The Republic of South Africa's government, the continent's southernmost nation has been open for business, both regionally and internationally, and trade has been deemed “vital.”
Eurocopter is taking over the aerospace activities of French automotive chassis builder Hueliez. The deal was signed on Dec. 21 and became effective this month. It plans to integrate Heuliez into Societe HAS (Helicoptère Aerostructure Services) — a wholly owned subsidiary of the European helicopter manufacturer, which is owned by EADS. The work will continue at Heuliez's facilities at Cerizay near Nantes, securing 49 jobs.
Bombardier still plans to begin delivery of the Learjet 85, its largest and first mostly composite Learjet, by year-end, but first flight has not yet occurred. Bombardier is hoping the new aircraft will hit the market as it turns up for lighter aircraft.
Colorado-based Air Methods has ordered a total of 42 new helicopters from Bell and American Eurocopter. Bell won a contract for 20 407GX aircraft. American Eurocopter received an order for 10 EC-130T2s, six AS350B3e and six EC-135P2e helicopters. American Eurocopter is the largest operator of helicopters for emergency air medical transport in the U.S.
Business aviation veteran Jim Christiansen joined FlightSafety International as vice president, international business development. Christiansen will look for opportunities to expand FlightSafety's programs and services globally. He joins FlightSafety after serving as vice president of sales for Hawker Beechcraft, where he managed Hawker business jet sales in the Eastern U.S. He also spent nearly 10 yr. with NetJets in senior executive positions, including as president of NetJets Aviation and senior vice president, national accounts.
Jeppesen now offers route planning capabilities that can be transferred between mobile devices and installed avionics to improve data access for general aviation pilots. The new route planning solution synchronizes smart-enabled devices with certified panel-mount avionics through the Aspen Avionics Connected Panel communication network. Jeppesen route planning data created with Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck on the iPad is then transmitted for review through Aspen's MFD 500 or 1000 units.
Meridian Air Charter, headquartered at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, will base a 9-passenger Citation XLS at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, Calif. Meridian operates twenty-one managed aircraft based nationally from New York to California. Meridian Air Charter recently opened sales offices at San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Sonoma County Airport (STS) in California.
Just had to comment on “What Does the Boss Think About You?” (November 2012). I missed it until reading “Reader's Feedback” in the December issue and the reader's comments on it. I, too, think it is a great piece of work, but from a little different perspective. The letter writer's comments I see as straight up right from the muscle/business end with the truth and facts of the matter; you asked for it, and he delivered. Although what good it did to print it is another matter. Sometimes the truth should not be printed if it does no good.
Cessna has successfully completed certification flight tests for FAA Supplemental Type Certification of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation's AutoPower automatic throttle system for the Cessna Citation X. As we go to press, the STC is expected to be issued. Following the FAA certification flight, Cessna engineering test pilot U.J. Pesonen stated “That's an impressive auto-throttle system.
While business aviation struggles to regain its footing following the economic downturn, Gulfstream is rapidly expanding. The manufacturer in late 2010 committed to hiring 1,000 employees at its Savannah, Ga., campus over the next 7 yr. Within the following two years, Gulfstream not only met that seven-year goal, it exceeded it by 70% — hiring more than 1,695 workers in Savannah alone. But Gulfstream isn't finished. The company signed a 12-yr. lease on a 70,000-sq.-ft.
Universal Avionics is opening a satellite office in Singapore this year. The Asia Pacific office will support Universal's customer base throughout the region, including Thailand, Japan and Australia , where the company says numerous flight deck retrofit projects are in the works. The office will include both local sales and support representatives.
Ametek is building up its MRO base in Miami with the acquisition of Aero Components International (ACI) and Avtech Avionics. ACI expands Ametek's reach in the Miami market for repair and overhaul of hydraulic, pneumatic, power generation and heat exchanger components. Avtech provides repair capabilities for new and legacy avionics. Both are located near Ametek's MRO operation in Miami.
I was downing my eighth chocolate chip cookie when the marvel of today's global air transportation system struck home. Again. The killer batch of double-dark confections were baked by my niece, recently arrived from New Zealand, and there about to return with her brood. Meanwhile, the stack of classic, morsel-dotted blondes were baked in wonderful abundance by my youngest sister, soon to be launching for Abu Dhabi where her physician-husband is working on contract in a clinic.
Cessna is beginning delivery of its more powerful Grand Caravan EX following the receipt of FAA type certification. The Caravan, which sports the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, is the first of as many as six new or follow-on aircraft that Cessna expects to bring to market this year. The Caravan has long been considered a workhorse with close to 2,200 delivered, but has been criticized for being underpowered.
Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), Alexandria, Va., announced that Averitt Air of Nashville, Tenn., is the newest charter operator to join the ACSF. Averitt Air is a subsidiary of Averitt Express, a leading freight transportation and supply chain services provider. They specialize in aircraft maintenance, management, charter services, sales and acquisitions, and consulting.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S. registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record. The number of U.S. business jet accidents increased by five in 2012 to 19 accidents. Of those, five were fatal and involved 21 deaths.
The FAA, bowing to broad industry opposition, will rescind its interpretation of a rule governing rest for airline mechanics, reverting to a more flexible view that both management and unions have long considered acceptable. The agency delivered the news in a Dec. 26 letter to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), which spearheaded the challenge to an FAA interpretation made nearly three years ago.
Cessna Aircraft has signed a letter of intent to acquire Jet Aviation's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Zurich, Switzerland and Dusseldorf, Germany. The sale, expected to be completed by year-end, would not include the FBOs at those locations. Jet Aviation, which had spent the past couple of years reviving its struggling completions business, has more recently experienced a downturn in its services division as demand from Europe dipped.
Lou Churchville (Business Development Max-Viz Portland, Ore. )
“The Alabama Bet” (Viewpoint, December 2012, page 9) was a nice piece on Al Ueltschi and your multi-port connections to all the elements. Life really is a web that we often do not recognize in all its interconnectivity . . . let alone what's behind the curtain from where the web springs: the curtain Al just passed through . . . perhaps to spin yet another thread. Business Development Max-Viz Portland, Ore.
You pick up USA Today from under your hotel door and the front-page headline shouts about another aviation accident. As you glean the details of the misfortune that befell the crew and passengers, know that your own passengers are possibly reading the same article. Many will want to talk to you, to be reassured by you.
Eclipse Aerospace hopes to contract to replace the fleet of T-1A Jayhawks (Beechjet 400s) flown for the U.S. Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. The company responded Jan. 7 to an Air Force request for information (RFI) for a potential large fleet of very light jets (VLJs) to support the SUPT Multi-place Training Track. The Air Force released the RFI on Nov.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller ( D-W.Va.) plans to retire at the end of his term next year, concluding a more than 30-year career in the Senate. An outspoken proponent of NextGen, Rockefeller has had both spirited debates with and praise for the business aviation industry. He has strongly believed that business aviation operators should pay more into the national air transportation system, but was willing to compromise his position on a need for aviation user fees to ensure that long-term FAA reauthorization legislation would pass the Senate.
Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services (RECAS) acquired Westfield, Mass.-based AirFlyte. “An important factor in our decision to make this acquisition was the agreement of Gary [Potts] to stay on as president of AirFlyte,” says RECAS President and CEO Richard Cawley. AirFlyte is a FAR Part 145-certified repair station. RECAS is a holding company with four operating divisions: Rectrix Aviation, Rectrix FBO JetCenters, Rectrix Aircraft Maintenance and Rectrix Business Solutions.
