Writing is a lonely activity, which is not to say it's unpleasant - though at times it can be excruciatingly so - but rather that it does not lend itself to group participation. Almost everything about the work, including its depth, style, accuracy and significance, relies on the talent and integrity of the writer. Yes, the finished product usually involves a team of editors, artists and production specialists, but at the core of it all is the writer, working alone. And thankfully, at B&CA's core, we have some great ones.
The AOPA said it supports the latest EPA decision that airport fuel trucks do not need to be surrounded by a secondary spill containment system when they are not moving - and that fuel truck parking areas need not be surrounded by a containment structure such as a wall or berm. "Fuel trucks spend most of their time in transit or refueling aircraft and very little time stationary in staging areas," said Rob Hackman, AOPA manager of regulatory and certification policy.
Charter broker Gold Jets purchased New World Jet Corp., an FAR Part 135 operation with 30 aircraft on its certificate, from Kern Mattei, a New Mexico businessman, in exchange for an interest in Gold Jets. Bruce M.
Eclipse Aviation Corp. has won the 2005 Robert J. Collier Trophy for the year's "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America." The 95 year-old award, among aviation's most prestigious, will be presented to the company "for leadership, innovation, and the advancement of general aviation" - or more specifically, for the conception, design, construction and certification of the Eclipse 500, the original very light jet.
Flight Options, LLC, Cleveland, announced that S. Michael Scheeringa is the new CEO. Ray Bennett has been appointed to the position of vice president of sales.
Concerns about the continuing airworthiness of older general aviation aircraft have led FAA officials to schedule a summit on aging aircraft safety later this month. The public meeting, which is slated for March 22 and 23 in suburban Kansas City, is to focus on developing ways to mitigate the potential effects of fatigue, corrosion and deterioration on aging aircraft.
Effective Jan. 1, factory product support for Gulfstream IIs and IIIs was officially transferred from Gulfstream Service Centers to the facilities of General Dynamics Aviation Services (GDAS). According to company officials, this move gives operators of the early model Gulfstream business jets a higher priority for service than if they took their aircraft to Gulfstream service centers, which support newer Gulfstreams as well.
Bombardier's Challenger 605 made its first flight Jan. 22. The aircraft departed from Bombardier's Montreal-Trudeau International Airport facility under clear conditions at 1240 EST and returned at 1603 EST. It reached a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet, and a maximum true airspeed of 420 knots. Loaded with 12,500 pounds of fuel, takeoff weight for the flight was 38,734 pounds. The flight was conducted as a stage climb to 41,000 feet. "It was a great flight. We spent over three hours in the air and the aircraft performed superbly," commented Capt. Frank Magnusson.
Bombardier Flexjet, the launch customer for the Bombardier Learjet 40XR, has put its first three aircraft into service and will take delivery of an additional four Model 40XRs this year. The newest version of the light business jet, the 40XR can fly farther out of challenging airfields under hot and high conditions, has faster time-to-climb performance and reduced flight times vs. its predecessor.
"Sport Pilot TV" has debuted on The Men's Channel, a cable television network owned and distributed by The Networks Group (TNG) of Turner Media. The program profiles companies and aviators around the country and takes viewers on flights throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. The show will also focus on promoting aviation education, including tips on selecting the right flight school and instructor and homebuilt aircraft profiles. For more information see www.sportpilottv.com.
The twin-engine Czech turboprop, Evektor EV-55, has been named "Outback" by its Czech manufacturers to reflect its utility design. The manufacturer says it is sticking to the original schedule of first flight in mid-2007, FAA and EASA certification in 2008, with first customer deliveries slated for 2009. The basic Evektor EV-55 Outback STOL is priced at $1.7 million.
Bombardier is taking a giant step back from its CSeries airliner program. On Jan. 31, the company said that instead of proceeding with the 110- to 135-seat twinjets, it will focus on "regional jet and turboprop aircraft opportunities" in the 80- to 100-seat market. A small team will remain with the CSeries program to refine its business plan, with emphasis on finding partners.
Despite the high-tech wonder, super plush interiors and flawless, high-polish liveries of modern business aircraft, working on them is still a dirty job. Brake dust, ramp grime, turbine exhaust, plus grease, oil and hydraulic fluids combine to make getting good and grubby a fact of life for maintenance technicians. As a maintenance manager, you want your technicians to present a professional appearance, but still be safe, comfortable and get the job done.
The Italian government has exercised an option to purchase 15 additional upgrade kits to enhance its entire fleet of Bombardier 415 aircraft. Italy had previously ordered one kit for installation on the Bombardier 415 firefighter it purchased in 2005. The upgrade kit package is derived from the Bombardier 415MP multipurpose aircraft and includes autopilot, nose radar, flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
Arizona's business aviation community will gather in Scottsdale, April 7-8, at the Orange Tree Resort, for a meeting designed to heighten awareness of aviation issues affecting operators in the state. Proceeds from the Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) event benefit a scholarship endowment for Arizona students who wish to pursue careers in business aviation and are enrolled in an Arizona college or university. AZBAA has distributed $28,500 to 24 students over the past four years.
Air taxi service Linear Air announced private jet service between Boston and Teterboro at $598 per roundtrip, equal to the "major Boston-Newark shuttle airline." Citing reports that Boston-Newark airline shuttle flights are among the worst in on-time performance, William Herp, CEO and president of Linear Air, said, "Our service translates to less time spent at the airport and more time spent with clients and associates." With no lines and no crowds, passengers must arrive just 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time - departures at 0800, returning at 1700.
AOPA, Frederick, Md., announced the promotion of Andy Cebula to the newly created position of executive vice president of government affairs. Karen Gebhart has been promoted to executive vice president of non-dues revenue for the association.
Responding to industry concerns about the broad scope of a new rule regarding thermal and acoustic insulation installed on transport category airplanes flown under FAR Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135, the FAA has issued an amended final regulation that says when operators of aircraft manufactured before Sept. 2, 2005, replace insulation, only insulation blankets and materials used to insulate air ducts need meet the new, more-stringent flammability standards of Part 25.
THE NTSB'S INVESTIGATION into the Oct. 19, 2004, crash of Corporate Airlines Flight 5966 at Kirksville, Mo., Regional Airport has led to a flurry of safety recommendations that could result in changes to the way FAR Part 121 and 135 operators execute non-precision approaches. The captain, first officer and 11 of the 13 passengers on board the BAE Jetstream 32 (N875JX) were killed when the twin turboprop struck trees, crashed and burned just short of Runway 36 in night IMC. Two passengers survived, but suffered serious injuries.
A lot of activity has occurred within FAA-dom since we published "Advanced RNAV Procedures on the Horizon" (B&CA, June 2005, page 42), but little, if any, benefit of this program has yet translated into reality for the business aviation community. Still, the cards have now been mostly dealt by the FAA and it's time for business aircraft manufacturers to play the hand given them.
The Asian Aerospace air show will make its new home in Hong Kong in 2007 after its organizer decided to leave Singapore because the government said the event had to move from its current site to accommodate Changi Airport expansion. Reed Exhibitions recently announced the next Asian Aerospace will be Sept. 3-6, 2007, at the new AsiaWorld-Expo complex, next to Hong Kong International Airport. The Singapore government still plans to hold its own Changi International Airshow, but at a new location, starting Feb. 26, 2008.
Key Air, Inc., Oxford, Conn., has appointed Brad Kost president and CEO. In his new role, he has expanded the company's management team and added five aircraft to the management and charter business. Danny Olmstead has joined Key Air as its new director of operations.
