Lincoln, Neb.-based aircraft supplier Duncan Aviation has created an iPad app to provide wireless control of all the cabin systems in a Falcon 900. The app uses an Aircell CTR Wi-Fi source and an interface unit to communicate instructions to the aircraft’s Honeywell MH cabin management system.
EMMANUEL FANTUZZI has joined Pacific Precision Products as engineering manager. He will oversee development work, entry into service and integration of new technologies. He formerly served with the French Advanced Technology Division of Air Liquide.
While literally overshadowed by the towering fins crowding the Dubai International static display ramp, the single Eclipse 500 at the recent Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show in Dubai had a steady stream of attendees looking at the eye-level windscreen and sliding into the compact cabin.
China’s Avic International is buying U.S. general aviation engine manufacturer Continental Motors from Teledyne Technologies for $186 million in cash. Anticipated growth in the Chinese general aviation market is cited as the reason for the purchase. The acquisition of Mobile, Ala.-based Continental and its service centers requires U.S. government antitrust and foreign-investment clearance, as well as Chinese government approval, but the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011, says Teledyne.
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) is discussing with its members the possibility of withholding air freight service to the Dominican Republic after officials from the country imprisoned two pilots from a member airline, Air Cargo Carriers. According to the association, the pilots, flying a Shorts SD-3-30, were detained and their aircraft seized as part of a larger drug trafficking investigation.
Germany’s 328 Support Services is hoping its new 328DBJ replacement for the Envoy will carve out a niche in the shorter-haul, but still higher-end used market. Announced at the Middle East Business Aviation show this month in Dubai, the 328DBJ upgrades the interior of the former Envoy, providing increased cabin space, electric window shades and improved cabin-management systems (BA, Dec. 13/9).
Israeli products and systems provider Elbit Systems is expanding its aerospace operations in the U.S. with the $85 million cash acquisition of San Antonio-based M7 Aerospace. Elbit will fold M7 into its Elbit Systems of America Services and Support Solutions business unit, and says the acquisition is part of a strategy to increase its support and maintenance capabilities in the U.S. market.
Aviation information provider Jetnet LLC has unveiled a web-based “Customer Relationship Management” (CRM) system, which provides subscribers access to the company’s database of aviation contacts and aircraft. CRM also enables users to add their own contact records, notes, action items and other CRM data. Jetnet, which has been in the business since 1988, says customers wanted a CRM designed to their specific needs, according to Paul Cardarelli, the company’s director of sales and marketing.
Bombardier has opened a regional support office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to serve Learjet, Challenger and Global customers in the Middle East and Africa. The new office, the sixth Bombardier regional support office to open outside North America in the past three years, is part of the manufacturer’s drive to bring aircraft technical expertise, flight operations support and customer account management functions closer to its customers.
Embraer has appointed Dubai-based ExecuJet Aviation Group as an Embraer authorized service center (EASC) for the Legacy 600 and 650 executive jets. ExecuJet Dubai will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services at Dubai International Airport. The appointment comes as Embraer’s fleet of super midsize and large executive jets has grown to nearly 25 in the Middle East, Embraer notes.
Private jet operator JetSuite has unveiled a “SuiteKey” customer loyalty membership program that provides flight bonus credits on purchased travel that can be redeemed for future travel. The membership program is a fully refundable, prepaid account that can be used to purchase flights on JetSuite’s fleet of Embraer Phenom 100s.
Avocet Aviation Services expects to complete construction of a new 55,000-sq.-ft. hangar at Orlando-Sanford International Airport by Jan. 31, the company says. The new facility will be a full-service, commercial aircraft maintenance operation at the airport.
The elevators of a Piaggio P180 seized up on arrival to Port Columbus International Airport on Dec. 13, but the pilots were able to safely land the twin turboprop without damage to the aircraft or injury to the four occupants onboard. A subsequent investigation of the airplane revealed ice in the bays around the elevator’s control cables, the National Transportation Safety Board reports. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident, NTSB says.
Jan. 20-21, 2011—European Business Aviation Association Regional Forum “One Europe: A Roadmap for Aligning East and West,” Hilton Vienna, www.ebaa.org Feb. 7-8, 2011—National Air Transportation Association FBO Leadership Conference, Savannah, Ga., (703) 845-9000, www.nata.aero Feb. 9-11, 2011—National Business Aviation Association 22nd Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Savannah, Ga., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE Astra SPX, 1125 Westwind Astra and Gulfstream 100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-1164; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-057-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect for the presence of sponge rubber padding on the fuel lines in the wheel well area, per the instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297 (dated Jan. 21, 2010). Also, operators would need to inspect the fuel lines and electrical harnesses in the wheel well area for proper separation.
Hawker Beechcraft Services has acquired the first test aircraft for the Hawker 400XPR program and initiated design engineering on the $2.24 million upgrade of the Hawker 400XP/Beechjet 400A.
THIELERT AIRCRAFT TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD] – The proposed AD would require operators to install Full-Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) software version 2.91. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent engine inflight shutdown or power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 112 engines installed on airplanes on the U.S.
Hawker Beechcraft Services’ (HBS) Chester, U.K., facility has begun taking orders for the Thrane & Thrane Aviator 200 Inmarsat Satcom system with Wi-Fi capability for installation on its Beechcraft King Air 200s and 300s. The units enable inflight international broadband connectivity. HBS is expected to receive a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the aircraft from the European Aviation Safety Authority by the end of the year. An additional STC covering King Air C90 aircraft also is planned.
Jet Aviation is moving this month into a new fixed-base operation facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company will provide fixed-base operation and line maintenance services from the new facility at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. The 3,000-sq.-meter (about 32,300-sq.-ft.) facility also will offer customers clearance and 24/7 border police.
Jordan now has its first dedicated aircraft brokerage services provider, named One & Done Aviation. The company was established earlier this year by owner and Chairman Ahmad Abdul Hadi and was created to be a one-stop shop for a wide range of VIP and charter services. The company can handle corporate airliners, helicopter and propeller aircraft charters, medical evacuation and repatriation aircraft, aerial filming and cargo charters.
40 Years Ago Dec. 7, 1970—Belgian Congo operator Mibachats prepares to take delivery of the first Swearingen Aircraft Metro, a 20-seat twin-turboprop. 30 Years Ago Dec. 22, 1980—The transition team for President-elect Ronal Reagan recommends increases in general aviation user charges. 20 Years Ago Dec. 24, 1990—The National Air Transportation Association urges FAA to exclude Part 135 operators from pending regulations that lay the groundwork for passenger facility charges.
FAA is soliciting comments on draft guidance that would raise the threshold for conducting a benefit cost analyses (BCA) when applying for discretionary Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants. Under the current threshold, applicants for AIP grants of at least $5 million must meet BCA requirements. The new guidance would change the threshold to $10 million. The $5 million threshold was set in 1997. But FAA says a $5 million construction project in 1997 would have been the equivalent of $9.8 million in 2008.
ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-710C4-11 engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0614; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-24-AD; Amendment 39-16538; AD 2010-25-05] – Replace the high-pressure turbine (HPT) Stage 1 or Stage 2 discs with serviceable discs, per the instructions of Rolls-Royce Deutschland Service Bulletin SB-BR700-72-A900492 and SB-BR700-72-A900497 (both dated Feb. 12, 2010).
CitationAir by Cessna has launched Jet Access, a card program that gives customers a minimum commitment of 50 hr. annually on a Cessna Citation XLS or Sovereign without owning an aircraft. Customers receive simple pricing, with rates locked in for 36 months and a flexible fuel component, all with no long-term commitment or large capital requirement.
