The Transportation Security Administration is continuing its efforts to improve general aviation access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Brian Delauter, general manager of TSA’s general aviation branch, told the National Air Transportation Association’s Air Charter Summit in June that he has “an open goal of increasing flights into DCA” (BA, June 14/1). Since that time, TSA has cleared additional “gateway” airports that can be used for clearance before flying into DCA.
GINA PELLEGRINO has joined aviation consultancy Airclaims as an aviation surveyor at its Miami office. She has 10 years of experience in general and commercial aviation, holding positions at Southwest Airlines and Pratt & Whitney. She is a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators.
Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. posted revenue of $1.002 billion in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010, down from $1.054 billion in the third quarter of 2009. The company blamed fewer large commercial aircraft deliveries and lower non-production revenues.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) has received national attention for an apparent landing on a closed runway at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport in Port Isabel, Texas. FAA is looking into the Oct. 21 incident. Inhofe reportedly has maintained that he did not see markings on the runway that indicated it was closed until shortly before landing his twin-engine Cessna 340. Workers were on the runway at the time, but the senator told the Tulsa World that he attempted to land away from the workers.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0780; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-68-AD; Amendment 39-16486; AD 2010-22-07] – This AD, which supersedes an existing directive (AD 2006-26-51), requires repetitive visual inspections of the tail-rotor control lever for score marks, notches, scratches or cracks.
Recent industry indicators continue to reveal a mixed picture for business aviation, reflecting that questions about recovery still linger even after nine months of 2010 have passed, analysts agree.
Jettech is working toward a supplemental type certificate for installation of Garmin G600 glass-panel avionics on Cessna Citation 501/551 series aircraft. Jettech initially will offer installations at its Denver facilities and subsequently supply kits through Garmin authorized dealers. The new unit will offer features such as synthetic vision, terrain awareness, traffic collision avoidance systems, digital weather radar, satellite weather radar and lightning strike information.
Nov. 11—The Wings Club Luncheon Featuring James McNerney, Jr., Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company, The Yale Club, New York, (212) 867-1770, [email protected] Nov. 17-19—ALTA Airline Leaders Forum, Panama City, Panama, www.alta.aero/airlineleaders/2010/ Nov. 22-24—University of Westminster Aviation Seminar, Air Transport Business and Management, London, +44 (207) 911-5000 ext 3220, fax +44 (207) 911-5171, www.westminster.ac.uk/aviation
Gulfstream Aerospace obtained FAA Stage 4 certification for its large-cabin aircraft. The certification covers the G550, G500, G450, G350, GV, GIV-SP and GIV. These aircraft have been Stage 4 compliant, but the certification formally recognizes that they meet the standard. This may prove an important certification, as several airports around the world consider possible operational restrictions for aircraft that do not meet Stage 4 requirements. Gulfstream is working to obtain similar certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency.
While Cessna gained considerable attention last month for a possible new single-turboprop aircraft, the company maintains that such an aircraft likely will not be announced in the near future. 350CE, the experimental single-engine turboprop registered to Cessna Aircraft seen flying into and out of the company’s Pawnee facility at McConnell AFB, Kan., is not a proof-of-concept aircraft that will precede the launch of a Cessna single-engine turboprop, according to company officials.
The Alliance for Aviation Across America, a coalition formed in early 2007 to represent organizations and individuals with an interest in general aviation, has reached the 5,500-member mark. Members range from the Air Care Alliance and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to the National Grange and League of Rural Voters, among others. Membership also includes state and local officials.
Zurich-based corporate jet charter and management company Fly Comlux is hoping to open an air bridge between its Almaty, Kazakhstan, base and Beijing with its new partnership with Beijing Capital Airlines (formerly DeerJet). The partnership, formed earlier this year, is one of several steps Comlux has undertaken to expand its traffic in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Boca Aircraft Maintenance has received authorization from the Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation to maintain and repair aircraft registered in Bermuda. Boca operates out of a 15,000-sq.-ft. hangar at the Avitat Boca Raton fixed-base operation at Boca Raton Airport in Florida. The firm also recently attained European Aviation Safety Agency certification. The firm specializes in Falcon models and also is an authorized Gold Level Eclipse service center.
MIKE KRUCZYNSKI was named senior director of strategy and product management for Flexjet. Kruczynski is joining Flexjet from American Airlines, where he directed capacity planning. He will be responsible for leading the development of the operating strategic plan of Flexjet, including pricing of all products and services, and serving as the lead on all expansion activities.
BOMBARDIER-ROTAX Type 912 F, 912 S and 914 F engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0342; Directorate Identifier 2002-NE-08-AD; Amendment 39-16458; AD 2010-20-23] – This new AD, which supersedes an existing directive (AD 2002-16-26), requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the engine crankcase for cracks and removal of an engine from service if any cracks are found, just as the earlier directive did.
CAE has sold a Learjet 85 7000 series simulator to Bombardier for training at its Montreal facility. The simulator will be delivered in 2012. In addition to training, the simulator will be used to support aircraft testing and certification in advance of the Learjet 85’s planned service entry in 2013.
Butler National Corporation is expanding its support capabilities with the acquisition of Kings Avionics. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The acquisition of Kings Avionics, which supports general aviation and business aircraft systems, will expand Butler’s maintenance, repair and overhaul market reach, Butler says, noting the company reported annual sales of $2.1 million with a backlog of $1 million.
Airservices Australia has won regulatory approval to use a multilateration surveillance system over Tasmania, the first time this technology has been deployed to separate aircraft in Australian airspace. The Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system, manufactured by Sensis Corp., has received the all-clear by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is now in operation.
Alto Aviation was selected by Dassault Falcon to provide audio systems as standard equipment aboard new-production Falcon business jets. The Alto systems include amplifiers, high-frequency speakers, sub woofers and paging speakers. In addition, the systems are available for retrofit on in-service Falcon business jets. Owners can opt for a customized system or a surround-sound system.
Rockwell Collins has introduced a suite of flight support, maintenance and cabin services applications for business aviation. The new Ascend Flight Information Solutions, underpinned by Aircraft Information Manager (AIM), combines a dedicated onboard server with ground cellular and Wi-Fi links to deliver flight plans, database updates, entertainment content and other information to the aircraft on the ramp.
EMBRAER’s President and CEO Frederico Fleury Curado stresses the importance of developing workable biofuels for aircraft, saying he believes their use “has probably the highest potential for material reductions of CO2 emissions, [and] at the same time it helps mitigate fuel price volatility and enhances energy supply security.” Embraer has experimented with a sugarcane ethanol using its crop duster Ipanema, he notes, saying the company now “is setting our sights much higher.” Embraer has helped found the Brazilian Alliance of Aviation Biofuel, working with Azul Airlines, G
ASH ELDIFRAWI has joined Aircell as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. ElDifrawi is responsible for sales, marketing, customer care and portal design. In addition, he directs Aircell initiatives including inflight eCommerce, content and advertising. He formerly served with online mass merchant retailer Hayneedle, where he led the rebranding of the company. He also has held leadership positions with Google, Wrigley and McKinsey.
The city of Riverside, Ohio, has joined the growing number of cities and states to formally recognize aviation. Riverside, home of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, declared November 2010 as General Aviation Appreciation Month and adopted a resolution calling general aviation a “strategic resource” for the community. The Alliance for Aviation Across America praised the recognition. “Riverside illustrates the vast impact general aviation has on towns and communities across Ohio” says Selena Shilad, executive director of the alliance.
Cessna is planning a series of furloughs for workers on its various production lines during the remainder of this year, as well as in 2011, the company confirmed. Cessna managers notified production workers early last week of the upcoming furloughs and are holding a series of meetings to further discuss the plans.
