With India’s general aviation industry growing, a new policy framework is needed to address infrastructure, safety and security issues, say industry officials at the recent Indian Business Aviation summit. A report by Sydney-based consultancy Center for Asia Pacific Aviation India (CAPA) says the industry could see new aircraft sales—business jets, helicopters, turboprops and piston-powered airplanes—of up to $12 billion over the next decade, by which time the general aviation fleet is expected to reach 2,000 aircraft, up from the current 680.
The various segments of the aviation community are part of an interdependent system and must work together to strengthen the industry and advance key issues such as reauthorization and the Next Generation (NextGen) air transportation system, says National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen.
CAE gained a foothold in the helicopter training market with the completion of its acquisition of CHC Helicopter’s training business, CAE announced Friday. The deal also included an agreement under which CAE becomes CHC’s long-term training partner. Under the agreement, CAE will train more than 2,000 helicopter pilots and maintenance engineers, along with providing general training, pilot provisioning and certain types of search-and-rescue training for CHC.
The Atlanta Aero Club recently presented Savannah, Ga.-based Gulfstream Aerospace with the Epps Aviation Award for outstanding aviation achievements and accomplishments that benefit the Georgia aviation community.
FRANK MILIAN has joined Bridgeford Flying Services as president of its flight services division, where he will be responsible for the aircraft management, charter and maintenance operations. He was most recently president of ACM Aviation in San Jose, Calif.
The Organization for Economic Development has formally signed off on a new regime governing export credit for aircraft and, in the process, urged Russia and China to join the accord. The agreement, which supplants one struck in 2007, has been in the making for some time and tries to address competing demands from airlines, manufacturers and financial institutions. A draft agreement was struck in December, and its terms have now been finalized without change.
Bombardier Aerospace has dedicated a Challenger 601 business jet at Dubai International Airport for its new PartsExpress program. The program offers rapid delivery of parts to resolve aircraft-on-ground (AOG) situations for Learjet, Challenger and Global customers in the Middle East, parts of Asia and North Africa. Bombardier says the program builds on its PartsExpress airborne parts delivery services launched in the U.S. in 2007 and in Europe in 2009.
Cessna handed over the first internationally bound Model 162 Skycatcher to a customer in Australia. Aeromil Pacific, based at Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland, will use the aircraft as a sales demonstrator throughout this year.
Prague-based executive jet operator Grossmann Jet Service has added a Cessna Citation CJ2 to its fleet, responding to demand for charter services from clients in Central and Eastern Europe. The jet joins an existing fleet that includes an Embraer Legacy 600 and a Hawker 900 XP. The CitationJet replaces a Cessna Mustang.
FAA, facing a March 10 court deadline, last week issued a long-awaited regulatory analysis of a 2006 expansion of drug- and alcohol-testing requirements to subcontractors “at any tier.” On March 1 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit set a March 10 deadline for FAA to show cause why it should not have to comply with a three-year-old court mandate for the regulatory analysis, and why the court should not stay a portion of the expanded drug- and alcohol-testing rules.
Led by Europe, demand for civil helicopters is showing signs of recovery, and deliveries in the 2011-15 period will be 5% higher than over the last five years, at 4,200-4,400 rotorcraft, projects Honeywell. The manufacturer of avionics and engines says improved economic growth is combining with new models to drive purchase expectations, but cautions that the impact on fuel prices of political instability in the Middle East is not factored into its latest turbine-powered helicopter market forecast.
SIKORSKY S-76A, S-76B and S-76C helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2011-0099; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-085-AD] – This proposed rule would require operators of helicopters outfitted with Aero Seats and Systems life raft deployment system to remove and replace the pilot or co-pilot life raft deployment handle, per the instructions of Aero Seats and Systems Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-500-02, Rev. C (dated Sept. 16, 2010).
Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS) has received its approved maintenance organization certificate from Transport Canada for the ERJ-135/145 regional jet, and the company recently won its first ERJ-135/145 contract covering a total of eight aircraft with a U.S. regional airline. In addition to the ERJ-135/145, DATS holds Transport Canada approvals for the Bombardier Dash -8, Boeing 737 and Saab 340.
Concord, Mass.-based air taxi operator Linear Air is continuing to build up its Eclipse EA500 very light jet service, and, as a result, has developed a new “Platinum” program for its frequent fliers traveling between Boston’s Hanscom Field and New York’s Westchester County Airport.
After a slow start, Cessna is starting to ramp up its Skycatcher output, with plans to deliver 150 of the aircraft this year, after shipping 30 to date. This comes as the Wichita airframer was forced to move flight testing and painting to the U.S., at least for now. The original plan called for Cessna’s partner in China, Avic’s Shenyang Aircraft Corp., to build, test fly and paint Skycatchers in China before they are disassembled and exported to the U.S. But Avic produces fighter jets at the same facility as the Skycatcher.
VIKING AIR LIMITED (formerly Bombardier and de Havilland) DHC-3 Otter airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1192; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-020-AD; Amendment 39-16611; AD 2011-05-02] – Repetitively inspect the elevator control tabs for discrepancies and take any necessary corrective actions. Also, report certain inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by the addition to the maintenance manual of new repetitive inspection requirements for the elevator control tabs.
A General Electric engine will power a new 10-seat utility aircraft being developed by Russian manufacturer Technoavia. The agreement between the two companies also includes collaboration on engine certification and installation, as well as development of service and support for GE products in Russia.
ALLIED AG CAT G-164, G-164A, G-164B, G-164B with 73” wing gap, G-164B-15T, G-164B-34T, G-164B-20T, G-164C, G-164D and G-164D with 73” wing gap airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0149; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-001-AD; Amendment 39-16616; AD 2011-05-07] – Repetitively inspect the interior and exterior of the main tubular spar of the rudder assembly for corrosion, repairing or replacing any corroded parts. Also, apply corrosion protection material to the rudder following each inspection.
ExecuJet Europe received a contract from Lufthansa Technik to assist with flight training of German air force pilots. The air force has ordered four Bombardier Global 5000s, which will be delivered through Lufthansa Technik. ExecuJet was appointed by Lufthansa Technik to provide line and landing training for six air force pilots, who in turn will become air force flight instructors on the Global 5000. The training will occur between April and July. The pilots will first receive initial training with CAE in Montreal before receiving instruction from ExecuJet.
FAA is delaying the comment period on a proposed rule requiring airports to implement safety management systems. The agency, which published the proposal Oct. 7, is sliding the deadline from March 7 to July 5 at the request of the American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International—North America. Also, FAA says it will accept and respond to “specific clarifying questions” submitted by the public —a step the agency doesn’t typically take during the rulemaking process.
Embraer has expanded the activities at its maintenance center at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., to provide a range of services for the company’s Phenom and Legacy business jets. The Windsor Locks facility opened in 2008, initially operating as an aircraft-on-ground (AOG) services facility. The facility now will offer “full-scale maintenance,” Embraer says, including routine inspections, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and airframe, engine, avionics and systems repairs. The facility will provide 24/7 assistance and continued AOG services.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) is increasing its presence in the South Asia-Pacific region with recent certifications of its Hawker 4000 and King Air 350i aircraft and expanded service offerings. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted type certification for the Hawker 4000 composite business jet. “There is growing interest in the Hawker 4000 throughout the Asia-Pacific market,” says Dan Keady, HBC VP, South Asia Pacific, noting the aircraft’s 3,280-nm range.
R. G. (GREG) STILL was promoted to manager of wholesale sales – mid-continent, global marketing for ConocoPhillips. Still formerly was director of branded sales for general aviation. He has served with ConocoPhillips since 1981.
