Jan. 20-21, 2011—European Business Aviation Association Regional Forum “One Europe: A Roadmap for Aligning East and West,” Hilton Vienna, www.ebaa.org Feb. 7-8, 2011—National Air Transportation Association FBO Leadership Conference, Savannah, Ga., (703) 845-9000, www.nata.aero Feb. 9-11, 2011—National Business Aviation Association 22nd Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Savannah, Ga., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE Astra SPX, 1125 Westwind Astra and Gulfstream 100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1164; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-057-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect for the presence of sponge rubber padding on the fuel lines in the wheel well area, per the instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297 (dated Jan. 21, 2010). Also, operators would need to inspect the fuel lines and electrical harnesses in the wheel well area for proper separation.
Hawker Beechcraft Services has acquired the first test aircraft for the Hawker 400XPR program and initiated design engineering on the $2.24 million upgrade of the Hawker 400XP/Beechjet 400A.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD] – The proposed AD would require operators to install Full-Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) software version 2.91. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent engine inflight shutdown or power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 112 engines installed on airplanes on the U.S.
Hawker Beechcraft Services’ (HBS) Chester, U.K., facility has begun taking orders for the Thrane & Thrane Aviator 200 Inmarsat Satcom system with Wi-Fi capability for installation on its Beechcraft King Air 200s and 300s. The units enable inflight international broadband connectivity. HBS is expected to receive a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the aircraft from the European Aviation Safety Authority by the end of the year. An additional STC covering King Air C90 aircraft also is planned.
Jet Aviation is moving this month into a new fixed-base operation facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company will provide fixed-base operation and line maintenance services from the new facility at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. The 3,000-sq.-meter (about 32,300-sq.-ft.) facility also will offer customers clearance and 24/7 border police.
Jordan now has its first dedicated aircraft brokerage services provider, named One & Done Aviation. The company was established earlier this year by owner and Chairman Ahmad Abdul Hadi and was created to be a one-stop shop for a wide range of VIP and charter services. The company can handle corporate airliners, helicopter and propeller aircraft charters, medical evacuation and repatriation aircraft, aerial filming and cargo charters.
40 Years Ago Dec. 7, 1970—Belgian Congo operator Mibachats prepares to take delivery of the first Swearingen Aircraft Metro, a 20-seat twin-turboprop. 30 Years Ago Dec. 22, 1980—The transition team for President-elect Ronal Reagan recommends increases in general aviation user charges. 20 Years Ago Dec. 24, 1990—The National Air Transportation Association urges FAA to exclude Part 135 operators from pending regulations that lay the groundwork for passenger facility charges.
FAA is soliciting comments on draft guidance that would raise the threshold for conducting a benefit cost analyses (BCA) when applying for discretionary Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants. Under the current threshold, applicants for AIP grants of at least $5 million must meet BCA requirements. The new guidance would change the threshold to $10 million. The $5 million threshold was set in 1997. But FAA says a $5 million construction project in 1997 would have been the equivalent of $9.8 million in 2008.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-710C4-11 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0614; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-24-AD; Amendment 39-16538; AD 2010-25-05] – Replace the high-pressure turbine (HPT) Stage 1 or Stage 2 discs with serviceable discs, per the instructions of Rolls-Royce Deutschland Service Bulletin SB-BR700-72-A900492 and SB-BR700-72-A900497 (both dated Feb. 12, 2010).
CitationAir by Cessna has launched Jet Access, a card program that gives customers a minimum commitment of 50 hr. annually on a Cessna Citation XLS or Sovereign without owning an aircraft. Customers receive simple pricing, with rates locked in for 36 months and a flexible fuel component, all with no long-term commitment or large capital requirement.
Less than two months after Aviation Partners Inc. (API) opened the order book for its new Dassault Falcon 900 series blended winglets, formal commitments have been signed for 10 shipsets, with more expected before year’s end. “The increased range afforded to the 900 series by blended winglets will be very attractive for aircraft in the Middle East, and we have already seen interest from several operators in the region,” says Gary Dunn, API vice president of sales. “This could quickly become our most successful business jet winglet program.
Embraer and Deutsche Lufthansa AG have signed a deal worth $338 million for eight new E195 jets. The new aircraft will be operated within the Lufthansa regional family serving national and European destinations.
Dassault executives visited China last week, in part to explore ways to increase the company’s presence there. About 10% of the company’s sales are expected to come from China in the next couple of years, and the French planemaker has set a goal of achieving a 40% market share in the nation. Dassault, which is increasing its support in the country with the addition of authorized service centers in Hong Kong and Shanghai planned for February, also is considering increased production possibilities through its ongoing cooperation with Avic.
BILL OTTE was appointed regional manager for Duncan Aviation. Otte will be based in Columbus, Ohio, and will be responsible for the central-eastern U.S. territory. He has a 30-year aviation background, previously serving with Classic Jet Center in Willoughby, Ohio, as maintenance director. He also spent 18 years as the chief of maintenance with National City Corp. in Cleveland.
Of the 1,000+ Pilatus PC12s delivered and operating around the world, none of the turboprop singles is based in the Middle East. The Stans, Switzerland-based planemaker would like to change that, which is why s/n 1256 was on display at the recent Middle East Business Aviation show. According to PC12 salesman Fred Muggli, part of the reason for the $4.5 million airplane’s absence from the region is the manufacturer’s lack of promotion here. “We haven’t done any marketing because there was no [aircraft] availability,” he says.
Two former longtime, senior-level NetJets employees have been tapped for key roles with other aviation companies. Richard Smith, a 31-year Executive Jet Aviation/NetJets employee, has joined the board of directors of Argus International. Smith began as a line pilot with Executive Jet Aviation and held positions of increasing responsibility, including executive vice president of NetJets Aviation. He oversaw the fractional ownership provider’s Columbus, Ohio, operations center.
Aircraft management and charter company Talon Air has obtained International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) registration. Based in Farmingdale, N.Y., Talon Air also has secured Wyvern Gold and Argus Platinum accreditations. “The successful audit and registration of IS-BAO for Talon Air further defines our commitment to safety,” says Vice President of Operations Jason Sanders.
ExecuJet Middle East and ExecuJet Europe have added seven new aircraft to their managed fleets, with a further four aircraft scheduled to arrive in the next few months. The newest addition will be a Challenger 605 that will join the ExecuJet Middle East fleet in January. The Challenger will be used for both private and commercial operations.
VIKING AIR LIMITED (Bombardier) DHC-7 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0699; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-236-AD; Amendment 39-16510; AD 2010-23-21] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was issued following a system safety review of the aircraft fuel system.
JIM SLATON was named senior manager of parts sales for Piper Aircraft. Slaton joined Piper in 1997 and has worked in various capacities in production, technical support and warranty. Most recently he was manager of warranty.
Rizon Jet, a business aviation services provider with bases in the Middle East and Europe, has signed a deal that names New Zealand company Private Flight Global as its preferred inflight catering partner. Private Flight, which has a background in business aircraft aviation cabin management, has worked with catering partners in Europe and the Middle East.
The fate of FAA reauthorization remained unclear Dec. 17 after the Senate abandoned an omnibus funding bill. The House of Representatives a week earlier had passed a nine-month extension of FAA’s authorization in a bill that also would have funded most of the federal government through Fiscal 2011. But the Senate last week was unable to reach agreement on the bill and is expected to pass a new, possibly shorter-term extension of government funding. This could impact the length of the extension of FAA authorization, Washington insiders believe.
FAA is funding university projects that will test the tapping of heat sources in the Earth and from the sun for use in keeping snow and ice off of airport pavements. Binghamton University, a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, has completed the design phase of a project to use geothermal heat and a system of heat exchangers to warm pavement near the terminal at Greater Binghamton Airport. The project, funded by a $374,000 grant, is “ready to roll,” says William Ziegler, a professor in the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science.
