The Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi recently added a second BAE Systems Avro Business Jet to its fleet. The late-model Avro RJ100 joins an existing RJ70 in the operator’s inventory. The RJ100 was converted into a VIP transport by Inflite Engineering Limited at London-Stansted Airport. BAE Systems says there are now 25 Avro Business Jets either in VIP service or in the process of being converted for such use.
Two More Months: Aviation officials are encouraged that House and Senate staff members appear to be laying the groundwork for a conference on a longer-term FAA reauthorization bill. The House and Senate, unable to reach a conference agreement before FAA’s authorization was set to expire April 30, last week adopted another short-term extension of FAA’s authorization. The latest short-term measure extends the authorization until July 3.
Head-up guidance systems could have prevented or positively influenced 38% of all commercial, business and corporate aircraft accidents that occurred over a recent 13-year period, according to a study conducted by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF). “Head-up Guidance Technology – A Clear Path to Increasing Flight Safety,” an independent third-party study commissioned by Rockwell Collins, involved an FSF review of information about 983 accidents between 1995 and 2007.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-200 and -300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0432; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-001-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct a one-time detailed inspection of each of the six flapper valves in the fuel system’s collector tank, removing the valve spring (if installed) and applying an identification mark on each inspected valve, per the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-28-54 (dated April 22, 2009).
Industry organizations are raising concerns about a new FAA advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on improving commercial pilot performance, an issue raised by the Colgan Air DHC-8 accident on Feb. 12, 2009, near Buffalo, N.Y. Changing the requirements for the core commercial license could have a significant impact on the entire industry, from aerial applications to charter operations.
Elite Aviation has added a Raytheon Premier 1A to its fleet. The aircraft will be based at Van Nuys, Calif. Elite Aviation is a full-service aviation company providing aircraft management, charter sales, a Part 145 maintenance facility and catering. The operator’s current fleet includes Gulfstream, Challenger, Falcon, Hawker, Learjet, Raytheon and Citation aircraft.
Piper is offering enhanced vision systems (EVS) as optional equipment on new Malibu, Matrix and Mirage airplanes. The Forward Vision Systems’ EVS-100 and EVS-600 also will be available for retrofit on those airplanes. Piper plans to offer an optional EVS on new Piper Meridians, as well as an STC-approved system for Meridians already in service, once an EVS is certified to address the Meridian’s higher performance envelope.
The FAA, aiming to mitigate flight hazards, is advising operators to establish policies and guidance to control cockpit “distractions” – including the use of personal electronic devices – during flight operations.
MARK THIBAULT was named regional director, product support programs for Gulfstream Aerospace. Based in Hong Kong, Thibault is responsible for overseeing all product support efforts for Gulfstream aircraft fleet operators in Asia. He will coordinate aircraft maintenance and support requirements for Gulfstream operators in Asia, as well as oversee the growth of the Gulfstream support network. Thibault previously spent more than three years as the director of maintenance, director of flight operations and chief operating officer for Metrojet Limited in Hong Kong.
BOMBARDIER-ROTAX 912 F, 912 S and 914 F engines [Docket No. FAA-2010-0342; Directorate Identifier 2002-NE-08-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to conduct initial and repetitive visual inspections of the engine crankcase for cracks. If any cracks were found, the engine would need to be replaced, per the instructions of Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-912-029, Rev. 3 (dated July 11, 2006) and SB-914-018, Rev. 3 (dated July 11, 2006).
Wayfarer Aviation has added a Gulfstream V to its charter fleet. Based in the Northeast, the long-range business jet seats 14 passengers and will be available for charter early this month.
AGUSTA A109E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2010-0449; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-38-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to install a battery bus (BATT BUS) circuit breaker modification kit, which involves replacing the 35-amp circuit breaker with a 50-amp circuit breaker and replacing the wires with oversized ones, per the instructions of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-98 (dated June 22, 2009).
Embraer, nearing certification for its Legacy 650 jet this year, took a step forward on two other development programs with the recent cut of first metal for its “midlight” Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 business jets. The initial manufactured part (a section of the forward fuselage) belongs to the first Legacy 500 prototype, which is scheduled to make its initial flight in the second half of 2011.
The Centennial Airport Business Association has changed its name to the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) in an effort to better foster and promote aviation and related businesses throughout the state.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400, -401 and -402 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2010-0382; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-211-AD] — This proposed rule would require operators to modify the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) control logic in accordance with the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-29-22, Rev. A (dated Feb. 24, 2009).
As a volcanic cloud of ash and glass left air travelers stranded worldwide for a week, private aviation operators labored to help fill the gap, and industry advocates worked with European regulators to handle future groundings in a more coordinated fashion. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) called an emergency teleconference last week to urge Eurocontrol and the European Commission to consider three scenarios to handle ongoing flight cancellations and airspace restrictions in the wake of Iceland’s volcanic eruptions.
Although the high inventory levels for used business jets that existed in much of 2009 are gradually being reduced, that segment remains a buyer’s market, according to a new report on first quarter sales from Utica, N.Y.-based business jet consultancy Jetnet. “At the end of March 2010, the percentage of pre-owned business jets for sale was at 15.6%, compared to the high of 17.7% recorded in July 2009,” the report says. “The number of business jets for sale at the end of the first quarter of 2010 was slightly less than 2,800 aircraft.”
Solairus Aviation has “put the pieces in place for the foreseeable future” and is gradually expanding its base as the San Francisco-area charter and management company celebrates its first-year anniversary, CEO Dan Drohan says. While founded early last year during one of the worst economic times in business aviation industry, Solairus has continued to build market share with a balance of full-managed and charter aircraft. The company also has installed the necessary infrastructure for the long term, Drohan believes.
LISA SASSE has joined Universal Weather and Aviation as senior Northeast sales and sales strategy manager. Sasse has more than 25 years of experience in corporate and commercial aviation, and previously served as vice president for EVAS Worldwide and vice president for Aircraft Service Group. She also has served as a sales and marketing executive for Air Routing International.
International Communications Group (ICG) and Cobham Antenna Systems have received FAA supplemental type certification (STC) for Sora, a communications system that offers both Iridium and SwiftBroadband (SBB) voice and data services worldwide. The initial Sora system was recently installed on a Gulfstream G200. ICG and Cobham worked with Gulfstream on the STC, which the companies say provides the basis for installation on a variety of business jets. Sora integrates ICG’s NxtLink 220A Iridium system and NxtMail Server with a Cobham Inmarsat SBB terminal.
North-Aire Aviation’s failure to comply with FAA pilot school regulations and falsification of student records has drawn a proposed $330,000 civil penalty from the agency. The FAA alleges that the Prescott Valley, Ariz.-based school’s courses were not valid under FAA pilot training rules. In addition, the agency says that North-Aire used unapproved training course outlines and did not retain required student records in accordance with agency rules. FAA also claims the school failed to correct discrepancies after the agency pointed them out.
The Environmental Protection Agency last week took a step toward phasing out leaded aviation gasoline use with its release of a much-anticipated advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), but the agency also concedes that a number of obstacles remain to imposing new emission standards, particularly on the existing general aviation fleet (BA, April 19/1).
Albuquerque, N.M.-based Eclipse Aerospace has announced plans to open its first European Platinum Service Center, in Istanbul, Turkey, for EA500 aircraft service, maintenance and modifications. Eclipse Aerospace General Aviation A.S. will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Eclipse EA500 operators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The fourth annual European Safety Standdown will be held May 2-3, on the eve of the 10th annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The standdown is sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association.
Michelin North America is expanding its aviation tire operations in Norwood, N.C. The company is investing $11.3 million in the facility to add aviation tire retreading services. Michelin also manufactures new tires at the 380,000-square-ft. facility. Michelin expects to add 74 new jobs at the site over the next 18 months, the bulk of which will come in early 2011. The Norwood plan currently employs 320 people.
