Gulfstream Aerospace, completing its strongest quarter of the year in terms of new orders, expects sales to grow further in the fourth quarter and is increasing its delivery estimates for 2012 to as many as 124 aircraft. Gulfstream continues to shine in the General Dynamics (GD) portfolio, leading the Aerospace group to a 30% increase in third-quarter revenues and a 20.3% increase in operating earnings. The GD Aerospace group includes Gulfstream and Jet Aviation.
In the past few years, communications and electronics technologies have made tremendous advances. As soon as a new system hits the market, its replacement is already in the works. For business aviation, we have been at the forefront of incorporating new systems at an equally aggressive pace. We are way ahead of the airlines and even the military in many respects. Our customers are very demanding and expect the latest technology to be available as soon as they see it on the Internet.
HBC has delivered the 7,000th Beechcraft King Air since the legendary line of twin-engine turboprops began production in 1964. The milestone aircraft is a Beechcraft King Air 350i delivered to Herman & Kittle Properties, Inc., based in Indianapolis. The King Air fleet has amassed in excess of 45 million flight hours. The King Air is currently operated in 127 countries, and all branches of the U.S. military.
Dassault Falcon received EASA and FAA approval to install SmartStem Tire Pressure Systems on Falcon 50 series aircraft. The existing tire inflation valve stem is replaced with a special valve stem containing integral sensors that communicates tire pressure, temperature, and other stored information wirelessly to a handheld reader without the use of an internal battery in the stem. The reader stores up to 10,000 readings and can be downloaded to a PC.
A recent investigation by USA Today found that a large percentage of people don't follow the rules and leave their electronic devices on during takeoff and landing. That's understandable, given the lack of evidence that doing so causes any major difficulty to the flight crew or the aircraft's navigation systems (despite the few anecdotal claims otherwise). Even the feds are looking into the matter, at long last, probably because FAA personnel are as dependent on their electronic appendages as any of us and they know better.
October 2012 Argus TRAQPak data shows business aircraft activity increased month-over-month, and year-over-year. TRAQPak data indicates that October 2012 produced the second largest month of business aircraft flight activity, since January 2009. The results by operational category were all up from the previous month, with Part 135 up 11.7%. Reviewing activity year-over-year (October 2012 vs. October 2011) TRAQPak saw an increase of 2.8% in overall aircraft activity.
The G150 is one of the fastest and most cost-effective midsize business aircraft that is capable of flying non-stop between most coastal cities in the U.S. Assuming an ideal NBAA profile, it can fly four passengers 2,988 nm at long-range cruise. It offers slightly better range performance compared to the cramped G100 from which it is derived, but its cabin is 12-in. wider and its wide-oval cross section makes available more usable head and shoulder room than some larger midsize jets having circular fuselages.
I enjoyed “Oceanic ATC” (November 2012, page 40); however, I am not sure I agree with the following: (1) Page 40, 2nd paragraph: If reading back an oceanic clearance on a designated North Atlantic Track (NAT) and the Track Message Identifier (TMI) is included, there is no requirement to read back each waypoint. (2) Page 40, 3rd column, 2nd paragraph: I am familiar with the 3-min., but not the 5-min., requirement. (3) Page 45, 2nd column, 3rd paragraph: I thought the air-to-air frequency was 123.45.
BLR Aerospace delivered its 500th winglet system to its largest winglet customer, the FAA. The agency has purchased 18 Winglet Systems with LED lights for installation on its King Air 300 fleet. The FAA is in the process of installing its third set of Winglets as part of a larger fleet upgrade effort, and the first modified aircraft is flying. BLR Winglet Systems are in operation in 40 countries.
The November issue was outstanding, cover to cover. Starting with your tribute to Neil Armstrong and ending with Fred George's Lear 35 “20/Twenty” column, every article was really good. Every month I look forward to reading BCA, but something about the November issue was particularly good. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Fractional ownership provider Avantair has returned its fleet of Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service after several weeks of groundings while the company conducted thorough “nose-to-tail” of inspections on each aircraft and scrutinized its maintenance and inspection procedures
Fadec International, a BAE Systems and Sagem engine control joint venture, has formed a new company with General Electric called Fadec Alliance to develop digital controllers for the CFM Leap and GE Passport engines.
Hypersonic technology is extremely difficult to master and high-speed travel generally involves long distances. These simple, but axiomatic principles of hypersonic studies not only dictate key areas of research but also, increasingly, influence who teams with whom.
An Ohio congressman wants the FAA to provide a time line for the agency's next step toward establishing six sites in the U.S. for testing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in civilian airspace.
An Ohio congressman is trying to prod the FAA into providing a timeline for when it will take the next step toward establishing six sites in the U.S. for testing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in civilian airspace.
Bombardier announced today the largest business aircraft sale in its history. Luxury aviation company VistaJet, has signed a deal for up to 142 Global business jets which includes firm orders for 56 Global jets and options for a further 86 Global jets at a 2012 U.S. list price value of more than $7.8 billion if all options are exercised.
Dassault and Gulfstream are continuing to build up their infrastructure in the Asia Pacific, hoping to capitalize on what they see as one of the fastest growing, yet largely untapped markets in the world. Dassault is establishing a wholly owned subsidiary, Dassault Falcon Business Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., in Beijing to provide support services to customers in the region. The Dassault facility will be headed by Jean Michel Jacob as general manager and Jean Rosanvallon as chairman.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen was honored with the Charles Lindbergh General Aviation Diploma in recognition of his years of service to general aviation (GA). The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) presents the award annually to those who have contributed significantly to the progress and success of GA in either air sport or transportation, or in the work of international bodies concerned with GA. The award was presented during the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Fall Awards Banquet Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C. “Mr.
Progressive Aerodyne’s SeaRey amphibian fully passed an FAA Light Sport Aircraft Prototype Audit, a step that Progressive says clears the way for the production model. FAA’s Orlando Manufacturing Inspection District Office awarded an airworthiness certification this month to Progressive Aerodyne for the production model SeaRey. The two-place amphibian has been offered as a kit for 20 years, but Progressive has been working with SilverLight Aviation for the past few years to meet ASTM standards for a production version.
Business aircraft flight hours overall continue to stagnate, remaining a concerning indicator of market health. But, unlike aircraft sales, the strongest improvements are at the small end of the market, according to a special report from industry analyst Argus.
