Business Aviation

James E. Swickard
Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) is putting its AT-6 light attack/armed reconnaissance aircraft into low rate initial production (LRIP) in Wichita. The company says it started low-rate production in response to “significant indications of interest around the world” for the attack variant of its PT6-powered T-6 trainer. However, the costly step could also be a move to strengthen its position in the ongoing competition with Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Embraer A-29 Super Tucano for the U.S. Air Force's Afghanistan Light Air Support (LAS) competition.
Business Aviation

James E. Swickard
A new chapter has been added to the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. “Runway Incursion Avoidance,” in Appendix 1, provides information on which pilots will be tested and checked in the Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards, effective June 1, and also in the soon to be released CFI and ATP PTSes, which include a required Runway Incursion Avoidance task to be incorporated in pilot training and testing.
Business Aviation

Fred George [email protected]
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, with three or four CRTs, originally were installed in the Beechjet/Hawker 400. Both Nextant and Hawker Beechcraft are offering complete three- and four-screen, 8- by 10-in. Pro Line 21 cockpit upgrades that will provide much more than cosmetic improvements and new display functions.
Business Aviation

James E. Swickard
Flexjet, the fractional ownership arm of Bombardier, placed orders for three Learjet 70 aircraft for delivery in 2013. The operator announced plans to add Bombardier's newest Learjets – the 70 and 75 – to its portfolio shortly after the Canadian manufacturer unveiled them during the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. But at the time, Flexjet did not have details of its initial plans to fold the new jets, the successor to the Learjet 40XR and 45XR, into its fleet. Flexjet says it is purchasing at least three of the 70 model for 2013.
Business Aviation

James E. Swickard
Sikorsky's LifePort received a subcontract from L-3 Platform Integration in support of a Boeing 747-8 head-of-state completion project. LifePort will equip the upper deck of the aircraft with customized cabinets, partitions and a lavatory.
Business Aviation

By Jessica A. Salerno
June 24 — About 1155 EDT, a Universal Stinson 108 (N39443), operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged while ditching in the Atlantic Ocean, following a total loss of engine power during cruise flight near Portland, Maine. The private pilot was fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that departed Twitchell Airport (3B5), Turner, Maine, about 1030 in VFR conditions. According to preliminary data from the FAA, the airplane was in radio and radar contact with Portland International Jetport (PWM) Approach Control. About 10 mi.
Business Aviation

James E. Swickard
BBA Aviation, an aviation support and aftermarket services provider, announced that its Signature Flight Support subsidiary has committed to a seven-year lease extension and expansion of its downtown Orlando, Fla., corporate headquarters offices to accommodate anticipated growth. Signature Flight Support and Aircraft Service Group International (ASIG), together with their parent company BBA Aviation, collectively have more than 1,000 employees in 12 Florida cities.
Business Aviation

By David Esler
City: Lima Country: Republic of Peru Status: Peruvian capital and largest city as well as a major financial center Country visa requirement: Yes, for business. Crew members including cabin attendants require visas only if traveling within the country (i.e., on multiple flights to points in-country). Landing permit requirement: Yes Sponsor letter required: Yes, for business if bringing articles or products into the country for demo or sale
Business Aviation

Richard N. Aarons
The NTSB warns NEXRAD users that displayed information is not real-time data.
Business Aviation

Chris Beal-Kaplan (Pell City, Ala. )
Even though I understand your reasoning on the trees (Viewpoint, July 2012), which are making Runway 11/29 at HPN less than optimal, I must disagree on this one. Why? Well, it has to do with our freedoms as Americans, and our right to do what we wish with our own property.
Business Aviation

By William Garvey
It was the call we all dread. The car was overheating, and now there was oil on the garage floor. On the phone, the mechanic was saying terrible things: failed head gasket, engine bolts stripped, block compromised, and so on. His repair estimate exceeded the car's book value. My roadster was toast, never to roar again.
Business Aviation

ARGUS International Inc.
ARGUS International Inc. (ARGUS) is a specialized aviation services company with global expertise whose mission is to provide the aviation marketplace with the information needed to make informed decisions and manage risk. ARGUS services include the CHEQ proprietary charter operator rating and due diligence program, TRAQPak market intelligence data and research services, and aviation consulting.
Business Aviation

Richard Lineveldt has been appointed general manager of Sharjah's Gama Aviation with the task of implementing its growth strategy throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Maintenance & Training

Kerry Lynch
The North American market is returning to dominate Gulfstream’s order book
Business Aviation

Kerry Lynch
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is attempting to block an effort by Hawker Beechcraft to award up to $5.3 million in bonuses to company executives under the Key Employee Incentive Plan (KEIP).
Business Aviation

Alfhild Winder
National Air Transportation Association selected Thomas Hendricks as its new president, succeeding James Coyne, who has been NATA’s president since 1994.

Alfhild Winder
Gulfstream Aerospace appointed Joseph Rivera director-international operations.

Alfhild Winder
Boeing named Bernie Dunn president of Boeing Turkey, succeeding Greg Pepin, who will retire in October.

Alfhild Winder
Southwest Airlines named Teresa Laraba senior VP-customer services and Jack Smith VP-ground operations/AirTran.

Alfhild Winder
Triumph Group tapped Jeffry Frisby to become CEO, succeeding Richard Ill, who will remain as chairman.

Alfhild Winder
Lufthansa Technik named Christoph Franz, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa, chairman of its Supervisory Board and Johannes Bussman to the Executive Board, succeeding Uwe Mukrasch, who is leaving the company.

UPS

Alfhild Winder
UPS named Kevin Warsh, a former central banker and presidential adviser, company director.

Alfhild Winder
StandardAero appointed Chris Schlechter VP and general manager of its VIP Aircraft Completions Center in Dallas.

Staff
Jeppesen is expanding its availability, along with subscription services, for its digital JeppView navigation data, as the company prepares to release Jeppesen Mobile FlightDeck version 2.0. The new version will be available within two months, providing additional functionality. The Mobile FlightDeck has been approved for the Apple iPad, and Jeppesen is adding availability for Samsung Galaxy tablets using the Android operating system.
Business Aviation

Staff
Bombardier is planning an expanded Safety Standdown Latin America in conjunction with the ninth annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition Aug. 13-14 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The third year in Latin America, the Safety Standdown will include a half day of workshops in addition to the single-day general session.
Business Aviation