The Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) is easing a border-crossing process for business and general aviation aircraft, even as the agency has stepped up its interdiction efforts involving light planes by making unannounced, extensive searches.
The International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) has topped 700 registered operators. IS-BAO was launched 11 years ago to provide a series of standards and best practices that operators can demonstrate. The standard, which includes a safety management system program developed by the International Civil Aviation Safety Organization, has since become internationally accepted.
CESSNA Model 500, 501, 550, 551, S550, 560, 560XL, and 650 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-1001; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-020-AD; Amendment 39-17453; AD 2013-09-11] – requires inspecting to determine if certain air conditioning (A/C) compressor motors are installed and to determine the accumulated hours on certain A/C drive motor assemblies; repetitive replacement of the brushes in the drive motor assembly, or, as an option to the brush replacement, deactivation of the A/C system and placard installation; and return of replaced brushes to Cessna.
TAC Air’s Keystone Aviation facility at Aurora State Airport in Aurora, Ore., was named a Cirrus authorized service center. The addition of the Cirrus capabilities comes as the facility works to expand its line of aviation products and services. Keystone’s Aurora site also is approved as a service center for Daher-Socata. A Part 145 repair station, Keystone also provides charter, maintenance, management and sales and brokerage services in Aurora. In addition to Aurora, Keystone operates facilities in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah.
BOMBARDIER Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0930; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-251-AD; Amendment 39-17472; AD 2013-11-12] – requires inspecting for the correct serial number of a certain hydraulic system accumulator, and replacing affected hydraulic system accumulators with new or serviceable accumulators.
Nearly 1,200 PC-12s have been delivered since the Swiss aircraft's entry into service in October 1994, by far the largest number of single-engine turboprops in the business aircraft fleet. Newer versions of this versatile aircraft can depart a 2,650- ft. runway with a 1,000-lb. payload and fly more than 1,500 nm, assuming standard day conditions. It's just as at home on 3,000- ft. dirt strips, so it's a favorite with utility fleet operators such as Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service, Canada's Air Bravo Corp. and Alpha Flying in the U.S.
Women in Corporate Aviation, an organization dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men seeking a profession in corporate aviation, has voted Paula Kraft to its board of directors. Kraft, the founder of Tastefully Yours and Aviation Catering Consultants, joins a board of 11, which is currently chaired by Brenda Miles. Mary Ann Fash, senior flight manager for flight services at Boeing, was appointed to the board at the same time.
Success or failure of the annual Helicopter Association Inter–national Heli-Expo is generally considered to be the bellwether for the industry. If so, things are going well. HAI President Matt Zuccaro noted that despite the recession in the worldwide market dating back to 2008, sales announced at each show over the past five years have set records, with the 2012 show recording a bit over $2 billion and the show this past March announcing over $3 billion in sales.
Bombardier is confident in the strong, long-term potential of the business aircraft industry and forecasts a total of 24,000 business jet deliveries from 2013 to 2032 in the segments in which Bombardier competes, which represents approximately $650 billion in industry revenues. Bombardier's Business Aircraft Market Forecast anticipates 9,800 aircraft deliveries, worth $269 billion, during the 2013 to 2022 period, and 14,200 aircraft, worth $381 billion, from 2023 to 2032.
These charts list civil helicopters currently in production and certified. They are listed in ascending order of maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) to provide side-by-side comparison to aircraft of similar size. Manufacturer and Model This block includes the manufacturer's name and the aircraft's model name and technical designation.
BaseOps International is celebrating its 25th anniversary by opening a new Singapore office. The company employs a global network of offices and partners offering a one-stop solution for flight planning requirements and is backed by World Fuel Services.
Piaggio Aero has announced a reduced maintenance program for its P180 Avanti/II aircraft. The C and D check, due respectively at 1,500 and 3,000 flight hours, have been extended to 1,800 and 3,600 flight hours, respectively. These newly approved intervals allow the operator to match the airframe inspection schedule with that of the P&WC PT6-66A engines on the aircraft.
Dallas Airmotive's F1RST Support global field service team has completed its first removal of a Rolls-Royce BR710 engine. The work was completed the Bombardier Service Center in Dallas. The company recently signed a service agreement with Rolls-Royce to provide Mobile Repair Support services for the BR710 family of engines. The MRS agreement with Rolls-Royce CorporateCare provides Dallas Airmotive approval to support Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft that are on the program, as well as operators who are not.
May 31 — About 1310 EDT, a Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., DA20-C1 (N176MA) was heavily damaged when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, N.J. The flight instructor was fatally injured and a passenger was seriously injured. It was VFR for the introductory instruction flight. The airplane was owned and operated by Best-in-Flight, a flight school based at LDJ. The airplane was “topped-off” with fuel the night before and was flown without incident for 2.6 hr. prior to the accident.
Gore Design Completions delivered an ACJ340-500 for a head-of-state client in mid-April. The interior includes a stateroom suite, six lavatories (two with a shower), a conference room with seating for nine, two VIP seating areas, staff seating and a medical room at the aft of the aircraft. This ACJ340 is the second delivery of 2013 for the San Antonio, Texas, facility, following a delivery of a BBJ3 in January.
FlightSafety International is expanding its Teterboro Falcon Jet Learning Center by 50%. Once construction is completed, the facility will accommodate up to eight full- flight simulators, plus emergency training accommodation that will include a pool and other specialized equipment. It will also feature advanced technology classrooms, aircraft cabin training facilities, and enhanced office areas. Construction is expected to be completed early in 2014.
CAE plans to add a Bombardier Challenger 605 full-flight simulator in Europe at the beginning of 2016. The Canadian company already offers training on the Challenger 300 and 604 in Amsterdam and on the Learjet 40/45, Global 5000 and Global Express in the U.K. Training is provided on the Challenger 604 and 605 at Emirates-CAE Flight Training in Dubai. In addition, Bombardier will begin training in June on a CAE-supplied Global 5000/6000 simulator with Bombardier's Vision flight deck at the aircraft manufacturer's own training center in Dallas.
Air Services, a division of Constant Aviation specializing in off-wing aircraft support headquartered at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, has completed the requirements of the Cessna Citation NDI Certification Program and were named an Authorized Independent NDI facility. The company's NDT testing can be performed in their lab, on-wing or in the field. They have the ability to complete testing using Eddy current, ultrasonic, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant methods.
Ireland's Shannon Airport's pre-clearance — the process: Upon arrival at Shannon, all passengers and flight crew deplane (except one pilot) and all baggage is taken off the aircraft. They are driven to the CBP area in less than a minute and fast-tracked through the dedicated VIP CPB pre-clearance facility. They are not mixed with any other passengers at this very private facility and up to 20 passengers can be cleared from one aircraft. Once everyone else is cleared, the remaining crewmember will go into the building to be pre-cleared.
Beechcraft has delivered its 4,000th Model 36 Bonanza, pushing the entire fleet of Model 33, 35 and 36 Bonanzas to more than 18,000 aircraft. The 4,000th Model 36, a G36, was delivered to Segall Group, a retail brokerage firm based in Baltimore, Md. The company plans to use the six-seat piston single for site visits and client meetings for its real-estate deals in the mid-Atlantic region. The Bonanza line in Wichita, Kan., is the longest running in continuous production of any aircraft, spanning 66 years.
Rockwell Collins Ascend Aircraft information Manager (AIM) secure data transfer system for Pro Line Fusion, Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 4 equipped aircraft is now available for the Cessna Citation XLS+. It was recently certified on an XLS+ owned by Michigan-based Avfuel after the installation by Duncan Aviation. AIM securely uploads flight-critical database updates and downloads maintenance information post-flight using Wi-Fi or cellular links.
FlightSafety International and Gulfstream have expanded the Total Technical Training Program to include comprehensive aircraft Cabin Systems courses. The program is designed to improve troubleshooting skills and increase the operational knowledge of those who support and maintain Gulfstream aircraft. The Gulfstream G650 Cabin Systems and G450 and G550 Elite Cabin Systems courses are available at FlightSafety's Savannah Learning Center.
David C. Hook, Publisher (General Aviation Security Magazine San Antonio, Tex. )
After finishing the May 2013 BCA Purchase Planning Handbook, I wanted you to know that this particular edition is the one that stays in my library. New aircraft prices and capabilities are always useful bits of information to keep on hand. I enjoyed “Viewpoint,” as always, and wanted to let you know that you and your bullpen of excellent writers put out a top-notch magazine. I assure you that you are being read! Cheers from the Alamo.
