The FAA’s recently announced goal to upgrade the avionics, along with pilot training, for helicopters used in FAR Part 135 operations — with a particular focus on the emergency medical service (EMS) community — has avionics makers hastening to meet the need, and they are doing so with some remarkable new products.
Jetex Flight Support has set up a new handling facility at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and will provide a full range of services to private jet operators. The company will also provide supervisory service at the country’s other airports. Services include landing and over-flight permits, fueling, ground handling, air traffic clearances and concierge service services. Aircraft charter service will also be offered including air ambulance and panoramic private tours. Jetex Dubai, UAE
The FAA issued Jeppesen a letter of operational suitability confirming the form and functionality of IPad mini for use in the cockpit when paired with Jeppesen’s electronic flight bag (EFB) solutions. In the U.S., FAR Part 91K, 121, 125 and 135 fractional, commuter, on-demand operators and air carriers are required to gain formal FAA authorization to use EFB solutions inflight. Jeppesen will share copies of the letter to interested customers using the iPad mini and affected Jeppesen Apps for use in their authorization package.
Legacy 500’s standard Rockwell Collins Pro Line fusion flight deck features four 15-1 inch displays, arranged in a T configuration. Displays may be split into two, three or four windows, providing flexibility for individual optimization for the phase of flight.
Gogo Inc.’s business aviation group, Aircell, has launched Gogo Biz inflight internet and voice service to business aircraft in Canada. Business aviation customers can now use the service anywhere it’s available in the Continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. Canadian coverage is included with all Gogo Biz monthly service plans. No additional roaming or registration fees are required. Service coverage is available in Canada’s most populous regions and flight routes, with seamless service on cross-border flight.
The ADS-B receiver from Stratus has received three enhancements from partners Appareo, ForeFlight and Sporty’s. A split screen attitude view, animated radar and the iPad battery-saving Stratus Replay feature are all available as a free update for Stratus 2 owners. To access these new features, pilots should first download ForeFlight version 6.0, available in the App Store. This includes Stratus firmware, which pilots can update directly from ForeFlight. The upgrade is free. The Stratus 2 is available for $899.
Air France Flight AF2184 departed Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) at 0653 on March 24, 2012, bound for Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN). The captain was the pilot flying (PF) and the copilot was the pilot monitoring (PM). Departure, climb and cruise phases for the Airbus A319 were routine and without incident. However, the arrival at Tunis almost ended tragically due to a hurried descent, a runway change, poor planning and a lack of basic CRM.
Business jet apartheid remained the dominant theme in 2013, as it has for the last five years since the world economy struggles to recover from its deepest downturn in eight decades. Most long-range, large-cabin business aircraft manufacturers flourished while most light and midsize jet makers floundered. Total jet deliveries stabilized at 678, essentially in line with deliveries a decade ago, according to GAMA statistics.
China’s unique combination of prosperity and geography has resulted in an aircraft market that continues to focus on heavy iron that can connect China to any other spot on the planet non-stop. And, to the great relief of aircraft manufacturers, this market prefers to buy new aircraft.
By Kent S. Jackson & Kali M. Hague kjackson@jetlaw.com, khague@jetlaw.com
As if the decision to buy an aircraft was not challenging enough, the next million-dollar question (sometimes quite literally) is where to register the thing. Offshore, or “island” aircraft registries offer owners an extensive list of options and perks from possible tax savings to catch-phrase tail “numbers,” which we’ll delineate here.
Daniel Herr, an aviation attorney based in Murray Hill, N.J., advises clients on the advantages and limitations of fractional ownership. (He can be accessed at http://www.FractionalLaw.com) B&CA asked him how Avantair managed to survive the economic downturn of 2008, only to plunge into the financial problems that led to its internal breakdown and ultimately to bankruptcy.
William Quinn, president of Aviation Management Systems in Portsmouth, N.H., has long consulted on fractional ownership issues and helped place clients into the Avantair program as shareowners when the program was solvent. When the company brought in retired FAA upper-level managers to help sort out its problems, “we were concerned but didn’t know how serious the situation was and where it would end up,” Quinn told B&CA.
In a Nov. 13, 2012, email, Avantair President and founder Steve Santo attempted to reassure the troubled fractional ownership program’s 600-plus shareholders that the company was being proactive when it voluntarily grounded its fleet of 56 Piaggio P180 Avanti turboprops the previous month.
Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., of Waco, Texas and Wipaire, Inc., of South St. Paul, Minn., received FAA approval of the Blackhawk XP42A engine upgrade for operators of Cessna Models 208 and 208A Caravans on Wipline floats. Approval enables operators of these aircraft to install a new 850- hp P&W PT6A-42A turboprop engine in place of the standard 600-hp PT6A-114 or the 675-hp PT6A-114A installed in these two models.
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is expanding its categories of membership to include academic institutions and individual aviation professionals, including retirees. MEBAA Founding Chairman Ali Al Naqbi said, “Our additional categories will bolster our plans to introduce students to the business aviation industry and support those already working within aviation to develop their contacts and knowledge in their respective field of expertise.
