Honda Aircraft has pushed back first delivery of its HondaJet by a year, saying “global aerospace industry business challenges” have delayed critical components for the conforming aircraft to be produced for FAA certification testing. First flight of the light business jet has been reset for January 2010, and first customer delivery delayed to fourth quarter 2011 from late 2010.
The FAA is encouraging operators of aircraft equipped with pneumatic deicing boots to ensure that pilots receive proper training on the operation of these systems and the importance of maintaining appropriate airspeed in icing conditions. The InFo essentially adopts the NTSB’s position discounting the phenomenon of “ice bridging” and recommending early and frequent activation of boots in icing conditions. Operators should place a special emphasis on the proper operation of deicing boots according to the airplane flight manual (AFM) or FAA-approved operator’s manual.
Single Point of Contact recently announced the launch of Single Point Assist maintenance service exclusively for overseas destinations. It’s a subscription service that provides onsite maintenance technicians directly to your aircraft with just one phone call. According to the company, users will save money be locking in maintenance costs, parts and access to local resources in advance so there are no surprises. The operator signs up for coverage depending on where and how often they are traveling overseas.
Tailwind Capital delivered in May the first Bombardier CRJ-200LR regional jet converted for business aviation use. The Redmond, Wash.-based aircraft financing consultancy, bought its first CRJ-200LR on speculation, said CEO, President and founder Joel Hussey. “Bombardier’s Challenger 850 is an aircraft that is still in production and the CRJ-200 LR is very close in configuration, he noted. The difference between our Tailwind and the Challenger 850 is an auxiliary fuel system, said Hussey.
Mike Ellis, who founded his Dallas-based aircraft acquisition firm in 2004, believes that those involved in buying or selling used, turbine-powered business airplanes need to view the current market with some historical perspective.
The FAA released its bird strike database at the end of April at the direction of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The agency’s fear that the information might cause an unsophisticated public to worry excessively about specific locations proved unfounded. There was a flurry of attention in the general news media, now subsided, mostly about the 59,776 total strikes since 2000 and that probably 80 percent of “wildlife strikes” are unreported. Acting NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker remarked, “I was particularly gratified to read [Secretary LaHood’s] comments . . .
Stanley Proto has introduced a Classic Screwdriver line that takes the look and feel of this industrial workhorse, but updates it with advanced material and features. The handle has a new four-side fluted design made from impact-resistant extruded acetate. Handle diameters have been increased; shanks come in round and square varieties; blade and tip are available with slotted, Phillips, cabinet or Torx tips. This new product launch includes 59 individual screwdrivers and 10 sets. Stanley-Proto 2195 East View Pkwy. Conyers, GA 30014
Embraer delivered the first Lineage 1000 executive jet, derived from the Embraer 190 airliner, to Aamer Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prestige Jet, also of Abu Dhabi, will manage the aircraft on his behalf. The new aircraft joined Embraer’s Phenom 100 and 300 on the EBACE static display line, May 12-14 in Geneva.
Lufthansa and its partners have started to bring their combined massive resources to bear on the business aviation market. Even though their fleet is far from immense (two Citation CJ3s, two Citation XLS+s and three CJ1s) their influence likely will be, says BCA Show News Editor-in-Chief John Morris. Lufthansa Private Jet’s CJ3s and XLS+s are operated by Swiss PrivateAviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines, which is itself owned by Lufthansa.
Although the first quarter delivery figures for general aviation manufacturers overall were negative, Cirrus Design Corp. President and CEO Brent Wouters is buoyed by his company’s performance. The manufacturer of the SR20 and SR22 series of light, piston-engine aircraft said that while international sales were still in decline his U.S. business was up 2 percent from 2008 and that this year the company planned total deliveries “around the mid-300s.” He said the financial improvement resulted from a combination of cost cutting and increased sales.
CAE Global Academy is expanding its China presence with a pilot provisioning contract with Xiamen Airlines for approximately 70 pilots over two years. A group of Xiamen Airline cadets began training last month at CAE Global Academy, Phoenix. CAE Global Academy incorporates hands-on training throughout the curriculum through the use of the latest simulation-based technology and spending 250 hours flying an aircraft. At the end of training, the cadets will graduate with a Commercial Pilot license approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Stevens Aviation has received Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) for its avionics upgrade to the Learjet 60. Stevens owns an STC that covers installation of the Universal Avionics EFI-890R multifunction display with the application server unit and the optional Vision-1 Synthetic Vision System in the Learjet 60. Stevens Aviation is negotiating with several partners for distribution and installation of the Learjet 60 kit worldwide.
ARINC Direct is offering a new Web-based package of flight support services for VLJs, plus other general aviation aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds at takeoff. The subscription price of only $1,500 per year, includes flight planning, complete weather information, aircraft tracking, runway analysis and weight and balance calculations. It also includes participation in ARINC’s discount fuel service. Dispatchers and crews can access the service from anywhere using any Internet device or smartphone.
Cessna announced the 200th Citation Mustang delivery when Maritime Air Charters picked up its new aircraft at Cessna’s Independence, Kan., facility. Although based in Honolulu, Maritime Air Charters will operate the new Mustang in charter service from its facility in Newnan, Ga., outside Atlanta. Maritime intends to offer its services including aircraft management, flight crew service and charter management to other Mustang owners.
With the latest proposal to limit the operational freedom of aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds, I am surprised by how limited and guarded the responses have been from the aviation community. It seems that with every passing quarter, the TSA has issued some new restriction on our civil liberties. I don’t think I am alone in believing that the TSA is continuing to expand its sphere of influence, control and restrictions at a rate faster than it can effectively manage, or measure, its own effectiveness.
I read “Without Apology” (Viewpoint, January, page 7) with interest because of the negative spin placed on business aircraft by Congress, and of course the lapdog media with its pile-on mentality, during the hearings on the automotive industry bailout proposal. The fat, stupid cats running Detroit deserve an Oscar for sheer arrogance. However, you raise a very interesting issue once again — business aircraft as a sign of noblesse oblige.
I have an acquaintance — a light-twin business pilot — who always files IFR for any trip away from his immediate local area for two reasons: “One, I’ve got someone to talk to and help me watch for traffic; and, two, staying IFR keeps me on track for the correct airport, especially at night.” Not a bad idea, especially for a lone pilot in busy airspace.
The ninth European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) drew to a close May 14. Event organizers cheered the show as the third-largest EBACE ever, with 10,917 registered attendees. The three-day event opened May 12 in Geneva, Switzerland with 9,300 pre-registered attendees, 411 exhibitors and 65 aircraft on static display — five more aircraft than in 2008. BCA had our Show News staff on site, where they published an issue each day and posted it to the AviationWeek.com free Web site, where they’re still available.
The NTSB determined the probable cause of a midair collision between two EMS helicopters last year was both pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad. Contributing to the accident were the failure of one of the pilots to follow arrival and noise abatement guidelines and the failure of the other pilot to follow communications guidelines. On June 29, 2008, about 3:47 p.m. MST, two Bell 407 EMS helicopters, operated by Air Methods Corp.
June 15-21: International Paris Air Show, Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Le Bourget, France. www.paris-air-show.com June 24: NBAA Regional Forum, Signature Flight Support, St. Paul Downtown Airport, Minn. www.nbaa.org June 25-27: 14th Annual Flight Attendants Conference, Doubletree Hotel, New Orleans. www.nbaa.org July 16: Demonstrating & Quantifying the Value of Business Aviation, McGraw-Hill Corporate Headquarters, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. (800) 240-7645. www.aviationweek.com/conferences
Nearly 10 years ago, Congress created the “Whistle-blower Protection Program” for “airline employees.” The law applies to “air carriers” so it covers FAR Parts 121 and 135 but not pilots flying under Part 91. The law prohibits “discrimination” by an air carrier against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the employee:
Out of the past comes Kellett Aircraft’s KD-1A, shown taking off at Turner Field, Willow Grove, Pa. First built in the early 1930s, the 225-hp autogyro is being pushed for agricultural and utility use. Southern business flying center of the future? The U.S. Navy releases Chamblee, Ga., Air Station near Atlanta. The first FBO is Executive Aviation, a Cessna distributor.
Near LBL, [the crew] saw a patch of blue sky to the right front and painted nothing [on radar] in front of them. The encounter occurred when a large buildup appeared in front of the airplane with less than two seconds notice.” The NTSB report goes on to say “the airplane experienced airspeed excursions from about 275 knots to 225 knots with an altitude loss of 500 feet. During the encounter, the airplane also experienced small hail. Other aircraft in the area reported no conditions greater than light turbulence.”
