Initial indications of first-quarter results are spurring confidence that the business jet market is finally improving, says analyst RBC Europe Limited. Textron shares are up as it closed on its acquisition of Beechcraft. But other business aviation manufacturers, including Gulfstream and Rockwell Collins, have also enjoyed share gains recently. “Having been buoyed by some improved commentary in 1Q earnings, investors appear to have crossed an invisible threshold between being skeptical and now believing that we are finally seeing a business jet recovery,” RBC says.
Aircell has developed a new inflight communications system for business aircraft that combines voice, narrowband data and cockpit data link services into a single unit. The ST 4300, which provides global coverage, is available with one, two or three Iridium voice/narrowband data channels, plus one dedicated Iridium data channel. It enables business aircraft to tailor the cabin and flight deck communications to their specific needs. Aircell expects the ST 4300 will be eligible for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) certification. Shipments are slated to begin in June.
BRIAN MOORE was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s Cessna learning center in Wichita. Moore has 24 years of experience with FlightSafety, joining the company in 1990 as an instructor at the Hawker Beechcraft Learning Center. He has since held positions of increasing responsibility and most recently was FlightSafety’s relationship manager with Beechcraft.
KEITH BENNETT has rejoined PAS Technologies as director of business development. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Bennett will steer business development strategies in the commercial aerospace and oil and gas segments. He first joined PAS Technologies in 1995, holding sales and operational management positions. He later served with Firth Rixson and most recently oversaw business development for OEM aviation and energy markets for Southwest United Industries. He began his career in 1987 as a senior design engineer for Pratt & Whitney.
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD; Amendment 39-17784; AD 2014-05-11] – requires inspecting the turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack, and depending on the results, either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for corrosion. This AD was prompted by a report that a turnbuckle had failed because of corrosion.
The market for business and general aviation avionics grew by single digits in 2013, with sales topping $2.4 billion, according to the Aircraft Electronics Association’s (AEA) year-end avionics market report. Sales for the year reached $2.429 billion, compared with $2.229 billion in 2012. In addition to a slight improvement in the market, the 9% increase reflects more companies participating in the AEA survey, which was first reported for 2012. Comparing the same participating companies, sales grew 6.9% from 2012 to 2013.
Dassault Falcon rolled out a revamped Regional Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Seminars program that will encompass nine cities on three continents. The seminar series has grown over the years as the Falcon fleet has surpassed the 2,000 aircraft mark with more than 1,200 operators. The format was expanded to a two-day event that will provide access to Dassault specialists, engineering teams, pilots, authorized service center representatives and suppliers. The seminars will cover both operational and technical issues. The series begins in Paris April 1-2.
Landmark Aviation is entering the Atlantic City, N.J., market with the acquisition of Midlantic Jet Aviation. The agreement, the latest in a string of acquisitions, includes both the Midlantic Jet Aviation fixed-base operation and the Midlantic Jet Charters, based at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey.
BRIAN ANDREWS has joined Duncan Aviation’s airframe service sales team, focusing on providing technical sales support for Embraer clients. He joined Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich., facility in 1998 as an airframe technician and in 2007 became a project manager, working with customers and service areas to ensure aircraft projects remained on time and on budget.
In 1966, shortly after the death of his wife's father, Laurent Beaudoin became president of the family business, a Canadian snowmobile company. Just 28 years old, he had to fill the big shoes left by the visionary Joseph-Armand Bombardier. Beaudoin would prove up to the task—and then some.
“USAF Prepares Industry for Cutbacks,” warned an Aviation Week & Space Technology headline, followed by a story that discussed the death of aircraft companies, shuttering of facilities, a Pentagon briefing to industry leaders with “a blunt warning of things to come” and a diminished role for manned aircraft in national defense. That article didn't appear recently, however. It was written in 1957—the first time the Laureate awards were presented.
Even as the Obama administration pushes to have the FAA fund itself with the traveler-paid Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the White House predicts the fund's balance will grow steadily over the next decade. White House budget documents lay out a road map to wean FAA from general-fund contributions. As of 2015, the FAA budget request would have the trust fund cover 93% of FAA's operations, as well as its Airport Improvement Program, facilities and equipment, and research, engineering and development accounts.
SpaceX delayed its third commercial cargo flight to the international space station (ISS) because of “payload contamination” problems in the unpressurized “trunk” of its Dragon spacecraft, but don't try to find out what those problems are. “We've had some issues with payload contamination that we will be addressing,” says Sam Scimemi, ISS program director at NASA headquarters, during a March 14 Space Transportation Association presentation. “We're going to have to assess that and replace some parts and get the rocket ready for launch again.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to annex the Crimean Peninsula is a “wake-up call,” says NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who urged Europe to increase defense spending—particularly in the missile defense, cyber and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance arenas. “Developments in Ukraine are a stark reminder that security in Europe cannot be taken for granted,” he said last week. Russia's actions must have consequences, he warned.
General Electric has long been big in big engines, specializing in turbofans for airliners and fighters. But the company wants to compete across the power range, and the man leading its move into small engines is the 2014 laureate for business and general aviation.
The persistent drought in the western U.S. is very much part of the national consciousness; many are wondering about the impact on food pricing and availability. Rest assured that individuals like Robert Blair and Jim Hirsch will do their best to keep the ambered grain waving and the plains well fruited.
It will be summer before an FAA preliminary rule to upgrade full-motion simulators with extended models to handle full stall training hits the streets, and nearly five years before airlines have to officially put the updated machines to work. Despite the long grace period, the industry is taking a proactive stance on the safety improvements triggered by new flight-training rules, finalized in November and designed to help pilots recognize and recover from fully developed stalls and attitude upsets, often caused by stalls.
Flying Colours Corp. the Canadian headquartered MRO, completion and refurbishment specialist has announced delivery of a reconfigured Bombardier Challenger 604 destined for a Nigerian-based client.
AGUSTA Model A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0643; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-096-AD; Amendment 39-17773; AD 2014-04-14] – requires removing certain rod end assemblies from service. This AD was prompted by reports of fractures on the rod end assemblies that could damage the main rotor assembly and lead to loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates the AD affect 91 helicopters on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $368,186 for the fleet or $4,046 per helicopter. The AD takes effect April 7.
Capitol Hill is ratcheting up pressure on FAA to act on a now-aging industry petition for relief from third-class medical requirements with the Senate introduction of the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act.
Stevens Aviation has permanently based a mobile maintenance unit at Centennial Airport in Colorado. Stationed at the Signature Flight Support hangar, the Stevens mobile unit provides remote maintenance for Hawker, King Air, Phenom, Citation, Beechjet and Learjet aircraft. Stevens mobile units have serviced customers throughout the region, including Wyoming, Idaho and Utah.
