2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Staff

Ken Harness has been named COO of Diamond Aircraft’s North American operations.

New Appointments at Diamond, Cessna

Chad Trautvetter

“In Washington, D.C., no bad idea ever dies,” National Association of State Aviation Officials president and CEO Henry Ogrodzinski said of aviation user fe

User fee debate may run into next year or beyond

Jennifer Harrington

A law recently approved by the California State Assembly would assess all fractional ownership flights in the state with personal property taxes, according

California To Tax Fractional Flights

Textron president and CEO Lewis Campbell last month credited Cessna and Bell Helicopter deliveries for the company’s third-quarter revenue increase of 15 p

Cessna and Bell Boost Textron Profits

FlightSafety International (FSI) and CAE will soon be offering online courses to address the TEB5 departure route from Runway 24 at Teterboro Airport in Ne

FSI and CAE Target TEB5 Departures

The Joint Helicopter Safety Implementation Team (JHSIT), a voluntary organization whose members include OEMs, operators and agency officials, is preparing 

JHSIT Addresses Helo SMS

The FAA issued a request for comment on proposed airworthiness standards for certification of the Bell/Agusta BA609–“a multi-turbine-engine powered-lift ca

FAA Seeks Comments on BA609 Standards

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) said a NetJets Cessna Citation X and a Learjet 60 had to take evasive action at 28,000 feet to avo

TCAS Prevents Midair over Las Vegas

General Dynamics’ aerospace segment, which includes Gulfstream, saw its third-quarter earnings rise 37 percent, to $226 million, while sales climbed 21 per

Gulfstream Continues To Soar

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) is disputing the FAA’s claims that the agency exceeded air traffic controller staffing targets for

Natca Questions FAA’s Hiring Claims

Melbourne, Fla.-based CharterMatrix has targeted the empty-leg market with the launch of an updated Web site, which includes a map-search function, request

Charter Web Site Sets Sights on Empty Legs

AOPA has expressed alarm about new notam language that says pilots could be subject to criminal penalties for violations of TFRs and other security airspac

Association Challenges Notam Language

Curt Epstein

While the number of fatal accidents involving turbine-powered business airplanes declined slightly through the first nine months of this year compared with

Business turbine airplane Accident fewer but deadlier

Start-up completion and refurbishment center Air Corporate Services will officially open its doors for business next spring and is already soliciting work.

Completion Center To Open in Chattanooga

While many NBAA members were in Atlanta partaking of the association’s recent convention, senior vice president of operations Steve Brown was in Washington

FAA awaits new funding authorization

Flightline Group’s $24 million, four-year, multi-building development project at its Tallahassee (Fla.) Regional Airport (TLH) headquarters will soon begin

Flightline Group Expansion Under Way

Excel-Jet of Monument, Colo., is suing the FAA over the June 2006 crash of its proof-of-concept Sport-Jet, which was destroyed on takeoff from Colorado Spr

Excel-Jet Sues FAA over 2006 Crash

The completion date for installation of an engineered material arresting system (EMAS) at the end of Teterboro Airport’s Runway 1-19 is “up in the air,” ac

Teterboro EMAS Installation Delayed

Beginning this month, engine manufacturers seeking type certification on new turbine designs with inlet areas greater than 26.9 sq ft will have to pass mor

Bird-ingestion Test Requirements Amended 

The FAA has issued an NPRM for a new AD to supersede an August 13 directive that addresses a history of flap failures on the Bombardier CRJ100 and CRJ440 r

FAA Issues AD Addressing Flap Failures

Aspen, Colo.-based AEXjet ceased operations for two weeks last month while the transactions for entering into a “business combination” with an unidentified

Bankrupt AEXjet Ceases Operations

The 11th annual Safety Standdown–sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace, NBAA, the FAA and the NTSB–concluded late last month in Wichita.

‘War on Error’ Waged in Wichita

GA activity at Westchester County Airport in New York is declining, according to airport manager Peter Scherrer.

GA Activity Declining at Westchester County

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suspended the trading of Connect-A-Jet securities for 11 days last month, from October 1 to October 12, due to

Online charter broker attracts SEC scrutiny

Thierry Dubois

General Electric’s research arm and the U.S.

GE, Darpa join on biofuel

French powerplant manufacturer Snecma said it will begin testing its Silvercrest engine next month.

Snecma Set To Light Up Silvercrest

Aviation Research Group/U.S.

ARG/US and Avinode Launch Trip Service

The Salina (Kan.) Airport Authority announced plans to build a new 69,000-sq-ft hangar and office complex in anticipation of continued growth at the SLN Av

Salina Airport Authority Set To Expand

Van Nuys, Calif.-based JetAviva, which bills itself as the “first exclusive” very light jet (VLJ) management company, launched its Eclipse 500 management s

JetAviva Launches Eclipse 500 Service

Green Flight International last month conducted the first flight of a jet using 100-percent biodiesel fuel.

First Jet Flight with Biodiesel Fuel

Gregory Polek

The U.S.

Hawaiian Airlines Wins Lawsuit with Mesa

CAE’s Burgess Hill UK flight training center–located near London Gatwick airport–has received FAA certification for Part 142 training.

CAE Burgess Hill Receives Part 142 OK

While AOPA seeks an extension on the comment period for new security rules for private aircraft arriving and departing the U.S., NBAA released the “U.S.

GA requests more time for comments on customs rule

The Senate Finance Committee has approved a bill that would repeal the onerous “fuel fraud” provision enacted into law as part of the 2005 Highway Bill.

Bill proposes to detangle fuel-tax collection system

The Transportation Security Administration plans soon to release changes to the voluntary general aviation security guidelines, and is looking at ways to “

AIN Audiocast: Michal Morgan, TSA’s General Manager for General Aviation

When Sentient Flight Group announced last week that it plans to buy TAG Aviation USA, it didn’t clarify whether this included AMI Jet Charter, 49 percent o

Sentient: TAG Purchase Includes AMI Jet Charter

The third prototype of the Grob SPn flew for the first time yesterday, lifting off the runway at 9:28 a.m.

Grob Regaining Its Stride as Third SPn Takes Flight

On Friday, Bell Helicopter’s 429 team froze the final exterior profile of its light twin-engine helicopter after months of development flight testing.

Bell Locks Down Design for GlobalRanger

Bombardier Aerospace this morning launched the clean-sheet Learjet NXT to fill the gap between its midsize $13.3 million Learjet 60XR and $21 million super

Bombardier Green-lights Learjet NXT Project

According to statistics compiled by Boca Raton, Fla.-based safety analyst Robert E.

Business Aircraft Accident Picture Mixed

Matt Thurber

AMI Jet Charter’s trouble with the FAA didn’t start on October 12, when the agency revoked AMI’s charter certificate, nor the week before, when it suspende

AMI certificate revocation spooks charter industry

Cessna’s intended acquisition of Bend, Ore.-based Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing, announced late in September, will complement Cessna’s latest piston-engi

Bid for Columbia marks departure for Cessna 

SAS has again grounded all 27 of its Bombardier Q400s after the right main landing gear on one of its airplanes failed to fully extend upon landing in Cope

SAS Permanently Grounds Q400s

John Sheridan

While the FAA in early October released its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) covering future mandatory carriage of ADS-B avionics, serious questions h

Serious questions about ADS-B NPRM arise

Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon is selling Flight Options, its Cleveland-based business aircraft fractional share division.

Raytheon To Divest Flight Options

On October 23, Sentient Flight Group purchased Hawker Beechcraft’s charter/management business.

Sentient Flight Group acquires two more charter divisions

Industry reaction has been mostly positive to President Bush’s nomination of acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell to a five-year term to lead the agency

Sturgell nominated to head FAA

Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon, during its third-quarter earnings conference this morning, announced its decision to sell Flight Options, its Cleveland-base

The 11th annual Safety Standdown–sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace, NBAA, the FAA and the NTSB–concludes today in Wichita.

‘War on Error’ a Fight We Can All Get Behind

Industry reaction has been mostly positive to President Bush’s nomination Tuesday of acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell to a five-year term to lead th

Many Thumbs Up for Sturgell FAA Appointment 

After last month’s announcement that Sino Swearingen Aircraft is being taken over by Action Aviation Investors (AAI), production activity at the San Antoni

It’s Still Slow Going at Sino Swearingen

General Dynamics said yesterday that its third-quarter earnings rose 25 percent thanks to demand for its Gulfstream business jets and healthy combat system

The delay of the first flight and early deliveries of the 787 will cost Boeing $3.5 billion in revenue next year, according to financial guidance released 

Boeing To Absorb $3.5 Billion Hit from 787 Delays

The ink was scarcely dry on an FAA press release about successfully hiring new controllers when the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) sa

FAA, Natca Differ On Controller Staffing Stats

Will FAA Bill Pass This Year? Flip a Coin…

Beginning next month, engine manufacturers seeking FAA type certification for new turbine designs with inlet areas greater than 2.5 square meters (roughly 

FAA Orders Better Bird Ingestion Tolerance for Turbines

Eclipse Aviation maintains that financial problems aren’t behind its decision on Friday to trim about 100 of its 1,500 employees.

Eclipse Pares Workforce, Denies Financial Woes

Sentient Flight Group announced yesterday that it has agreed “in principle” to buy TAG Aviation USA’s aircraft management business from Switzerland-based T

Sentient Buy Shows FAA Succeeds in Erasing AMI Jet Charter

As reported first in <link http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/alerts/092007.html _blank>AINalerts</link> on September 20, the U.S.

Production change halts Texan II deliveries

As a result of its first investigation of an <link http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20060509X00531&ntsbno=CHI06MA121&akey=1 _blank>accident</link>

NTSB: Many Safety Issues with Unmanned Aircraft Ops

When the U.S.

Has the FAA Overlooked Multilateration in NextGen?

Ian Goold

Reports attributed to the captain of a British Airways Boeing 777 that sustained heavy damage when landing at London Heathrow Airport at about 12:42 GMT to

‘Power Loss’ Reported in BA 777 Short Landing at Heathrow

Excel-Jet of Monument, Colo., is <link http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/alertimages/Excel-Jet_complaint_lawsuit.pdf _blank>suing</link> the FAA over the 

Excel-Jet Sues FAA over 2006 Sport-Jet VLJ Crash

Asked why Textron’s third-quarter revenues are up 15 percent, to $3.3 billion, and profits have skyrocketed 36 percent, to $423 million, company president 

Cessna Still Shining Star of Textron

In testimony before the House aviation subcommittee yesterday, DOT Inspector General Calvin Scovel told lawmakers that user acceptance and voluntary equipa

ADS-B Success Depends on User Acceptance and Equipage

Chris Pocock

The death of the Pentagon’s second-highest-ranking procurement official on October 15 could well delay the crucial decision on whether Boeing or Northrop G

Death of Pentagon Official Might Delay KC-X Award

Stephen Pope

Aviation’s first two-in-one traffic and terrain awareness and warning system gained TSO authorization early last month, clearing the way for the first inst

FAA approve combined TCAS and TAWS

Gordon Gilbert

More than 615 comments–the great majority negative–were submitted on rules adopted in January that permit the FAA to immediately suspend or revoke the airm

More Than 615 Comments on License-Yanking Rule

When I was shopping for an affordable (that means “old”) Bonanza, one of the mods that I really wanted was a “center stack” panel.

Avidyne’s Entegra brings glass cockpit to pistons

 Bill Kerherve, chief test pilot for Dassault Aviation, and test pilot Philippe Deleume took the Falcon 7X simulation bench on its first virtual flight in 

Dassault Falcon 7X

Two non-fatal accidents involving runway overruns of the Raytheon Premier I in which the lift-dump spoilers failed to deploy have led to an AD.

Runway Overruns Lead to AD on Premier I

Vladimir Karnozov

Zhukovsky, Russia-based Myasishchev has received Russian AP-23 type certification for its M-101T&nbsp; business aircraft.

M-101T is first certified Russian business a/c

The Hawker 700 has joined the list of business airplanes to benefit from the addition of retrofit Pro Line 21 Continuum avionics from Rockwell Collins.

Hawker 700 latest to receive Pro Line 21 Continuum

The FAA has released Advisory Circular 90-98, “Simultaneous Closely Spaced Parallel (SCSP) Operations at Airports Using Precision Runway Monitoring (PRM) S

Simultaneous Runway Use Circular Released

The controversial Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey is now flying in a combat zone for the first time.

Osprey Tiltrotors Flying in Iraq; Mini-gun Testing Begins

Development of the 10-passenger, single-turboprop S-22 by agplane builder Air Tractor of Olney, Texas, slowed last year due to the company’s focus on provi

Air Tractor S-22

“After May 1 operators not meeting the full requirements of the [twelve-five and private charter security] rules will be considered to be in noncompliance,

No More Delays Likely for Air-taxi Security Compliance

Facing a requirement to pay down debt related to its $1.5 billion purchase of TRW Aeronautical Systems late last year, Goodrich has struck a deal to sell i

L-3 Communications buying Goodrich avionics business

 An 11th-hour effort on January 31 failed to keep OEM startup VisionAire afloat after a federal district court judge placed the company back into Chapter 7

Visionaire Vantage VA-10

Virtually all cargo-dedicated airplanes will be required to have traffic alert and collision avoidance systems type II (TCAS II) installed by December 31 n

TCAS Rule Revised To Include Cargo Airplanes

You may have seen the ads on TV.

Cockpit and cabin avionics

It’s the sort of problem that any avionics equipment supplier would be happy to have.

Kollsman increases EVS production to meet backlog at Gulfstream

Sentient, a leading provider of business aircraft transportation through membership block charter, was purchased last month from CSFB Private Equity by TH 

Private Jet Membership Provider Sentient Sold

News from the Lockheed Martin Advanced Developments Projects (ADP), aka The Skunk Works, is a rare commodity.

Skunk Works Describes Hypersonic Missile, Reveals New Aircraft

The Lawrenceville, Ga.

American Utilicraft FF-1080

Gulfstream Aerospace acquired the maintenance operation of BBA Aviation’s facility at London Luton Airport, making the facility the first Gulfstream-owned 

Gulfstream Acquires BBA Maintenance Ops in UK

The first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) has now been grounded for nearly six months.

F-35A JSF Remains Grounded, But Program Advances

One flew for real, the other in a virtual-reality world, but both served as positive demonstrations of the developmental technologies planned for a new gen

Falcon flights put new technologies to the test

 The turboprop derivative of the four-seat Grob 120 made its first flight on December 20 from Mindelheim-Mattsies (EDMN) Airport, Germany, where the compan

Grob-Werke G140

The current and projected soft economy and related depressed sales market for business jets has result-ed in a nearly one-year schedule extension of the Gu

Gulfstream rolls back G150 development

On the heels of posting a net loss of $418.6 million in the last fiscal year, due primarily to the stalled market for business jets and regional airliners,

Tellier’s new vision for Bombardier no snow job

Andrew Wood

Reporting to Congress on the state of the FAA, DOT inspector general Kenneth Mead–the department’s program and fiscal watchdog– didn’t mince words in his a

DOT top cop blasts FAA business practices

UK-based Britten-Norman, which is set to resume manufacturing its piston-powered Trislander regional/utility airplane, production of which was suspended in

Britten-Norman Evaluating Islander Diesel Retrofit

Buyers of new Gulfstream 200s now will receive a five-year or 2,500-hour maintenance and training program, similar to what Gulfstream has been offering buy

Five-year Maintenance Plan Offered for G200

Delta AirElite, which has operated an aircraft management and charter service since 1991 when it was still Comair Jet Express, took a step toward further e

Delta AirElite launches block-charter program

Content Archive: October 2007

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