Executive Air Services (EAS), a Miami-based aircraft charter and management company, has added three jets to its fleet: a 1983 Learjet 55, a 1999 Learjet 60 and a 2001 Bombardier Global Express. EAS now offers nine aircraft for charter, and EAS President Matthew Winer says the company expects to further increase its fleet before the end of the year.
Tokyo’s Narita International Airport plans to open the first dedicated business jet terminal serving Japan’s capital in March 2012. The terminal, located near passenger Terminal 2, includes full concierge services; ground transportation; and customs, immigration and quarantine facilities. Aircraft will be able to approach the terminal for boarding and disembarking.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 engines [Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace the existing rail-pressure control valve with a new valve. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent failure of the rail pressure valve, which could result in an inflight engine shutdown. The new proposed AD is a revision of an existing directive (AD 2010-06-12) with amended compliance times.
Cessna Aircraft’s backlog continued to slide in the third quarter, but a jump in Citation deliveries helped drive a $64 million increase in profit, Cessna parent Textron says. The increase in profitability continued a turnaround for the Wichita manufacturer, which had recorded a $38 million first-quarter loss that helped lead to the departure of Cessna chief Jack Pelton.
Landmark Aviation continues to cement its presence in Florida with the addition of operations at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Landmark officially began operations at TPA on Oct. 8 in a facility that includes 44,500 sq. ft. of hangar space, in addition to a passenger lobby, pilot lounge, executive conference room, snooze room and flight planning center. The facility will offer fueling, grounding handling and concierge services, as well as hangar and office revenues.
FlightSafety International has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) in Mexico for two Level D simulators and three Level 7 qualified flight-training devices. FlightSafety has now received approval for 274 of its simulators and flight training devices from the DGAC in Mexico. The DGAC approved FlightSafety’s Dassault Falcon 7X and Eurocopter EC135 full-flight simulators that entered service this year at the training company’s Learning Center in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
Actor Harrison Ford joined with the Senate’s General Aviation Caucus last week for a discussion of, among other things, the government’s plan to move aviation away from the use of leaded gasoline. Ford, who has flown as an amateur pilot since he appeared in the presidential thriller Air Force One, owns planes that would be affected by a switch to more environmentally friendly fuel. GA Caucus Co-Chair Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) notes, “The lead gasoline fuel issue is a huge issue.
Signature Flight Support has expanded benefits again for Signature Status, its customer loyalty program. New benefits include services from Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., including free aircraft-component evaluation, free return shipment on component repair or overhaul, and free technical support by phone. As an incentive for members to commit their aircraft components to Ontic Engineering early, members can receive 1,000 gal. of Jet A fuel, redeemable at any of Signature’s U.S. locations, a benefit only available through Signature Status.
Bombardier Aerospace has long said it is committed to keeping jobs in Canada, and President Guy Hachey reiterated that pledge to analysts at the recent National Business Aviation Association convention. “Our more strategic manufacturing will remain in Canada,” he says, but adds the word is “globalization,” and it’s an increasingly interconnected world in which Bombardier works. The company has announced high-profile partnerships with Shenyang in China for composite fuselage components on its commercial aircraft. Bombardier also has a significant presence in Mexico.
Gulfstream Aerospace recently completed two successful back-to-back international operators forums, one in conjunction with Jet Expo 2011 in Moscow and another in Beijing. A third is scheduled for later this year in conjunction with the Dubai International Air Show. The forums provide operators with updates on maintenance and operations, including fleet status, maintenance management, technical training and pending technical bulletins. In addition, the company reviews its fleet support services to ensure operators continue leveraging all available support offerings.
ExecuJet South Africa has been named an approved agent for Garmin, the satellite navigation firm. ExecuJet South Africa’s on-site avionics shop also is an approved dealer or installer for Avidyne, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, S-Tec and Universal Avionics products. In addition, the EASA Part 145-approved facility offers maintenance services for business aircraft built by Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream and Hawker Beechcraft.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, -34, -34AG, -34B and -36 engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-1038; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-31-AD; Amendment 39-16843; AD 2011-20-51] – Remove certain part manufacturer approval (PMA) replacement Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies Inc. (TAATI) first-stage reduction sun gears and the interacting planet gears from the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. This AD was prompted by failures of certain PMA sun gears manufactured by TAATI. This directive is effective Nov.
Industry leaders will have the ear of at least one of the presidential candidates today (Oct. 24) during the National Air Transportation Association’s annual Aviation Business Roundtable. Herman Cain, the businessman, columnist and radio host who announced his candidacy May 21, will provide a presidential election perspective to attendees of NATA’s event. Other leaders participating include FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and a number of industry leaders.
James Bond would be proud of a new Avro Business Jet cabin layout that has been unveiled by U.K. design consultancy Design Q. The so-called “ABJ Q” interior is a contemporary living and working space that is “bristling with technology and gadgets that are discretely concealed in the beautifully crafted furniture but available at a moment’s notice,” the company says.
NORBERT EHRICH was named vice president and general manager of Central and South America for Jet Aviation. Ehrich will focus on the company’s operations in São Paulo and Sorocaba, Brazil, as well as explore additional business opportunities in Central and South America. He will be responsible for all of Jet Aviation’s lines of business in this region. Ehrich has served with Jet Aviation for nearly 20 years, most recently as leader of its fixed-base operations in Palm Beach, Fla., Dallas and St. Louis.
House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee John Mica (R-Fla.) has joined the growing chorus of lawmakers opposing the White House’s proposed $100 air traffic services fee. In a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (or the so-called Super Committee), Mica says the proposed $100-per-flight fee “is an arbitrary number with no basis for its establishment.”
FOKKER F27 Mark 050, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700; and F28 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0568; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-010-AD; Amendment 39-16824; AD 2011-21-01] – Rework the wiring to the fuel pilot-valve solenoid and install a fuse packed in a jiffy junction (crimped wire in-line junction device). Also, revise the maintenance program to include a Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation.
The Transportation Security Administration has been able to work more closely with FAA and Secret Service on addressing concerns surrounding temporary flight restrictions (TFR), says Doug Hofsass, TSA deputy assistant administrator for transportation sector network management, adding, “We couldn’t have said that two years ago. There was just a different level of trust.” This is especially important considering the country is entering an election year, when numerous TFRs are expected to pop up, Hofsass says. “The TFR process is starting to come along quite nicely.”
CHIP FICHTNER has joined Associated Air Center as vice president, engineering. Fichtner previously served as director of production, engineering and program management for Gore Design Completions, where he led the engineering, operations and program management on multiple narrow and widebody VIP completions. He also has served as vice president, engineering and quality for Ozark Aircraft Systems.
GENERAL ELECTRIC CF34-10E engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0599; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-19-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to remove service center vent duct (CVD) support assemblies from certain engines and remove any fan driveshaft from service if wear were found on either the CVD support ring or the fan driveshaft. This proposal is designed to prevent fan driveshaft failure, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 71 engines installed on airplanes on the U.S.
Haughey Air Limited has ordered an AgustaWestland AW139 for VIP transport. The medium-twin helicopter, which will be based in Northern Ireland, is to be delivered in 2012. Nearly 600 AW139s have been sold and more than 400 are in service worldwide.
Gulfstream Aerospace continues to expect certification of its G650 ultra-long-range business jet this year, but initial approval will be provisional and full certification is anticipated in early 2012, company executives say.
Environmentalists last week scored a major victory in their attempt to end the distribution, sale and use of aviation gasoline when a federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by the California Avgas Coalition that sought to block the effort.
ExecuJet’s South African operation has achieved International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) certification, effective last month. “Being IS-BAO registered is the ultimate expression of the safety culture we have at ExecuJet,” says Karen Piek, quality assurance manager - ExecuJet Africa. “Everyone is aware of their individual role in achieving and ensuring a safe working environment for us and our clients. The IS-BAO registration has been a benchmark for us, and we are very proud that we have managed to reach it.”
