Multi Service Aero has developed a smart phone application of its FBO Locator that allows pilots and flight planners to locate Aero Card accepting merchants around the globe. Pilots can search by IATA, ICAO, country and city. Using the map utility, pilots can search a specific region by zooming into a given area where they can view all the Aero merchants, along with contact information.
Slower-than-expected business jet sales in the third quarter that hampered both deliveries and revenues are leading executives from Cessna parent Textron to prepare for another flat year in 2013. At the same time, though, the commercial sales of Textron's Bell Helicopter unit continue to pick up steam and helped buoy Textron's overall third-quarter results. Cessna's profit declined $3 million to $30 million in the third quarter. Business jet deliveries dropped to 41, compared with 47 in third quarter 2011, and backlog slid $196 million to $1.3 billion.
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
The 2012 National Business Aviation Association Convention in Orlando, Fla. closed with 25,150 people in attendance, a number comparable to the final Attendee total of 26,077 for the 2011 Convention, and to the final attendee total of 24,206 for the 2010 event. The number of exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center was 1,073; booth spaces totaled 4,361, an increase over last year's booth-space total. A total of 105 aircraft were shown on two separate static displays, and an additional four aircraft were shown inside the convention center.
Bombardier Aerospace's backlog has jumped 18.6% this year, as the Canadian manufacturer continues to bring in major fleet orders for its Global long-range large business jets. Bombardier Business Aircraft reported 45 net firm orders during the third quarter, up 50% from the 30 firm orders in the same period last fiscal year. These orders included three multi-fleet contracts for 19 Globals valued at $1.2 billion. The orders, combined with 38 firm orders for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, helped push backlog to $26.1 billion by the end of September.
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.
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.
MIKE ASKEW was named CEO of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. Askew previously had served as managing director of APPH Group, which designs and manufacturers hydraulic systems and landing gears. He also has held senior positions at Doncasters and GKN Westland Helicopters. GRANT BOAST was appointed regional sales manager for BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). Boast has spent the past three years as a field service representative for ERO.
Garmin is expanding its reach into the unmanned market, selected to supply the avionics for Northrop Grumman’s new Firebird optionally-piloted vehicle. Designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the Firebird is equipped with a tailored version of Garmin’s touchscreen-controlled integrated flight deck, including three 14-inch, high-definition, widescreen displays and two touchscreen display/controllers. The Firebird also is equipped with Garmin’s Synthetic Vision and GTS850 Traffic and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS I).
The FAA’s sweeping effort to align its draft repair station regulation with industry reality should go back to the drawing board for a second draft that incorporates more public feedback, industry groups tell FAA.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
MIKE ASKEW was named CEO of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. Askew previously had served as managing director of APPH Group, which designs and manufacturers hydraulic systems and landing gears. He also has held senior positions at Doncasters and GKN Westland Helicopters. GRANT BOAST was appointed regional sales manager for BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). Boast has spent the past three years as a field service representative for ERO.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
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.
While there is general acceptance of the trend toward more-electric aircraft, few can predict the near- or even mid-term debut of electrically propelled vehicles, let alone one that could be capable of Mach 4-plus.
A U.S. district bankruptcy court, which this week denied Hawker Beechcraft’s request to sell off 20 Hawker 4000s in inventory without following normal bankruptcy procedures, has rescheduled a hearing until Dec. 11 on whether Hawker Beechcraft should be permitted to be released from certain Hawker 4000 and Premier I and IA warranty and support obligations.
AERONAUTICAL ACCESSORIES (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies installed on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06] — requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes.
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.
Bombardier’s Wichita facility took delivery of the first wing shipment for the Learjet 85, bringing the company’s largest and first composite Learjet closer to roll out and first flight. Bombardier has not specified a first flight date, saying only it hoped to receive certification and begin delivery of the first aircraft in 2013. But to meet that target, Bombardier would have to stay on an aggressive certification flight test schedule given that the first production Learjet 85 is still in assembly.
