Hawker Beechcraft Corp.’s (HBC) future in Wichita, Kan. remains uncertain as company executives enter a final week of negotiations with union leaders. HBC and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) were set to return to the bargaining table on Oct. 8, with a potential vote on a new contract Oct. 16. The outcome is expected to determine whether HBC, a fixture in Wichita since Walter and Olive Ann Beech founded the firm in 1932, stays or moves to Louisiana.
An Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) helped buffer a Gulfstream G-IV that overran the runway Oct. 1 at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The aircraft carried seven passengers and two pilots, but none were injured.
Signature Flight Support has signed a deal with McDonald Aviation, LLC to manage its facility at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (KFAT). McDonald Aviation, LLC acquired the nearly new facility earlier in the year and completed an extensive refurbishment of the facility. The 6,100-sq.-ft. executive terminal will be branded and operated as Signature and features a passenger lounge, crew lounge, two sleep rooms, executive conference room and Signature’s standard refreshment area. The facility also has a 40,800-sq.-ft.
Gulfstream’s large-cabin G450 business jet recently established a city-pair speed record between Savannah, Ga., and São Paulo. The aircraft, flying to the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition, completed the 3,922-nm. flight in less than 9 hr. The G450 departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 8:07 a.m. local time with six passengers, one flight attendant and international captains Eric Parker and Jaime Bahamon on board. The aircraft landed at the Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo 8 hr. and 50 min.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) was honored by the House of Representatives last week in celebration of its 70th anniversary. The chamber passed House Resolution 1669, which highlights the association’s history and contributions to improving the safety of general aviation.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT Model 400A and 400T airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0954; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-078-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a detailed inspection for proper sealant on the left and right pylon firewall structures and take corrective actions if necessary, per the instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, Rev. 2 (dated February 2010).
Former Eclipse Aviation executive Michael McConnell has joined Raisbeck Engineering as president. McConnell formerly held a number of executive positions with Eclipse, including vice president of customer experience, vice president of marketing and sales, and president and general manager of the Customer Division. He also has served as senior vice president of strategic planning for Mooney Aircraft and formerly served with Dell Computers.
ELIAS HASHEM has joined BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) as regional engine manager for North Africa. He will be responsible for sales of all engine repair and overhaul product lines for the ERO group of companies in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. He will be based in Beirut, Lebanon. He has a background in banking and government contracts work.
ECLIPSE AEROSPACE EA500 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0691; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-027-AD; Amendment 39-16459; AD 2010-20-24] – Modify the electronic flight information system and the airplane flight manuals. This AD was issued to correct faulty integration of hardware and software, which could result in unannunciated, uncommanded changes in communications radio frequency, transponder codes and altitude preselect settings.
Istanbul, Turkey-based MNG Jet Havacilik A.S. has placed a firm order for a Global 5000 aircraft valued at about $45 million. The aircraft joins a Challenger 601 aircraft already in the MNG Jet fleet. The addition comes as the company expands its business aviation services to include aircraft management, operations and spare parts distribution. Founded in 2008, MNG Jet has provided maintenance, along with aircraft operations.
Corporate Jets, LLC has been recognized as an approved operator under the International Standards for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO). The International Business Aviation Council grants IS-BAO Approval to business aviation operations that successfully complete an exhaustive audit of their Safety Management Systems, standards and procedures and risk management systems. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., with offices in Van Nuys, Calif., Corporate Jets operates a range of aircraft, from the Cessna Citation II to Gulfstream V.
BILL FITZGERALD was named general manager of the GEnx product line for GE Aviation. Fitzgerald joined GE in 1983 and has held technical and management roles at GE’s facilities in Lynn, Mass.; Cincinnati; and Cardiff, Wales, U.K. Most recently he was vice president and general manager of assembly, test and overhaul.
Used business jet sales were up 30.1% through the first eight months of the year, according to the latest information released by JetNet. Even so, business jet aircraft are taking longer to sell, ranging from 40 to 124 more days, and the average asking price is down 2.7%. Business jet inventory stood at 14.9% in August.
DON FOSTER has joined Sandel Avionics as HTAWS fleet sales manager. Foster will be responsible for Sandel’s new HeliTAWS terrain safety system, along with other helicopter products. He has 20 years of sales, marketing and project management experience, previously serving with Avidyne and Ryan International. Foster is based in Columbus, Ohio.
U.S.-Registered Business Jet and Turboprop Accident/Incidents1st 9 months, 2010 vs. 2009 U.S.-Registered Business Jet and Turboprop Accident/Incidents 1st 9 months, 2010 vs.
Flying magazine promoted executive editor Robert Goyer to editor in chief, replacing Michael Maya Charles. Goyer joined the magazine in 1994 as associate editor and has helped transition the magazine to evolving digital platforms, magazine executives say. He is a commercial, multi-engine and instrument-rated pilot. Charles joined the magazine in June, replacing longtime former editor J. Mac McClellan. Charles is expected to pursue his interests as an aviation writer and photographer.
The National Transportation Safety Board is hosting a three-day course, “Transportation Disaster Response - A Course for Emergency Responders,” at the NTSB Training Center Nov. 16-18 in Ashburn, Va. The course, which includes the participation of the New Jersey State Police, is designed for local, county, state and federal emergency responders, planners and managers, as well as members of organizations and agencies with accident response roles.
Pan Am International Flight Academy has acquired Aeroservice Aviation Center in Miami. The agreement included all of Aeroservice’s training and simulator assets. Pan Am plans to integrate Aeroservice simulators into its training system, saying they will be positioned “where they most effectively serve its customer base.” The Aeroservice Miami center will become Pan Am’s seventh training facility and will operate under Pan Am’s Part 142 certificate.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0438; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-265-AD; Amendment 39-16450; AD 2010-20-15] – Measure the inrush current of the angle of attack (AOA) transducers, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-053, Rev. B (dated Jan. 12, 2010). If an AOA transducer has an inrush current equal to or more than 1.60 amps, repeat the measurement at specified intervals. If a transducer is found to have an inrush current less than 1.60 amps, replace it before further flight.
The number of “serious” runway incursions at U.S. airports dropped by 50% in 2010, marking a second consecutive year the number was cut in half, Transportation Department officials say. This drop comes despite an increase in the overall number of incursions (see chart on right). But incursions classified as serious declined to six, from 12 in Fiscal 2009 and from 67 in Fiscal 2000. Of the six, three involved commercial aircraft.
Five business aviation executives have created the Sky Hope Network, a new non-profit organization designed to offer emergency support to the industry.
COLLEEN ATHANS was named vice president and general manager of assembly, test and overhaul for GE Aviation. Athans joined GE in 1983 and has held technical, quality and management roles at the company’s facilities in Lynn, Mass.; Cincinnati; and Durham, N.C. Most recently, she was general manager of the CF6 commercial engines and services.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0276; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-144-AD; Amendment 39-16452; AD 2010-20-17] – Revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to include information regarding replacement of the bulkhead check valves at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hr.
ExecuJet Europe and Advanced Air Support have announced plans to launch a joint fixed-base operation (FBO) at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. The FBO has undergone a full refurbishment and will incorporate the branding of both companies. It is the third in the European network for ExecuJet and the company’s seventh worldwide, with further plans for expansion expected.
