Switzerland-based Vertis Aviation, part of the independently owned aviation business the 28 East Group, has announced a significant expansion to its exclusively marketed charter fleet with the addition of two new aircraft.
African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) chairman Tarek Ragheb has launched AfBAA Expo a new event focused solely on the African business aviation sector and run in conjunction with the Marrakech Airshow which takes place 23 – 26 April 2014.
In April, the FAA and other U.S. government agencies completed the third and final operational field test in a two-year, $8 million program to study the physical and electromagnetic interference between radar systems and wind turbine farms, and to identify mitigation techniques to address this issue.
Following the release of Nigeria's new National Civil Aviation Policy 2013, the federal government has told local press that some controversial parts of the policy were necessitated by the alleged use of private jets to smuggle cash and wanted persons out of the country.
The U.S. Transportation Department’s (DOT’s) decision to continue funding contract air traffic control towers until the end of this fiscal year comes as temporary relief for local communities, but backers of the program are continuing their push to preserve contract towers beyond September. The DOT on May 10 announced that the FAA would continue funding the 149 contract towers scheduled to lose federal support as part of the agency’s effort to meet budget cuts imposed by sequestration.
Chapman Freeborn is launching a new Global Broker initiative designed to help business jet flight arrangers globally tap into local knowledge and expertise, 24/7/365 days a year.
LONDON — U.K.-based general aviation specialist Patriot Aerospace has purchased British International Helicopters (BIH). The deal, announced May 13, will make Patriot the U.K.'s largest domestically owned helicopter operator. Terms of the agreement were not revealed, although according to Patriot, Newquay-based BIH will become an integrated part of Patriot Group, which also includes Veritair and London Helicopter Centers.
Bell Helicopter is finalizing the design of its new Bell 525, a medium-lift helicopyter due for first flight in 2014. The U.S. helicopter maker has completed much of the detailed design, says Bell Helicopter’s chief engineer on the 525 program, David King. “We have been releasing detailed designs for a six month period now … and this month we are having a batch of critical design reviews (CDR),” he said. CDR is one of the final steps before the program moves into “build phase,” he says.
The FAA has ended plans to cease funding for 149 contract towers on June 15, after the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) determined that a recently enacted law allows the agency to reallocate funds to the towers program.
Embraer has received both FAA and Brazilian Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) clearances for installation of its Prodigy Touch flight deck aboard the Phenom 300. NetJet is launching the new flight deck aboard the Phenom, and Embraer is offering the suite as an option for other Phenom 300 aircraft beginning in the fourth quarter. Based on the Garmin G3000 platform, the Prodigy Touch incorporates touch-screen technology with automation designed for single-pilot operation. The suite includes three 14.1-in.
Ametek Sensors & Fluid Management Systems (SFMS) was selected by Embraer as a supplier for the recently awarded U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract. Embraer teamed with Sierra Nevada Corp. on the program and is producing the Super Tucano for the LAS contract. Ametek was selected to provide products including advanced triaxial accelerometers and Amphion solid-state relays.
BELL 206A, 206B and 206L helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD] – proposes to require replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This proposed AD is prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system. This condition could result in increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.
The strength of the high-end, large business jet segment and a surge in twin turboprop deliveries helped increase industry billings by nearly one-third in the first quarter, even as the light jet market continues to stumble, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
In its first shipment results after emerging from bankruptcy, Beechcraft is reporting a more than 50% pickup in its turboprop and piston aircraft deliveries.
Entry into service for Bombardier’s revamped Learjet 70 and 75 business jets has slipped to the fourth quarter of this year because of issues with certification of the new avionics. The aircraft are updates to the “superlight” Learjet 40 and 45, with uprated engines, contoured winglets and Bombardier Vision flight deck based on Garmin G5000 integrated avionics.
SIKORSKY Model S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-AD] – proposes to require modifying the No. 1 engine forward firewall center fire extinguisher discharge tube. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that the No. 1 engine tube installed on the helicopters is too long to ensure that a fire could be effectively extinguished on a helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to ensure the No. 1 engine tube would allow for complete coverage of an extinguishing agent in the No.
FAA is reversing course on its plan to end federal funding for 149 contract towers on June 15. The decision follows the passage late last month of The Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 (RFDA), which provides FAA the ability to shift $253 million in funds to cover operations.
Piper Aircraft handed over eight single-engine Piper Archer TX training airplanes to Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Delivery of the aircraft follows the FAA’s approval last month of the new Garmin G1000 avionics suite aboard the trainer. FIT is the launch customer for the G1000-equipped Archer, and has options for up to 16 more aircraft – either for the Archers or twin-engine Seminoles. Piper has launched a Piper Aviation Career Alliance with FIT that includes vocational opportunities for aviation and other graduates of the school.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0307; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-079-AD; Amendment 39-17410; AD 2013-07-06] – requires, for Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, and supersedes an existing AD to require for Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, an inspection of the chip detector and modification of the chip collector, both installed on the main gearbox (MGB).
Alpha Air Center of Joplin Regional Airport (KJL) in Webb City, Mo., plans to open a new 5,000-sq.-ft. executive terminal this summer. The new terminal will include a range of amenities, including showers, conference rooms, flight-planning equipment and dedicated pilot and passenger amenities. The fixed-base operation is an Avfuel dealer that participates in Avfuel Contract Fuel and Avtrip points programs.
June 17-19—National Air Transportation Association 2013 Air Charter Summit, Marriott Dulles, Dulles, Va., 703-845-9000, www.nata.aero Jun 21–22—National Business Aviation Association Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference, Washington, D.C., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org July 11—National Business Aviation Association, Business Aviation Regional Forum, Denver, Colo., (703) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org July 29-Aug. 4—2013 EAA Airventure Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wis., www.airventure.org
A group of House lawmakers is pushing to set a 2015 deadline for FAA to release a rule that would dramatically overhaul certification regulations for small aircraft. Kansas lawmaker Mike Pompeo (R), joined by Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) and Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), last week introduced the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013. It calls on FAA to issue a rule by Dec. 31, 2015, that would essentially implement the recommendations of the Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is adding its third location in a little more than a year with the recent acquisition of development rights at Chicago Executive Airport. Hawthorne, which teamed with Moelis Capital Partners in 2010 to build a nationwide fixed-base operation (FBO) chain, closed on a deal May 6 to acquire the rights from Sovereign Development Group and hopes to begin construction later this month on a nearly 40,000-sq.-ft. terminal and hangar facility.
Cessna recently completed the mating of the wing and fuselage of the first production unit Citation M2. The light jet, a step up from the company’s Mustang very light jet, is on track for certification in the second half of this year. Wing mating clears the way for engine installation and preparation for function testing of the aircraft systems, including avionics, hydraulics and flight controls. The M2, powered by Williams FJ44-1AP-21 engines producing 1,965 lbst, will have a maximum cruising speed of 400 kt., a 1,300-nm range and the ability to take off in 3,250 ft.
