Williams International has bundled many features into a new engine maintenance program called TAP Blue that it says offers “an unprecedented level of coverage.” Under the program Williams is expanding the coverage of its Total Assurance Program (TAP) to include virtually every natural and unnatural event that might occur over the life of its family of FJ33 and FJ44 engines.
Nam Cho's letter about general aviation being too expensive is spot on (October 2013, page 13)! I sold my airplane and bought a new boat; sure, one expensive toy traded for one not quite as expensive, but flying around smashing bugs for fun lost its shine.
Securaplane, Tucson, Az., appointed George DeClue regional sales manager who will be based in New York. Manuel Herrero will be the European account executive and Christian Fredericks is marketing manager.
The group insurance program launched by the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) launched three years ago, has attracted seven operators representing 70 aircraft. MEBAA Founder and Chairman Ali Al Naqbi says some of the operators “have already saved more than $100,000, which needless to say is having a great impact on their businesses. Members are delighted.” That pleasure could increase, he says, since “The more companies that join will bring even greater discounts.”
I'm a businessman first and aviation enthusiast second. The best way to comment on Nam Cho's Reader's Feedback (November 2013, page 13) view that general aviation is too expensive would be to suggest he accept being an aviation enthusiast first and businessman second.
China business aviation insiders are seeing a slowdown in the pace of growth there, driven by tremors in the economy but also by the recent change in government. Nextant Aerospace's China business development director, Jing Wei, notes that the new administration of Xi Jinping has promoted a policy of austerity that has left many previous aircraft charter customers less willing — and able — to hire private aircraft.
EQ-1 Wireless Communications, Spokane Wash., now has available the EQ-Reverse Link wireless system, which is comprised of two modules. The Reverse Link module is designed to accept input from conventional wired general aviation headset apparatus (either 2-plug GA style of single-plug helicopter style). The module is worn on the user's person and makes a wireless connection with the EQ-Link module that is plugged into the aircraft's intercom system. The system uses 2.4 Ghz TDMA protocol wireless technology instead of Bluetooth technology.
Questions for Scott Smith First among mayors, he sees general aviation as part of the nation's character, and a sometimes awesome way to cover long distances quickly. You have an overfull agenda. Why did you agree to join the Alliance board as well?
Designers attempt to give exceptional capabilities in all areas, including price, but the laws of physics, thermodynamics and aerodynamics do not allow one aircraft to do all missions with equal efficiency. Tradeoffs, as a result, are a reality of aircraft design. The Learjet 75, for instance, is the only aircraft in the group to have a flat cabin floor, a design feature favored by many operators. But the lack of a dropped aisle also means it has 3 to 4 in. less maximum headroom along the centerline of the cabin.
Dr. Perry Inhofe, the son of Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), was killed Nov. 10 when the Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 he was piloting crashed on approach to Tulsa, Okla., International Airport. The 52-year-old orthopedic surgeon was the only person aboard. The aircraft, which Dr. Inhofe had recently acquired, was en route from Salina, Kan., when the accident occurred. Weather was not believed to be a factor. However, initial reports indicated the aircraft lost an engine in flight, and NTSB did find the left engine propeller in the feathered position.
MedAire has launched its free MedAire Trip Ready iPad app that provides business aviation crews with information enabling them to assess and mitigate travel and safety risks for flights. It displays content based on a user's destinations and upcoming itineraries. Depending on the user's MedAire membership level, pilots and flight departments can see medical and travel risk ratings, local time, current weather and NOTAMs for each destination, along with security and travel information, including a calendar of holidays and events that may affect a mission.
Need to know more about aircraft accounting? From taxes to financing, operating costs and budgets, the NBAA has management guides and educational materials that can help. Visit the NBAA's website at www.nbaa.org and log in, or join the association to enjoy the wealth of information available to members.
Not entirely unexpected — in view of the fact that they are already in the pipeline for Boeing 737 airliners — was the recent announcement from Aviation Partners' that their new Split Scimitar winglets will be available for fitment and retrofit to BBJs following their certification in about three months. Joe Clark, AP's chairman, noted that his company's winglets are now providing performance benefits to 5,000 Boeing 737/BBJs, mainly new-build but including 773 retrofits.
Luma Technologies, Bellevue, Wash., introduced new Luma Tech LED products for King Airs and Beechjet 400s, including annunciator panels and a master caution system. The annunciator panels for the King Air family include a 45-stations variant tailored to the C90A and such newer models as the C90GT, C90GTI and C90GTx, Luma says. The new unit is designated LT-4545 and is a one-for-one drop-in replacement for the existing incandescent annunciators.
Cessna Aircraft reports “a landmark deal that will see Citation Mustangs being flown for charter services in China for the first time.” The Yunnan Ruifeng General Aviation Company is buying two of the light jets, Cessna says, and will offer connections to high-altitude airports — approximately 13,000 ft. (4,000 meters) above sea level. The first delivery is scheduled for December, and the second slated for 2014. “This deal proves again the growing demand in the Chinese business aviation market,” said Kevin Wu, Cessna regional sales VP for greater China.
Innotech Aviation's engineering department has certified the installation of the Honeywell Aspire 200 satcom system on a Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft. The ICG Iridium 120A has been interfaced with the Honeywell Aspire 200 system to provide telephony and Internet access. The ICG handsets can be used over both Iridium and Immarsat SwiftBroadband systems. The Aspire system has been interfaced through a high-gain satcom antenna to provide broadband connectivity of up to 432 Kbps. This system provides Wi-Fi connectivity in the cabin for a very low cost airborne solution.
International aviation insurance underwriter USAIG has introduced Performance Vector PLUS, an “individual good experience program” that returns up to 15% of premiums and more to operators who avoid losses while meeting prescribed safety standards. Customers can earn “good experience returns” when they achieve any of three safety standards during a policy year while also avoiding loss claims. Each standard met earns a 5% “good experience” return.
2002—Steven F. Santo, an attorney, pilot and former prosecutor, conceives Avantair, a fractional aircraft ownership program based solely on the Piaggio P180 Avanti turboprop. Service launches following year. 2005 – Having moved from New Jersey to Clearwater, Fla., Avantair operates 16 Avantis for 100 shareowners and announces plans to add another 20 aircraft within a year. The publicly traded firm adds charter card program. 2008 — Employs some 400 people; takes delivery of its 50th P180; announces 58 more Avanti IIs on order.
Beechcraft, Wichita, named John Kearns regional sales director for the Central and West Texas region. Kearns formerly spent 15 years with Tulsa Beechcraft and is a former Beechcraft sales distributor in Tulsa. Patrick O'Connell was named regional sales director for the Upper Midwest region. He served as a demonstration pilot for Beechcraft for the past 6 years.
Meridian, Teterboro, N.J., announced that Emil Iannone has been named director of Operations. Iannone returns to the company after a 13-year absence during which time he was a senior vice president with an investment banking firm in New York.
Even though an aircraft is just a collection of metal parts (and composites these days), pilots and maintenance technicians often form a close bond to their machine. During World War II, pilots and aircrews would name their aircraft and personalize them with nose art. Some gave their airplane names to remind them of loved ones back home, while others gave them unique monikers to represent the machines' unique personality.
BizJet International, a Tulsa, Okla.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, was to begin work this month on a Boeing Business Jet completion, its second for a Chinese customer. Earlier it delivered its a BBJ to Chinese Nanshan Group — the first private BBJ delivered to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, in Germany, the parent firm will shortly finalize its cabin installation work on two VIP completion projects from undisclosed customers in its Hamburg hangars.
San Antonio-based Gore Design Completions has won an international competition to complete two Boeing 787 head-of-state aircraft. “Winning this contract against tough international competition shows that GDC is truly a world leader in head-of-state and VIP aircraft completions,” said GDC general partner Mohammed Alzeer. “We are on track to deliver an industry record of four aircraft this year,” Alzeer added — three widebody Airbus A340s and one BBJ3. GDC is adding ERP (enterprise resource planning) and Catia software, he said.
Aspen Avionics, Albuquerque, N.M., announced the election of Dr. John B. “Jack” Mowell as chairman of the board. Dr. Mowell, a Tallahassee, Fla., resident, is a diversified business executive in the fields of aviation, the life sciences, and oil and gas.
