Amazon has revealed the latest prototype of its Prime Air package-delivery small unmanned aircraft, and released a video suggesting ground and flight testing is well-advanced.
Etihad Airways has formed a partnership with Victor, an on-demand private-jet company. The partnership allows customers to charter a private-aircraft connection to and from their international Airbus A380 flights.
Fractional-ownership giant NetJets recorded a 37% drop in earnings during the third quarter of 2015 because of higher expenses and fees related to the cancellation of some aircraft purchases, parent company Berkshire Hathaway reported in a filing.
Kenny Dichter, co-founder and CEO of membership-based private aviation club Wheels Up, predicts a 50% boost in revenue next year and an 80% increase in revenue flight hours. Plus, FlightSafety International is adding to its Cessna Aircraft training programs as it redistributes some of the training to meet customer needs, the company said.
Six members of Congress, led by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas), are requesting that the Office of Management and Budget conduct an expeditious review of the FAA’s rule for small airplane certification regulations. The Small Airplane Revitalization Act, passed in 2013, requires the FAA to publish a final Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the end of 2015. Federal regulators are far behind in the process. The rule is vital to the industry, Pompeo said.
Bombardier has delivered the first of two specialized Challenger 605 aircraft to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. The aircraft can be used for search and rescue, VIP transportation, medical evacuation and other special missions. It will replace the current search-and-rescue aircraft used by the flying service for long-range search-and-rescue operations.
Tecnam announced that it has received EASA approval for the use of MOGAS fuel for all Tecnam P2010 aircraft. Tecnam has been working from initial design concepts to offer a MOGAS fuel alternative. It selected the Lycoming IO-360M1A engine because of its capability to burn alternative fuels.
Jet Aviation Singapore delivered the first 8C (120-month) inspection undertaken in Asia on a Bombardier Global Express aircraft. Along with the inspection, it also completed a full interior refurbishment and repainted the exterior. The 10-year 8C inspection is the largest maintenance event for Global Express aircraft. It will begin a second 8C inspection for an undisclosed customer in January.
West Star Aviation is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At the same time, it promoted Thomas Hilboldt to director of operations. Hilboldt will oversee all operations of the operation, located at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. The new 20,424-sq.-ft. heated hangar sits on 3.92 acres and will house maintenance, interior, avionics and a mobile response team. It also includes 20,424 sq. ft. of mixed-use space for administrative and customer offices.
Tecnam has successfully installed two Lycoming electronic engines, the iE2, on its P2012 Traveller test aircraft. Roll-out of the 11-seat, twin-piston-engine aircraft is expected in February, with first flight scheduled for June 2016.
CTT Systems has received a Cair VIP humidification order for a Boeing BBJ 787 aircraft. It will be installed for an undisclosed customer in the fall of 2016. The order is CTT’s 81sst VIP order for Airbus and Boeing business-jet VIP programs, and the third humidification order for BBJ 787 VIP aircraft.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is offering free scheduling software and other tools to flying clubs available through its AOPA Flying Club Network. It allows flying clubs to schedule up to six “resources,” such as aircraft and flight instructors. It also has the capability to process credit card payments and create invoices. And it allows pilots to find flying clubs through its AOPA Flying Club Finder. It also offers a resource library about starting and operating a flying club.
DASSAULT AVIATION Model FALCON 7X aircraft. [Docket No. FAA-2015-5813; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-111-AD] —proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Dassault FALCON 7X aircraft, prompted by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reporting of a fuel leak in the baggage compartment detected during fuel system pressurization of Falcon 7X on the production line. EASA said, “. . .
BOMBARDIER INC. Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) aircraft. [Docket No. FAA-2015-4814; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-105-AD]— proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the aforementioned aircraft to require replacing angle of attack (AOA) transducers installed in the stall protection system that are found to be incorrectly calibrated.
BOMBARDIER INC. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702);Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705); Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900); and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) aircraft. [Docket No. FAA-2015-4811; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-104-AD]—proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the aforementioned aircraft to require replacing angle of attack (AOA) transducers installed in the stall protection system that are found to be incorrectly calibrated.
Matt Druten has been named chief financial officer of Executive AirShare in Kansas City. Druten most recently served as president of Freightquote. Kyle McCracken, who served as customer service supervisor, has been promoted to director of scheduling and Lori Harlow, a former controller, has been promoted to vice president of accounting and controller.
Tony Armstrong has assumed the role of vice president of marketing and sales of Raisbeck Engineering . Armstrong will continue his role as chief financial officer. Bill Cadow has been appointed to vice president of sales. Cadow most recently was with Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft division and Blackhawk Modifications.
Andrew Wilson has joined Innotech Aviation as western sales manager for the U.S. and Canada where he will be responsible for sales of technical services.
Stephane Mayer has been appointed by the Fives Group as head of its metal cutting and composites business line. Mayer replaces Jean-Camille Uring, who will retire at the end of 2016. After his retirement, Uring will provide consulting services for the chairman of the executive board. Wes Paisley has been appointed interim CEO at Fives Machining Systems. Paisley succeeds Dan Janka, who has left the company.
Doug Dalbey has joined Aviation Technical Services as vice president of quality, safety and technical training, effective Jan. 4, 2016. He will manage safety, quality and training division at the company’s facilities in Everett and Moses Lake, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; and Fort Worth, Texas.
