jet Management, CitationAir and others.
India’s business aircraft operators recently formed a new organization, the Business Aircraft Operators’ Association (BAOA), to position the industry for what they believe will be exponential growth over the next decade. “The business aviation industry is growing at an encouraging rate, and India is all set to be the third largest aviation market by 2020,” says Rohit Kapur, president of the new association and managing director of Arrow Aircraft, which sells Gulfstream aircraft in India.
Empire Aviation is looking to double the size of its business and also expand its regional footprint as the Dubai-based executive aircraft asset management company looks to write a new chapter in its business plan. With around 20 aircraft now under management, the plan is to double the number of aircraft it is responsible for in the next 18 to 24 months, says Steve Hartley, executive director at Empire Aviation Group.
BOMBARDIER Challenger 300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1089; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-110-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to determine if certain Avox Systems Inc. oxygen cylinder and regulator assemblies (CRAs) are installed, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-35-05, Rev. 02 (dated Jan. 31, 2011). If any affected assemblies were found, operators would need to replace them with new oxygen CRAs.
40 Years Ago Oct. 25, 1971 – Fairchild Industries considers acquisition of financially troubled Swearingen Aircraft Corp. after Piper Aircraft’s proposal to buy the firm is withdrawn. 30 Years Ago Oct. 12, 1981 – FAA launches short-term plan to reduce general aviation flights, including a reservation system for IFR operations. 20 Years Ago Oct. 21, 1991 – General Dynamics announces plans to dispose of Cessna Aircraft, its largest commercial division.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-1090; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-138-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to incorporate ModSum 4-126513, Seal System Shut Off Valve Control Logic Change, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-69, Rev. C (dated June 28, 2011). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, is designed to ensure that the airstair door opens properly. The inability to open the airstair door could impede an evacuation in the event of an emergency.
The Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) plans to base a donated Eclipse jet near the center of the country, where it can “cover unfilled missions from Walter Reed or Brook Army Medical Center and points between.” The VAC provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. The national organization, which is based in St. Louis Park, Minn., relies solely on the contributions of donors for finances, aircraft and pilot services.
American Eurocopter has sold five new Eurocopter EC130B4 helicopters to global finance company Milestone Aviation Group. The order is valued at $17 million, and deliveries will take place in the second half of 2012.
