This year's MEBA – held at the new purpose-built Dubai Airshow site at Dubai World Central between December 8-10, 2014 – will see both Emirates and Etihad making a debut at the region's biggest business and private aviation event, along with Qatar Executive and Saudia Private Aviation.
The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) Company of South Africa and the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) have signed an agreement, aimed at building essential aviation infrastructure that will unlock and stimulate regional economic activity - by contributing to a safe, efficient and reliable transport infrastructure within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region.
With the countdown to AfBAA Expo, Africa's first ever dedicated Business Aviation exhibition, AfBAA Expo, which will take place at Marrakech FRA Airport, 23 – 26 April 2014, well under way the organisers, the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and IEC, are finalising details to ensure the inaugural event delivers a unique and stimulating opportunity for all those taking part.
Unlike most other panels’ sessions, however, the National Business Aviation Association’s Safety Committee focuses on human failings, systemic flaws and consequent errors that result in disaster and loss. Or, more specifically, how to prevent them.
Chinese business aviation used to suffer from the Singapore Syndrome, says David Dixon, a 22-year veteran of the industry here. Business jet manufacturers, caught in the classic bind of having few local sales and therefore little interest in setting up support facilities that would promote sales, assured their Chinese clients that they could have their aircraft serviced in Singapore.
In light of the high demand for traffic between Amman and Kuwait, Royal Jordanian will increase the frequency of its flights to the Kuwaiti capital, Kuwait, from 10 weekly flights to 14 (two daily flights) starting April 2014.
Business aviation in Nigeria has been hit by major scandal regarding the alleged improper use of business jets by the country's petroleum minister and the governor of one of the country's largest states.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is cautioning airline pilots to exercise “vigilance” in the approach phase of a flight to avoid “potentially catastrophic mistakes.” The safety alert, issued Wednesday, follows wrong-airport landings by Southwest Airlines and Atlas Air two months apart in January and November, respectively.
Gulfstream Aerospace super mid-size G280 added more city-pair records to its already impressive list. In less than a month's time, the G280 set six new records, bringing the aircraft's total speed records to 45.
A series of flights to and around Africa led to a series of world speed reords for the Gulfstream G280 business jet as it added six city-pair records In less than a month.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is urging air-navigation service providers (ANSPs) and their regulators to follow published missed-approach procedures so pilot distraction is minimized during these high-workload scenarios. In a safety information bulletin (SIB) published March 20, EASA calls on ANSPs and civil aviation authorities to heed specific recommendations in a 2013 study by France’s BEA accident investigation agency.
The White House is projecting that the balance of the user-funded Airport and Airway Trust Fund will grow steadily over the next decade even as the Obama administration pushes to have it pay for nearly all of FAA’s activities.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 [Docket No. FAA-2013-0642; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-035-AD; Amendment 39-17777; AD 2014-05-04] – requires, for affected helicopters with a jettisonable sliding door installed, inspecting the lock release assembly and the middle and upper lever locking bolts of each door, replacing any damaged parts with airworthy parts, and ensuring the door is correctly installed. This AD was prompted by the uncommanded detaching of a door from an MBB-BK 117 C-2 fuselage.
Cessna Aircraft announced its first product refresh since coming under the umbrella of the newly formed Textron Aviation, an updated CJ3 that will incorporate the new Garmin G3000 avionics suite. The aircraft, which becomes the CJ3+, will also be fitted with a redesigned cabin and cockpit, along with new pressurization and a diagnostics system. Cessna has gained experience with the G3000 flight deck through its certification of the M2 aircraft.
Signature Flight Support is furthering its reach in the Caribbean through a licensing agreement with Blue Heron Aviation covering a new fixed-based operation at Providenciales International Airport (MBPV) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The FBO, which is currently under construction, will include a 6,800-sq.-ft. terminal with lounges and office space, 11 acres of aircraft parking and a hangar facility. The FBO, which will be branded Signature Turks and Caicos, will offer full ground handling, fueling and Signature’s service, including the Tailwins loyalty program.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD; Amendment 39-17796; AD 2014-05-23] – requires modification of the direct current power centers. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status indications on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays.
MIKE MORGAN has accepted position with Duncan Aviation’s avionics installation sales team. In his new role, he will provide technical sales and quote support for avionics installation projects. He joined Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich., facility in 1996 as an avionics installation technician and most recently was a team leader in the engineering department.
The British government is planning to propose new tax legislation that would increase fees on passengers who fly aboard large business aircraft that operate from U.K. airports. In a March 19 speech, Chancellor George Osborne notes, “private jets were not taxed at all under the previous government. Today they are, and I’m increasing the charge so they pay more.”
FAA took another look at options to buffer the $82.6 million cost of a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) covering Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive Engineering “Titan” cylinders found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 model reciprocating engines, but in a recent analysis says that it still finds the actions required in the proposed AD necessary to address its safety concerns.
FAA wants industry input on how a drug and alcohol (DA) testing program for certain employees at agency-certified repair stations outside the U.S. should be crafted. The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks industry input on a DA testing program requirement for so-called FAA foreign repair station employees who work on FAA Part 121 operator aircraft. The ANPRM is in response to a congressional mandate. FAA regulations cover such employees working in the U.S.
