Associated Air Center (AAC), StandardAero’s large VIP aircraft completion center in Dallas, has developed a full-scale airframe mockup that will be used for creating and testing new designs, fabrications and systems for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The mockup enables AAC to reduce aircraft downtime by starting key elements of the completion process before a customer’s aircraft arrives at the completion facility. The tool supports the BBJ, BBJ 2 and BBJ 3, and the company is in the process of developing the same capability for the Airbus Corporate Jet.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood led off a White House press briefing July 28, urging lawmakers to end the partial shutdown of FAA by passing a clean extension of the agency’s reauthorization bill that would let 4,000 furloughed employees come back to work and enable the resumption of important and job-creating airport construction projects.
Airbus has made a major move on the air traffic management (ATM) front with its acquisition of Metron Aviation, a company that is heavily involved in the U.S. NextGen effort. While a definitive agreement has been reached, the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The deal is expected to be completed later this year. The financial terms are not being revealed.
Delta Private Jets has partnered with luxury-destination club Exclusive Resorts. Under the agreement, Exclusive Resorts members will receive preferred rates from Delta Private Jets, along with privileged status on Delta Air Lines. Exclusive Resorts members will have access to customized quotes for Delta Private Jets travel through a feature integrated into the Exclusive Resorts members-only website. In addition, Exclusive Resorts members will receive benefits such as Medallion Qualification Miles in Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program.
Rockwell Collins unveiled a touch-screen primary flight display for business jets and turboprop aircraft last week at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. Users of iPhones and iPads are familiar with swiping displays and touching icons, but this will be among the first to appear on FAA Part 23 and 25 certified avionics displays. “These displays demonstrate our focus on empowering pilots with natural head-up, eyes-forward interfaces,” says Colin Mahoney, vice president of sales and marketing for Rockwell Collins.
OSHKOSH, Wis.—Production of Icon Aircraft’s A5 light-sport aircraft (LSA) is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2012, said CEO Kirk Hawkins during last week’s EAA AirVenture air show. The manufacturer recently closed a round of financing that will take it through production, Hawkins says. Investors gave the company $15 million, with an option for another $10 million. The company says it has an order backlog of nearly 500 aircraft, valued at $85 million.
Garmin has expanded its G1000 retrofit platforms to include the Daher-Socata TBM 700. The first G1000-upgraded TBM 700 recently was delivered to the French Ministry of Defense as part of a contract for 27 TBM 700 aircraft in French military service. The upgrade has received both European Aviation Safety Agency and FAA approvals. The installation includes a 15-in. multifunction display and two 10.4-in. primary flight displays. The upgrade also includes Garmin’s GFC 700 three-axis, digital, dual channel, automatic flight control system.
SimCom Training Centers upgraded is training devices for its fleet of turboprop and piston-aircraft simulators. The upgrades include improved visual systems to provide a more realistic view of the outside world. Also, SimCom has installed Garmin 530 or 430 Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-capable GPS functions in most of the devices to enable pilots to practice advanced instrument-approach procedures. WAAS provides pilots with GPS-derived vertical guidance, enabling precision approaches to smaller airports in poor weather.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has updated its Aircraft Charter Consumer Guide, designed to provide guidance on selecting a Part 135 on-demand operator or charter broker. The NBAA publication provides information on selecting the right aircraft and operators, and discusses international operations, insurance coverage, operator experience and safety records. The guide includes a series of questions that a customer may want to ask an operator, such as type of aircraft, inspection information, crew experience, customs assistance and insurance.
Signature Flight Support has acquired the assets of the former Avitat Boca Raton at Florida’s Boca Raton Airport (BCT) from Premier Aviation of Boca Raton, LLC. The fixed-base operation (FBO), built in 2005, includes a 17,000-sq.-ft. terminal and 72,000 sq. ft. of hangar space. The facilities will be branded as Signature Flight Support, providing another anchor in South Florida for Signature’s FBO chain.
Chantilly Air, a Manassas, Va.-based charter and management firm, has completed the International Standard - Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) registration. To obtain the registration, Chantilly Air underwent an on-site audit of all aspects of its business practices, with a focus on safety. Chantilly Air also has achieved an Argus Gold Plus rating.
Hawker Beechcraft has named the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Insurance Agency (AOPAIA) as the preferred insurance broker for Beechcraft Baron and Bonanza products in the U.S. AOPAIA will provide Beechcraft piston aircraft owners with advice on aviation insurance, as well as work to source coverage that will provide maximum value and protection, Hawker Beechcraft says.
AgustaWestland has sold three AW169 helicopters to Capitale Helicoptere of Canada, which will utilize the light-intermediate twin-engine rotorcraft to perform charter, VIP transport, utility and medevac missions. This contract marks the first Canadian order for the AW169, which is slated to make its first flight in 2012. Initial deliveries are anticipated in 2015. Headquartered just outside Quebec City, Capitale Helicoptere is building a new 58,000-sq.-ft.
TODD ELLISON was appointed director–original equipment manufacturer sales for International Communications Group (ICG). Ellison is based in ICG’s Dallas office. He joins ICG from Cobham/Chelton in Dallas, where he was satcom sales manager for the past seven years.
Israir has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500. The aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines, is configured to carry 72 passengers. The Israeli airline’s fleet already includes three ATR 42-320s. A second ATR 72-500 was to be delivered to Israir at the end of July.
TWC Aviation, the San Jose, Calif.-based aircraft management and charter operator, has earned NBAA’s Commercial Business Flying Safety Award for compiling 26,838 hr. of accident-free flying over 11 years. Also, six TWC Aviation employees have earned NBAA Flying Safety Awards. Greg Paxson, TWC’s director of maintenance, received the Maintenance/Avionics Technician Flying Safety Award for 21 accident-free years.
TODD SIMMONS was promoted to executive vice president, sales and marketing for Cirrus Aircraft. Simmons is responsible for managing the Cirrus Aircraft brand globally and for all sales and marketing activities. Simmons joined Cirrus in early 2008 as vice president of marketing and has more than 20 years of sales, marketing and business management experience. Cirrus says the appointment coincides with the merger with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, Co.
JAMES UNIACKE was appointed head of asset management for the International Bureau of Aviation (IBA). Uniacke will be responsible for leading and developing IBA’s managed aircraft portfolio. He comes from Focus Aviation, where he was head of asset management.
Jet Aviation’s facility in Sorocaba, Brazil, recently completed its first “large” inspection on a Gulfstream G200 aircraft. The inspection was completed as the facility expanded its Brazilian Agência Nacional de Aviaçâo civil repair station approvals to cover line maintenance services on G500, G550 and GIV aircraft, in addition to the G200. The first G200 inspection was completed with the support of a Gulfstream supervisor. Based on Sorocaba Airport about 54 mi. from Sao Paulo, Jet Aviation Sorocaba was established in 2009. The remodeled 24,000-sq.-ft.
CESSNA 337 series and F 337 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2011-0450; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-010-AD; Amendment 39-16758; AD 2011-15-11] – Inspect the wings for internal and external damage, repair any damage, reinforce the wings, install operational limitation placards in the cockpit and add limitations to the Airplane Flight Manual supplement. This AD was issued to detect and correct wing damage and prevent overload failure of the wing due to the installation of Flint Aero, Inc. wing tip auxiliary fuel tanks.
The Gulfstream G650 will be subject to special certification conditions designed to ensure that the airplane’s engine mounts and supporting structures can withstand a limit engine torque load imposed by sudden engine stoppage due to malfunction or structural failure. FAA notes, “Worst-case engine-seizure events have become increasingly more severe with increasing engine size because of the higher inertia of the rotating components.
Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Satyam, the aerospace manufacturing and engineering units of India’s Mahindra Group, last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a partnership with Eurocopter and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India. The partnership will focus on manufacturing of subassemblies, engineering and customization of civil helicopters, and the joint development of products for specific market segments. Details of the partnership will be decided in the coming months, a Mahindra official says.
Bell Helicopter is selling TrueView Enhanced Vision Systems products worldwide under its Aeronautical Accessories brand. TrueView’s infrared thermal-imaging system, which is designed for use in darkness or low-light/low-visibility conditions, is certificated in the U.S. and Canada for installation on Bell 206B and 206L rotorcraft. TrueView is developing similar systems for other helicopters, including the Bell 407 and 429.
