According to data released by aviation safety consulting firm Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla., there has been a “considerable increase” in the number of accidents (both fatal and nonfatal) and fatalities involving business jets and turboprops in the first nine months of this year. In the first three quarters of last year, there were 39 accidents (12 fatal) and 32 fatalities i more

San Diego-based Crownair (Booth No. 1650) has acquired RoigWest Maintenance, a turbine aircraft maintenance and support center at Van Nuys Airport, the third busiest general aviation airport in the world, as well as West Coast Jet Services at McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. West Coast Jet Services will now be known as Crownair Aviation CRQ.

Crownair Aviation at San Diego’s Mont more

Despite its well-known brand name, Virgin Charter has not been immune to the economic downturn. The charter marketplace saw a drop in business last month, and particularly within the last two weeks, according to founder and CEO Scott Duffy. The reported decrease is in line with the drop in revenue reported by a majority of charter operators and brokers. Most indicate that business has dwindled by more

Veteran political couple Mary Matalin and James Carville appeared at this year’s event to share their thoughts on the  upcoming election. As expected, their disparate political views made for some lively debate. The two agreed on one thing, however: the next month will be turbulent. more

Russ Meyer, former chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Co., will be one of four inductees into the National Aviation Hall of Fame next July. The other three inductees for the year will be announced on December 17, but because Meyer is such a big part of business aviation, NAHF elected to make the announcement about him at the convention. NAHF executive director Ron Kaplan made the announcement at more

The First Flight Foundation received the $20,000 Annual Combs Gates Award and $20,000 from the National Aviation Hall of Fame in recognition of its restoration of the iconic Kitty Hawk, N.C. monument that honors the Wright Brothers’ first flight there in 1903, and their achievements thereafter. Former astronaut Eugene Cernan, air-show legend Bob Hoover (not pictured) and record-setting aviator a more

Magellan Jets announced launch of its Voyager private jet program, which deducts flight costs from a $250,000 membership fee. The Boston-based company, which does not own or operate aircraft, works with FAA Part 135 charter operators that meet ARG/US or Wyvern safety standards. Magellan offers access to large-cabin, super-midsize, midsize and small aircraft with as little as 10 hours’ notice; th more

Blackhawk Modifications (Booth No. 2285) announced Tuesday that it recently serviced its 200th customer. The Waco, Texas-based company upgraded a Hawker Beechcraft King Air C90B with PT6A-135A engines. The airplane belongs to Oregon-based Western Wings president Bill Woods. Blackhawk ranked as the top Pratt & Whitney non-OEM engine seller in 2008.
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Long-time Atlanta FBO Hill Aircraft has expanded by buying another FBO: Harbour Air at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Mich. “We have been looking for a number of years for the right opportunity to expand into other markets,” said CEO Guy Hill Jr., “and the Traverse City location fits the bill to a T.” Hill Aircraft (Booth No. 1200) has been operating at its original Fulton County more

All 10 copies of the Eurocopter AS 332L2 at Bond Offshore Helicopters will now fly the Blue Sky Network Model D1000A modem unit for flight-following service. Carlton van Putten, Blue Sky’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, said 11 of the units have just shipped to cover Bond’s entire fleet along with a spare. Bond Offshore flies missions for crew change, VIP charter, and search and more