Gulfstream Aerospace, Inc., Savannah, Ga., expanded the role of commercial sales representative Prestige Jet to handle Gulfstream aircraft transactions in France, Italy and Switzerland.
Piaggio investors Tata Group and Mubadala Development Co. have increased their shares in the Italian airframer to 44.5 % and 41%, respectively. Ferrari's stake in down to 2%, while HDI, a hedge fund, holds the balance. Piero Ferrari, part of the team that saved Piaggio from bankruptcy in 1998, remains chairman of the company. Piaggio CEO Alberto Galassi says the investment supports Piaggio's plans to diversify into new markets such as the unmanned and surveillance aircraft.
EQ-1 Wireless Communications, Spokane Wash., now has available the EQ-Reverse Link wireless system, which is comprised of two modules. The Reverse Link module is designed to accept input from conventional wired general aviation headset apparatus (either 2-plug GA style of single-plug helicopter style). The module is worn on the user's person and makes a wireless connection with the EQ-Link module that is plugged into the aircraft's intercom system. The system uses 2.4 Ghz TDMA protocol wireless technology instead of Bluetooth technology.
Luma Technologies, Bellevue, Wash., introduced new Luma Tech LED products for King Airs and Beechjet 400s, including annunciator panels and a master caution system. The annunciator panels for the King Air family include a 45-stations variant tailored to the C90A and such newer models as the C90GT, C90GTI and C90GTx, Luma says. The new unit is designated LT-4545 and is a one-for-one drop-in replacement for the existing incandescent annunciators.
BizJet International, a Tulsa, Okla.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, was to begin work this month on a Boeing Business Jet completion, its second for a Chinese customer. Earlier it delivered its a BBJ to Chinese Nanshan Group — the first private BBJ delivered to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, in Germany, the parent firm will shortly finalize its cabin installation work on two VIP completion projects from undisclosed customers in its Hamburg hangars.
True Blue Power, Wichita, Kan., is determined to reverse all the bad press surrounding lithium-ion batteries with its new low-weight, high-power-density technology for general and business aviation. “Every pound is worth a lot,” says Todd Winter, True Blue Power's president and CEO. A division of the Mid-Continent Instrument Co., True Blue is offering two main battery options to fixed- and rotary-wing turbine operators.
LONDON — Gulf Helicopters has signed the largest order by an offshore operator so far for the AgustaWestland AW189 eight-metric-ton helicopter. The Qatar-based operator will buy 15 of the aircraft, which is awaiting imminent certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The firm order, announced during the Dubai Airshow, is the second-largest for the new helicopter, behind Bristow Group’s, which has ordered six aircraft for offshore operations and a further 11 to support its U.K. search-and-rescue (SAR) contract awarded this year.
LONDON — Eurocopter has claimed two climb records for its twin-engine EC175 as it moves the aircraft closer to certification. Eurocopter’s two records for the EC175, which have been ratified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, are a time-to-climb to an altitude of 6,000 meters, performed in 6 min., 54 sec., and a time-to-climb to 3,000 meters, achieved in 3 min., 10 sec. The record-setting flights were performed in February of this year and are claimed by Eurocopter’s lead EC175 test pilot, Alain di Bianca.
LONDON — Marenco Swisshelicopter is to unveil the first prototype of its SKYe SH09 single-engine light helicopter during a ceremony in Switzerland this week.
BAE Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD; Amendment 39-17640; AD 2013-22-08] – requires repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, repair of the pylon pick-up brackets. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked pick-up bracket of the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to stress corrosion.
LOR IZZARD was appointed director, sales support and technical marketing for Gulfstream Aerospace. Izzard will lead sales engineering, technical marketing and sales and design center operation. He has served with Gulfstream since 1999, beginning as an electrical engineer for Service Engineering. He has held several engineering and program manager positions, including serving as entry-into-service program manager for both the G150 and 200, along with G280 entry-into-service program director.
Quest Aircraft obtained certification for its Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft from Venezuela’s Civil Aviation Authority. The Kodiak has now been certified in 13 countries, and Quest expects more approvals this year. Quest is planning to deliver the first Kodiak to a Venezuelan customer shortly. The new owner will operate the aircraft for personal and business use. Quest began deliveries of the Kodiak in 2007 and the aircraft is in service with charter operators, small businesses, personal owners, U.S. and international governments and humanitarian organizations.
DIAMOND Models DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0937; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-029-AD] – requires installation of the Secondary Configuration Card P/N 010-12074-02 “Additional ALTN FAIL trigger” for the alternator indication system and System Software P/N 010-00670-10 for all DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. The AD also requires installation of GEA Alternator fail control cable on certain model DA 42 M-NG aircraft. This AD also prohibits installation of System Software prior to P/N 010-00670-10.
VistaJet is expanding a recently formed partnership with Jet Aviation, naming the international fixed-base operation chain its handling services provider in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia regions. VistaJet in early September announced a teaming agreement with Jet Aviation and newly formed membership-based private aviation company Wheels Up as part of its plans to expand in the U.S.
The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that FAA significantly scale back a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) seeking inspections and replacement of Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive Engineering “Titan” cylinders found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 model reciprocating engines.
The National Business Aviation Association is appointing two new vice presidents to lead the association’s government relations efforts. Dick Doubrava, currently director of legislative affairs for NBAA, was promoted to vice president. Christa Fornarotto, currently FAA associate administrator for airports, also joined the association as vice president. The appointments come as Lisa Piccione, senior vice president of government relations, plans to leave the association at year’s end to move to Brussels.
China is continuing to ease regulations to foster growth of general aviation in the nation. The latest move, which takes effect Dec. 1, lifts a requirement to obtain flight mission approval for many general aviation flights, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. While they don’t need approvals in many cases, general aviation operators are still required to file flight plans. Operators still need approvals for flights in certain areas, such as border areas and prohibited zones, GAMA says.
Gulf Helicopters has signed the largest order by an offshore operator so far for the AgustaWestland AW189 eight-metric-ton helicopter. The Qatar-based operator will buy 15 of the aircraft, which is awaiting imminent certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The firm order, announced during the Dubai Airshow, is the second-largest for the new helicopter, behind Bristow Group’s, which has ordered six aircraft for offshore operations and a further 11 to support its U.K. search-and-rescue (SAR) contract awarded this year.
Beechcraft kicked off a three-month demo tour of its AT-6 light attack aircraft during last week’s Dubai Airshow, trying to capture international interest in the single turboprop that awaits its first major order. The AT-6 will be displayed throughout the Middle East before moving to Africa, Europe and Asia. Beechcraft maintains that it continues to receive growing interest from defense establishments.
General aviation groups are calling on FAA to either shelve altogether or at least undertake a formal rulemaking process if it plans to pursue a requirement for obese pilots and controllers to be screened and possibly treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The groups say the pending policy is unjustified by safety data and, in a letter sent last week to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, argue that Congress has mandated formal rulemaking processes for attempts at imposing similar requirements in other forms of transportation.
Landmark Aviation’s recent deal to acquire Panorama marks the fixed-base operation chain’s fourth purchase this year, and the company is poised to remain on the acquisition trail with other announcements anticipated shortly, ratings agency Moody’s believes. Moody’s recently assigned a B2 rating (higher risk) for a proposed $75 million “add-on term loan” that the agency says will help fund Landmark’s acquisition of Panorama, along with “other recent and future anticipated near-term acquisitions.”
Bombardier is taking initial steps to form a joint venture for a new maintenance facility in China. The Canadian airframer signed a letter of agreement with Tianjin Airport Economic Area in Mainland China to increase maintenance services there. Bombardier and Tianjin Airport Economic Area are hoping to finalize definitive agreements in 2014, clearing the way for a facility to open in 2016.
DAVID JUDGE was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International’s learning center at the London Farnborough airport in the U.K. Judge joined FlightSafety in 2008 as assistant director of standards at the Farnborough facility. He was promoted to project manager of the Challenger 605 training program in 2011, and most recently was program manager for Sikorsky S-92 training.
GAL Aviation was named an “approved supplier” for Bombardier Aerospace. The recognition covers GAL’s work for Bombardier commercial and business aircraft. GAL, which produces cabinets, galleys and other monuments, plans to initially manufacturer components for Bombardier’s Global series of business jets.
Jet Aviation’s fixed-based operation at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport is expanding its services to accommodate an anticipated increase in traffic. The new offerings include 96-hr. visa facilities, public transport and improved catering options through local service suppliers, along with 24/7 limousine service, oxygen and nitrogen services and airside storage. In addition, Jet Aviation has added interior and exterior VIP aircraft cleaning, as well as bright work polishing, through Go Aviation.
