Business jets available for sale rose 2 percent in December, 65 percent above prior year levels, UBS reports in its Business Jet Update. The increase in aircraft available for sale continues to be led by aircraft less than 10 years old, which were 7 percent higher than in November and are more than double prior year levels, the report said. “At 16 percent of the in-service fleet, available for sale inventories are approaching the 17 percent peak of late 2002, with young inventories already well above prior peak levels,” wrote analyst David Strauss.
CMC ELECTRONICS will spend $149.4 million on a special research and development project over the next five years following the Canadian government’s decision to support its R&D initiative through a repayable investment. CMC plans to use the funds to develop innovative technologies for commercial integrated cockpit and communication systems that would be used in business jets, helicopters and commercial transports.
Cirrus Design Corp. is repackaging its single-engine product line to incorporate new ice protection and a number of other upgrades. The announcement comes as the Duluth, Minn., plane-maker ramps its production back up from a shutdown in December (BA, Dec. 1/251). The company, which recalled workers this month, is building eight aircraft a week, and company executives maintain they are still selling these aircraft in spite of the weakened economy.
ADRIAN CHENE was promoted to avionics tech rep for Duncan Aviation’s facility in Battle Creek, Mich. Chene has 12 years of aviation experience beginning as a Com/Nav technician for C-141Bs for the U.S. Air Force. He joined the Duncan avionics team in 2000.
CHRIS CAYIA was named operations manager for Flight Display Systems, where he will manage production workflow, technical and customer support and purchasing. Cayia formerly was superintendent for JHC Corp. in Peachtree City, Ga. and also has held positions of increasing responsibility with Millennium Mat Company, Alpha Technologies, and Mitsubishi Wireless Communications.
AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES (previously LET AERONAUTICAL WORKS) L23 Super Blanik sailplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1138; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-059-AD; Amendment 39-15778; AD 2008-26-12] – Inspect for cracks of the control bridge and replace the unit, as necessary, following the instructions contained in LET Aircraft Mandatory Bulletin No. L23/050a, Rev. 2 (dated Sept. 12, 2007). In addition, update the maintenance manual to incorporate repetitive inspections of the control bridge.
Reps. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and John Mica (R-Fla.) remain chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but new faces have been added for the 111th Congress. The Democrats gained four seats – to 45 members – while the Republicans lost four, down to 30.
NATS, the United Kingdom’s air traffic managemenet operator, is proposing changes to departure routes from London City Airport to make them more efficient for modern jet aircraft.
THAILAND’S GOVERNMENT plans to acquire a third Embraer ERJ 135 later this year. At the end of 2008, Embraer delivered one ERJ 135 to the Royal Thai Army and another to the Royal Thai Navy, which uses its aircraft for medevac missions, as well as transporting civilian and military officials. The Navy’s ERJ 135 is based at the U-Tapao Air Base, while the Army’s airplane is based in Bangkok.
OXFORD AIRPORT in the southeast United Kingdom has seen a steady increase in business aviation movements since the opening of the new £2.5-million Oxfordjet facility last July, according to local officials. The new general aviation terminal provides triple the space of the previous GA center. Oxford Airport continues to expand, with construction of a new 21,000-square-foot hangar to be completed this spring.
NOAA’s TWIN OTTER will provide aerial support for marine research and management on the West Coast. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations is basing the de Havilland DHC-6 and its flight crew at Monterey, Calif.
A NEW, IMPROVED ENGINE for military helicopters recently reached a major milestone. The Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) technology demonstrator, a joint venture of Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, completed a preliminary design review by the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION President and CEO Ed Bolen, actor Harrison Ford and Sir Richard Branson are among the honorees at the 6th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards scheduled for Jan. 22. Bolen will be awarded the Aviation Industry Leader of the Year Award, Ford will receive the Legends Aviation Legacy Award and Branson will receive the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award.
GOODRICH AND ROLLS-ROYCE have formed a 50/50 joint venture to develop and supply engine controls for Rolls-Royce aircraft engines. Rolls-Royce Goodrich Engine Control Systems Limited will operate under the name Aero Engine Controls. The two companies announced their intention to form the joint venture last August and closed the deal on Dec. 31. Goodrich will retain the aftermarket products and services business associated with the joint venture’s products.
EXECUJET plans to expand by offering aircraft management and charter services in Mexico. The company has a fleet of charter aircraft available in the country, including a Global Express, Falcon 900B and 7X, Pilatus PC-12 and a Bombardier CL300. Operations will be based at Del Norte and Mariano Escobedo International Monterrey airports.
THE U.S. BUSINESS AVIATION safety record worsened in 2008 with a nearly 25 percent increase in the number of turbine business aircraft accidents. Part 135 turbine business aircraft operations were the bright spot for the year. See article on Page 26.
SHARON GREY was named vice president of quality assurance and engineering for JDA Aviation Technology Solutions, a Washington, D.C. provider of aviation safety, operations and technical services. Grey will manage safety assessments, quality audits and product certification projects as part of the JDA Safety, Certification and Compliance business unit. She has more than 15 years of airline experience as a quality assurance auditor and manager and director of internal evaluation programs and regulatory compliance.
The National Transportation Safety Board cited inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in three of four probable causes released last week for crashes involving helicopter emergency services (HEMS). As part of its continuing investigation into the growing trend of HEMS fatal accidents, NTSB Thursday opened the dockets on nine mishaps, published the probable causes for four of them and opened public dockets on five more.
HILLARY DAVIS was appointed production coordinator for Flight Display Systems. She will be responsible for production scheduling for the Alpharetta, Ga.-based developer of retrofit cabin entertainment equipment. She joins Flight Display Systems from Miura Boiler, where she served as a sales and service assistant.
AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL – NORTH AMERICA named Jane Calderwood vice president of government and political affairs. Calderwood is joining ACI-NA from the lobbying firm Brown and Company, Inc., where she represented 10 client companies. She also served as chief of staff, legislative director and legislative assistant for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) for 21 years. In her new role, she will be the airport association’s chief lobbyist and manage the government affairs department.
A U.S. bankruptcy judge Friday afternoon held a hearing to decide on the sale of the assets of Eclipse Aviation to the company’s largest shareholder after no other qualified bidder stepped forward to buy the company. A public auction was tentatively scheduled for Jan. 14, but was canceled as EclipseJet Aviation International, a subsidiary of Eclipse shareholder European Technology and Investment Research Center (ETIRC), remained the sole bidder.
