GA representatives accept the inevitability of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flying in civil airspace, but urge their safe introduction. “[AOPA is] certainly an advocate of new aircraft entering the airspace system. It’s a matter of doing that safely,” Heidi Williams, AOPA senior director of airspace and modernization, told attendees at the Unmanned Systems North America conference last month. Unmanned aircraft in the U.S.
Aviation International News » September 2011
August 26, 2011 - 6:45am
Sheltair inaugurated its latest facility–at Northwest Florida Beaches Airport–last month. The aviation services provider had operated from a temporary trailer at the airport for the past year. The new 5,000-sq-ft executive terminal, built to LEED environmental certification standards, provides an airy nautical-themed passenger lobby, a conference room, a pilot’s lounge with shower, and a flight-planning area.
August 26, 2011 - 6:15am
A decision last month by the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed a previous ruling by the U.S. District Court in Virginia ordering Signature Flight Support sublessee Landow Aviation to cease and desist from acting as an FBO at Washington Dulles International Airport.
August 25, 2011 - 9:25am
Brazil’s Agência Nacional De Aviação Civil has approved the installation of Aircell’s Aviator 300 and 350 satcom systems in the Airbus A319 and Cessna CJ3. According to Aircell, these are the first Inmarsat SwiftBroadband satcoms approved in Brazil. TAM Aviação Executiva in São Paolo installed the Aviator 300 for a corporate operator.
August 25, 2011 - 9:25am
General Aviation Manufacturers Association president Pete Bunce decried President Obama’s “negative rhetoric” about the GA industry during a rally last month in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
August 25, 2011 - 8:50am
Universal’s Australian subsidiary has opened a new facility at Perth International, the country’s second busiest business aviation airport. The company previously provided only supervisory services at Perth. The 20,200-sq-ft facility is open 24/7 and features an FBO with an attached hangar large enough to accommodate a bizliner such as a Boeing BBJ or Airbus ACJ.
August 25, 2011 - 8:40am
Flexjet, Bombardier’s Texas-based fractional ownership operation, launched a Learjet 85 program. President Fred Reid told AIN that his company will take seven aircraft initially, and eventually “a couple of dozen,” with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013. He noted that Flexjet’s Learjet 85 prices will be 5 percent below those of the Cessna Sovereign in fractional service.
August 25, 2011 - 8:40am
Signature Flight Support has purchased Puerto Rico-based Tropical Aviation and its FBO at Isla Grande-Fernando L Rivas Dominicci Airport in downtown San Juan. Isla Grande, which has a dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, is the city’s business and general aviation airport.
August 25, 2011 - 7:50am
A Beech 1900D with a new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated display system (IDS) made its first flight on August 12. Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) is leading the supplemental type certification effort for the 1900D, replacing the original Rockwell Collins Pro Line II EFIS 84 system with the Pro Line 21. The EFIS 84 featured EFD-84 four-inch by four-inch cathode-ray-tube displays.
August 25, 2011 - 7:50am
Aftermarket parts supplier CRS Jet Spares has entered into an agreement with Brazilian repair and overhaul company Aeross. “This partnership allows us an opportunity to provide local support within Brazil, which boasts the second largest business aviation market in the world,” said CRS CEO Armando Leighton, Jr.
