The news that Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger will be a main speaker at the NBAA Convention later this month brought me such pleasant anticipation that I can grudgingly forgive the event planners for choosing, again, to hold it in Las Vegas, arguably America’s most venal city.
Former Naval aviator John Koon spent his last tour on active duty assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, where he flew the American ambassador throughout West and Central Africa in a Beech C12 (King Air 200) where he had plenty of opportunities to assess the quality of ATC and competence of controllers.
As Wynand Meyer, director of UAS International Trip Support’s Africa division in Johannesburg puts it, “Africa is the next big development,” as it’s the last continent still fresh for modernization of its infrastructure — mainstream as well as aviation.
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) claims to represent more than 100,000 pilots among nearly 100 member associations and unions, 16 of which are based in Africa.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
One of the modest news announcements at last year’s NBAA Convention was that of the creation of Global Jet Capital, a business jet leasing and lending organization. Backed by three global investment firms — Franklin Square Capital Partners with Blackstone advising, AE Industrial Partners and The Carlyle Group — and overseen by business aviation veterans Shawn Vick and Bill Boisture, the future looked promising. When looking back from the 2015 NBAA Convention, set for November 17-19 in Las Vegas, that promise will have been fully realized. And thensome.
Pilatus Aircraft's first jet will be able to operate from short, unimproved landing strips and will feature a large cargo door, providing flexibility to operators.
Headquarters and production buildings are largely heated with renewable energy produced by locally grown and waste timber that is converted into gas in a complex process at a wood gasification plant.
How does a company that designs and manufactures specialized, turbine-powered aircraft deep within the Swiss Alps recruit a workforce with the skills necessary to compete on the world stage?
Knowing something about the International Civil Aviation Organization is important for all pilots, even those who never fly outside their home country.
Appointed to IBAC’s top post in September 2012, Kurt Edwards previously served in high-level positions with the International Affairs and Environmental offices of the FAA. He also led the FAA’s outreach efforts while based in Brussels and Paris.
Recently appointed to his ICAO position in Montreal, Creamer was director of the FAA’s Europe, Africa and Middle East regional office, located in the U.S. Embassy in Brussels.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Textron Aviation has delivered its 2,500th Cessna Caravan. Accepting the keys to the single engine utility turboprop at ceremonies in Wichita in late September was Jim Rowe, head of Bering Air of Nome, Alaska. The carrier is taking delivery of eight Grand Caravan EX aircraft this year, and retiring an equal number. The aircraft is powered a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 rated at 867 shp. Bering’s Caravans operate around the Arctic Circle, hauling people and supplies in temperatures as low as -60F.
Embraer is introducing the E2VS, short for Embraer Enhanced Vision System, a two-part package that includes Rockwell Collins’ HGS-3500 compact head-up guidance systems and its new triple-band EVS-3000 enhanced vision sensor. E2VS could be a breakthrough for business aviation.
AAR, Wood Dale, Illinois, announced that Steven B. Harrison has been appointed president of AAR Airlift, which is headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, and has operations worldwide.
Dassault launched the Falcon 2000 program in 1989 as a large cabin aircraft that would have double-club seating, 3,000 nm range and operating costs nearly as inexpensive as midsize jets.
The FAA will abolish 950 jobs by June 30 without a single “layoff,” adhering to a cost-saving mandate from President Johnson. Annual FAA turnover is about 8% , which means 3,200 jobs will be vacated this year, not all of them to be filled.
By Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin, William Garvey
Corporate Eagle, a small, membership-based fractional and managed business aviation company, has taken delivery of the first of four Falcon 2000s as it expands its fractional fleet.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Daher has appointed Exec Aero at Orlando Executive Airport as the TBM service center serving TBM aircraft customers based in Central Florida and visitors to the area.
