VistaJet is buying Bombardier's Skyjet International business jet charter operation. The deal comes with a $1.3 billion order for Bombardier aircraft. The package includes 11 Challenger 605s, 13 Learjet 60XRs, and 11 Learjet 85s. VistaJet also took options for 25 more business jets. Privately owned VistaJet is tripling its fleet size with the order. "With Skyjet and VistaJet joining forces, we aim to become the foremost leading company in Europe, the Middle East and Asia," says VistaJet CEO Thomas Flohr.
*Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Lynnwood, Wash., appointed Joe Bottenfield as vice president of Microwave Systems Solution, which includes the Beverly, Mass., and Chandler, Ariz., facilities.
Robert E. Breiling Associates reported that in the first half of 2008 the combined U.S. business jet and turboprop fleet experienced 36 accidents, 11 of them fatal, resulting in 24 passenger and crew fatalities. Overall, the Boca Raton, Fla.-based company stated, this is an increase in the number of accidents and fatal accidents experienced by the combined fleet during the corresponding period in 2007. In the first six months of 2008 compared to 2007, the accident count was up by 10 to 36, fatal accidents up by nine to 11.
* The Vertol Model 76 (Army VZ-2) became the world's first tilt-wing aircraft to successfully complete transition from vertical to horizontal and back to vertical flight. The turbine-powered aircraft was funded by the U.S. Army and developed in cooperation with the Office of Naval Research. * The two wingtip rotors on the second prototype of Bell's XV-3 Convertiplane achieved 60-degree forward tilt in flight tests, but the aircraft then developed vibration trouble. It was to be modified before flight testing resumed.
Is it war? Are the airlines out to "kill" or otherwise hobble business aviation, fractional ownership and jet charter? More to the point, could they pull it off?
*Degani, Asaf; Wiener, Earl L. "Human Factors of Flight-Deck Checklists." NASA Contractor Report 177549, May 1990. NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. *Degani, Asaf; Wiener, Earl L. "On the Design of Flight-Deck Procedures." NASA Contractor Report 177642, June 1994. NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
A Piper Malibu Mirage was destroyed by a lightning strike while in cruise flight over France. The PA-46-350P, with U.S. registration of N9245D, "subsequently broke up" and crashed into terrain near Leguillac de Cercles, according to a brief report by the NTSB. The pilot and the single passenger were killed. Weather in the area at the time of the May 25 accident included mostly cloudy skies, six miles visibility and winds of 16 knots, with a temperature of 68°F and a dew point of 55°F. An investigation is being conducted by the French government.
The FAA's Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook, FAA Order 8400.10, "Aircraft Checklists" briefly describes two main types of normal checklists -- the "Challenge-Do-Verify" and the "Do-Verify." Each represents a different operational philosophy.
General Electric completed the acquisition of Walter Engines, a Czech manufacturer, in the hope of cutting into the small to midsize turboprop and turboshaft market dominance long held by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT-6 line. GE said the acquisition "broadens GE's offerings . . .
For the first half of 2008, Embraer delivered a record 97 jets, and the Brazilian airframe manufacturer's order backlog swelled to an all-time high of $20.7 billion. The 97 airplanes shipped in the first six months of 2008 represent a 59-percent increase over the 61 airplanes delivered during the first half of 2007. During the second quarter, Embraer delivered 52 jets, 43 to airline customers and nine Legacy 600s to corporate operators. In the first quarter, Embraer delivered 38 airline jets and seven Legacy 600s.
Agusta/Westland Global Support Plan (GSP) -- Designed to provide comprehensive cost control measures, the GSP covers parts and labor for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repair and replacement of components, overhaul, life-limited parts and pilot refresher training. Parts and labor for mandatory Service Bulletins are included. Avionics are also included. Engine services are provided by engine OEMs. The contract is transferable.
I want to thank you for dredging up the 30-year-old photos just to remind me of what the 70s were like. Nice shot of Bob Stangarone, too. And then you show a contemporary photo of yourself instead of the real Bill Garvey that we know must be lurking somewhere from the 70s. I thought you did a good job with the anniversary issue.
Congratulations on a grand tribute to the all-star team that made BCA the unique jewel of business aviation. The staff photo review is so appropriate in this very special industry (aka elite club) of aviation zealots. It is a glowing trip down memory lane. It has been an honor to serve with all of you and I am sure Dave is smiling proudly up there. BCA proves it is not lonely at the top.
Hypoxia is a silent killer and pilots often are unaware of their condition because lack of oxygen affects their judgment. Technicians who fly regularly or who participate in pressurization system maintenance flights need to be prepared as well for this invisible, tasteless danger. To help increase awareness of hypoxia's threat, the military exposes pilots to high-altitude pressure simulators.
*Agusta A109E, A109S and A119 helicopters -- Inspect the pilot and copilot doors' emergency release system. If any interference is found between the lower hinges of the doors and the housing on the helicopter structure, rework the housing slot of the lower hinge. *Cessna Caravan 208 and 208B airplanes -- Inspect the left and right wing wire bundles and repair or replace damaged wire.
As the world's first all-digital air carrier, DayJet, the Boca Raton, Fla.-based startup, has relied on breakthroughs in both emerging aviation and computer technologies, offering a new and unique travel option. The concept of "Per Seat, On Demand" jet service offers the efficiency and convenience of corporate jet travel with the affordability and availability of traveling with scheduled airlines. But you won't hear the word "scheduled" bantered among the DayJet faithful. Instead, they insist, "DayJet sells time."
A Skyship 600 blimp is patrolling the Florida Straits for the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy as part of a six-week joint evaluation of the airship's effectiveness in the patrol mission. The lighter-than-air (LTA) craft and its crew of three pilots, two mechanics and 15 ground crew members began operating from Boca Chica Naval Air Station on June 30. The airship, which is owned and operated by Airship Management Services (AMS) Inc., Greenwich, Conn., is leased to the government. The contract, including mission equipment, is valued at approximately $1 million.
*Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga., announced that Mark Burns has become president of Gulfstream Product Support and General Dynamics Aviation Services, replacing Larry Flynn, who's moving on to take over sales and marketing.
Boeing has teamed with a Canadian company to develop a commercial heavy-lift aircraft that combines helicopter rotor systems with a neutrally buoyant airship. Calgary, Alberta-based SkyHook International has contracted Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems Rotorcraft Division outside Philadelphia to design the JHL-40 and build two production prototypes for certification in Canada and the United States. The aircraft is expected to fly in 2012.
MJET -- providers of integrated engineering, completion, customization and maintenance services for commercial and business aircraft -- has begun its first corporate conversion of a Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet at the company's facility at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. The reconfigured aircraft, which will be operated by Corpac Canada Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta, is scheduled for delivery in January 2009.
ERA Training Center has begun operating its facility at the Lake Charles, La., Regional Airport, near the headquarters of ERA Helicopters. The 7,600-square-foot facility houses two FAA-approved Flight Training Devices for the Eurocopter AS350B2 and EC 135, and will be dedicated to training personnel involved in EMS, airborne law enforcement and business aviation rotorcraft operations.
