While business aviation is designed to deliver efficiency to its customers, the on-demand charter market as a whole remains inefficient, says a new report by online marketer PrivateFly.com. Almost 100% of respondents to a PrivateFly.com survey recognized that the Internet was beginning to make the industry more efficient, but the wider results indicate that more needs to be done to improve efficiency.
SIKORSKY S-92A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0060; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-16282; AD 2010-10-03] – Replace the main gearbox filter bowl assembly with a two-piece bowl assembly and replace the existing mounting studs. Also, inspect the main gearbox lube system filters, housing, housing threads and the lock-ring counterbore, repairing or replacing them as necessary, per the instructions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-022A (dated Dec. 18, 2009).
Business travelers can determine the cost of commercial versus private aviation with a new free calculator designed by Boca Raton, Fla.-based Paramount Business Jets.
Gulfstream has received two key approvals that will enable its aircraft to take advantage of NextGen operational capabilities. The Savanna, Ga., airframer secured FAA clearance for its large-cabin business jets to fly Required Navigational Performance-Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required (RNP-SAAAR) approaches to a minimum of 0.1 nm. In addition, FAA approved Gulfstream’s flight operations department to use the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A data link on its G450 aircraft.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-28077; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-20-AD] – This proposed AD would revise an existing directive (AD 2007-0109) by allowing an operator to terminate borescope inspections of the high-pressure (HP) turbine blades if the operator incorporates the optional Turbomeca TU166 modification. This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, is designed to prevent an uncommanded inflight engine shutdown, which could result in an emergency autorotation landing or an accident.
Dassault has won FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency approval of the autobrake function on the Falcon 2000EX EASy, 2000DX and 2000LX. Specially designed for short runways, the feature adds greater safety margins by reducing landing distances by as much as 150 feet on normal approaches and 300 feet on steep approaches. The autobrake will be included on production aircraft and will be available as a retrofit for 2000EX aircraft at any Dassault Aircraft Services facility.
Bombardier is expanding its Global 5000 and Global Express XRS completions capacity through the acquisition of the Saint-Laurent facilities of ExelTech Aerospace Inc. Bombardier predicts that the 115,000- sq.-ft. (10,684 sq.-m.) facility will be operational by autumn. The Canadian airframe maker is buying the hangar from RSM Richter Inc., which is serving as the receiver for bankrupt ExelTech Aerospace. The deal is subject to closing conditions, including obtaining the approval of the Superior Court of Quebec, as is customary for this type of transaction.
AgustaWestland has delivered three more AW139 helicopters to Saudi Aramco, which will utilize the medium twin rotorcraft to support oil and gas operations in Saudi Arabia.
MICHAEL BROWN joined Duncan Aviation as airframe service sales representative. Brown will work with Bombardier Challenger and Learjet operators. He has served as director of maintenance for Aviation Charter Services for 10 years.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1033; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-104-AD; Amendment 39-16326; AD 2010-12-05] – Modify the air-driven generator (ADG) wiring, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-015, Rev. A (dated Dec. 18, 2006). This AD, which supersedes an existing directive (AD 2009-06-18) and resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was issued following the failure of several ADGs to come online after being deployed.
Eurocopter handed over a VIP-configured EC145 Stylence helicopter to a German operator during the recent ILA Berlin air show. Spedition & Helicopterservice Linke GmbH, a logistic company, plans to use the new eight-passenger, twin-engine rotorcraft mainly for corporate transport.
JP Morgan analyst Joseph Nadol points to the double-digit increase in flights in April, and notes that the flights have now increased year-over-year in each of the past six months. On a seasonally adjusted basis, flight ops have decreased month-over-month, but Nadol speculates that volcanic ash may have been a factor in flights between the U.S. and Europe. “Flight ops are still 15-20% below the average level during most of 2003-2008, unlike commercial airline traffic, which is back close to its all-time high.” See chart on right.
June 16 — The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Jim Guyette, president and CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, The Yale Club, New York, 212-867-1770, e-mail: [email protected] June 24-26 — National Business Aviation Association 15th Annual Flight Attendants Conference, San Diego, Calif., (202) 783-9000, www.nbaa.org July 19-25 — Farnborough International Airshow, Farnborough, England, +44(0) 1252 532800, www.farnborough.com July 26-Aug. 1 — Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh 2010, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 426-4800
U.K.-based Ocean Sky, which earlier announced plans to open up 10 jet centers in Spain and Italy as part of an expansion across Europe this year, has outlined plans for the initial centers. The first of the Spanish jet centers will be in Ibiza, Valencia and Mahon in Menorca, with another three to be announced soon. The centers replace existing facilities, including offices, owned by Aviation Handling Assistance (AHA), which was bought by Ocean Sky.
Aircell’s business aviation group has received AS9100 certification. AS9100 is a standardized quality management system specific to aerospace, and confirms that the company’s quality management system — which includes product realization; product design, development, and support; manufacturing, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement — conforms to the strict requirements of all AS9100 and ISO 9001-2008 standards.
MARISSA REDDICK was promoted to purchasing supervisor for Mid-Continent Instruments. Reddick has served with Mid-Continent since February 1997, and has a background in lean manufacturing, material resource planning and inventory management. In her new position, she will oversee cost, quality, and delivery standards for purchasing.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is expressing “concern and disappointment” that the Department of Transportation has yet to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to update 60-year-old flight- and duty-time limits for pilots. The new rulemaking has been subject to delays, and it is “unacceptable that the DOT has not finished the process begun in 1995,” notes committee leaders in a June 9 letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Austria’s Diamond Aircraft has partnered with U.S. company Aurora Flight Sciences, which uses a DA42 light twin as the basis of its DA42M-OPV Centaur optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) that is to fly in September. Diamond CEO Christian Dries defines his twin-engined OPV as a more useful and effective tool than a UAV. “With an OPV the pilot can fly the aircraft through controlled airspace, and whenever flying gets dirty, dangerous or boring, it flies hands-off.”
Charter and management company Wayfarer Aviation averted a looming shutdown Friday when the company signed a letter of intent for the sale of the assets of the company.
Johnson Aviation in Tyler, Texas, has joined the Avfuel network of branded fixed-base operations. Under the deal, Avfuel will supply aviation fuel and related services, while Johnson Aviation remains an independent operation. Johnson Aviation will offer the AVTRIP fueling incentive program, as well as Avfuel Contract Fuel for jet fuel savings. The FBO was founded more than 45 years ago by the Johnson family, who still operate the business.
The American Association of Airport Executives will hold a General Aviation Issues Security Conference June 29-July 1 in Morristown, N.J. The three-day event will cover issues such as the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program, GA Airport Vulnerability and other high-profile measures. The conference also will discuss revenue generation, the push for replacement of leaded fuel and other environmental regulations. The conference is geared toward airport leaders, FBO operators, business aircraft operators, manufacturers and other general aviation interests.
Aerospace stocks continue to show vulnerability, taking a hit after the recent volatility in European equity markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch reports. Cessna parent Textron has led the way down, falling by up to 8.3%, and Embraer fell 6.2% at one point, notes analyst Ronald Epstein. “On the aerospace side of the house, the market appears to be questioning the sustainability of the recovery, given slowing economic growth in China and Europe,” he notes.
JUSTIN VENA was named avionics installations sales representative for Duncan Aviation. Vena will oversee avionics installation sales to Astra/Westwind, Embraer, Falcon, Gulfstream and Hawker operators. Vena has served with Duncan since 1999, working in avionics bench, avionics line, professional development and systems engineering. His aviation career began in 1988 with the U.S. Navy, and he also has served with Kay & Associates, Xel Communications and Lockheed Martin Astronautics.
The first Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter built at Poland-based PZL Mielec has begun flight testing at the company’s Development Flight Center in Florida. The S-70i helicopter is an international variant of the Black Hawk that uses a global supply chain and is the first Black Hawk assembled in Europe. Sikorsky plans to build at least 20 S-70i’s a year beginning in 2012.
