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
A government watchdog believes FAA will need to work with the industry to find ways to attract new pilots in light of evidence that the supply pipeline is changing. In a Feb. 28 report, the Government Accountability Office finds “mixed evidence” on whether the industry is facing a pilot shortage. Some believe a sufficient supply exists if wages are adequate and job opportunities arise, GAO found. Others, however, express fear that the future supply will be insufficient given the rising costs of pilot training and new first officer requirements.
Airbus Helicopters is hoping to put the troubled past of the EC225 behind it with the launch of an improved version of the aircraft. The EC225e – e for enhanced – will make its first flight in 2015 and features a new updated avionics suite, increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by 550 kg. (1,210 lb.) and an extended range fuel tank fitted into the rear baggage compartment under the tail boom, which gives the aircraft the ability to fly out to 300 nm.
While Democratic leaders have been quiet about business aircraft depreciation during the most recent budget talks, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 proposed “eliminating special depreciation benefits related to corporate jets” as part of a larger tax overhaul package.
RICK CUTRERA has joined Key Air as regional business development manager. Cutrera is responsible for growing Key Air’s business in the Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region. He has more than 23 years of aviation experience, with a background in operations, management, sales and marketing for three major airlines.
Signature Flight Support is adding a fourth London-area fixed-base operation (FBO) with the acquisition of the FBO assets of the JETS facility at London Biggin Hill. Signature announced that acquisition as it was preparing to break ground in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 28 on what will become one of its largest FBO complexes.
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.
The U.S. faces “an infrastructure deficit” that could have negative consequences for commercial aviation, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says. Speaking to the Aero Club of Washington D.C. last week, Foxx said limits on FAA’s budget could undermine the industry’s positive economic contribution. Foxx also indicated he is open to suggestions for new ways to finance ATC, and did not dismiss an audience question regarding possible privatization or partial privatization of FAA’s air traffic management functions.
Click here to view the pdf JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry JSSI 2013 Business Aviation Index Flight Activity By Industry Industry Year-over-Year (calendar) Quarter-over-Quarter Construction
JOAO PEDRO PIRES MARTINS was named manager of Jet Aviation’s fixed-base operation in Geneva. Martins formerly served with VistaJet Group, where he was head of global purchasing and logistics. Before that he held a number of management positions with NetJets Europe.
Cirrus, coming off its best year since 2008, is optimistic that momentum will continue into 2014 with its piston lines while it prepares for first flight of its SF50 Vision Jet in the next few weeks.
Honeywell’s Sky Connect Tracker III has received FAA supplemental type certification for installation on the Sikorsky S-76, AgustaWestland AW139 and Airbus AS350 platforms. The system uses the Iridium satellite network to enable automated tracking, text messaging and voice capabilities.
Textron’s proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of Beechcraft could help propel the bottom line of Textron’s Cessna Aircraft unit from a $48 million loss in 2013 to a $480 million profit by 2016, analyst Jeffries believes. Textron announced on Dec. 26 plans to buy Beechcraft by midyear and has since been lining up financing for the deal with the issuance of $600 million in notes in late January and the securing of a $500 million, five-year term loan, also in late January.
SLINGSBY AVIATION Model T67M260 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0997; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-044-AD; Amendment 39-17759; AD 2014-04-01] – requires repetitive inspections for cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets and confirms that replacement with titanium brackets would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The AD is prompted by several reports of cracked horizontal stabilizer attachment brackets on Slingsby T67 airplanes.
FlightSafety International has increased its helicopter training capabilities with the installation of two new simulators – an Airbus EC135 trainer in Dallas and a Sikorsky S-92 trainer in Sao Paulo, Brazil. FlightSafety expects to begin training on the EC135 simulator in April following Level D qualification. The EC135 simulator is equipped with a Garmin avionics panel with a Garmin GMX 200 multi-function display and WAAS certified Garmin GNS 430W and GNS 530W. It also includes the SFIM 2-Axis Autopilot.
TIM LOCKERBY was named regional manager for the Great Lakes region for Duncan Aviation. Before joining Duncan, Lockerby spent 10 years as national sales manager for aftermarket at Rosen Aviation. There, Duncan Aviation was one of Lockerby’s customers. He has also served with Priester Aviation.
