Dassault's Falcon 2000S and 2000LXS twin jets have received approval to operate at one of the world's most challenging airports, London City, located in the heart of Europe's financial hub. Dassault is the only business jet manufacturer to have its entire current production fleet certified to operate at London City.
Boeing has todayannounced the launch of the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) MAX family of airplanes after receiving the first order from an undisclosed customer. The order is for a BBJ MAX 8, which is based on the 737 MAX 8 and the newest business jet to join the BBJ family.
Sabreliner Corporation’s business leaned heavily on military contracts that disappeared during sequestration, forcing the company into default on its bank loan and leading to the bank’s sale of the company to an investment firm.
Sabreliner Corporation’s business leaned heavily on military contracts that disappeared during sequestration, forcing the company into default on its bank loan and leading to the bank’s sale of the company to an investment firm. Sabreliner announced last week that its primary debt holder sold the company after it lost half of its business during last year’s sequestration budget cutting and was unable to make its debt payment.
Jet card sales continue to strengthen, reaching their highest point since the economic downturn began, both Sentient Jet and its new affiliate company Flexjet report. Key metrics in 2013 rose to levels “not seen since 2008,” Sentient says. The company, which has more than 4,000 clients, sold more than 32,000 jet card hours in 2013, which amounts to the equivalent of more than 1,300 25-Hour Jet Cards. This pushed the company’s revenue to more than $150 million on the year. Sentient sold more than 1,200 25-Hour Jet Cards in 2012.
CAE was named the exclusive Dassault-approved training provider for the French airframer’s recently launched Falcon 5X long-range business jet. The designation included advanced pilot, maintenance and cabin crew training for the Falcon 5X. CAE will build two Falcon 5X simulators and work with Dassault to determine where to base the first trainers. Other trainers are planned as the 5X fleet grows. CAE provides Falcon training around the world for the 7X, 2000, 2000 EX/EASy I & II, 900, 900B, 900 EX, 900 EX/EASy I & II, 50, 50EX, and 10.
Airbus Helicopters says issues with its EC225 and EC135 helicopters have “strengthened its determination in the area of safety.” The grounding of the EC225 from October 2012 to July 2013, followed by the November crash of an EC135T2 in Glasgow, Scotland, had a broad effect on public perception, but also caused new aircraft programs to be delayed and sales early in the year to slump. That prompted CEO Guillaume Faury to implement an action plan which he says has helped to recover sales and deliveries.
The Triumph Group has sold its Wichita business aircraft aerostructures business, Triumph Aerospace Systems-Wichita, back to its original owner, Jim Lee. Lee, who founded the business in 1989, continued to steer the company as president after he sold it to the Triumph Group in 2000. Lee is rebranding the company to its original name, Lee Aerospace. “The opportunity to reacquire the company presented itself late last year. We are excited to once again be a locally-owned and operated company,” Lee says.
TURBOMECA Arrius 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-1003; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-17724; AD 2014-01-01] – requires a one-time inspection of the ejector assembly nozzle of an affected lubricating device and, if a discrepancy is found, removal and replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by an inflight shutdown (IFSD) of an Arriel 1 engine. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the ejector assembly nozzle, which could lead to an IFSD of the engine, damage to the engine, and damage to the helicopter.
Civil Air Patrol – the U.S. Air Force auxiliary and the largest single operator of Cessna piston aircraft – is adjusting its annual aircraft buy to acquire 11 Turbo 206 aircraft after the airframer stopped producing avgas-fueled 182T Skylanes.
ATP has launched a new maintenance tracking service, ATP Maintenance, which will be integrated with manufacturer technical publications, regulations, parts ordering and inventory. Developed in collaboration with ATP’s customer base and manufacturers, the service combines maintenance event tracking and forecasting with actual manufacturer publications, scheduled inspection instructions, and regulatory agency requirements.
LOCKHEED P-3A and P3A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-1073; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-039-AD] – proposes to require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain limitations. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the existing maintenance program must be revised to address fatigue cracking of the airplane. FAA is proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. FAA estimates the proposal would affect eight aircraft on the U.S.
FAA is weighing petitions for exemption from an April flight data recorder (FDR) deadline from several Dassault Falcon operators awaiting EASy II flight deck upgrades. FAA in February 2010 required the elimination of FDR filtering on certain aircraft operated under Part 135. The rule specifically prohibits filtering on eight parameters unless an operator can produce test data and analysis that the recorders meet certain standards for reconstruction of events.
JIM SCHWERTNER was elected to the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Schwertner is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms, Inc., d/b/a Capitol Land & Livestock. He also chairs the board of Schwertner State Bank, and is a partner in MidTex Livestock Market and Lockhart Livestock Market in Texas. He has served on the board of Texans for General Aviation and held a position on the Texas Aviation Advisory Board.
FAA has combined two divisions — Aircraft Engineering and Production and Airworthiness — to create the Design, Manufacturing, and Airworthiness Division within its Office of Aviation Safety. The new group, which will assume the old engineering division’s AIR-100 designation, has five branches: Certification and Procedures, Technical and Administrative Support, Systems and Equipment Standards, Operational Oversight and Policy, and Systems Performance and Development. The reorganization, announced formally in a Jan.
PETER GRIFFITH was appointed vice president, sales and marketing, Europe and Africa for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Griffith has nearly 25 years of aviation experience holding sales roles with British Aerospace, Raytheon Aircraft, Cessna and Honda Aircraft. He has also served with NAC Aviation.
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is urging a U.S. District Court to reject FAA’s motion to dismiss the city’s lawsuit over control of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), saying the agency should not be allowed to hold the airport hostage over an unfounded assertion that the city acted too late.
Bombardier received a $537 million order for three Global 6000, two Global 7000 and three Global 8000 jets. Bombardier is not disclosing the customer, but says the order continues the Global line’s strong momentum into 2014. The Global 7000 and 8000 are Bombardier’s newest and longest-range Global aircraft. The 7000 is slated to enter service in 2016, and the 8000 is to follow in 2017.
Feb. 4-6, 2014—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE, www.aviationweek.com/events Feb. 5-7, 2014—National Business Aviation Association Business Aircraft, Finance, Registration and Legal Conference, St. Pete Beach, Fla. www.nbaa.org Feb. 10, 2014—ATW’s 40th Anniversary Airline Industry Achievement Awards, Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel, Singapore, speednews.com/all/conference Feb. 11-16, 2014—Singapore Airshow 2014, Changi Exhibition Center, Singapore, www.singaporeairshow.com/about-the-exhibition.aspx
AGUSTA Model A109C, A109E, A109S, A109K2, and AW109SP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0478; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-092-AD; Amendment 39-17736; AD 2014-02-08] – requires inspecting the lock wires securing the tail rotor (T/R) duplex bearing locking nut to determine whether any lock wires are missing or damaged. This AD was prompted by reports of loosening T/R locking nuts. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of the T/R and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD affects 146 helicopters on the U.S.
Beechcraft received an order from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for a “comprehensive pilot training system” comprising 11 T-6C Texan II single-turboprop military training aircraft, spare parts, training, logistics and maintenance support. Beechcraft is partnering with Safe Air and CAE on the order. Along with the aircraft, the acquisition contract includes two CAE operational flight training simulators, computer-based training courseware and customized pilot training syllabi.
Gulfstream has assembled a portfolio collection of cabin interior refurbishments that includes a selection of more than 100 fabrics, 25 carpets and 25 leathers that will be kept in stock. The collection is designed to shorten lead time and cost for interior refurbishments, Gulfstream says, noting the collection targets the most frequently updated items in the cabin – the headliner, upper and lower sidewalls, seating and flooring.
PETER WALKER was named vice president sales and marketing, Middle East and Asia Pacific for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Walker has 20 years of experience in transportation roles, including highway transportation, logistics and aviation. He has served as a chief pilot and held sales roles for companies including Raytheon Aircraft Hawker Beechcraft and Nextant Aerospace.
Bell Helicopter won initial Canadian and Brazilian approvals for a new variant of its 429 helicopter with retractable wheeled landing gear. Bell 429WLG certification comes three months after Bell announced the latest variant to the business aviation market at the National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Las Vegas.
