Sviluppo Italia, an Italian government financing company, has invested $20 million ($22.5 million) in Piaggio Aero Industries in return for roughly 20 percent of the company. Piaggio says other major new investors include: Lochmore, a holding company that represents Piero Ferrari and Jos di Mase; Lannion, a holding company that represents Francisco Micheli; The Air Trust; and the members of the executive board. The new investment brings Piaggio Aero Industries capitalization to $80 million ($90 million), the company said.
The so-called ``hold-harmless'' agreements some FBOs were requiring customers to sign before allowing them on their ramps after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 are gradually fading away. Signature Flight Services, for example, has backed off entirely on requiring hold-harmless agreements. However, at some general aviation airports hosting solitary independent FBOs, the agreements occasionally may be encountered.
Adam Aircraft has chosen Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck for the Adam A500. The FlightMax Entegra system uses two 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, sunlight-readable displays as pilot and copilot primary flight displays (PFD). Each display has its own integrated solid-state air data and attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS). The PFDs will present flight information in a standard format, combining an electronic attitude direction indicator (EADI), an electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), altitude, airspeed and vertical speed.
Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Foam Cleaner/Conditioner is designed to deep clean, condition and protect fine leather interior surfaces with precision and control. The new system provides deep cleaning through its foam actuator tip, which allows the thick foam to spread only onto the intended surfaces, according to the manufacturer. The foaming leather cleaner/ conditioner, is available in a 10-ounce container, can protect the equivalent of 40 standard aircraft seats.
VitalLink, nicknamed the ``Physician in a Bag,'' is a medical monitor that can send a passenger's vital signs in real time to a physician anywhere in the world for immediate consult and preliminary diagnosis. Audio and visual prompts show and explain to the user how to attach the medical leads to the patient. The device immediately starts to monitor the patient and then automatically calls the predetermined medical center -- hospital, private physician or medical department. The physician then watches the vital signs in real time on his or her PC.
ARINC has set up ARINC Satellite Services, a new business unit to provide a single source of aeronautical satellite voice, narrowband and broadband data services for the commercial airline, government/military and business aviation markets worldwide. ARINC Satellite Services combines the company's GLOBALink/Satellite operations, which provide global Inmarsat voice and data communications to airlines, government and military customers, with its soon-to-be-operational SKYLink Ku-band satellite business previously offered for large business jets. Robert B.
Skyservice Aviation has signed a multi-year contract for pilot training at CAE SimuFlite's DFW training center. Skyservice pilots will train for the Challenger 601, Lear 35/36, Gulfstream II, Falcon 50, Hawker 700 and 800, Citation I, II and III, and the King Air 350. Skyservice is the largest operator of corporate aircraft in Canada, with 30 aircraft, and operates FBOs in Montreal and Toronto.
The Air Group, of Van Nuys, Calif., has added nine new jets to its nationwide managed charter fleet during the past six months. The aircraft, primarily corporate owned, are available for charter through the Air Group's eight U.S. offices.
Garrett Aviation Services and Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) have come to an agreement that designates Garrett as the preferred installation source for the QTA Stage 3 Hush Kit for Gulfstream aircraft. ``This gives operators of classic Gulfstreams the flexibility to travel into noise-restricted airports worldwide,'' said Peter Muenzen, regional sales director for Garrett.
Want to spice up your logbook? Russian travel agency Kompas Hit has developed a ``Fly the Legend'' program with an unusual range of military experiences, ranging from a MiG-25 expedition to near-space altitudes through MiG-29, SU-27, L-39, L-29, and even AN-2 and helicopter flights. You can also drive a military vehicle: a T72 tank, a BMP or BRDM. And you can shoot current and former Soviet weapons.
Avidyne says it's successfully completed the first flight test and demonstration of simultaneous voice and data communication with a commercial NEXCOM VDL Mode 3 radio. The demonstration was flown on an FAA test aircraft on July 11 using the agency's prototype ground station at the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City. All ground station modes were demonstrated during the flight, including urgent downlink request, next channel uplink, controller override, and digital voice using 2V2D mode.
Goderich Aircraft Inc., Ontario, Canada, has appointed Fred Clarke to the position of quality assurance manager. Clarke brings 35 years of aviation experience. Goderich specializes in paint, interior, avionics and modification, serving turboprops to large jets.
Having learned the culinary arts from their father, a Catskill Mountains hotelman, brothers Sal and Rudy Celentano saw opportunity when a restaurant they could afford went on sale in Hackensack, N.J., back in 1975. They took over the place and reopened as a family restaurant with an Italian flair. And since it was Rudy who put up the lion's share, he got to put his name on the sign. The Anderson Street eatery soon began to draw crowds because the brothers went out of their way to satisfy. If it wasn't on the menu, no matter. If a customer wanted it, they'd make it.
Aircraft operating costs are presented in a format that separates the data into seven separate areas: Mission Costs, Variable Costs, Fixed Costs, Periodic Costs, Personnel Costs, Training Costs, and Facilities Costs. Aircraft Category Aircraft are grouped into six classes reflecting similarity of aircraft size, mission and operations.
The two-place, diesel-powered OMF Symphony 160 is now certified in Germany, the United States and Canada. The IFR-certified airplane is the first in what will be a family of three OMF models. The two-place, Jet-A fueled, diesel-powered Symphony 135TDI has just completed its first flight in Germany, while the four-place Symphony 4 is expected to fly by the end of the year, the company reported on July 10. Visit www.omf-aircraft.com.
September's long-awaited activation of the European Aviation Safety Agency, the pan-European civil aviation authority that will ultimately assume responsibility for all E.U. member countries' aviation regulatory enforcement, has North American aviation manufacturers and vendors sitting up and taking notice.
The owners of Biggin Hill Airport have succeeded in overturning a local planning ban on its proposed 64,000-square-foot hangar, after the U.K. government's secretary of state for transport upheld Regional Airports Ltd.'s appeal. The building and its associated new ramp space will have direct access to the western taxiway; the hangar could be ready within one to two years, said Mark Baker, Biggin Hill's planning manager. The proposed business jet maintenance hangar will be capable of holding four Boeing BBJ-size aircraft.
The FAA is expected to release few sweeping regulations over the next year, but business aircraft operators will remain busy as several deadlines from past regulations are fast approaching, and another major issue -- the massive review of FAR Part 135/125 regulations -- is on the horizon. The agency itself also will remain busy trying to comply with a fresh set of congressional mandates that are included in new comprehensive FAA reauthorization legislation.
Superior Air Parts, Coppell, Texas, has appointed Edwin Beall as its vice president of supply management. Beall joined Superior in 1989, left in 1995, and returns with this appointment, in which capacity he is responsible for the company's procurement, product planning and warehouse operations. In addition, Superior has made the following sales team appointments: Terry Wood is the new vice president of sales and Rhonda Froboese is the company's new sales manager.
Jeppesen has unveiled its BBJ VIP Plus Program, which offers discounted Jeppesen products and services, including fuel through Jeppesen World Fuel Services. Through the program, Boeing BBJ operators are entitled to special bundled pricing packages from Jeppesen Corporate Flight Services, as well as volume-based fuel discounts. Products and services offered under the program include: Jeppesen World Fuel Services, Jeppesen International Trip Planning services, JeppView FliteDeck electronic charting services and Jeppesen standard Airway Manual service.
American Capital Strategies has assumed New Piper Aircraft's secured bank debt, Chuck Suma, New Piper President and CEO announced at a July 15 news conference in New York City. American Capital Strategies (Nasdaq: ACAS) is a publicly traded buyout and mezzanine fund.that has invested in New Piper since 1998, according to Suma. Work is currently under way between American Capital Strategies and New Piper to restructure Piper's debt. That process is likely to be complete ``in a couple of weeks,'' Suma said.
ARINC and AirPath Wireless, Inc. announced plans to form a strategic alliance to deliver managed public and private wireless access at airports and other public places. The wireless system is based on 802.11 ``Wi-Fi'' technology, with enhanced security. The ARINC/AirPath offering will be a single Wi-Fi wireless infrastructure incorporating both public and private access networks.
Aviation Research Group/U.S., Inc. (ARG/US) is an industry leader in the specialized field of aviation information collection, analysis and distribution. Founded in 1995, ARG/US combines information with focused advisory services and has come to be relied upon by companies that manufacture, finance, operate, maintain and market commercial and business aircraft.
There may be relief in sight for business aircraft operators saddled with sobering hikes in insurance premiums since the deepening of the recession and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Depending on whom you talk to, there has been either a tapering off of increases in premium renewals or actual decreases since January for operators of turbine-powered, professionally crewed aircraft.
The FAA has approved Thunder Aviation to add limited ratings for Learjet 20/30/50 series aircraft and the Falcon 900/900EX to Thunder's Repair Station Operations Specification. ``We've had a lot of customer requests to provide support for Lears,'' notes Ron Scheer, Thunder's director of operations. ``Our current Falcon and Citation programs have been very well received,'' he added, ``and I'm sure the Lear services will be also.'' Thunder's Learjet approvals include models 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 35, 36 and 55. Approval for models 45 and 60 are in progress.
