BAE Systems has sold its asset management business and commercial aircraft lease portfolio to New York management firm Fortress Investment Group for $187 million. BAE Systems will transition 151 BAE legacy aircraft to Fortress, a portfolio composed of BAE 146 and Avro regional jets, as well as the Jetstream and ATP turboprops. However, BAE plans to retain its engineering and support services. According to spokesman David Dorman, BAE has ceased to function as an operating lessor largely because defense remains its core capability.
Garmin is seen as a serious contender for next-generation avionics contracts after placing its G5000 avionics suite on the Citation Ten announced at last fall’s NBAA convention, says a Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst.
MAX DOLSDORF joined Jet Support Services as a technical services representative as part of its European technical services team based in Zurich. He formerly was with Jet Aviation, and also worked as an engineer for LTU Airline.
Hawker Beechcraft’s final pre-production Hawker 200 completed its first flight, joining the certification program, the company said Friday. The other aircraft in the program include the first Hawker 200 and two modified Premier aircraft, which will be used for systems certification, functional and reliability testing and interiors certification. Development testing of the Premier follow-on is more than 50% complete and meeting performance targets, says Executive VP Shawn Vick. The aircraft is designed to cruise at 473 kts, reach altitudes up to 45,000 ft.
SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0530; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-012-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to replace certain elevator trim tab actuators with serviceable units, per the instructions of Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27 (dated January 2011). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent a trim tab from jamming, which could reduce aircraft controllability. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 377 aircraft on the U.S.
FinServe Aviation Insurance, a European business aviation insurance broker, has developed a new insurance program – FinServe European Business Aviation Placement (F-EBAP) – which is designed to cover a broader range of risks associated with owning and operating business aircraft in Europe. “Most policies are very limited, covering the aircraft only,” says FinServe CEO Guy Broddin.
Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo recently signed an agreement with Vnukovo Invest, a co-owner of Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, to expand its operations. The agreement, which strengthens the existing relationship with Vnukovo, will facilitate plans to occupy a new hangar, storage and office facility later this year. The agreement further provides for additional light scheduled maintenance capabilities. “The business aviation community in Russia is strong and growing,” says Ian Ludlow, general director at Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo.
STÉPHANE LEFEBVRE was appointed VP of finance and CFO for CAE. He replaces Alain Raquepas, who is leaving the company. Lefebvre has been with CAE since 1997, most recently as vice president of finance, military and new core markets.
VIKING AIR LIMITED (de Havilland) DHC-3 Otter airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0543; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-018-AD; Amendment 39-16709; AD 2011-12-02] – For aircraft powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 or -12JR turboprop engine, incorporate revised airspeed limitations into the Airplane Flight Manual and mark the airspeed indicator accordingly.
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0548; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-025-AD; Amendment 39-16710; AD 2011-12-03] – Perform nondestructive inspections, eddy-current inspections or fluorescent-penetrant inspections of each main gearbox (MGB) upper housing assembly rib on the left, right and forward MGB mounting foot, per the instructions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-025A, Rev. A (dated May 12, 2011). If any cracks are found, replace the MGB upper housing assembly with an airworthy assembly.
SAAB 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0476; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-247-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a detailed visual inspection for corrosion of the aft pressure bulkhead at the bottom outboard flange. Also, operators would need to determine if there is a drain hole on the left-hand side inboard of the ventral fin and take any necessary corrective actions, per the instructions of Saab Aerosystems Service Bulletin 2000-53-048, Rev. 01 (dated Sept. 3, 2009).
Citing government transparency initiatives, FAA published a notice on Friday that will strip away privacy protections for business jet operators beginning Aug. 2. Publication of the notice follows the Department of Transportation’s quiet announcement at 5 p.m. May 27, just before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, that it was moving ahead on plans to strictly limit the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, which permits aircraft owners to request that their tail numbers be withheld from flight-tracking programs.
CLAUDE CHIDIAC was named VP of customer support and strategic development for Esterline CMC Electronics, effective June 15. He previously served with StandardAero, where he was VP of business development and business aviation.
Gulfstream Aerospace has received Ukraine State Aviation Administration type certificate validation for its G150 aircraft. The approval enables operators to register the midsize G150 business jet in the Eastern European country. In addition to Ukraine, the G150 has received type certification validation from Israel, the United States, Chile, the European Union, the Philippines and Canada.
The California Assembly is considering a bill that would provide relief from looming flight-training regulations. The regulations, which are to take effect July 1, include a $5,000 registration fee, an annual fee equal to 0.75% of gross revenue, requirements for facilities to maintain a 1:1 current liabilities to current assets ratio, and numerous other administrative and recordkeeping requirements, according to the National Air Transportation Association.
June 6-8—National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Summit, Dulles, Va., www.nata.aero/events/acs June 8—National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Regional Forum, White Plains, N.Y., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org June 9-10—Business Aircraft Transactions Conference, New York, (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org June 9-11—Fifth Annual Cannes International General Aviation Air Show, Cannes-Mandelieu International Airport, France, +33 (49) 308-0177, www.cannesairshow.com
The percentage of used jets for sale has dropped to September 2008 levels, J.P.Morgan says in its latest Business Jet Monthly report, but used aircraft prices, “which historically have been a better coincident indicator of improving demand for new aircraft,” continue to slide. J.P.Morgan believed that a 3% increase in prices between December and March had been encouraging, but prices fell more than 3% over the next two months.
Potential buyers are showing an increasing likelihood of purchasing used business aircraft in the next 12 months, according to a new JetNet survey. Twelve percent of operators surveyed in the May JetNet iQ report indicate a purchase probability of more than 60% in the next 12 months, up from 11% in the December 2010 survey.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company signed a lease with Jet Aviation enabling it to provide aviation services from Al Bateen Executive Airport later this year. Under the deal, Jet Aviation becomes Al Bateen’s first independent maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, offering line maintenance.
ROTAX 912A series engines [Docket No. FAA-2011-0504; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-014-AD; Amendment 39-16702; AD 2011-11-03] – Replace certain washers and associated gasket rings with serviceable parts, per the instructions of Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-912-058 and SB-914-041 (dated April 15, 2011).
DAVID MITTLEMAN has joined Avfuel Corporation as district sales manager for the U.S. North Central region, including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Mittleman will work with fixed-base operations and corporate flight departments. He formerly was VP of sales and marketing for Garsite/Progress.
The ATR 72-600 has received European Aviation Safety Agency type certification approval. Royal Air Maroc is due to be the first operator of the latest upgrade of the twin-turboprop airliner and has ordered four ATR 72-600s and two ATR 42-600s. The manufacturer expects to deliver 11 -600s this year. The EADS/Finmeccanica joint venture is still working on receiving type approval for the ATR 42-600. Flight trials of that type began in March 2010.
Dixie Aerospace acquired AAR Corp.’s line of PMA (parts manufacturer approval) parts to complement its own landing gear, engine and interior systems replacement parts. AAR says the PMA parts line was a noncore element of its business and represents less than 0.5% of its annual sales, which in 2010 were $1.35 billion. Selling this piece enables AAR to “sharpen our focus on our core business,” which includes MRO, supply chain, aerostructures, and government and defense services, says a company spokesman.
