Bombardier announced that three Mexican operators placed orders for a Bombardier Learjet 40, a Special Edition Learjet 60 and a Challenger 604. The company also announced April 8 at the AEROEXPO exhibition in Mexico City that it has a firm order in Brazil for a Special Edition Learjet 60 -- the first for the new model in that country. The four new sales, together with two orders for Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft recently placed by Honduran and Brazilian operators, have a combined value of more than $125 million (U.S.).
As more operators become comfortable with the notion of the paperless cockpit it seemed appropriate to add an Electronic Flight Bag table to the Avionics section (see page 211). While there as yet is no specific TSO specification for EFBs, operators who are considering use of one should familiarize themselves with Advisory Circular (AC) 120-76. The AC is an acceptable method of compliance for the certification, airworthiness and the operational approval of both portable and installed EFBs.
IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO that we used this space to bid a fond farewell to Edward W. Stimpson, the long-time president of GAMA. Like everyone else in the aviation community, we were really sorry to see Ed leave because he was so effective as the association's leader and such a nice guy. But Ed, a cum laude graduate of Harvard University, had spent his entire career working for government (congressional affairs at the FAA) or a trade association, and he had an itch to try his hand in the private sector.
The announcement that TSA chief David Stone would depart within the next few months surprised many general aviation advocates who had been working with him on security initiatives. They remain optimistic that the initiatives, including the TSA's plan for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) access, will stay substantially on track.
NationAir Insurance Agencies, Chicago, named Terry White branch manager for its new Nashua, N.H., office. White was previously with AIG Aviation as assistant vice president/Canada branch manager.
Protective Packaging Corp.'s moisture barrier bags offer protection against humidity and damaging vapor, for products of all sizes and shapes -- from ball bearings to jet engines and helicopters. Users may choose from several moisture barrier materials: Mylar, Tyvek, Kraft, vinyl, foil or composite. Each material offers benefits ranging from tear resistance to puncture resistance, antistatic qualities, or corrosion inhibitors. The bags can be used for long- or short-term storage and preservation. Price: Varies Protective Packaging Corp.
Stevens Aviation, Greenville, S.C., appointed Glenn J. Brown as president and chief operating officer. Brown has over 27 years of experience in aerospace and aviation management including executive leadership with Rolls-Royce and operational and financial management at Lucas Aerospace.
``I am more optimistic than I've ever been,'' said National Air Transportation Association President James M. Coyne about the prospects of general aviation regaining access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Senior leadership at the Department of Homeland Security has been briefed about the TSA's plan to reopen DCA to general aviation. DHS Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson is believed to be seeking a few revisions to the plan, out of reported concern that the original version was too stringent and too inflexible.
London's Biggin Hill Airport recently filed its master plan with the Department for Transport as part of the U.K. government's 30-year Air Transport Policy. Locals concerned about increased air traffic have registered complaints, but, ``Businesses are supporting us and outweigh the number of protesters,'' said Peter Lonergan, the airport's marketing manager. Biggin's close proximity to London's Canary Wharf business district and its Jet Aviation FBO have made it a popular general aviation and business airport.
Soloy received an order for its first Allstar AS350 helicopter conversion from Brazilian distributor Global Air Strategy of So Paulo, Brazil. The conversion replaces the Turbomeca powerplant with the Rolls-Royce 250C30 engine. Working through Global Air Strategy, Soloy received Brazilian approval for the AS350/Rolls-Royce modification.
Eclipse Aviation has just completed a $335,000 contract with Canada's National Research Council Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) to conduct engine nacelle icing tests on its Eclipse 500 jet. The test program, which included icing tunnel-based nacelle and engine/nacelle combinations required for certification purposes, took place during March and April at NRC facilities in Ottawa.
The chatter level about more centralized decision-making at DHS in the national press is up after the series of personnel changes (departures) at the TSA. Steve Alterman, president of the Cargo Airline Assn., said when his members call to ask what it all means, he's unsure what to tell them. ``I'm not sure what the TSA is going to become. I don't know if the TSA will remain in its present state with a different leader, or become a screening agency with its policy functions absorbed into DHS,'' he said.
Air Security International has established a Homeland Security Division to provide a portfolio of counter-terrorism services for its clients' facilities and personnel on their home turf. The new division's services enable clients to put in place plans ultimately indeed to save lives, protect property, prevent imminent incidents and mitigate damage and impact from terrorism on individuals, companies and their communities.
Jet Aviation formed a new unit in its charter services department dedicated exclusively to carrying executives of companies engaged in ``road show'' presentations leading to initial public offerings (IPO) of stock. The charter aircraft provider said its Road Show desk will ``assist IPO road show planners to keep within their company's budgetary travel guidelines, ensure specific aircraft are available and secure stringent time schedules.'' The company said IPO road shows are different than normal charter flights.
Brazilian airframer Embraer announced that it would consolidate everything pertaining to corporate aviation in a single management structure, appointing 22-year company veteran Lus Carlos Affonso to a new position -- senior vice president for the corporate aviation market. Affonso will be responsible for business and product strategies, as well as marketing, sales and customer support for the corporate market segment. Affonso was previously senior vice president of engineering and new product development, where he headed the EMB 170/190 program since its inception.
New economic optimism from western investors is being matched by an explosion in business aviation activity across Eastern Europe, through Moscow and beyond. The farther east you go the busier it gets. It's ``gold rush time'' say some, but it is the infrastructure problems in these countries that have caused many people and companies to use the classic tool of business aviation for the first time. ``It's the only way to cover the area in a short space of time,'' say many investors.
Industry sources at April's Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, say that Jet Aviation and Airbus are about to announce the first sale of an Airbus A380 superjumbo to an undisclosed Middle Eastern head of state. The interior design of the aircraft reportedly has been handled by Jet Aviation in Switzerland, which will also handle the completion.
After applying for a certification, a major OEM received a letter from the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office recently saying, ``It would be unfair to accept your project without informing you that we may not be able to support the timelines you desire.'' The letter notified the OEM, ``As we have done in the past, we plan to sequence the flow of projects to stay within our available resources.
Building on the success of the Glass Box Project, Duncan Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace have teamed to certify the Honeywell EPIC CDS/R in the Dassault Falcon 900. The new large-format displays enable current Falcon 900 operators to access emerging technologies just now being delivered on new aircraft as well as graphical weather, en route maps and approach charts. ``This is a major enhancement to Honeywell's existing Primus Epic CDS/R product line,'' said Mark Ferrari, Honeywell's director of Aftermarket Sales for Operators and Dealers.
