The recent legal victory scored by environmentalist groups in their attempt to end the sale, distribution and use of aviation gasoline in California is capturing the attention of key federal agencies. FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt last week told attendees at the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Business Roundtable that the Department of Justice is weighing whether it should get involved in the matter. Under consideration is whether California-imposed fines and/or restrictions would overstep the state’s jurisdiction and conflict with federal regulation.
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is setting an ambitious goal—getting the FAA reauthorization bill signed into law by the end of the year, he said last week. “I’ll take whatever measures I need to finish this before the end of the year,” says Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) about the bill that has been extended 21 times already, including one extension that led to a two-week partial shutdown of the FAA during the summer. Mica says negotiations should be easier with an agreement on funding levels.
Indonesia’s Lion Air is planning to place an order for two Hawker 900XP business jets in order to start its new, yet-to-be-named, premium carrier, which will initially operate charters, but may later move into scheduled operations.
FAA, facing an increasing number of reports of laser attacks on aircraft, is stepping up its campaign against the growing problem. The agency has set up a new website (http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/report/laserinfo/), which is designed to educate the public on the dangers of laser attacks and make reporting of such events easier. The website places laser attack information, including downloadable videos, in one location.
RICHARD THOMPSON was named director of aircraft management sales for private jet operator TWC Aviation. Thompson will establish a new office to better serve the company’s growing client base throughout New England. He comes from Aviation Management Systems, where he was vice president of the Technical Services Group.
Additional government testing of GPS receivers for interference from LightSquared’s broadband-wireless network under a revised deployment plan is getting under way at Holloman AFB, N.M. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered the additional work after tests confirmed there would be severe GPS interference from the original LightSquared deployment plan, but indicated the problem would be reduced significantly if the company used only the lower of its two frequency bands, the one farthest from the GPS satellite signal.
Jet Aviation continues to make gains in its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work and fixed-base operations (FBO) services, but parent company General Dynamics is keeping a close eye on its completions business, says GD Chairman and CEO Jay Johnson.
STEVEN SCHELL has joined Landmark Aviation as general manager of its facility at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia. Schell has 25 years of general aviation industry experience, most recently as general manager for Atlantic Aviation’s facility in Burbank, Calif. He also has held management roles with Raytheon Aircraft Services, United Beechcraft and Hangar One.
CEPA Expo 2011 exhibitors are said to include Bombardier, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft. The annual business aviation conference for Central and Eastern Europe is to be held on Dec. 1-2 at the Prague Congress Center in Prague, Czech Republic. Highlights of this year’s expo are to include a manufacturers’ panel, a legal panel and a session that will focus on aircraft financing and availability in the region.
Clint Bowyer, a Kansas native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, has signed an order for upgrades to his Beechcraft Premier IA. Bowyer is the launch customer for a synthetic vision system (SVS) upgrade to his Rockwell Pro Line 21 displays, addition of new aftermarket winglets by Winglet Technology and installation of an Aircell ATG 5000 system, which provides high-speed wireless Internet service in flight. The SVS provides real-time 3-D simulated terrain and runway images, giving the flight crew clear images in all weather conditions.
Piper Aircraft is shelving its single-jet program, the PiperJet Altaire, and making plans to let go of up to 200 workers as it refocuses its energies onto its piston and turboprop programs, the company says.
Garmin has received European Aviation Safety Agency approval for the installation of its Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and Iridium datalink in G1000-equipped King Air 200 and B200 aircraft. The Garmin ESP and Iridium datalink systems provide safety capabilities such as stability augmentation, onboard worldwide datalink weather and access to a variety of voice and data services.
WILLIAM (DANNY) MCCUTCHEN was named vice president and general manager of Argosy’s Logistical Services group, which was recently spun out as a separate division. McCutchen previously served as vice president of the parent company’s supply chain management operations. He joined the aerospace and industrial composites and materials provider in 2006 and formerly held logistics and supply chain management roles at shipping companies in Tampa, Fla., and Charleston, S.C.
Execaire, a Montreal-based aircraft management company, recently received the Argus Platinum rating concurrent with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 1 audit using the Argus combination audit program. The Platinum rating is the highest quality rating that Argus awards.
Jet Systems, a fixed-base operation at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York, has rebranded as an Avfuel dealer. Jet Systems has been based at HPN for 18 years and completed a multi-million renovation in late 2006, with added features such as floor-to-ceiling tropical aquariums, piano music and Starbucks coffee. The facility was designed to accommodate aircraft up to the size of the Boeing Business Jet.
STEVE PHILLIPS was promoted to vice president of communications for FlightSafety International. Phillips is responsible for the design, development and distribution of FlightSafety’s internal and external communications programs. He joined FlightSafety as director of communications in 2005 and has helped to launch and support many of FlightSafety’s products, services and programs.
Waco Classic has received type certification for the Great Lakes 2T-1A, doubling the number of biplane models produced by the Battle Creek, Mich., manufacturer. Company co-owner Peter Bowers says work on the first Great Lakes will begin immediately, and that deliveries should begin in 2013. The Great Lakes has been out of production for several years. A VFR aerobatic aircraft, the new model of the Great Lakes is expected to cost about $240,000, according to Bowers. The company also builds the three-seat WACO YMF-5D.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) last week praised House passage of a bill that is designed to block implementation of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) for aircraft flying from the U.S. to the European Union. The bill, The European Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2594), passed Oct. 24 and essentially prohibits U.S. carriers and general aviation operators from participating in the cap-and-trade program designed to reduce carbon emissions.
Bombardier Aerospace will build the aft fuselage for its new Bombardier Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets in Queretaro, Mexico, a move that continues to expand its substantial presence at the location. The Queretaro facility already produces the aft fuselage for Bombardier’s Global 5000 and 6000 jets, as well as major composite structures for the Learjet 85.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 100, 440, 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes. [Docket No. FAA-2011-0564; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-021-AD; Amendment 39-16830; AD 2011-21-07] – Replace water accumulator assemblies installed on the pitot and static lines of the air data computer with new or serviceable water accumulator assemblies, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-34-147, Rev. B (dated March 8, 2011) or 670BA-34-030, Rev. B (dated March 23, 2010).
Hawker Beechcraft turbine-powered aircraft have been approved to use biofuels that meet American Society for Testing and Materials International turbine fuel standards. Hawker Beechcraft officials say that biofuels are a renewable resource that can help reduce the use of fossil fuels and minimize carbon emissions, adding that the company’s efforts to ensure its fleet can utilize environmentally friendly fuels coincides with its decision earlier this year to become a founding member of the Aviation Green Alliance.
Jettech, the Denver company that specializes in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) aftermarket solutions, has received an FAA supplemental type certificate for the installation of dual Garmin G600s in Piper Cheyenne III, IIIA and 400LS aircraft. The mod also includes RVSM-capable air data computers, and Garmin GTN 650 and 750 instruments are available as an option. Jettech will begin offering initial installations at its Denver facilities, and then will distribute kits that will be available through Jettech-approved Garmin-authorized dealers.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710 engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0684; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-27-AD; Amendment 39-16842; AD 2011-22-01] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the operator’s approved maintenance program to change the requirement to record each touch-and-go or overshoot from 1/5 of a flight cycle (FC) to 1 FC on an engine installed on an airplane used for pilot training.
General Dynamics is expecting a significant pickup in cash flow this quarter as its Gulfstream Aerospace unit begins to ship initial G650s by year’s end, but a software issue will likely push off G280 shipments until 2012, GD Chairman and CEO Jay Johnson told analysts last week during the release of the company’s third-quarter results.
