The investigation into the January 2009 ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River has led the National Transportation Safety Board to issue nearly three dozen recommendations seeking improved technology, certification standards, operational procedures, training, life-saving equipment and passenger briefings.
FAA has reopened the comment period on an April 5 policy statement on a special issuance of airmen medical certificates to applicants using certain antidepressant medications. Under the new policy, FAA will evaluate issuing a special waiver on 1st, 2nd or 3rd class medical certificates to individuals who demonstrate they are being treated for depression and who remain stable for a 12-month period. Previously, individuals were denied a medical certificate and prohibited from flying if they used antidepressant medications.
New York-based Emerald Jet Charter, a new charter broker company, is offering offset carbon emissions for every charter flight they broker without added cost as part of its standard business practices. The company has partnered with Carbonfund.org to offset emissions in support of Carbonfund.org’s third-party validated carbon-reduction projects. Emerald Jet Charter has access to more than 5,000 aircraft for charter.
BRIAN BAUER was named chief commercial officer for Global Aviation Holdings. Bauer is responsible for business and market development, sales management and planning. He previously was president of Evergreen International Airlines.
GULFSTREAM Astra, Astra SPX and Gulfstream 100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0034; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-120-AD; Amendment 39-16307; AD 2010-11-02] – Modify the warning and caution lights panel, changing the panel and main entry door wiring and the wiring harness connecting the door to the panel, per the instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-31-284 (dated Aug. 17, 2006).
Stratos Jet Charters has inked a deal with a charter agency to offer service out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The company will have aircraft ranging from a Beech King Air 200 up to a Hawker 850XP for the new service.
EMBRAER EMB-135, ERJ-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0714; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-16290; AD 2010-10-11] – Replace certain landing gear electronic units with new ones, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 145-32-0120, Rev. 02 (dated Feb. 17, 2009) or 145LEG-32-0032, Rev. 02 (dated Feb. 17, 2009), as applicable.
June 7-8 — Canadian Business Aviation Association Conference, Calgary, Canada, www.cbaa.ca/portal/convention June 7-9 — National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Summit, Chantilly, Va., 800-808-6282, www.nata.aero/acs June 8-13 — Internationale Luftfahrt-Ausstellung Air Show, Berlin, Germany June 16 — The Wings Club Luncheon featuring Jim Guyette, President & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, The Yale Club, New York, 212-867-1770, email: [email protected]
While the air taxi business model remains uncertain in the current economy, especially in Europe, the head of London Executive Aviation (LEA) feels its fleet of Cessna Citation Mustangs are making a positive contribution to conventional air chartering.
FlightSafety International’s American Eurocopter AS 350 B2 flight training device (FTD) was approved for night vision goggle training. The Level 7 FTD is stationed at FlightSafety’s learning center in Tucson, Ariz. The AS 350 FTD is equipped with FlightSafety’s VITAL X system, providing 220-degree by 110-degree visual capability. FlightSafety provides a range of AS 350 training programs, including aircraft systems, emergency and abnormal procedures, as well as human factors and specialty training such as inadvertent IMC.
JDA Aviation Technology Solutions (JDA) has begun conducting certified International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) audits. JDA’s IS-BAO accredited auditors have undergone training and are recognized by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) as proficient to assist new or existing business or private flight departments and charter operators that want to meet internationally-recognized safety and security processes. In addition, they are ISO 9001 auditors.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has appointed Metrojet Hong Kong to its worldwide network of authorized service centers to support its Hawker 900/800/700 series of business jets. Metrojet is located at the Hong Kong International Airport. Founded in 1995, Metrojet provides engine and airframe service, avionics line maintenance, routine inspections, interior and exterior cleaning and detailing, and scheduled base inspections.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has proposed merging the 60-year-old AOPA Air Safety Foundation with the more recently created AOPA Foundation in a move the association says will “eliminate confusion” and more closely align activities. Details of the merger are still being ironed out, and a final plan must receive the blessing of the AOPA Board of Trustees.
The NTSB is offering a five-day rotorcraft accident investigation course that is designed for investigators from regulatory authorities, industry, investigative agencies and other potential parties to an NTSB investigation. The course will provide an overview of procedures, methods and skills required to perform a rotorcraft accident investigation, and include examples from recently concluded investigations. The training will be held Aug. 16-20 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Va. For more information, visit www.ntsb.gov/TC/CourseInfo/AS102_2010.htm.
DASSAULT Falcon 2000 and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-0791; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-16303; AD 2010-10-24] – Inspect the main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber for damage, per the instructions of Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin F2000-366, Rev. 2 or F2000EX-167, Rev. 1 (both dated Dec. 1, 2008), as applicable. If any damage is found, repair the shock absorber.
Pentastar Aviation has met the qualifications for International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). The Waterford, Mich.-based aviation services provider achieved IS-BAO registration following an audit done by ARGUS International Inc. IS-BAO was created by the International Business Aviation Council to assist flight departments in providing aircraft operations in accordance with an internationally recognized quality system that goes beyond existing applicable national authority regulatory standards.
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. has secured the availability of aircraft hull and liability insurance for EA500 very light jet operators through Chartis Aerospace Insurance Services, Inc. and Willis Global Aviation. The insurance will be offered to qualified operators who have participated in the recently announced Eclipse/SimCom factory initial and recurrent training programs.
FAA’s final rule outlining equipment requirements for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) received a mixed reaction from industry groups, which see the FAA as the primary beneficiary.
Jeppesen recently introduced a new flight tracking application for its JetPlan.com website and JetPlanner programs. Jeppesen Flight Tracking enables operators to view aircraft position reports. Jeppesen Flight Tracking uses a number of sources, such as the FAA Aircraft Situation Display for Industry and the EuroControl Central Flow Management Unit. The service is available for business, commercial and military aviation.
Hawker Beechcraft has developed a new maintenance and training program for its used aircraft customers during the first year or 150 hours of service after purchase. The Hawker Beechcraft Select Pre-Owned Program covers all scheduled and unscheduled airframe, engine and avionics maintenance. The program also includes initial flight-crew training at FlightSafety International and a first-year subscription to the computerized maintenance tracking program. The program will be offered for certain turbine aircraft.
Baldwin Aviation in Hilton Head, S.C., is joining forces with Dover, Del.-based Fireside Partners LLC to provide emergency-response planning (ERP) to its clients, including customized emergency response training, consulting and crisis management and mitigation. Fireside Partners uses a system that taps expertise to develop custom-tailored programs that meet the working needs — and realities — of its clients.
CAROL OCHSENFELD was appointed to the newly created position of director, supply chain and material management for Sabreliner Corp. Ochsenfeld joins Sabreliner with a background in supply chain management, including with Pratt & Whitney.
BOMBARDIER Challenger 300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0475; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-083-AD; Amendment 39-16297; AD 2010-10-18] — Revise the maintenance schedule and repetitively clean the cabin pressurization system safety valves, removing discrepant material from the area surrounding the valves. Also, modify the valves with a gridless cabin pressure-sensing port plug.
European business aviation leaders are attempting to prompt a change in flight/duty time limitation rules that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to introduce for business aviation. Since 2008, commercial air transport operations throughout the European Union have been governed by an interim set of rules, known as EU-Ops, drawn from specifications written by the Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA) and national operating and flight crew licensing (FCL) rules. Noncommercial activities have continued to be guided largely by national regulations.
MORRISTOWN, NJ — Luxury office space available at Morristown, NJ Airport. 500-15,000 sf. Office units include use of conference room, kitchen and security. Hangar space also available. Contact Charles Dorison at 973-765-0100 x 4475. Click here to view the pdf
