May 14, 2009

ICG unveils data transceiver for Acars and FANS comm

By Stephen Pope

International Communications Group has introduced an Iridium-based data transceiver that’s designed for sending and receiving Acars (aircraft reporting and receiving system) messages and for Link 2000/FANS communications.
When connected to an aircraft’s communications management unit, the DL-100 transceiver uses the “short-burst data” functionality of the Iridium satellite network to more

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Bexair approved for saudia arabian charter flights

ahrain-based charter operator Bexair has been granted an aircraft operator’s certificate in Saudi Arabia. The company established a subsidiary in Riyadh last year and it is now aiming to secure long-term charter contracts from Saudi customers.

Initially, the Saudi AOC will apply to one of Bexair’s Bombardier Challenger 605 jets, but it intends to add other aircraft. The company is a more

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Avfuel upbeat, says 80% are still flying planes

By R. Randall Padfield

You can’t accuse Craig Sincock, president and CEO of Avfuel, of being a pessimist. Asked about the current state of business for Avfuel, he said, “Eighty percent of our business is still happening.”

That’s a fairly accurate gauge of current business aviation activity, at least in North America. Avfuel (Booth No. 227) supports 700 branded fuel dealers and 2,500 other aviation cus more

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Show boosts shell-shocked industry

By Charles Alcock

The change in fortunes of the business aviation industry since the 2008 EBACE show last May truly beggars belief. Since sometime around September last year the financial crisis–caused at least in part by self-destructive behavior of some of the industry’s best customers, the bankers–has been one kick in the teeth after another.
Major business aircraft manufacturers have cut close to 20, more

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Bizav bites back in bogus class war

By Stephen Pope

 Perception is reality. That was the message yesterday from European and U.S. business aviation leaders who are waging an image campaign against politicians and the media engaged in class warfare against travelers who fly privately.

“I’m not sure flutes of champagne and luxurious interiors are what we want to be portraying right now,” said European Business Aviation Associati more

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ATR puts on the style

Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) has quietly launched an executive version of its ATR 42 and 72 regional airliners. In fact, there are already seven corporate or VIP ATR operators.

The corporate ATRs include a large cabin with seats for 10 to 50 people; a six-foot, three-inch stand-up cabin; noise compliance below Stage IV requirements; better fuel efficiency than most similar-sized more

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Avjet gets FAA blessing for BBJ charter flights

Avjet has received FAA approval to operate its first Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) under the FAR Part 135 regulations for both domestic and international charter travel. The approval concludes a rigorous, seven-month process to demonstrate that Avjet meets the stringent financial and operational targets set forth by the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“With this approval, A more

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Aircraft cabins go back to Stone Age

Austria-based cabin component supplier List here at EBACE revealed the first-ever flexible-stone product for business aircraft cabins. Applications include floors, lavatories and galleys. According to List, the technique of creating flexible stone is relatively simple but requires great precision. A thin slate of natural stone, such as granite or marble, is glued on a strong flexible support and i more

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Elbit Launches New Series of Slim Displays

Elbit (Booth No. 376) has announced the launch of a new family of off-the-shelf displays designated ORD-900. They come in three sizes–15-, 12.1- and 10.4-inch diagonal–and all can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation and feature wide viewing angles.

The displays are intended for both military and commercial applications and will be certified to RTCA DO-254 and DO-178 more

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Silvercrest still seeking an airframe to hang on

By by R. Randall Padfield

Snecma launched the Silvercrest core-engine demonstrator program in 2006, built the engine in 2007 and successfully completed testing of it in March 2008. Now the company is continuing its talks with airframers to find a first application for the 9,500- to 12,000-pound-thrust engine. “The Silvercrest is being considered for many programs,” said Laurence Finet, general manager of the Silvercres more

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