Business jet operations topped 4 million for the first time since 2008 last year, according to preliminary FAA data. FAA reports operations reached 4.072 million in 2013, a 2.26% increase over 2012. Since the data is preliminary, this is likely to increase slightly once FAA finalizes December operations. Business jet operations peaked at 4.825 million in 2007 before falling 11% in 2008 to 4.291 million. Operations plunged almost 20% the following year to a decade-low 3.449 million. They have been on the rise every year since, but recovery has been slow.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2014-0034; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-006-AD] – proposes to supersede AD 2012-10-53, which currently requires, before further flight and at specified intervals, checking and inspecting the upper and lower main rotor hub (MRH) shaft flanges for a crack, and inspecting the lower hub-shaft flange bolt attachment areas for a crack.
FAA is calling “implausible, if not simply preposterous,” the city of Santa Monica, Calif.’s arguments on why its lawsuit over control of Santa Monica Airport (SMO) should continue. The city on Oct. 31 filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California seeking to control the fate of SMO, saying it has “unencumbered title to the airport property and its availability ... to use the airport property as it chooses.” If successful, the city would have the option to close the airport after July 2015.
Bell Helicopter received a contract from the New York Police Department (NYPD) for four Bell 429 helicopters. The NYPD will use the helicopters for airborne law enforcement patrol over New York City and surrounding jurisdictions. The helicopters will join a fleet that also includes three Bell 412EPs. Those helicopters are used in a range of missions, including search and rescue at sea, intelligence gathering and anti-terrorism efforts. Delivery of the new 429s is expected to be completed in 2015.
Blackhawk Modifications Inc. of Waco Texas, working with St. Paul, Minn.-based Wipaire, received FAA certification of the Blackhawk XP42A engine upgrade for Cessna Model 208 and 208A Caravans equipped with Wipline floats. The Blackhawk upgrade replaces the standard 600-hp PT6A-114 or 675-hp PT6A-114A turboprop engines with the new 850-hp PT6A-42A engines on the Caravan. Blackhawk says the increased horsepower will provide more versatility to float-equipped Caravans.
CHRIS HANCOCK was appointed sales manager for Dassault Falcon Jet covering the Northeastern U.S. Hancock has held business aircraft sales positions for more than a decade. He formerly served with Bombardier and Hawker Beechcraft.
Honeywell and Inmarsat have completed the critical design review of the GX aircraft avionics that will accommodate Inmarsat’s high-speed, inflight connectivity service that will provide data rates of up to 50 mbps. Initial product certifications are expected later this year with products entering the market in the first half of 2015. The critical design review marked the final development evaluation, keeping the program on schedule, the companies say. Inmarsat recently launched the first of three Ka-band satellites to provide the service.
Lawmakers are heading toward the next significant budget debate as the Feb. 7 deadline for addressing the debt ceiling passed, forcing the Treasury Department to implement “extraordinary measures” to avoid a federal default. But, unlike most of the budget battles that have occurred over the past two years, it appears that discussions about raising taxes on business aircraft have been set aside, at least for now.
Epic Aircraft has begun production of its first conforming Epic E1000 six-place single turboprop aircraft and hopes to begin certification flight trials this summer, keeping it on pace for certification by mid-2015.
TURBOMECA Arrius 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2013-1003; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-17724; AD 2014-01-01] – requires a one-time inspection of the ejector assembly nozzle of an affected lubricating device and, if a discrepancy is found, removal and replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by an inflight shutdown (IFSD) of an Arriel 1 engine. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the ejector assembly nozzle, which could lead to an IFSD of the engine, damage to the engine, and damage to the helicopter.
Jet card sales continue to strengthen, reaching their highest point since the economic downturn began, both Sentient Jet and its new affiliate company Flexjet report. Key metrics in 2013 rose to levels “not seen since 2008,” Sentient says. The company, which has more than 4,000 clients, sold more than 32,000 jet card hours in 2013, which amounts to the equivalent of more than 1,300 25-Hour Jet Cards. This pushed the company’s revenue to more than $150 million on the year. Sentient sold more than 1,200 25-Hour Jet Cards in 2012.
PETER WALKER was named vice president sales and marketing, Middle East and Asia Pacific for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Walker has 20 years of experience in transportation roles, including highway transportation, logistics and aviation. He has served as a chief pilot and held sales roles for companies including Raytheon Aircraft Hawker Beechcraft and Nextant Aerospace.
FAA is incorporating changes that will streamline certain letters of authorization (LOAs) for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) approval. The streamlined procedures are designed to ease and expedite the LOAs in cases of basic administrative changes, says Mark Larsen, the National Business Aviation Association’s senior manager, safety and flight operations.
NATCA National Air Traffic Controllers Association CFS: Communicating For Safety National Aviation Leaders Come Together Join Aviation leaders at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, March 24-26, 2014 for Communicating for Safety. Hosted annually by the national Air Traffic Controllers Association, this three-day conference focuses on safety, technology and building industry relationships.
Sabreliner Corporation’s business leaned heavily on military contracts that disappeared during sequestration, forcing the company into default on its bank loan and leading to the bank’s sale of the company to an investment firm. Sabreliner announced last week that its primary debt holder sold the company after it lost half of its business during last year’s sequestration budget cutting and was unable to make its debt payment.
PETER GRIFFITH was appointed vice president, sales and marketing, Europe and Africa for Embraer’s Executive Jets unit. Griffith has nearly 25 years of aviation experience holding sales roles with British Aerospace, Raytheon Aircraft, Cessna and Honda Aircraft. He has also served with NAC Aviation.
Conklin & de Decker recently expanded its business jet valuation capabilities through the acquisition of the Aircraft Cost Analysis program and software. Developed and supported by Samuel L. Miller, Aircraft Cost Analysis assists in the pricing of managed, fractional, joint ownership, rental, charter and agricultural aircraft, as well as helicopters. Conklin & de Decker will support the program for existing and new users, as well as develop future product improvements. Conklin & de Decker has retained Miller to provide support during the transition.
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is urging a U.S. District Court to reject FAA’s motion to dismiss the city’s lawsuit over control of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), saying the agency should not be allowed to hold the airport hostage over an unfounded assertion that the city acted too late.
Bombardier received a $537 million order for three Global 6000, two Global 7000 and three Global 8000 jets. Bombardier is not disclosing the customer, but says the order continues the Global line’s strong momentum into 2014. The Global 7000 and 8000 are Bombardier’s newest and longest-range Global aircraft. The 7000 is slated to enter service in 2016, and the 8000 is to follow in 2017.
Feb. 4-6, 2014—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE, www.aviationweek.com/events Feb. 5-7, 2014—National Business Aviation Association Business Aircraft, Finance, Registration and Legal Conference, St. Pete Beach, Fla. www.nbaa.org Feb. 10, 2014—ATW’s 40th Anniversary Airline Industry Achievement Awards, Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel, Singapore, speednews.com/all/conference Feb. 11-16, 2014—Singapore Airshow 2014, Changi Exhibition Center, Singapore, www.singaporeairshow.com/about-the-exhibition.aspx
Arthur E. Wegner, the longtime aerospace executive who held senior roles with both United Technologies Corp. (UTC) and Raytheon Aircraft, died Jan. 27 from lung cancer. He was 76. Wegner spent 20 years at UTC in a number of key positions including president of Pratt & Whitney and then president of the UTC Aerospace and Defense Sector, which included Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Hamilton Standard.
JIM SCHWERTNER was elected to the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Schwertner is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms, Inc., d/b/a Capitol Land & Livestock. He also chairs the board of Schwertner State Bank, and is a partner in MidTex Livestock Market and Lockhart Livestock Market in Texas. He has served on the board of Texans for General Aviation and held a position on the Texas Aviation Advisory Board.
Gulfstream has assembled a portfolio collection of cabin interior refurbishments that includes a selection of more than 100 fabrics, 25 carpets and 25 leathers that will be kept in stock. The collection is designed to shorten lead time and cost for interior refurbishments, Gulfstream says, noting the collection targets the most frequently updated items in the cabin – the headliner, upper and lower sidewalls, seating and flooring.
The number of used business jets available for sale has dipped to the lowest levels since the business aircraft market downturn began and finished well below the 20-year average last year, according to business aviation market analyst Amstat.
