China Eastern Airlines Executive Air, a unit of the Chinese air carrier, is expected to soon launch business jet operations. The business aviation operator currently owns a Hawker 800, but hopes to expand the fleet to three business jets this year and then eventually to seven. The operation was established in 1995 as a ground handler in Shanghai, and has since provided services for more than 5,000 VIP, cargo, charter, air ambulance and other business jet flights.
Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA) has opened a new 8,200-sq.-meter (88,264 sq. ft.) facility at Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore that provides double the hangar space and 25% more office space than ESEA’s previous operation at Loyang Way near Changi Airport. The Seletar hangar accommodates 24 helicopters and is certified to perform modifications and repairs for interiors, avionics, structures and electrical systems. Scientists and engineers at EADS Innovation Works will also work there on rotorcraft research and development.
The NTSB recently took a first step that could provide FAA certificate holders a better chance of receiving a fair shake if they run afoul of FAA safety inspectors. In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) published just before Christmas, the NTSB said it is considering a change in the rules under which the agency’s administrative law judges adjudicate appeals of “emergency” certificate suspensions or revocations by the FAA.
ACSS (L-3 Communications and Thales Co.), Phoenix, announced that Terry Flaishans has been named vice president and general manager, reporting to Kris Ganase, president of L-3 Aviation Products. Air Charter Safety Foundation, Alexandria, Va., announced that Skyservice Business Aviation, Quebec, is the first international operator to be added to the ACSF Audit Standard (IAS) Registry. Angel MedFlight, Scottsdale, Ariz., promoted Rastislav “Rusty” Valko to COO, responsible for overseeing company-wide operations.
Daher-Socata is planning a 100th Anniversary Special Edition TBM 850 this year as part of the celebration of the company’s centennial of continuous airplane production that began in 1911 with its predecessor company — Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier. The Special Edition version will include a number of new features, including a program that lowers scheduled maintenance costs for five years or 1,000 hr.
Regardless of your views on global warming, there are compelling reasons for running a so-called “green” operation — and perhaps the most important one is “greenbacks,” or the money that can be saved through fuel conservation.
A long-endurance UAV flew for the first time powered by a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system in January. AeroVironment’s Global Observer GO-1, climbed to 5,000 ft. over Edwards AFB, Calif., and flew for 4 hr. The flight marked the first time electrical power was supplied by a liquid hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine. The engine, in turn, drives a generator that powers the propellers, payload and batteries.
A remanufactured business jet with state-of-the-art engines and avionics for what is claimed to be 40% the price of a new aircraft of the same type is the impetus behind Nextant Aerospace’s Beechjet 400XT program.
With the change in leadership in the House of Representatives, it’s unlikely that U.S. business aviation operators will have to contend with a carbon emissions cap-and-trade program on this side of the Atlantic. However, those venturing across the North Atlantic will be forced to contend with the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme — paying for their CO2 emissions from point of origin.
“As an operator, you might want to advocate for air traffic improvements to be expanded as quickly as possible [to further promote green ops]. And if there is regulation of emissions [i.e., cap and trade], I would make a pitch for rational policies that the money extracted from the industry be invested back into the industry in research for green operations and reduction of emissions further.” — Ed Smith, Senior Vice President, International and Environmental Affairs General Aviation Manufacturers Association
The NTSB held a public meeting Jan. 11, for staffers to present a safety study to the five-member board that examined the effectiveness of airbags in minimizing injuries in a survivable general aviation accident. In a nutshell, the data presented showed that shoulder harnesses are still the primary means of mitigating harm to those on board, reducing injuries about 50% in the 10 accidents studied in detail. Notably, all the occupants were using their lap belt and/or shoulder harness restraints.
28 NOV — Today we did the second shuttle going from Baghdad to Mosul to Kirkuk then Balad and finally back to Baghdad. The Army closed one of the Entry Control Points (ECP) and we had to hop through myriad hoops to get to the airport. We were checked, re-checked and re-re-checked just to get to the airport.
President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (H.R.4853) into law Dec. 17, just a day after the legislation cleared the House. The bill permits 100% depreciation of capital investments — including engines, avionics and other upgrades — during 2011, and 50% depreciation for such purchases in 2012. It permits 100% depreciation of aircraft through 2012 and 50% in 2013.
Star Navigation Group of Toronto has developed a satellite-based cockpit data recorder (CDR) with built-in GPS tracking software. The CDR enables essential flight variables, such as altitude, speed and heading, along with avionics and diagnostic information, to be transmitted automatically in real time at regular intervals during a flight, providing access to the data in the event of an inflight event.
Charter booker Avinode reported that, on average, charter demand in 2010 grew to approximately 50% above 2009 levels, but heavy holiday travel has pushed the year-over-year demand increase to 70%. In addition, U.K.-based charter broker PrivateFly.com said that it has seen sales in December skyrocket up to 80% as scores of airline flights in Europe were cancelled due to the major snowstorm that hit the continent. The company said light jets are leading the current demand, but Avinode’s Dec.
I was quite surprised when I read “BCA Roundup: Cabin Electronics” (December 2010, page 26) and found that Custom Control Concepts Inc. (CCC) did not receive a mention in the article or in the very detailed charts. Every one of our competitors was listed. CCC has been in business for 11 years. We have completed 107 narrow and widebody aircraft and many helicopters, and we have integrated the most complicated and expensive head-of-state and VVIP aircraft.
Qantas is working with U.S. firm Solena on plans to establish a plant that can convert biomass to jet fuel. News of the project leaked out before Qantas was ready, but the airline confirms it has an agreement with Solena “to investigate the feasibility of a waste-based aviation fuel production plant in Australia. We expect to produce a business case for such a plant within 12 months,” the airline says in a statement. “While we are still in the early stages of this project, the possibilities are exciting.
Australian flag carrier Qantas will enter the air charter business after announcing plans to buy Network Aviation. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Network Aviation was established in 1998, and is based in Perth, Australia, says Qantas spokesman Simon Rushton. Network Aviation operates a fleet of two 100-seat Fokker 100s and six 30-seat Embraer Brasilia turboprops. Network Aviation will keep its current management, employees and operating structure and become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group after the deal is finalized.
In 2010, the U.S. business jet and turboprop fleet combined experienced 45 accidents including seven fatal mishaps resulting in deaths of 19 passengers and crew members during routine business operational flights, according to Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla. Overall, this is one more accident than the previous year, but in 2009 seven crashes claimed 32 lives. Breiling reports that incidents or occurrences involving minor or no damage in both jets and turboprops have increased in recent years.
Bell Helicopter announced in January that it has integrated six of its support and service subsidiaries, officially merging them into Bell Helicopter Textron. Bell says the change allows the company to build Bell Helicopter’s brand recognition, reduces confusion over existing brands and aids in growing its international presence. The operations affected by this activity are: Edwards & Associates Inc. and Aeronautical Accessories Inc. (Piney Flats, Tenn.), Rotor Blades Inc. (Broussard, La.), Acadian Composites (Lafayette, La.), Bell Aerospace Services Inc.
Fred George should know that the people who are “corporate aircraft critics” (“Analysis: Dassault Falcon 900LX,” January 2011, page 24) are not going to overlook the $42 million business jet on a general aviation ramp. Does he really believe that a G450 or Global 5000 is markedly different in the eyes of a corporate aircraft critic? Critics of corporate aviation are neither informed nor rational and they are often hypercritical. One need look no further than to our own president.
Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer, Boeing, Hawker Beechcraft, VistaJet, Jet Aviation, TAG Asia, HK Jet, Asia Jet and JSSI are among those that have signed up to exhibit at Asian Business Aviation 2011, scheduled for March 9-10 in Hong Kong. A record 20-plus business jets are to be on display in the static park.
