ExecuJet, part of ExecuJet Aviation Group, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, appointed Rainer Wenz to the position of sales and marketing director (Europe). He is founder and former CEO of Frankfurt-based Jet Connection, which ExecuJet acquired in August 2004. Additionally, Patrick Kleu was named managing director -- ExecuJet Europe, and Peter Smales was appointed as a group director for international projects.
The second Dassault Falcon 7X (s.n. 02) made its maiden flight on July 6 from the company facility at Bordeaux-Merignac. During the two hour, 15 minute flight, test pilots Philippe Deleume and Jean-Louis Dumas cycled the landing gear and performed acceleration/ deceleration tests. They also tested the fly-by-wire system in normal, alternate and direct modes.
I am a business consultant in Palm Beach. I have been with Flexjet (Learjet 60) for six years and have recently renewed with a Challenger 300. I am writing to let you know that of all the business periodicals I read daily, weekly and monthly, I find yours to be the most consistent with timely features. You never miss, especially when addressing the topic of fractional ownership. The July feature, ``The Details of Fractional Ownership'' (page hit it out of the park.
Royal Jet, the UAE-based aircraft charter company, won ETOPS-120 certification of its fleet of Boeing Business Jets by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) effective June 17. ``With the ETOPS-120 certificate, Royal Jet can offer a more direct and unique service to our clients who will be using the BBJ for isolated and cross-Atlantic destinations'' said Ammar Balkar, Royal Jet's vice president of sales and marketing.
The FAA decommissioned 216 obsolete NDB approaches July 7 and expects to decommission more in September. ``That's a good thing,'' said Randy Kenagy, director of advanced technology at the AOPA, ``because it means the FAA can stop spending money on something few use and will have more funds available for GPS-WAAS approaches to GA airports.'' Shutting down the remaining obsolete NDB procedures (up to a total of more than 400) in September, frees some $8 million a year that the FAA can use on more modern technology.
Hawker 700A, 800, 800A and 800XP -- Determine the current rating of the circuit breakers of cockpit ventilation and avionics cooling system blowers, replace the circuit breakers and modify the blower wiring, as applicable. Hawker 800XP -- Inspect the wiring in the power distribution system to detect damage and, if necessary, take corrective actions, including modification of certain wiring connections and revision of the airplane flight manual.
Bombardier Flexjet announced two program enhancements that reduce the cost of travel from the contiguous United States to Europe and Hawaii on Challenger aircraft and provide all Flexjet owners with additional choices when traveling internationally. First, Flexjet is offering ferry fee waivers to and from Europe and Hawaii for owners of Challenger 300 and 604 aircraft. This fee waiver follows the success of a Flexjet initiative launched in February when it began waiving ferry fees to and from the Caribbean.
Air Carrier Certificate holders operating under FAR Part 135 have four primary responsibilities, Denis Keith, of Jet Solutions in Dallas, says. ``First, before they can release a flight, they have to know they have a legal airplane, i.e., it's airworthy, properly equipped, meets all the maintenance requirements, and so forth. ``Then they have to have a legal crew, properly trained, certificated and rested. ``Next, they must have a legal flight, which means the trip can be flown within the regulatory structure.
The NBAA's Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), scheduled for Aug. 9-11 in Shanghai, China, will host a number of informational sessions for the Asian business aviation community. Topics will include navigation and airport infrastructure, airport handling and support, and airspace and air traffic. Don Spruston, director general of the International Business Aviation Council, will moderate a session on the safety culture of business aviation.
New from Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Inc., the black, molded plastic wheelstops are connected with 22-inch bright yellow- and black-braided nylon rope that resists rot and does not retain water. The stops are equipped with a cleated bottom to help keep aircraft secured. Measuring 7.75 x 2.5 x 4.5 inches, the concave design fits any aircraft tire. Price: $19.995 Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA); www.asa2fly.com
As part of its avionics upgrade ``Glass Box Project,'' Duncan Aviation recently certificated the Universal EFI-890R in a King Air 300. The STC covers both the two-display and three-display systems. The displays deliver primary flight information and additional features not available in older EFIS and electromechanical instruments and can integrate TAWS, TCAS, lightning strike, weather and navigational information in addition to the technology required for CNS/ATM.
June 6 -- While the crew of an Embraer EMB-170 were preparing for departure from Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington, D.C. the driver of a mobile belt baggage loader was attempting to drive under the aircraft, when the loader struck the aircraft, killing the driver. There were no other injuries reported. The aircraft and belt loader received minor damage. The ramp surface was dry at the time of the accident.
The FAA has laid the groundwork to delay publishing new air tour safety standards. In November 2003, the agency issued a highly controversial NPRM on safety rules that many groups and individuals said was so flawed that the government should dump the proposal and go back to the drawing board. An FAA official told National Air Transportation Association members a few months ago that the agency has not made any decision, but had planned to ship the final rule to the DOT for review in May and then publish it in the Federal Register this October.
Ocean Air Aviation opened a new 4,000-square-foot executive terminal in North Bend, Ore. The company was founded in 2004 by aviation veteran Edward Langerveld as a charter operation. The full-service FBO will be an Avfuel-branded facility and offer charter, ground transportation, catering, flight training, aircraft maintenance, aircraft sales and management.
On July 14, Chertoff went to Capitol Hill to answer questions about changes with his department. He testified first before the House Homeland Security Committee, where he told members that they'll see increased focus by the TSA on security for all modes of transportation. The incoming TSA chief, Edmund ``Kip'' Hawley, ``I know is interested in land and rail [security] as well as aviation security,'' Chertoff said.
A lightning strike led to the brief closure of a runway at New York's JFK International Airport on July 13 at a time when flights were already backed up. A pilot reported the strike on Runway 22R, and authorities closed the runway to repair damage from 2:57 p.m. until 3:09 p.m.
ARINC Inc., Annapolis, Md., has promoted Randy Pizzi to vice president and officer. Pizzi formerly was managing director of the company's Asia Pacific division. He will remain responsible for ARINC's aviation-related business in the Asia Pacific region. Pizzi, who joined ARINC in 1987, established ARINC's Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore in January 2003. Under his tenure, ARINC has won new airport contracts in Japan, Korea, Vietnam and the Maldives.
Mooney Airplane Co., Kerrville, Texas, has named Kevin P. Herlehy as vice president of production and engineering. Herlehy previously served as vice president of engineering for NetJets., Inc.
Air Security International (ASI) has established a Homeland Security Division to advise clients on their threat from global terrorism, and to put in place plans that will ultimately save lives, protect property, prevent imminent incidents, and mitigate damage and impact on individuals, companies and communities. "These days, danger is lurking around many corners," explained Charlie LeBlanc, vice president of operations for the provider of travel and security information.
Air Chef of Columbus, Ohio, has acquired Rita's In-Flight Catering of Boston from the Rossi family. Air Chef said Paul Rossi, president and general manager of Rita's, will stay on through the integration process to ensure a smooth transition to the new management team. Rita's began 45 years ago as a small neighborhood restaurant and now serves aircraft operating into the busiest Boston-area airports, including Boston Logan (BOS); Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass.
The light airplane danger issue was elevated on the night of June 22 when a 20-year-old part-time airport worker, who had apparently been drinking, allegedly scaled the perimeter fence at Danbury, Conn.'s sleepy municipal airport (DXR) to give two teenage friends a joy ride in a Cessna 172 in which he had been taking instruction. The 172 was discovered just before 5 a.m. by astonished Westchester County, N.Y., sheriff's officers, with the three adventurers still inside, on a darkened taxiway at HPN, some 20 miles south of DXR.
Premier Air Center and Universal have agreed to obtain certification of the Vision-1 synthetic vision system with egocentric views on the EFI 890R in two Falcon 50s. Earlier, Premier obtained certification of a Vision-1 with exocentric view on a Falcon 20. The exocentric view is from a point above, behind and to right of the aircraft.
Ken Gazzola Executive Vice President/Publisher Aviation Week Group/McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc.
MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, today's business aircraft are the result of significant customer input. The days are long gone when engineers dreamed up what the market ``should'' need. From Wichita to Bordeaux, Montreal to Tel Aviv, Savannah to Sao Jose dos Campos, customers drive every engineering decision and sit as partners with engineers and designers.
Aircraft Belts, Inc. (ABI) of Houston, Tex., introduces online ordering capabilities for restraints. The new sales channel provides immediate and streamlined access to the company's full line of reweb products. Key features include: online ordering, dynamic build-to-order process and a 10-percent discount when using the online ordering method. To see a demonstration of the online reweb order process, visit ABI's Web site at www.aircraftbelts.com/reweb. Price: Varies Aircraft Belts, Inc. P.O. Box 845 2000 Anders La.
Duncan Aviation has won an STC for its installation of the Rockwell Collins IDS-3000 and Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) in an Astra 1125. The work was performed at Duncan's facility in Lincoln, Neb., and the STC also allows these systems to be installed in the Astra 1125SP. The IDS-3000, which is part of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 family, is an integrated display system that consists of three eight-by-10-inch active matrix liquid-crystal displays -- two primary displays and a multifunction display.
