Embraer's Business Aircraft unit is bullish about the outlook for growth of the business aviation market over the next decade. The Brazilian manufacturer said the total market value was $23.4 billion in 2004. That total includes $10.5 billion in airframe/OEM deliveries, $4.1 billion in charter and aircraft management and $1.3 billion in fractional aircraft ownership programs.
Pratt & Whitney Canada was selected by Czech manufacturer Evektor-Aerotechnik to provide the PT6A-21 engine for EV-55 utility aircraft. Evektor-Aerotechnik is developing a twin turboprop aircraft that will seat between nine and 14 passengers or carry 1,824 kilograms (4,021 pounds) of cargo. The EV-55 will be designed to cruise at 220 knots at 10,000 feet. Plans call for a prototype to be completed in mid-2007 and FAR Part 23 certification by the end of 2008.
MERCURY AIR GROUP REPORTS LOSS FOR THE YEAR - Mercury Aircraft Group, which earlier spun off its Mercury Air Centers chain of fixed-base operations, posted a net loss of $2.3 million, or 78 cents per share, for the year ended June 30, 2005. That compares with net income of $600,000 in the previous year.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22427; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-263-AD] - proposes to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to contain applicable AFM amendments, which advise the flightcrew of information pertaining to safely operating the fuel system. The proposed AD also would require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include certain repetitive maintenance tasks intended to improve the safety of the fuel system.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20403; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-144-AD] - proposes to require an inspection of the laminated shims for cracks, damage, or extrusion between the forward attachment fittings of the horizontal stabilizer and the top rib of the vertical stabilizer; a torque check of the attachment bolts in the attachment fittings of the front, middle, and rear spars; and corrective actions if necessary.
JET CARD INNOVATORS CREATE NEW CHARTER SERVICE OPTIONS - Two innovators in the private jet membership business are hoping to attract new customers in their latest venture, Private Business Jets, which offers the guaranteed hours and rates of a membership program but does not require a minimum investment. Don Smith and Greg Goodwin, who were part of the management team that founded business jet membership card provider eBizJets - now called Sentient - launched Private Business Jets three years ago and have been quietly trying to grow their business.
Rolls-Royce named Douglas Cribbes senior vice president for aftermarket and customer services for the company's Corporate and Regional Aircraft business. Cribbes will manage aftermarket and customer services for all in-service products for the Corporate and Regional Aircraft business. Cribbes formerly was president and general manager of Texas Aero Engine Services Limited, a Fort Worth, Texas-based engine overhaul and maintenance joint venture between Rolls-Royce and American Airlines.
House and Senate legislators joined the business aviation community in its call for the Treasury Department to a delay a new rule that taxes certain aviation jet fuel at the highway diesel rate. Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and aviation subcommittee Chairman Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) as well as Rep.
ECLIPSE AVIATION completed airframe static testing of its Eclipse 500 very light jet. Eclipse called the testing a major milestone that keeps the Eclipse 500 on track for certification in March. The static testing subjects airframe elements to maximum design loads. The testing included the wings, fuselage and flight control systems, and Eclipse said all systems successfully completed the tests. FAA approved an initial 10,000-hour lifetime for the aircraft.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR 42-200, ATR 42-300, and ATR 42-320 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22454; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-108-AD] -- proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspections to determine the proper installation of rivets in certain key holes and to detect cracks in the area of the key holes where rivets are missing; and correction of discrepancies. The existing AD also requires various inspections of the subject area for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary; and replacement of certain cargo door hinges with new hinges.
CMC ELECTRONICS named Cathy Bain vice president, marketing and sales, and Francois Dorval vice president, quality assurance and continuous improvement. Bain will consolidate the marketing of all CMC military aviation, commercial aviation and custom electronics products. She will direct a team of employees in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Bain formerly was director of marketing for CMC's commercial aviation business. She joined CMC Electronics in 1997 as marketing manager, satellite communications products.
RAYTHEON AIRLINE AVIATION SERVICES (RAAS) delivered a Beechcraft 1900D twin turboprop modified with a corporate shuttle interior to Atlanta-based The Williams Group International, which provides construction and engineering services, primarily in energy-related fields. The aircraft is configured with 11-passenger executive seating in two club groupings and individual seats. RAAS also installed supplemental soundproofing, LED-style lighting, pleated window shades and a 52-inch-wide galley.
The pilot and passenger aboard a Bellanca 7GCBC airplane both were killed this month when the pilot apparently lost control while attempting to perform some extreme maneuvers, authorities suspect. The pilot and his passenger took off about 1800 Alaska daylight time Sept. 12 from Neana, Alaska. The airplane, N36237, collided with terrain about 14 miles east-northeast of Neana.
STEVE FUSHELBERGER, a veteran aviation industry public affairs and marketing executive, will begin work today (Sept. 26) as vice president of marketing for Cessna Aircraft. Fushelberger will report to Roger Whyte, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Phil Michel, the current vice president of marketing and one of the company's key executives for many years, will continue with the company until his retirement in April. "For the past 30 years, Phil has played a key role in our company's growth and success," Whyte said.
While they're pleased with the prospect of finally gaining access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), business aviation groups called the Transportation Security Administration's proposed DCA procedures overly burdensome and urged the agency to ease the restrictions.
LOREN LEMAN was elected chairman of the Aerospace States Association. Leman is the lieutenant governor of Alaska. ASA is an aerospace scientific and education organization comprising lieutenant governors and appointed delegates from more than forty states.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 10 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-22309; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-14254; AD 2005-18-14] -- supersedes an existing AD that applies to all Dassault Model Falcon 10 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) and installing a placard in the flight deck to prohibit flight into known or forecasted icing conditions.
ARINC DIRECT teamed with Aircraft Performance Group (APG) of Castle Rock, Colo., to offer APG's Runway Analysis as part of the ARINC Direct's on-line flight services product line. Runway Analysis enables operators to precisely increase maximum aircraft takeoff and landing weights based on specific runways and actual conditions. The service covers more than 100 types of business aircraft.
DASSAULT FALCON JET, which usually throws a large party for its customers during the National Business Aviation Association convention, has decided to cancel this year's event and give the money it would have spent on the party to the Red Cross or other agencies. "Watching the daily feed of stories depicting the horrendous loss and anguish in the Gulf Coast region has worn a deep emotional hole in our planning process," said John Rosanvallon, president and chief executive officer, in a letter.
LYCOMING AEIO-360, IO-360, O-360, LIO-360, LO-360, AEIO-540, IO-540, O-540, and TIO-540 series reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21864; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-29-AD; Amendment 39-14276; AD 2005-19-11] -- requires, for certain engines rated at 300 horsepower (HP) or lower, replacing certain crankshafts. This AD results from reports of 12 crankshaft failures in Lycoming 360 and 540 series engines rated at 300 HP or lower.
