Certainly one of the more remarkable business aviation developments of 2013 is behind this statistic: 137 twin turboprops were delivered, a 45% increase over 2012. What happened? Beechcraft happened. All but two of those airplanes were King Airs.
Air Charter Service has reported that its Middle East operation experienced its busiest ever month in August, both in terms of turnover and number of charters.
FAA’s proposed fiscal 2015 budget underscores the agency’s intent to shift more National Airspace System (NAS) funding to users—efforts that have been largely halted in Congress, eliminating the need for what will be a serious stakeholder debate. The budget request’s high points are similar to those pitched—and largely ignored by Congress—in the past several years (DAILY, March 5).
LOS ANGELES — Boeing’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator, a modified Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet, has been flown to Boeing’s Yuma, Ariz., facility for initial certification flight tests following extensive conversion work by Ontario, Canada-based Field Aviation.
CORRECTION: A story on March 5th incorrectly reported the status of FAA’s Contract Tower Program. The proposed Fiscal Year 2015 budget does not include dedicated funding for the Contract Tower Program.
With the number of billionaires in the Middle East forecast to grow from some 150 in 2007 to around 220 in 2017, it is more important than ever for those doing business with them to have a greater understanding of their purchasing patterns. A new study by Airbus provides some new insights.
The Transportation Department’s (DOT) Fiscal Year 2015 budget request of $15.4 billion for FAA dusts off some familiar—and unsuccessful—efforts to boost revenues and cut spending, and reduces funding for aviation’s most high-profile initiative. The request includes $836 million in base NextGen funding, a 7.2% decline compared to FY14’s $901 million in enacted funds and a 5.3% dip from the sequestration-adjusted FY12 amount of $883 million, a budget summary prepared by DOT shows.
After a strong fourth quarter in which it shipped 40% of the aircraft it delivered last year, Embraer is forecasting a similar level of activity in 2014, but with a slight shift in the balance between commercial and business jets. The year-end rush allowed the Brazilian manufacturer to meet its financial targets for 2013, with its highest-ever quarterly revenues of $2.3 billion boosting net revenues for the year to $6.2 billion, up slightly over 2012.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0705; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-052-AD; Amendment 39-17742; AD 2014-03-05] – requires modification of the air data probes and sensors. This AD was prompted by a report that the manufacturer has determined that some completion centers used the heater/brake monitoring unit (HBMU) logic circuit to control the line voltage of the drain mast heaters.
Gama Aviation’s operation at Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates reports business aviation traffic increased 70% and fuel sales doubled in 2013 over 2012. Gama is on schedule to open a new dedicated fixed-base operation terminal this year that will include new passenger and crew lounges. In addition, the FBO is adding staff to accommodate the ongoing growth and expects to have doubled its employment at Sharjah by May. Gama has operated at the airport as a charter operator since 2006, but began providing fixed-base operation services there in 2012.
BRIAN OSZAKIEWSKI was appointed director of government affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Oszakiewski formerly served as legislative director for Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), advising on aviation, rail, highway, water and freight issues. He also supported Lipinski’s work on the House General Aviation Caucus.
DAVE CHAIMSON was named vice president of business development for the Experimental Aircraft Association. Chaimson will oversee sponsorship development and fulfillment for EAA programs and activities, including the EAA AirVenture; EAA publication and online advertising; and new partnerships. A member of the senior management team, Chaimson will report directly to EAA Chairman Jack Pelton. He formerly was divisional vice president and vice president of worldwide marketing of Sony Creative Software, a technology arm of Sony Electronics.
The National Air Transportation Association has named government relations veteran William (Bill) Deere as senior vice president for government and external affairs. In that role, Deere will steer NATA’s policy, strategy and advocacy efforts. He will join NATA at the end of March from the U.S. Telecom Association, where he is vice president for government affairs. He has also served as deputy assistant secretary of state under Colin Powell.
Commercial helicopter operators will purchase between 4,800 and 5,500 helicopters during 2014-2018, according to a survey and market forecast by Honeywell. The company predicts a return to delivery levels of around 1,000 aircraft a year—similar to levels before the world economic crisis—and this could rise to as many as 1,100-1,200 a year in 2018-19, according to Charles Park, Honeywell market analyst.
Landmark Aviation has moved into a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., a relocation that will enable it to expand its activities there and better coordinate its MRO activities with the fixed-base operation.
Rockwell Collins received European Aviation Safety Agency approval for installation of its cockpit display system aboard AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters. The cockpit includes the first two systems in Rockwell Collins’ HeliSure family to be certified: Helicopter Synthetic Vision System (H-SVS) and Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (H-TAWS). Both H-SVS and H-TAWS are integrated into the cockpit display system, which comprises four 13.3-in. multifunction displays.
Mar. 3, 2014—SpeedNews 28th Annual Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference, Beverly Hills, Calif., speednews.com/all/conference Mar. 4-5, 2014—Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2014 Air Charter Safety Symposium, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, Va., www.acsf.aero Mar. 4-5, 2014—Defense Technology & Affordability Requirements, Washington, D.C., www.aviationweek.com/events Mar. 6, 2014—57th Annual Laureates Awards, National Building Museum, Washington, D.C., www.aviationweek.com/events
