General aviation advocates have appealed to the California legislature and government officials seeking relief from a measure that could raise costs and increase requirements on flight schools. The measure was included in California Assembly Bill 48, which was passed last year to protect students from tuition losses in the event a school goes out of business. But that bill captured flight training schools in the requirements.
The Office of Management and Budget on Thursday, May 20, completed its 90-day review of FAA’s final rule outlining equipment mandates for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The completion of the OMB review clears the rule for publication. The rule is expected to require installation of ADS-B “Out” equipment, including either a Universal Access Transceiver or 1090 Extended Squitter datalink, on all aircraft that will operate in certain airspace. FAA originally proposed a 2020 equipage deadline, which was welcomed by general aviation advocates.
Online booking engine PrivateFly.com has partnered with specialist Caribbean travel agency Cruise and Rail Int’l. The partnership gives Cruise and Rail Int’l access to online travel tools including instant private charter pricing and an itinerary planner that locates closest airfields and calculates aircraft suitability based on factors such as runway length and passenger numbers. After the initial cost estimate, Cruise and Rail’s team of agents can submit their client’s flight request to all relevant aircraft operators worldwide.
Investissement Quebec, the investment arm of the provincial government, is providing Dornier Seaplane with C$35 million ($34 million) in financial support to build a final-assembly plant for the Seastar amphibian in Montreal. The reimbursable contribution will cover half the expected C$71.5 million cost of establishing the factory at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near Lake Champlain, with the plant projected to create 250 jobs within five years.
FAA has issued special conditions for installation of an autobraking system on Dassault Falcon Model 2000EX airplanes. The system includes a pilot-selectable function that enables earlier maximum braking at landing without pilot pedal input. If armed before landing, the system would automatically command maximum braking at main wheels touchdown, FAA says. “The current Federal Aviation Regulations do not contain adequate requirements to address the potentially higher structural loads that could result from this type of automatic braking system,” FAA says.
Average charter pricing continues to inch up for most models of aircraft, according to aircraft charter broker and analyst Avinode. In the large aircraft category, hourly prices for large aircraft have improved by less than 1% for a Gulfstream V (average of $7,580) to about 3.6% for a Challenger 604 ($4,786). Pricing for other classes of aircraft are showing similar gains. See Page 1 chart.
Signature Flight Support and Aviapartner Executive have opened a new facility at Nice Cote d’Azur Airport in France. The opening followed the completion of a new general aviation terminal at the airport. The facility includes a VIP lounge that is five times larger than its predecessor; a pilots’ lounge with entertainment systems and flat-screen televisions; WSI weather and business center services. Signature and Aviapartner provide ground handling, flight planning, crew accommodations coordination, crew transportation and catering services.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0438; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-265-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to measure the inrush current of both angle-of-attack (AOA) transducers. If an AOA transducer were found to have an inrush current of less than 1.60 amps, operators would need to replace it with a new or serviceable transducer before further flight.
Piper Aircraft has looked to social media to generate sales, as well as interact with those loyal to the brand. The Vero Beach, Fla.-based manufacturer tapped Concord, Mass.-based DigiNovations/ChannelOne Marketing Group to handle its social media efforts. So far, Piper has two Facebook fan pages, two Twitter feeds and two YouTube channels, says Michael Kolowich, president and executive producer for DigiNovations and leader of the manufacturer’s social media efforts.
AvinodeAverage Per Hour CharterPrice Comparison Mid/Light 3 Months 6 Months Aircraft Current Ago Ago Citation X $4,406 $4,362 $4,320 Hawker 800XP $3,386 $3,359 $3,373
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 702, 705 and 900 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2009-1111; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-147-AD; Amendment 39-16271; AD 2010-09-06] — Incorporate a new Power Control Unit centering mechanism on the elevator torque tube to prevent sustained oscillations of control rods. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada, was issued to prevent sustained oscillations that could render the elevator surface inoperable and cause subsequent loss of pitch control and reduced controllability of the airplane.
May 24 – Greater Washington Aviation Open, Lansdowne Golf Resort, Lansdowne, Va., www.gwao.org May 24-27 – Regional Airline Association Annual Convention, Midwest Airlines Convention Center, Milwaukee, Wis., (414) 908-6001. 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
The National Business Aviation Association has added three new courses and updated the objectives of its Professional Development Program (PDP). The program was developed to prepare business aviation professionals for flight department management roles. The program involves courses in five areas — business management, leadership, operations, human resources and technical facility services. PDP objectives also prepare students for NBAA’s Certified Aviation Management certificate program.
FAA has rolled out a new surveillance technology to help track aircraft in the mountainous region around Juneau, Alaska. The Wide-Area Multilateration System (WAM) will serve as an interim system until the agency deploys Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). WAM will then become a backup to ADS-B. WAM comprises a network of sensors installed around Juneau. The sensors transmit signals that are received and returned by aircraft transponders.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW617F-E engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0246; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the fuel filter bypass valve and replace any discrepant valve, per the instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin PW600-72-A66021, Rev. 1 (dated Jan. 7, 2010). This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, was prompted by an incident in which a PW617F-E-powered twin-engine aircraft recently experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
BOMBARDIER Regional Jet 100 and 440 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0436; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-230-AD] — This proposed AD would require operators to take a number of actions to address the inability of the existing wing anti-ice system to detect a low-heat condition in the wing leading edge at all times.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association board recently recognized retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) during a reception this month on Capitol Hill. Both Dorgan, chairman of the Senate aviation subcommittee, and Ehlers, a member of the House aviation subcommittee, have announced plans to retire at the end of their current terms this year. “We owe both of these longtime supporters of general aviation a debt of gratitude,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce says.
A strengthening U.S. dollar will help bring back general aviation sales to North America, shifting the predominantly non-North American market to a more even distribution, according to Sparta, N.J.-based consultancy Brian Foley Associates. General aviation aircraft are typically priced in dollars, the analyst says, noting that the index is up 15% in the past six months.
Rizon Jet has signed a block-hour charter agreement for four months to place a Bombardier Challenger 605 with Prime Aviation in Kazakhstan. The aircraft will be based in either Almaty or Astana, as both companies will jointly offer the aircraft for charter within their respective regions.
FlightSafety International’s training programs recently received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Mexico. The DGCA approval validates FlightSafety’s Part 142 certification from the U.S. FAA.
ExxonMobil Aviation has expanded its Avitat network with five new Jet Aviation locations. The new Jet Aviation Avitats are located in Dubai, UAE; Dusseldorf, Germany; Geneva; London Biggin Hill; and Zurich. Jet Aviation currently operates four fixed-base operations under the ExxonMobil Aviation Avitat brand in North America at Bedford, Mass., Dallas, Palm Beach and Teterboro, N.J. The addition of the Jet Aviation FBOs increases the Avitat network to nearly 50 locations worldwide.
President Barack Obama’s selection of a longtime FBI agent as his third choice to head the Transportation Security Administration received a cautious welcome from key lawmakers last week. The White House on Monday, May 17, announced the intention to nominate John Pistole as assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, leading TSA.
Korean Air passengers will have access to Dallas-based Flexjet’s services in the U.S. under a deal signed by the two companies. The newly created Flexjet Connect program marks the first marketing alliance between Flexjet and an international airline.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is warning the industry that NextGen will not improve efficiency unless the industry steps up cooperation. Speaking during AVIATION WEEK’s NextGen Ahead conference Thursday, Babbitt said NextGen is more than just equipment; it’s a culture change. “But if we don’t let go of the one-upsmanship of how we work together, there’s no technology or procedure that can make things right,” he says, noting airline scheduling practices that were increasing delays in Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco.
