2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Mary F. Silitch

Gulfstream IV, Sugar Land, Texas, Nov.

Final Report: GIV nosegear collapsed

Gregory Polek

Atlantic Southeast Airlines made history on February 27 when it flew the first commercial flight in the U.S.

ASA Crew Breaks Barriers

Chad Trautvetter

EBAA France is launching a communications campaign to support the business aviation industry, namely through tax waivers.

EBAA France Launches Media Campaign

Curt Epstein

Mitsubishi Aircraft has named Hideo Egawa, former Mitsubishi Heavy Industries director and senior executive v-p, as its new president.

People in Aviation: April 2009

Former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, who served on President Obama’s transportation transition team, has withdrawn her name from consideration for the pos

Garvey Withdraws Name from DOT Post

AIN Staff

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned last month that the excise taxes that feed the Airport and Airway Trust Fund have been lower than previou

Airport Trust Fund faces shortfall, GAO warns

Bell 407, Huntsville, Texas, June 8, 2008–The Board determined the probable cause of the EMS 407 accident was the pilot’s failure to identify and ar

Final report: Bell inadvertently entered IFR conditions

Cessna 551 Citation II/SP, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Dec.

Final Report: Slush, crosswind factors in nosegear separation

Aerospatiale AS 350-BA, Princeville, Hawaii, March 8, 2007–The NTSB determined the probable cause of the AS 350 crash was the failure of maintenance person

Final Report: Faulty Maintenance cited in fatal crash

Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer plans to appeal a local labor court’s decision that set March 13 as the official date for the start of the company’

Embraer To Appeal Labor Court Ruling

Bombardier Learjet 60/Embraer ERJ 145, Chicago, July 21, 2008–The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the near miss of the Electrolux Home Pr

Final Report: Runway incursions plague system

Eclipse EA500, Rockford, Ill., July 17, 2008–The North American Jet Charter Eclipse was on an IFR flight when the pilots reduced power to enter a cloud dec

Factual Report: Eclipse loses fairing in flight

Hawker Beechcraft 390 Premier I, Lewistown, Mo., Dec.

Preliminary Report: Premeir I veers off runway

Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne III, Konigstein, Germany, Jan.

Preliminary Report: German Cheyenne crashes

Bombardier CRJ200, Tallahassee, Fla., March 1, 2009–The ASA Airlines regional jet had a cockpit fire after external power was applied as the airplane was b

Preliminary Report: Cockpit fire in CRJ

McDonnell Douglas MD 600, San Clemente, Calif., Feb.

Preliminary Report:  Metal Particles discovered in engine

Sikorsky S-76C++, Morgan City, La., Jan.

Preliminary Report: Bird remains found on PHI S-76

Embraer has appointed the Al Saif Group its authorized sales representative for its business jet family in Saudi Arabia.

Al Saif Named Sales Rep for Embraer Bizjets

After issuing a letter of interpretation reminding the maintenance community of the meaning of the word “current” in FAR 91.409(f)(3), the FAA has received

ARSA to FAA: Define ‘Current’

The White House announced Friday that former Air Line Pilots Association president Randy Babbitt has been nominated to become the next FAA Administrator fo

Former ALPA Boss Taking FAA Controls

Matt Thurber

Directional Capital and Resilience Capital Partners have increased their financial stake in fractional-share operator Flight Options and now own a majority

Private-equity Firms Increase Stake in Flight Options

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer released its fourth-quarter results last Friday, noting a net income of $111.7 million, down from $200.9 million fo

Embraer 4Q Results More Glum than Good

Following a trend that began three months ago, the UBS Business Jet Market Index moved up again this month, signaling that used jet sales may be on a rebou

Signs Point to Bottoming of Used Bizjet Market

Readers who participated in the 2009 AIN <link http://www.ainonline.com/fileadmin/template/main/pdfs/2009_AIN_FBO_Report.pdf _blank>FBO Survey</link> picke

AIN FBO Survey Highlights Top FBOs

According to ARG/US TRAQPak data, business aircraft flight activity increased 28.55 percent in February over the previous month, possibly indicating early 

ARG/US: Flight Activity Shows Hope

Cleveland-based fractional provider Flight Options on March 18 announced a corporate restructuring “to deal with the unprecedented economic forces driving 

Flight Options Restructures

Business aviation investor consultant Brian Foley Associates is seeing signs that the pre-owned business jet market could bottom out as early as this summe

Foley: Used Jet Market Nearing Bottom

The six individuals who were arrested and charged earlier this year in connection with the Platinum Jet Management Challenger 600 crash at Teterboro Airpor

Trial Date Set for Platinum Jet Defendants 

David A. Lombardo

After months of attempting to stave off layoffs by reducing employee hours and implementing wage cuts, Duncan Aviation has been forced to lay off employees

Duncan Aviation reduces work force

In December last year, aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace laid off “a number of contract employees” and advised that at the end of the first quarte

Layoffs continue at major OEMs

Fractional provider NetJets Europe launched the “Summer Card” for Middle Eastern customers who are planning to spend their vacations in Europe this summer.

NetJets Europe Launches ‘Summer Card’

UBS Market Research’s latest snapshot of the business jet market shows continued incremental deterioration in market conditions in February, although at a 

Market Deterioration Slowing, UBS Says

Half-year financial results published on March 25 by charter broker Air Partner confirm the widespread perception that the business aircraft charter sector

Air Partner Sees Charter Sales Slip

Corporate Angel Network, the Westchester County, N.Y.-based public charity that arranges free flights for cancer patients to treatment by using empty seats

CAN Surpasses 31,000 Patient Transports

The crash of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 that killed 50 people outside Buffalo in February once again has the industry group that represents U.S.

Colgan crash renews scrutiny on regionals

Examination of wreckage from the March 12 crash of a Cougar Helicopters S-92 prompted manufacturer Sikorsky to recommend the grounding of all S-92 helicopt

Crash Prompts Urgent S-92 Fix

Malcolm Payne

The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) issued four safety recommendation as a result of the Sept.

AS 350 crash prompts review of flight procedures

Thierry Dubois

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is continuing its search for a lightweight and affordable low-speed indication and warning device for use in the

Wanted: reliable low-speed indicator

You can’t find a solution until you’ve defined the problem.

Heliport design survey aimed at addressing safety concerns

Eurocopter is working on a compound helicopter with a single main rotor, a fixed wing with two propellers in puller configuration and no tail rotor, probab

Eurocopter studies speedy compound helicopter concept

The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating the ditching of a Eurocopter EC 225 Super Puma in the North Sea on February 18.

EC 225 ditched off North Sea Oil Platform

Williams International last month completed extended testing of a coal-based, alternative fuel in an FJ44-3 engine.

Williams Tests Coal-based Fuel 

Hawaii’s Island Air will fly de Havilland Dash 8s between Kahului, Maui, Lihue, Kauai and Hilo as Go!Express under the terms of a tentative code-share deal

Mesa Swaps Hawaiian Partners

Superjet International–the marketing, customization and customer support arm for the Sukhoi Superjet 100–announced the opening last month of its Russian br

Superjet Int’l Opens Moscow Office

South Korea’s Jeju Air has hired UK-based Airstream International Group to “re-market” its four in-service Bombardier Q400 turboprops along with a large sp

Jeju Air Q400s Up For Sale

Delta Air Lines president Ed Bastian publicly committed to maintaining ownership control over half of the company’s regional flying last month, meaning its

Comair No Longer for Sale

Charles Alcock

Former Grob Aerospace chief executive Niall Olver has confirmed that he is actively trying to put together a deal to restart development of the SPn light b

Investor group studies reviving SPn program

John Goglia

Just when you think the corporate aviation bashing has died down, yet another media report denounces an executive’s use of a private jet or airs a politici

Worries multiply for corporate operators

Pratt & Whitney has frozen the design configuration of the PW-1000G Geared Turbofans for both the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Bombardier C Series after fin

Pratt readies GTF for MRJ, C Series

Jennifer Harrington

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) took center stage at the second annual NATA Air Charter Safety Symposium, held last month at the NTSB Training Cen

Charter safety group focuses on audits and SMS

FreshAir Services, a New England-based aircraft cleaning and appearance company, is now offering aircraft window repair and restoration as part of its serv

New England window cleaner to offer repair

Guernsey, UK-based regional carrier Aurigny Air Services last month took delivery of its first new ATR 72-500 in accordance with a firm contract it signed 

New ATR Lands in Guernsey

The used business jet market has not yet reached equilibrium.

No ‘silver bullet’ for pre-owned market

Amid a troubling decrease in business aviation operations, FBOs are struggling not only to survive but also to continue serving customers using leaner work

FBO Report 2009: Service reigns supreme

The plan by JDA Acquisition Company (JDAAC) to buy the assets of charter/ management firm JetDirect Aviation is expected to reach fruition by April 7.

Charter firm nears deal with new buyer

Harry Weisberger

It is the best of times to purchase a business jet…and the worst of times to finance it.

Economy clouds outlook for aircraft acquisition

Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) tapped industry veteran Bill Boisture Jr.

Boisture Replaces Schuster at HBC 

In addition to the costs of acquisition, prospective buyers must consider the costs–especially insurance and taxes–they will incur once they own the aircra

Insurance and Legal Issues for Owners 

“You can bet the insurance market is going to change.

Safety programs essential to keep insurance costs down 

House aviation subcommittee chairman Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) has joined Rep.

Battle over user fees resumes

In an effort to cut down on the more than 2,000 false distress signals it receives each year from emergency locator transmitters (ELT) and emergency positi

CAP: ‘Don’t trash the beacon’

Asia Jet Partners Limited of Hong Kong has developed its Chartercard program designed specifically for Asia.

Charter jet card specializes in Asian market

AgustaWestland last month unveiled a special variant of the A109S Grand light twin, dubbed Da Vinci, with improved avionics.

AgustaWestland unveils new Grand development

Bombardier finally received its long-awaited first order from Deutsche Lufthansa for its C Series airliners, the Canadian manufacturer announced last month

Bombardier vindicated by first C Series order 

Seven adults and seven children aboard a Pilatus PC-12 (N128CM) were killed when the turboprop single crashed at approximately 3 p.m.

Fourteen Killed in Pilatus PC-12 Crash

Mark Huber

Just two days after the second Rolls-Royce RR300-powered Robinson R66 made its first flight in February, Robinson Helicopter CEO Frank Rob- inson still had

With in-development R66, Robinson bets on turbines

Daher Socata launched a TBM 850 co-ownership program dubbed “Fly And Share your TBM” (Fast), with guaranteed operational availability for owner-pilots.

Socata Unveils TBM sharing Plan

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has secured a firm order from Lease Corporation International (LCI) Aviation for 20 C Series airliners.

Bombardier Collects Second C Series Order

Minutes before a Cougar Helicopters Sikorsky S-92 fell into the Atlantic March 12, one of the pilots radioed that the helicopter had “zero” main gearbox (M

S-92 Crew Reported “Zero” MGB Oil

Eurocopter is offering an EC 135 helicopter flight simulator at its training facility in Donauwörth, Germany.

EC 135 Sim Available in Germany

The UK’s Home Office has announced funding for six new police Eurocopter EC 135s.

Eurocopter Finds Business in UK, Japan

Engine manufacturers Honeywell and Rolls-Royce expressed tempered optimism about the helicopter marketplace at February’s Heli-Expo, where each released it

Forecasts: down cycle likely, but industry will rebound

Texas Aviation Services has won “a multiple-aircraft contract” from Rotorcraft Leasing to assess, evaluate and conform Bell 206 JetRangers to Rotorcraft Le

Texas Aviation Wins Multiple Aircraft Contract

Gulfstream Aerospace recently completed its 2,000th airborne product support flight, achieving the milestone seven years after introducing the on-demand ma

Hot Section: Golfstream completes 2,000th support flight

Engine maker CFM has chosen sides in the debate between proponents and opponents to composite materials on turbofan moving parts by introducing fibers wove

CFM Bets on Composites for Advanced Turbofan

Ian Goold

European jetliner manufacturer Airbus has acknowledged operators’ “teething troubles,” but it characterizes the A380’s entry into service as “very successf

Airbus Chews on A380 ‘Teething Troubles’

At its headquarters at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pa., L.J.

L.J. Aviation Adda New Hangar

Signature Flight Support’s ongoing “Cultivate and Celebrate” campaign helped raise more than $180,000 to pay for the Hub of Hope, on-site housing for famil

Signature Event Raises Funds for Children's Charity

Kentucky’s Blue Grass Airport closed Runway 8-26 and has begun building a replacement crosswind runway that will be named 9-27 and will extend 500 feet lon

Blue Grass Airport Closes 2006 Accident Runway

ABS Aviation Management Services has taken over management of Sebring Flight Center at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida, which recently joined the Avfue

New Management Installed at Sebring Flight Center

After a grueling quarter of massive price destruction, a wave of opportunistic buyers has begun to surface and infiltrate the pre-owned jet market.

Pre-Owned Update: Great buys abound in all market segments

Last year, Metro Aviation put more than $250,000 into a panel truck interior that exactly matches the medical interior that the Shreveport, La.

Metro Goes On the Road To Sell What Flies

The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association has found a symposium formula that works.

PAMA finds formula for successful symposiums

On the heels of a delivery ceremony of the third maritime surveillance aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard, Field Aviation announced a follow-on contract fo

Field Aviation Wins More Dash Q300 Maritime Jobs

Airbus Corporate Jet Center (ACJC) has delivered its second cabin completion project, an executive A320, destined for an undisclosed customer in the Middle

Airbus Corporate Jet Center Delivers Second Completion

Helicopter interiors specialist LifePort of Woodland, Wash., has delivered a Sikorsky S-76 C++ that customer Petroleum Helicopters says will be the first d

LifePort Delivers First Dedicated Medical Helicopter for Offshore Service

NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) have begun television and newspaper advertising for their ‘No Plane No Gain’ initiative to t

‘No Plane, No Gain’ Defense of Bizav Begins

The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has sharply criticized the interference of prosecutors in ongoing accident investigations in Italy and France, warning t

Safety Group Attacks Prosecutorial Overreach

Continuing a shuffle of executive positions in the agency’s aviation safety organization, which began with the retirement of Nick Sabatini and others, acti

FAA Names More Aviation Safety Execs 

Steven Chealander, the public face of the NTSB during press conferences following the February 12 crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 on approach t

Board member leaves NTSB

Times are tough and layoffs are widespread.

Online help for aviation-job seekers

Aircraft operators have until May 30 to comment on the new air operations requirements (Notice of Proposed Amendment 2009-2) being introduced by the Europe

Rule Changes Under Consideration at EASA 

AAR Landing Gear Services and the FAA have entered into a Consent Order that terminates the FAA’s emergency order of suspension.

CertificatE Reinstated, AAR Resumes Operations

Content Archive: March 2009

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