Jean-Francois Georges, former president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. and senior vice president of civil aircraft for Dassault Aviation, and Fernand Francois, CEO of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), are the 2004 recipients of the EBACE European Business Aviation Awards. Created to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of business aviation in Europe, the awards are presented during EBACE in Geneva.
The Mayo Clinic has developed a new training device and curriculum designed to help pilots recognize symptoms of hypoxia. The computer-based, portable Hypoxia Awareness Training System induces hypoxia at standard atmospheric pressure by having pilots breathe a controlled mix of oxygen and nitrogen. During an approximately 10-minute test, pilots are prompted to respond to commands and to carry out tasks while a video camera records their actions.
The presence of high-time ex-fractional ownership business jets with high serial numbers in the used aircraft market has created some discussion about how these aircraft should be valued against those of similar age but more conventional usage. When the used fractional airframes do hit the market, ``say a five-year-old airplane with between 4,000 and 5,000 hours versus a non-fractional airplane that flew only 2,500 hours in five years,'' consultant Bill Quinn observed, ``all other things being equal, you're still looking at a five-year-old airplane.''
Bombardier Aerospace established a new heavy maintenance facility for its CRJ regional jets and Q Series turboprop aircraft at the Tucson, Ariz., facility that it previously used as a completion facility for the company's business jets. Bombardier Regional Aircraft Services -- Tucson, an FAA-certified Part 145 repair station, is modeled after Bombardier's other heavy maintenance facility, West Virginia Air Center, in Bridgeport, W. Va., and uses the same systems and processes employed there.
Mooney Airplane Co. is celebrating its 51st anniversary in Kerrville, Texas, this year, where it has manufactured more than 10,000 aircraft. The company recently announced it delivered eight more new aircraft during the first quarter of this year and has orders for another 10. Complete information about Mooney aircraft is available at www.mooney.com.
Registration Climbs at LABACE2004. The Latin America Business Aviation Conference and Exhibit, held April 15 to 17 in So Paulo, Brazil, registered over 3,500 attendees, who viewed the products and services of 93 exhibiting companies at the Transamerica Expo Center and 19 aircraft on static display at Congonhas Airport. LABACE is the only Latin American event to focus exclusively on business aviation. During the event, LABACE management announced that LABACE2005 has been scheduled for March 31 through April 2 again in So Paulo.
Conklin and de Decker's Aircraft Cost Evaluator with ACEWin+ software package provides information on direct and fixed costs and annual budget planning for more than 380 jets, turboprops, helicopters and piston business aircraft. The package also includes information on fractional ownership plus pilot reports, aircraft interior and exterior diagrams, photos and histories. Price: Jets, $525; turboprops or helicopters, $500; piston database, $425 Conklin & de Decker Associates P.O. Box 1142 Orleans, MA 02653
Oxford (U.K.) Airport Managing Director Steve Jones said that after the recent small runway extension there, ``Oxford has become a very attractive alternative base to some of the more costly traditional London airports.'' Corporate aviation traffic and public transport aircraft movements are increasing at Oxford, according to James Dillon-Godfray, the airport's business development manager, with movements rising to around 4,000 per year.
Manufacturer and Model This block includes the manufacturer's name and the aircraft's model name and technical designation. For more information on manufacturers, see ``Airframe Suppliers Directory,'' on page 117. B/CA Equipped Price This is the current price of the aircraft with the equipment stipulated in the ``B/CA Helicopter Minimum Equipment List,'' and is shown for comparison purposes only. In most cases, the price is provided by the manufacturer; exceptions are so noted.
Dr Pepper is making a major marketing investment in 11 air shows this year in the southern United States. The soft drink producer will sponsor shows organized by the Leesburg, Va.-based International Council of Air Shows in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana -- beginning April 24 and 25 in Shreveport, La., and ending Nov. 6 and 7 in San Antonio.
Keystone Helicopter Corporation's Helicopter Services Division and the Engine Services Division in West Chester, Pa., have each received the FAA Diamond Award Certificate of Excellence for the third year in a row.
Gulfstream received FAA STC approval to offer its Enhanced Vision System to owners of Gulfstream IV aircraft equipped with SPZ 8000 avionics. Gulfstream originally certified the Kollsman EVS in September 2001 for the Gulfstream V. The system uses a forward-looking infrared camera that projects a real-world image on the pilot's Honeywell Head-Up Display.
Maintaining a spare parts inventory can be a challenge for the maintenance director as the cost of spares skyrockets and operating budgets tighten. How much should one invest in something that collects dust on the stockroom shelves? Not so long ago it was quite common for corporate flight departments to have a significant investment in spares, the general idea being to have the exact component on hand when the one on the aircraft failed. The more parts in inventory, the better chance of having the one you need to keep your bird airborne.
Manufacturer, Model In some cases, the airplane manufacturer's name is abbreviated, but the company's full name and address can be found in the ``Airframe Suppliers Directory'' on page 171. The model name also is included in this group. B/CA Equipped Price Price estimates are first quarter, current year dollars for the next available delivery. Some aircraft have long lead times, thus the actual price will be higher than our published price. Note well, manufacturers may adjust prices without notification.
Massport is again examining peak-hour pricing schemes for Logan International Airport in Boston, our sister publication Airports reported. Massport spokeswoman Barbara Platt said that when the FAA approved the construction of long-delayed Runway 14/32, one of its conditions was that Massport submit a peak-pricing study before construction could begin. The concept already has begun to draw protests.
A AC -- Advisory circular ACARS -- Airline communications addressing and reporting system ACAS -- Aircraft collision avoidance system ADC -- Air data computer ADI -- Attitude direction indicator ADS -- Air data system ADS-B -- Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast AES -- Aircraft earth station AFCS -- Automatic flight control system AFIS -- Automated flight information system (Honeywell) AHRS -- Attitude-heading reference system
Kenneth E. Gazzola, executive vice president and publisher of the McGraw-Hill Companies' Aviation Week Group, which includes B/CA, has been installed as president of the Wings Club in New York City. The club has a nationwide and international roster of members and its history is intimately entwined with that of the global aviation industry. Gazzola served on the organization's board of governors for seven years prior to his recent election.
The civilian helicopter market saw relatively robust activity in 2003, a trend that forecasters predict is likely to continue through 2004 and for years thereafter. Bell, for example, closed out its books for last year having delivered 97 turbine helicopters to civil operators. Meanwhile, American Eurocopter posted 74 deliveries in 2003 and inked another 25 sales at the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo 2004.
Jetcraft Corp., an aircraft buyer, seller and brokerage firm of more than 40 years, has opened a new sales office in Minneapolis-St. Paul. President John C. Ames, who has relocated to Minnesota, heads the Twin Cities office while maintaining day-to-day responsibility for overseeing Jetcraft's other facilities in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Redding, Calif.
Environmental Protection Agency rules that could seriously affect aviation fueling operations are scheduled to go into effect without what an industry coalition says are vital definitions and an understanding of the scope of the new requirements. The National Air Transportation Association and other coalition members attending a March 31 meeting with the EPA discovered that the agency had yet to clearly define the impact of spill protection, control and countermeasure (SPCC) requirements on several areas in dispute, but planned to proceed with an Aug.
On April 2, the Omni Group concluded acquisition of the Aeroservices Group, the largest executive aviation company in France. With a fleet of 30 airplanes and 12 helicopters, Omni has operating bases in Paris, Lisbon, Cascais and Lajes in Portugal, and Macae and Jacarepagua in Brazil.
Pratt & Whitney Canada's (P&WC) Lethbridge, Alberta, plant delivered its 5,000th engine, a PT6 Twin-Pac turboshaft, to Bell Helicopter Textron. The engine, a PT6T-3D produced for a Bell 412EP model, is a member of the PT6T-3 series that powers the Bell 212 and 412 helicopter family of medium helicopters. Lethbridge opened in 1993 and employs close to 90 people. It is P&WC's main assembly plant for PT6 engines and the only company facility that assembles and tests the PT6 Twin-Pacs.
The Oneida Indian Nation is launching what is believed to be the first air charter service operated by a sovereign American Indian nation. Four Directions Air will fly a nine-passenger Dassault Falcon 50 and have access to a Learjet 35. The new endeavor also has partnered with Atlanta-based Smith Air to provide unspecified additional services. The Oneida Nation, based in Upstate New York, also operates the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
Even though Baldwin initially denied ``absolutely'' reports that Warren was angry about the events, that denial proved at least premature as on April 12 the ousted NBAA chief of staff mailed NBAA member representatives a letter painting a picture of Longmuir (and by implication, Warren) ``as a top performer who gets results,'' but stymied by a board of directors with an ``ineffective business as usual'' mentality and ``an insular Association attitude.'' He accused the board of setting a higher priority on convention revenues than on effective government representation.
General aviation industry associations are regrouping in light of the latest reports to come from the TSA on access to Washington's close-in airport. The NBAA is stepping up political pressure, with association members contacting their elected officials for help. GAMA also has been working with the TSA, urging the agency to become more proactive within the Department of Homeland Security to address Secret Service concerns about the airport.
