In 2008-09, Eurocontrol, Swedish air navigation service provider Luftfartsverket (LFV) and Jeppesen cooperated in a series of demonstrations of digital NOTAM transmission via data link to an aircraft on the ground and in flight.
Boost in pilot proficiency is offered by a new angle-of-attack indicator developed by Monitair Corp., Spring Valley, N.Y. A wing-mounted vane drives a potentiometer, which produces angle-of-attack information on a panel mounted in the near the windshield (for easy viewing when the pilot is looking outside). The indicator permits the pilot to set optimum angle and fly to get that angle shown on the indicator. Applications include better max angle of climb, reduction of excess speed on approach and optimum engine-out operation.
Multi Service has re-entered the transaction processing arena for aviation fuel suppliers. A global transaction management company, Multi Service recently began handling end-to-end transaction processing for Avfuel, which included a custom built merchant interface for a Web-based POS solution. Multi Service is PCI-DSS certified to store, process and transmit bankcard and transaction data. The company also has introduced a new Web-based Point of Sale (POS tool — AirPOS — for Multi Service Aero merchants.
Embraer Executive Jets' ultra-large Lineage 1000 business aircraft received its Type Certificate from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), also known by its Russian acronym MAK. Certification paves the way for Russian customers to register and operate the type in Russia. The Lineage 1000 is Embraer Executive Jets' largest executive aircraft in a family of seven business aircraft models. The aircraft also can accommodate 19 passengers in five distinct private zones.
KingAirNation is a social platform designed to connect anyone involved with the King Air aircraft, as well as provide information and articles related to the aircraft and services. Visit KingAirNation.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
MedAire released its newest Aircraft First Air Kit and Aircraft First Aid Rx. Key updates to the Aircraft First Aid Kit 1.0 include medications to address motion sickness, oral rehydration salts to address dehydration and a digital wrist blood pressure cuff to improve diagnostic accuracy in flight. The kit meets or exceeds FAR Parts 91, 121, 135, EU-OPS 1.745, Canada AOHS and HKCAD AN101E requirements. The Aircraft First Aid Kit Rx includes the enhancements listed above, as well as a bronchodilator and ondansetron to address nausea and vomiting.
Embraer completed the first flight of its Legacy 500 midsize business jet Nov. 27, but program delays have pushed the anticipated entry into service into 2014. The business jet, Embraer's first to have a complete fly-by-wire system, took off from the company's facility at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil and flew for 1 hr. and 45 min. The aircraft was tested for handling and performance characteristics. The aircraft cleared a broader flight envelope than typical for a first flight because Embraer conducted extensive simulation and ground testing prior to the first flight.
Avfuel-branded Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has reopened it FBO facility at Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans, following an extensive renovation after Hurricane Isaac caused damage to the airport last fall. With the new terminal opening and hurricane repairs completed, the FBO is focusing the majority of its attention on the upcoming Super Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 3 in New Orleans. Lakefront is the closest airport to downtown New Orleans and the Superdome. Visit www.hawthorne.aero.
More than six dozen associations and companies from a range of industries are pushing lawmakers to extend 50% bonus depreciation for capital equipment purchases before it expires at the end of the year. A letter sent to House and Senate leaders this week warns that overall U.S. investment has rapidly declined every quarter since the third quarter of 2011 and almost half of the nation's largest investors are planning to curb capital expenses.
Wallan Aviation, a Saudi Arabia-based general aviation company has acquired two Falcon jets directly from Dassault Falcon. A pre-owned Falcon 900EX EASy II was to be delivered by the end of 2012 and a new Falcon 900LX in the second quarter of 2013. The company will operate both aircraft for the company's own use with the option of offering one or both aircraft for charter. Wallan Aviation has been operating in the Middle East for 20 years and has expanded its aviation to include charter, jet maintenance and a flight academy.
¡UBS analyst David Strauss reports available for sale business jet inventories moved 1% higher during November 2012 and continue to represent 13% of the installed base of business jets. Young available inventories (0-10 years old) moved 3% higher in November 2012 and are now 16% above the Dec. 2011 low at 8.6% of the installed base. The increase in young inventory has principally been driven by aircraft five years old or younger, which are now at 9% of the installed base.
Air BP, the aviation division of BP, launched its OMEGA training and support system at London's Biggin Hill Airport. OMEGA sets out how staff manages fuel from the moment it arrives at the airport, to its safe storage and quality testing, to moving it around the airport and filling aircraft tanks, along with how to maintain equipment and respond to problems.
The U.S. government is throwing its support behind the high-level working group on market-based measures to combat aviation greenhouse gas emissions the ICAO convened Dec. 12 and 13 in Montreal. As we go to press, the first meeting of the high-level group brings together delegations from 17 ICAO member states. The group is expected to present its findings to the ICAO Council in March and June next year. The delegations comprise both aviation and climate change experts, rather than just aviation experts, a person familiar with the process told Aviation Week. The U.S.
Fractional operator Avantair has restructured some of its financing arrangements and raised $2.8 million in new capital through the issuance of senior secured convertible notes as the company makes strides toward its goal of reaching profitability next year. The financing restructuring and new capital come as the Clearwater, Fla., company continues to regain its footing after grounding its fleet for several weeks in late October and early November 2012. Avantair began returning its Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service in November following comprehensive inspections.
AIA is also optimistic about the prospects for the U.S. civil rotorcraft market. U.S. civil helicopter shipments are forecast to increase to 1,154 units this year and experience a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% between 2012 and 2014.
Embraer Executive Jets' first made-in-the-USA Phenom 300 rolled out and made its first flight Dec. 5. The aircraft entered the production line in September and the flight marked the anniversary of the maiden flight of the first Phenom 100 to be produced in the U.S. Delivery of the light Phenom 300 is scheduled to go to the Embraer Executive Jets' Melbourne-based flight department which will use it as a flight demonstrator aircraft. “This is a major milestone for our facility,” said Phil Krull, Managing Director of Embraer's 23-month-old U.S.-based production facility.
The fourth MV-22 to be assigned to the Presidential Support Squadron awaits attachment of the tail empennage (painted the iconic dark green of the squadron) on the Bell V-22 assembly plant production floor in Amarillo, Texas, Dec. 1. The first MV-22 is on schedule to be delivered to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), the Marine squadron that provides executive level logistics and passenger support to the president, in early 2013. The MV-22s will replace the CH-46Es currently operating with the squadron.
Michael S. Meloche (Director of Flight Operations Air Lease Corp. Van Nuys, Calif. )
I applaud BCA for the continued education of all in aviation including myself. Being a professional pilot/director of flight operations for an international aviation corporation and an A&P/IA, we need to keep apprised of new regulations and procedures. There are ever-changing regulations coming into effect each day in all regions of the world. Your article “Oceanic ATC” (November 2012, page 40) had several mistakes. [Already noted and corrected by the author in “Readers' Feedback” [December 2012 — Ed.]
Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) the region's only industry show dedicated to business aviation, will move to a purpose-built exhibition site under construction at Dubai World Central for its December 2014 iteration. This year's MEBA exhibition ran Dec. 11-13 at Dubai World Central and attracted 7,549 attendees from 84 countries — a 20% increase from the 2010 show.
Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) named Neil W. Book President and CEO of the provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for business aviation operators. He succeeds Louis C. Seno who will continue to serve as chairman emeritus. Robert H. Book will chair the board of directors and Bryan Moss and Joe DaGrosa will serve as vice chairmen of the board. Susan Marr continues as a member of the board, general counsel and chief administrative officer of JSSI, as well as CEO of JSSI affiliate Aviation Insurance Corp.
The U.S. Transportation Department is working with its counterparts in several Asia-Pacific countries to create a regulatory framework for business aviation, says Robert Letteney, deputy assistant secretary of transportation for aviation and international affairs. In most countries in the region, business aviation is regulated in the same way as scheduled commercial airlines, which means “business aircraft simply can't fly when and where they want.” Vietnam is working with the U.S.
Regulatory Changes for 2013 Federal agencies tend to stall in their regulatory work leading up to presidential elections. With 2012 finally behind us, we can expect a number of final regulations and new proposed regulations to appear this year. FAA Rulemaking
When President Barack Obama on Nov. 27 signed into law a bill that prohibits U.S. operators from participating in the EU's emissions trading system (ETS), environmental groups were quick to object. But industry officials say the action allows the issue to be decided by the ICAO, which is weighing its own plan for global market-based measures to combat greenhouse gas emissions. “With passage of this measure, the U.S.
Hangar8 is expanding its charter and management business with the acquisition of International JetClub for 1.1 million pounds (U.K.) ($1.76 million) and the issue of 500,000 ordinary shares. The acquisition increases Hangar8's managed fleet from 40 to 50 aircraft, including four helicopters. Nearly half of the fleet are large-cabin, long-range jets.
