Embraer signed a preliminary agreement with AVIC (Aviation Industry Corp. of China) for their Chinese joint venture company, Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co. (HEAI), to set up a Legacy 600/650 production line in China. The preliminary deal calls for output at the joint venture to shift from 50-seat ERJ-145 regional jets to Legacy 600/650 business jets, which are derived from the ERJ-135/145 family. As we go to press, Embraer says it expects to finalize the details of the new arrangement with AVIC and “execute the relevant documentation” within weeks.
Eclipse Aerospace, the Albuquerque, N.M., company that provides support for the fleet of 260 Eclipse twin-engine very light jets, has received an FAA STC for the Avio Integrated Flight Management System (IFMS) developed by Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) of Exton, Pa. The Avio system provides a range of navigation functions, including coupled Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) approaches, holding patterns and procedure turns, and airway navigation.
Universal Jet Aviation recently added two Gulfstream IVs and a Boeing BBJ to its fleet. The Gulfstreams will be based out of Miami and Carlsbad, Calif., and the BBJ will be available for charter out of South Florida. Universal Jet's charter fleet now has 15 aircraft, including four Gulfstream IVs, seven Gulfstream IIIs and a Legacy 600.
Cessna took orders for 30 aircraft at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Fla. “The opening days of Sun ‘n Fun were very positive, and while the storm on Thursday [March 31] interrupted that mood somewhat, the exhibitors and the crowds bounced back to finish the show strong,” said Mark Paolucci, Cessna's senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Cessna took 16 orders for the new Corvalis TTX and 13 orders for high-wing single-engine pistons.
Stabilizing aircraft valuations, robust corporate earnings and climbing stock prices may have given aircraft buyers enough confidence to resume purchasing previously owned, turbine-powered aircraft. But the uncertainty and potential economic damage caused by high oil prices, political instability in North Africa and the Middle East, and the Japanese nuclear crisis have some experts concerned that the fledgling recovery could be in jeopardy.
The following description of the hotline is posted on the NATA website (www.nata.aero): “Effective immediately, any employee or agent of a Part 135 on-demand certificate holder can call a special toll-free hotline, (888) 759-3581 or (888) SKY-FLT1, to file a report of suspected illegal commercial flights, where an aircraft operator without an FAR Part 135 certificate is accepting compensation for transportation in violation of both FAA and Department of Transportation regulations.
The management at Cirrus Aircraft is awaiting word from the U.S. government regarding clearance to proceed with the Minnesota planemaker's acquisition by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd., (AVIC). The $200-plus million takeover, announced Feb. 28, has met with opposition that Cirrus executives maintain is misplaced and potentially damaging. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.), whose district includes the main Cirrus plant and headquarters in Duluth, told the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
Thrane & Thrane's Aviator 200 SwiftBroadband system with Wi-Fi has received a European Aviation Safety Agency STC for installation in Cessna Citation CJ1 and CJ2 jets. The system was integrated and tested aboard a Cessna CJ1 by RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Thrane & Thrane's Aviator 200 is a compact, lightweight system that offers reliable, affordable connectivity to provide users with a range of voice and data services.
Imagine running a flight department in which a couple of co-captains named Harry and John can't get along at all. Ever. I mean they argue about nearly everything. They can't agree on the best destination airport, the most efficient course, the smoothest altitudes. Harry is always adding power while John frets over fuel burn. They disagree on weather analysis, taxiing speed, even the best catered sweet rolls.
ARGUS reports that March flight activity shows significant increase over the previous month. TRAQPak data indicate March business aircraft activity was up 17.2% over February. Looking at operational categories, the FAR Part 91 market segment saw the biggest month-over-month increase at 18.6%. The fractional segment came in second, up 17.0%, and the Part 135 market was positive as well at 15.0%. Comparing March 2011 to March 2010, activity increased 4.7%. The Part 91 and fractional markets both saw activity increase at 9.5% and 5.7%, respectively.
Having raised four children, you'd think I'd be much more vigilant about saying “Yes” too easily simply because its contingent obligation seems so removed in time. After all, “You promised!” is one of the most potent tools in a child's weapons locker.
Honeywell's HTF7000, the 7,000-lb.-thrust class engine that powers the Bombardier Challenger 300 — with others soon to follow — now has amassed more than one million flight hours and operators say it's powerful, economical and, most importantly, reliable. The turbofan now meets or exceeds virtually all their expectations, even though it went through some minor teething pains during initial entry into service in mid-2003.
“Guardedly optimistic” is how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Nadol describes a recovery in new business jet demand this year, but warns that the path is a winding one and data points are mixed. “In March, for example, used inventory ticked up for the first time since October. The increase was slight, but a further decline would have inspired more confidence,” he writes. “Likewise, pricing was more or less flat after increasing in January and February. Most models saw price increases, however, and we still see a trend toward firming prices.”
FAA, DOT and NATCA have launched a united attack on the dozing controller situation and scheduling practices that can lead to controller fatigue while standing firm on individual professionalism. “We expect controllers to come to work rested and ready to work and take personal responsibility for safety in the control towers. We have zero tolerance for sleeping on the job,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. He mandated that two controllers staff control towers on overnight shifts.
I began reading the April issue of BCA at 0630 yesterday as usual with your Viewpoint column (“Fleeting Permanence,” page 9). After seeing that John Wiley and I shared the same birth year (something that is happening with troubling frequency), I went straight to page 42 and read “Baghdad Diary.” A great story, but an even better insight into the problems our country faces today.
FlightSafety International has developed a crew resource management training course designed specifically for helicopter operations. The scenario-based program covers human factors, teamwork, communication, situational awareness, aeronautical decision-making, leadership and safety.
The Max-Viz EVS-1500 dual field of view (optical zoom) infrared Enhanced Vision System (EVS) has been approved for installation on Gulfstream III, IV and V series aircraft via an amended STC.
Bell/AgustaWestland BA609A Tiltrotor With robust sales of the AW139 helping the AgustaWestland division of Finmeccanica claim 29% of the $4.16 billion global helicopter market as measured by 2010 deliveries — that's second only to Eurocopter — the status of the AB609A tiltrotor joint venture with Bell Helicopter Textron has seemed only to grow murkier.
FAA granted type certification March 18 for Honeywell's 7,445-lb.-thrust HTF7250G turbofan that powers Gulfstream's new G250. Engine certification represents a substantial milestone in the development of the G250, paving the way for planned aircraft certification at the end of this year. The engine's internal architecture is closely related to the 6,826-lb.-thrust HTF7000 aboard the Bombardier Challenger 300, retaining its 34.2-in.
Falcon Aviation Services, an Abu Dhabi-based charter operator, has added an Embraer Lineage 1000 to its fleet, joining the existing fleet of Gulfstream G450 and Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft.
FAA released an “Information for Operators” (InFO) document, encouraging business and corporate aircraft operators to implement a safety management system (SMS). The April 11 InFO also outlines International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) SMS requirements for operators of large aircraft (those weighing more than 12,500 lb.). The release of the InFO was driven in part by ICAO requirements for noncommercial operators of large aircraft to implement an SMS program by Nov. 18, 2010.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) said at a recent corporate jet finance conference, that it has seen the overall cost of aircraft financing decrease throughout the past 24 months compared to prices seen during the economic downturn.
Duncan Aviation, the Lincoln, Neb.-based aircraft service and support company, has introduced a “Phased Interior Maintenance” program that is designed to help operators better plan for interior projects while increasing the longevity of a functional, aesthetically pleasing interior. Under the concept, interior refurbishment can be phased-in over several years by matching various levels of refurbishment tasks with annual and routine aircraft maintenance events.
The business aircraft industry again flew through stormy skies in 2010. Compared to 2009, 12.3% fewer new turbofan aircraft were delivered, new turboprop shipments declined another 17.7% and there was a 7.7% drop in new piston aircraft deliveries, according to GAMA.
Cleveland-based Constant Aviation has completed its first STC'd installation of a Wi-Fi system, along with Aircell's Gogo Biz Inflight Internet, in a Gulfstream IV. The company also is completing its STC for installation of Aircell's Gogo Biz Inflight and Wi-Fi in the Cessna Citation X, Hawker 800A/XP, Beechjet and Embraer Phenom 300.
