Stevens Aviation has developed a pullout table design for Learjet interiors. Initially available for the Learjet 35SE as part of Stevens' Lear4Ever program, the new design replaces old-style production and aftermarket card tables. The new table consists of a more durable all-aluminum frame with high-gloss veneer woodwork. The low-profile design is integrated into the wall, enables installation of a flush drink rail and provides a vertical space savings of four inches along the top of the rail where the table is installed.
THIS YEAR'S NBAA convention began with a media breakfast at which the heads of the NBAA and GAMA spoke their minds. Now two (or is it three?) years into the war with the airlines and the Bush administration over user fees, Ed Bolen's focus on the subject that morning was expected and appropriate. Similarly, Pete Bunce's call-to-arms phraseology -- to wit, "A tidal wave is coming . . ." -- was of a kind.
The AOPA, which has strongly supported the overall concept for the NextGen ATC system, said it plans to thoroughly examine the 100-page proposal, but said the FAA still needed to answer a number of technical questions. The association noted that the proposal would enable the FAA to move away from its aging ground radar and that the money this saves should be considered in calculating future aviation fuel taxes. GAMA agreed, adding technical specifications still need to be set in concrete before manufacturers are comfortable with a full-scale ramp-up of ADS-B equipment.
Infinity Aviation Group, Nashua, N.H., has acquired the assets of Keyson Airways and Keyson Enterprises, a full-service FBO located at the Nashua Airport.
Deliveries of the B200 Super XPR, Blackhawk Modifications' new engine upgrade for the King Air B200, began in October. Blackhawk of Waco, Texas installed factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-61 engines and the Raisbeck's EPIC Performance Package into the B200. The package increases the aircraft's takeoff, climb and cruise performance, giving the twin turboprop the ability to cruise at speeds up to 305 knots.
Paul Lowe of Aviation International News was presented the NBAA Gold Wing Award, which recognizes insightful reporting on the most important issues and trends impacting business aviation. Lowe is noted for his thorough and well-researched series of articles on the aviation user fee issue - one of the most pressing issues facing the general aviation industry. His coverage is credited with helping readers to understand the implications of user fees and the threat posed to their businesses.
NBAA by the Numbers: The NBAA's annual convention in Atlanta in September attracted more than 32,000 visitors, down slightly from the 33,088 at the 2006 show in Orlando. The convention sold 5,200 booth spaces to a record 1,152 exhibitors. The static display at Fulton County Airport drew 115 aircraft. The association reports its gathering is now the seventh largest (in display space) convention in the United States.
ARINC Direct has added wireless mobile flight planning to its portfolio of services for business jet operators. The new service, ARINC Direct Mobile, is designed for pilots and flight departments who want to create and submit flight plans using Blackberries or other personal wireless devices. The service is available immediately and offers most of the features of ARINC's standard Web- enabled flight planning service.
Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, Neb., announced that Todd Duncan assumed his new position as chairman as current Chairman Robert Duncan retired, becoming chairman emeritus.
The NBAA Convention seems this year to have reached a critical mass. Year after year it has been a fount of news -- of new airframes, engines, avionics, significant sales, FBO expansions, the state of the industry -- the whole spectrum from new light sport aircraft to VIP Boeing 787s. This year, the sheer volume of news from the convention was a gusher that would have swamped this issue, and at least the next - bumping major news generated before, during and after the convention, flowing like the atmosphere of Jupiter around the Great Red Spot of NBAA 2007.
Responding to criticism by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations, Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said in a recent TV interview that Brazil's airspace is now safer, "although safety is one thing and its perception by the public is something else." Jobim oversees aviation in Brazil. He highlighted the continued training of some 600 professional controllers and equipment modernization as signs that safety is a priority. Structural reforms are also under way, such as transferring ATC from military to civilian hands.
*Nov. 7-9: Chevron Product Integrity Training, Phoenix. Chevron Global Aviation, 1500 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77002. (866) 557-3456. www.totalga.com *Nov. 7-9: International Aviation Womens Association 19th Annual Conference, Sheraton Buenos Aires & Convention Center and St. Regis Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. (410) 571-1990. www.iawa.org
Members of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), including the NBAA, recognized Robert E. Breiling for his significant long-term contributions to business aviation safety in the United States and worldwide.
In response to Richard Aarons' informative and alarming article "Deadly Overconfidence" in the September issue of B&CA (Cause & Circumstance, page 150), I am very glad as a high-time MU-2 pilot and owner/operator to see a factual story about the unfortunate events leading up to the May 2005, Hillsboro, Ore., crash.
Airport officials from around the nation say a passenger facility charge (PFC) hike is essential to infrastructure development, and want to make sure the increase is included in the final version of the FAA reauthorization bill. The House version of the bill includes an increase in the PFC cap to $7. However, the Senate version of legislation does not.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide launched its new Berlin Campus in early October. The campus offers a Master of Aeronautical Science degree alon g with other degree programs in aviation maintenance, technical management, professional aeronautics, integrated logistics and project management via Embry-Riddle's online learning program. Applications are being accepted for classes. Prospective students and professors may contact Thomas Giovingo, associate dean of academic support, at +49 (0) 631 303 27818 or [email protected] for education information.
Computer problems slowed progress toward the FAA's NextGen air traffic control system program. The agency had been trying to release a report by an Aviation Rulemaking Committee tasked with developing recommendations to provide incentives to operators to equip their aircraft with Advance Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment ahead of the anticipated 2020 deadline. The ARC report was completed a few weeks ago, and the FAA had hoped to release the report either concurrently or shortly after the ADS-B proposal was released.
The White House is holding a veto threat over the House appropriations bill that includes FAA funding for fiscal 2008. Administration officials accused lawmakers of raising taxes by retaining the current fuel-tax-based funding model, rather than introducing the more dramatic financing proposal -- i.e., user fees -- proposed by the administration and supported by airlines. The administration also faulted the house bill for spending too far above the administration's budget request - primarily on the Airport Improvement Program.
I read with interest Paul Brou's article about our operation in the September issue of B&CA ("Critical Response," page 132). In my 30-plus years in aviation, many articles have been written about programs I have been associated and/or acquainted with. In my experience, one constant in the reporting regardless of whether it was a magazine article or radio or television broadcast is that there were always a few things that were not quite "right" in the final presentation. At least that is the way it used to be before I read your article.
NAT Seattle Inc., a Cobham Avionics & Surveillance company, offers an airborne server allowing users to make and receive phone calls on their personal cell phones inflight. This solution is available for most hybrid cell/Wi-Fi phones, according to the company. The phone must be used in "flight mode," with wireless LAN enabled. The company claims that the technology is easily certifiable on aircraft because it uses existing wireless LANs.
At about 1700 UTC, a Piper PA28-181, Swiss registration HB-PGC, was destroyed when during cruise flight the airplane crashed in mountainous terrain near Airolo, Switzerland. It was IFR at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. Two other passengers were fatally injured. The cross-country flight originated at Firenze Peretola, Italy, and was en route to Zurich. The investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Swiss government.
