Sentient Jet has begun using Wyvern as a core provider of data on operators, aircraft and pilots in Sentient’s “Certified Operator” network. The data will be used for Sentient’s reviews for selecting air charter vendors, aircraft and crew when the company charters with third-party vendors, Sentient says, noting that Wyvern has developed an Aviation Safety Intelligence data collection and analysis system that tracks information not readily available elsewhere.
Daher-Socata is planning to use the Monaco Yacht Show as a platform to promote its TBM 850 turboprop aircraft. The show, to be held Sept. 22-25 in the principality of Monaco, is expected to attract more than 500 companies in the yachting sector and from complementary arenas, including business aircraft manufacturers. The show draws nearly 30,000 participants from around the world.
Air China will greatly expand its business aircraft operation at Beijing with support from the city government, a strong sign of official confidence in the prospects for Chinese general aviation. The expanded operation will compete with a similar set-up owned by Hainan Airlines. Separately, the northeastern city of Dalian is negotiating with Air China for the creation of an airline at its local airport, but in that case the new company will offer normal scheduled services, not business aircraft flights.
The total fractional aircraft fleet increased by one unit to 880 aircraft in July, the first increase in the last 15 months, says a new JP Morgan report. “The fractional fleet is still down by 80 aircraft from the peak of 960 in January 2009, about 8%,” the report says. “Initial July numbers point to a modest decrease in the fractional fleet.” More details from the report are on Page 2.
The first Embraer Lineage 1000 to be delivered in the Americas was accepted recently by Mexico’s Grupo Omnilife, a producer of nutritional supplements. The twin-engine airplane features a five-zone interior, including a master suite featuring a queen-size bed and a stand-up shower, a conference area and three living room areas with five divans. The aircraft will be operated through Omnilife’s air taxi subsidiary, Omniflys.
Conroe, Texas-based Galaxy FBO has signed a deal with JDA for its 135Pro certification support program. 135Pro is designed to simplify the process and lower costs associated with obtaining a Part 135 Certificate.
West Star Aviation donated a Learjet Model 35A to Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, Colo., for use in maintenance technician training. Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) students will be able to use the aircraft to develop their skills.
Sen. Brownback (R-Kan.) is planning to ask the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate whether foreign subsidies have hindered the U.S. business aircraft industry. The senator, whose home state hosts Cessna Aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft and Learjet, released a statement recently saying he intends to work with his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to seek the investigation.
Palm Springs, Calif.-based jet charter company Desert Jet has announced that Rob Wilson, its director of operations, has passed the National Business Aviation Association’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) exam. Out of the 8,000-plus companies represented by NBAA, only 142 individuals have passed the CAM exam.
A Smithfield, R.I., company has produced eyewear to protect pilots from flash blindness caused by laser attacks on the cockpit. Sperian Protection is introducing Laser-Gard Eyewear with patented lenses that also protect against glare and provide nearly total ultraviolet protection, the company says. Sperian produced laser visors for the U.S. Air Force starting in 1968. The lenses come in a bronze tint for daytime sunglasses use or a salmon tint for nighttime use.
The demand outlook for business jets is little changed, although heavy jet demand might be a bit better, says the Business Jet Monthly report from JP Morgan.
KEITH LOCKWOOD has joined Aerosonic Corp. as director of business development. He previously was a consultant with L-3 Display Systems/Aviation Recorders/Avionic Systems. He has more than 30 years of experience as a sales and marketing executive with aerospace companies that include Flight Deck Resources, Teledyne Controls SBU, Teledyne Technologies, Rockwell Collins, Miltope Corp. and Grumman Aerospace.
Uvalde, Texas-based Sierra Industries has partnered with Helio Aircraft to provide support, maintenance and repair for Helio Courier and Stallion aircraft. The exclusive contract covers the worldwide fleet of aircraft. Sierra, which specializes in support for a range of aircraft and warbird restorations, will produce replacement parts and develop upgrades for the aircraft.
EADS’ all-electric aircraft flew for the first time from Le Bourget Airport in Paris on Sept. 2. The composite-structure, four-engine, aerobatic Cri-Cri—which was jointly developed by EADS Innovation Works, Aero Composites Saintonge and the Green Cri-Cri Association—reportedly performed well during the seven-minute initial flight.
New AW139 orders from PHI and Weststar Aviation have bolstered AgustaWestland’s backlog for the twin-engine medium helicopter. PHI has signed a contract for 10 AW139 helicopters, which are to be used for offshore oil and gas support. Weststar Aviation Services has ordered nine AW139s, which also will be used in offshore oil-support missions, marking the entrance of the AW139 in the Southeast Asia offshore helicopter market.
EDMO Distributors was selected to distribute ICON flashlights and headlamps to the aviation market. EDMO dealers will have full access to the entire line of ICON flashlight and headlamp products.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0851; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-171-AD; Amendment 39-16424; AD 2010-18-11] – Replace certain horizontal stabilizer trim actuators (HSTAs) with serviceable HSTAs, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-057 (dated June 14, 2010). This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was prompted by the discovery that some installed HSTAs have lower wear characteristics and shorter expected lives.
CHARLES YAWN was appointed senior regional sales manager, eastern region, product support sales for Gulfstream Aerospace. Based in Savannah, Ga., Yawn is responsible for maintenance sales to Gulfstream and non-Gulfstream aircraft operators in Alabama, Georgia and north Florida. He has worked for Gulfstream for more than 26 years, serving in various materials, sales and management positions, most recently as a program manager for product support sales.
Avfuel Corp. recently added two more fixed-base operators to its network of branded dealers – ProJet Aviation at Leesburg Executive Airport in Virginia (KJYO) and Salt Lake jetCenter at Salt Lake International Airport (SLC). ProJet, which also has flight operations in Winchester and Manassas, Va., earlier this year opened the new Leesburg facility which has more than 25,000-sq.-ft. of hangar and office space. The facility also includes fuel services, overnight hangar parking, line services, rental cars and catering.
AGUSTA A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0824; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-045-AD; Amendment 39-16409; AD 2010-12-51] – Before further flight, remove the forward boot from the hub-locking nut of the tail-rotor gearbox (TRG) and insert a gauge between the tail-rotor control rod and nut until the gauge stops. Depending on the depth measurement from the face of the nut, either re-identify the TGB with a new part number, or replace the TGB and its associated parts with airworthy parts, per the instructions of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
Goodrich Corporation’s rotorblade ice-protection system for the AgustaWestland AW139 medium-twin-engine helicopter won certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, U.S. FAA and Transport Canada Civil Aviation. The rotorblade ice-protection system (RIPS) is part of the helicopter’s full ice-protection system that provides its all-weather capability, making the AW139it the first helicopter in its category certified to fly into known icing conditions.
ISR versions of the TBM 700 and 850 have been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency. The approval of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance variant of Daher-Socata’s single-engine turboprops will enable the company to market the multi-mission models to government organizations, military services, civilian agencies and contract operators. A TBM 700B demonstrator has been outfitted with the Thales AGILE 2 gyro-stabilized multi-sensor turret.
A new website launching Sept. 13 is hoping to cash in on the online group-deals craze started by sites like Groupon and Living Social and bring it to the aviation arena. Chase Larabee, founder of ALLFBO.com, has created the website Aviation Dealy, which will specialize in selling one notable aviation deal daily. “This is a great way to showcase one product a day to multiple aviation markets in one place.” Aviation Dealy is targeting a variety of vendors, including those selling to pilots and fixed-base operators, says Larabee. “The deals are 100% aviation.
