While figures for the total number of foreign business jets owned by Russians are hard to come by, there is speculation among people involved in Russian business aviation that the fleet size may have topped 100 aircraft. By contrast, the number of business jets that are based in Russia and recorded in the Russian operators' AOCs is quite specific: 13. And of these, only a few carry Russian registration. For a variety of reasons described later in the article, most Russian buyers prefer to register aircraft outside of Russia.
IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD HARDLY returned from one weeklong trip when I was departing on another, this time to attend the NBAA convention in Orlando, and under quite different circumstances. On the earlier excursion my conveyance was a Falcon. For much of that trip, my wife and I had the cabin to ourselves. We savored the spaciousness, the quiet and the privacy and delighted in the convenience, since we departed from and landed at Westchester County Airport, less than a mile from the office.
Larry Mattiello, president of Aero Insurance, Inc, Addision, Texas, has been named national Safety Officer of the Year by the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Mattiello, who holds the rank of major, is a search and rescue mission pilot.
Expect product announcements every year from Raytheon Aircraft, says Brad Hatt, president and general manager of the Hawker business unit. The Hawker 850XP, which debuted at NBAA, is the latest iteration of the 800XP and the 800XPi that was introduced at this year's EBACE. List price will be $13.65 million in 2006 dollars, up from the XPi's $13.45 million, which was itself a $250,000 increase over the 800XP.
Learjetstore.com is the first Web-based Bombardier Aerospace store. It features apparel, accessories and gadgets galore, including a premium, limited edition Learjet aviator wristwatch. So far, the store is stocked with more than 35 items from manufacturers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Maglight. You can't call the store on the phone. You can't drive there. But you can browse and buy there 24/7 from you home or office computer at: www.Learjetstore.com.
Garmin's GFC700 autopilot is now available for Raytheon's Beechcraft Bonanza G36. Garmin has just received an STC for the GFC700, which can now be integrated in any Bonanza equipped with the company's G1000 large-format integrated display avionics suite. Garmin says the GFC700 is the first entirely new autopilot to be built and certified for this class of aircraft in recent years.
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. (EHI), McMinnville, Ore, closed on two aircraft purchases in November, an Agusta/Bell AB139 and a Bell B412. This is EHI's second AB139 and third B412 to enter the fleet, bringing the company's total number of aircraft to more than 75. Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. (EHI), McMinnville, Ore, closed on two aircraft purchases in November, an Agusta/Bell AB139 and a Bell B412. This is EHI's second AB139 and third B412 to enter the fleet, bringing the company's total number of aircraft to more than 75.
Cessna Aircraft recently won an order for 20 Citations valued at more than $200 million from Jetalliance of Vienna, Austria. The order comprises two Citation Xs, seven Sovereigns, four XLSs, five CJ2+s and two CJ3s, all of which are to be part of Jetalliance's expansion into Eastern Europe. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year. Jetalliance is one of the largest charter operators in Europe, with a current fleet of 37 airplanes, including 20 Citations.
NBAA, Washington, D.C., has hired association marketing veteran Connie Penne as its new vice president, Membership Marketing. Most recently, Penne served as director of member data and strategic services with AARP.
Cessna Aircraft recently won an order for 20 Citations valued at more than $200 million from Jetalliance of Vienna, Austria. The order comprises two Citation Xs, seven Sovereigns, four XLSs, five CJ2+s and two CJ3s, all of which are to be part of Jetalliance's expansion into Eastern Europe. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year. Jetalliance is one of the largest charter operators in Europe, with a current fleet of 37 airplanes, including 20 Citations.
"There is a fundamental disagreement between the FAA and the AOPA about whether the aviation trust fund is running out of money," said AOPA President Phil Boyer in a recent message to the association's members. "As I testified before Congress, even the White House Office of Management and Budget is forecasting continued growth in the fund, and the fiscal year 2005 numbers bear this out."
"UDORN, BUICK, TAXI with four Phantoms." Christmas season 1972 continued. Udorn, Thailand. We of "Buick" flight begin to roll. Despite our broadcast, Buick is really a two-ship flight. Linebacker 2, the ongoing bombardment of North Vietnam, has been tough on our fighter wing and we've got too many F-4s in maintenance. Today I'm lead, nickname "Rosie." My good friend, "Wheels" is two, my backseater, Danny, is answering as three and "Buf" in the back of Wheels' airplane is four. We hope our subterfuge will fool the commies.
-Bell 206 helicopters -- Before the first flight of each day, check the tail-rotor blade-root doublers for an edge void or de-bond on both sides of each blade. If an edge void or de-bond is found, replace the unairworthy blade with an airworthy blade.
Jet-Care International won a contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to provide oil and debris analysis for Turbomeca Arriel 2C2CG engines that power the service's reengined HH-65C Dolphin helicopters. Jet-Care will provide analysis for more than 200 engines.
The Challenger 605, the model's first major upgrade since the Model 604 in 1996 was announced at NBAA. The new model features a completely redesigned Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit, a new cabin interior and multiple reliability improvements. Several popular 604 options are standard on the Model 605 and weight reduction efforts lower the BOW of a typically equipped airplane by 200 pounds, and boost the tanks-full payload by one passenger.
There was a time when aviation fuel choices were limited to a few brands. Back then you paid the going price and the bill came at the end of the month. End of story. But now more than ever business aircraft operators want to squeeze every ounce of fuel they can out of every dollar invested.
Dakota Hotels will operate TAG Farnborough's on-site hotel, expected to be up and running in 18 to 24 months. It will have around 200 rooms, with a section purpose-designed to attract students attending FlightSafety International's new Farnborough Training Center. The remainder will be operated as four- or five-star luxury accommodations available to business travelers and the general public.
