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Malinski points out: "Whatever those postings have been, whether critical or otherwise, the speakers are protected in their anonymous speech by the First Amendment. Unmasking anonymous Internet speakers invokes a higher standard than ordinary discovery that doesn't invoke these constitutional rights."
[Editor's note inserted at 9:07 p.m. PDT: Late on May 6, Mr. Iacobucci gave an in-depth interview; he answered hard-hitting questions and shared what DayJet's future holds for 2008. Of the 260 people that were employed by DayJet, 100 people were laid off; however, Iacobucci said that DayJet's air charter operations will continue. In our next report, you'll find out how DayJet's fleet of Eclipse 500 jets will be used and much more. We'll publish this report as quickly as possible. But here's a hint: "We're far from dead," Iacobucci said. "This isn't a situation I'd hoped for, but there's a valley of opportunities ahead; we have the people, the talent and the will..."]
Cessna said it has more than 150 orders for the CJ4, and it's on target for Federal Aviation Administration certification in mid-2009, with customer deliveries beginning in the first half of 2010. The aircraft, configured to seat seven to eight passengers, will be certified for a maximum flight ceiling of 45,000 feet, and is expected to have a maximum speed of 435 knots, a full fuel payload of 1,000 pounds and maximum payload of 2,100 pounds.
"Key Air will invest more than $20 million for the new facilities at Anoka, inclusive of our 35-year lease," says Brad Kost, president and CEO of Key Air and CEO of Keystone. The groundbreaking ceremony at ANE took place in mid-April.
PlaneSmart, using a fleet of Cirrus SR22 and G3 single-engine, piston-powered planes, rents and sells shares of aircraft to pilots. However, the company plans to expand operations in United States, adding different makes of aircraft and possibly getting into the growing air taxi market.
In a statement, Jack Williams, Eos' president and CEO, said, "unfortunately, just as we were working toward closing on an investment that would have carried us to corporate profitability in 2009, some issues arose that we could not overcome. It's regrettable that, even though investors continue to be enthusiastic about our business model, and even though we had a term sheet in hand, we were unable to close on the financing we needed. That leaves us with insufficient cash on hand to continue operations."
"The XLS+ can seat up to 12 passengers, but normal seating would accommodate nine passengers," Doug Oliver said, Cessna's director of corporate communication. As for how many orders Cessna has obtained for the XLS+, Oliver said the company isn't releasing that information at present.
On April 27, CharterX Industry Headline News reported that it was likely that the United States Senate was likely to vote on Federal Aviation Administration funding on April 28, which happened in an 88-0 vote [yes, some Senate folks were missing], to move a FAA funding bill closer to the desk of President George W. Bush, who will be forced to veto or to sign a final bill--soon. Today's vote centered on FAA reauthorization funding, long overdue, which would fund the agency through Sept. 30, 2011.
Because Rockefeller and Baucus haven't agreed on Senate bills to fund and modernize the nation's air traffic control system, it's taken seven months to reach an agreement. On Sept. 20, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, which called for increased passenger airline ticket tax fees and increasing GA fuel excise taxes.
When asked why he decided to host the site, Price replied to CharterX Industry Headline News, "I found the site by accident." "Although I'm not in aviation, and I'm busy with my own business affairs, I smelled a rat--Vern Raburn [Eclipse CEO]. After I saw how he [Raburn] treated his employees, suppliers and customers, I realized that these bloggers needed their home back."
More than 400 engineers were commissioned to work on the Phenom 300 program. Using a state-of-the-art paperless design process, Embraer said its high-tech platform enabled efficient integration of more than 50 suppliers, serial production tooling for the first plane and fully digital quality assurance. "The Phenom 300, with its premium comfort, best-in-class performance and low operating cost, will set a new standard for the light jet category," said Luís Carlos Affonso, executive vice president of Embraer Executive Jets, a division of the company's commercial airline unit.
Cece Drummond, spokesperson for Eos, told CharterX Industry Headline News, "We can't name the private investor who agreed to the ‘term sheet' investment, but this will take us into 2009. "We own seven Boeing 757s that are currently in service. The average age of the aircraft ranges from 13 - to 15 years. Our aircraft, consisting of a 48-seat/bed for each passenger (21square feet of personal space) has been completely refurbished and configured to do so. We also charter, meaning that an individual can charter the whole aircraft." However, due to time restraints going to press, Drummond didn't readily have private air charter pricing available.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary aviation accident statistics for 2007. The agency reported that there were 113 more general aviation accidents in 2007; 1,518 were reported in 2006. However, the number of GA fatalities decreased by 30 percent; 703 fatalities were reported in 2006 compared to 491 last year, marking the lowest annual total in more than 40 years.
On April 9, Colorado's bankruptcy court approved AAI to purchase the assets of defunct Adam Aircraft Industries Inc., which had filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Feb. 15. Before Adam's filing, the company was in the process of conducting flight tests on the A700, a twin-engine very light jet. Earlier, it had earned Federal Aviation Administration certification on the A500, a twin piston-powered plane.
Robicheau said because one controller became ill, it left the tower understaffed without a qualified supervisor.
Embraer recently announced it would produce more clean-sheet designed business aircraft--the MSJ (midsize) and the MLJ (mid light). Both aircraft will be able to accommodate up to 10 passengers. The MSJ will have a 3,000-natucal-mile range; the MLJ will have 2,300. The airplanes are expected to accommodate seating for up to 10 passengers.
Russian-owned Industrial Investors is an equity asset management company, overseeing assets of more than $3 billion, which is the parent company of AAI. The company said that has expertise in transportation projects.
Saturday's announcement came after the Kansas Senate vote on April 2, which agreed to provide up to $150 million for businesses involved in aviation development, research, engineering and manufacturing. Cessna will have access to $33 million in bonds as part of the bill to secure its stand-alone facility. Governor Kathleen Sebelius is expected to sign the bill right away, as she's endorsed Cessna's project. The state hopes to lure other planemakers with its new incentives.
The heat was turned up on the FAA questioning its ability to keep passengers safe after low-fare Southwest Airlines was fined $10.2 million [which the airline is contesting], after a whistleblower brought attention to the airline for allowing numerous Boeing 737s to fly without being inspected for cracks in the plane's fuselages. Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. James Oberstar, is hearing an earful from several aviation stakeholders regarding the FAA's approach to oversee airline safety.
Dubai-based Project Phoenix has acquired its first used Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet, which it will convert into a luxury, 15-seat VIP plane. The aircraft, a Project Phoenix spokesperson told CharterX Industry Headline News, was manufactured in 1997, tail number N624BR. After PP's contractors complete the plane's prince-like transformation, Macau-based Jet Asia will use it for executive air charter. The territory of Macau, one of two administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong, has made its livelihood in textiles, electronics, toys, and has catered to tourism--offering up glistening resorts, hotels, restaurants and casinos.
When was asked how the new engine would affect the D-Jet's 1,350-nacutical-mile range as well as other specifications, Larson replied, "The D-Jet will be delivered meeting or exceeding its current specifications. We'll post a company press release soon. However, customers have limited time--early April--to order the D-Jet before we announce a price increase."
Prior to March 14, EGLF was restricted to 2,500 weekend slots. EGLF won its appeal for increased weekend traffic after the government overturned a decision by the Rushmoor Borough Council denying increased movements in June 2006. EGLF was losing money; it was forced to turn away business on weekends and on bank holidays.
Ross said he's raised in excess of $10.1 million for Brigadoon's five-acre development, inclusive of parking facilities. The project, located at the east end of airport, is due to break ground in mid-2008 with occupancy by the end of 2009.
According to the National Business Aviation Association, Rhode Island is joining Massachusetts and New York in its effort to eliminate the aircraft sales tax exemption. Representing more than 8,000 member companies that rely on general aviation, Washington, D.C.-based NBAA argues that reinstating the sales/use tax will damage Rhode Island-based businesses. Such action, contends the organization, would be a step backward for aviation.
More than 75,000 pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals train at FSI facilities each year. The company designs and manufactures simulators for civil and military aircraft programs and operates the world's largest fleet of advanced full-motion simulators at 43 training locations.
Based on the aircraft's delivery schedule, Gulfstream is confident that its new jet will have full type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and "validation" by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) in 2011. According to Gulfstream, the G650 is capable of flying 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.85 or 5,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90. The plane maker said that its advanced aerodynamic design would enable the jet to reach a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925, making it the fastest civil aircraft.
Established in 1998, Athena primarily develops and provides flight control and navigation systems to the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market segment. Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Rockwell Collins is widely known for designing and producing aviation electronics.
Wichita, Kan.-based Cessna Aircraft Company said on Friday that Lufthansa Private Jet, subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, has purchased four Citation business jets. Valued at $40 million, based on list prices, the order is comprised of two CJ3s and two XLS+ aircraft.
GA picks up where PAI left off; both GA and FSG are headquartered at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) in Stratford, Conn., with the same offices and aircraft bases at Florida's Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and Norwich Lt. Warren Eaton Airport (OIC) in New York.
The plane maker said the Hawker 900XP, powered by Honeywell TFE731-50R engines, produces 3,970 pounds of thrust, a 4.5 percent improvement over the 850XP's 3,800 pounds of thrust. The company said the aircraft, with an improved 2,800-nautical-mile range, with six passengers, can fly non-stop from New York to anywhere on the West Coast 99.9 percent of the time. At high-speed cruise, the Hawker 900XP's range improves to 2,307 nautical miles, versus 2,111 nautical miles on the Hawker 850XP.
Aviation provides nine million jobs and contributes more than $600 billion to the economy--representing 5.4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to aviation groups. "With the current concerns about the economy taking such a high-profile position on Capitol Hill, we feel it's important to highlight to policy makers the vital role that aviation plays in our economy," said the aviation coalition.
Manhattan, New York-based air charter broker LuxeJets LLC announced today it has launched LuxeJets Credit Services LLC, a company that specializes in assisting people with new financing, refinancing and leasing of new and used aircraft.
Wichita, Kan.-based Cessna officials returned back to headquarters with additional purchase agreements for 17 single-engine pistons, nine Caravan turboprop planes and two Citation business jets. Cessna said the aircraft orders span the company's product line, from the Citation X to the new Skyhawk turbo-diesel model. The new aircraft orders are destined for Australia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea.
Ed Iacobucci, president and CEO of DayJet, said, "The rapid contraction of regional transportation options is causing many U.S. communities to become increasingly isolated. Businesses in smaller communities regularly miss economic development opportunities and suffer productivity losses because of this growing isolation."
Stone said his company signed an agreement with Carlsbad, Calif.-based Spectrum, which prevents Jetpool from saying how many aircraft it ordered or what the order is valued at. However, within three years, Stone said he anticipated that Jetpool would operate 30 aircraft of various makes.
HBC chairman and CEO Jim Schuster, said, "The sale of the fuel and line operations will allow us to build on our core business strategy--investing in and growing our Hawker Beechcraft factory-owned service center network."
"Prior to Eos' investment, the company was operated under Silver State Helicopters LLC, with its founder Jerry Airola as the primary member," Reed said. "When Silver State Helicopters and Eos joined forces, a new company, Silver State Services Corp. was formed. We're going after Silver State Helicopters, Airola, Silver State Services and Eos Partners."
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday certified the Hawker 750, an eight-passenger, twin-engine jet manufactured by Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, Kan. HBC is working to obtain international certification approvals. HBC said it would begin aircraft deliveries the first quarter of this year, however, only to customers who ordered typically equipped airplanes. The jet is priced at $12.2 million. According to Brad Hatt, president of HBC's commercial aircraft division, the Hawker 750 opened a new customer segment for the company. "It's been so successful that the next available units are in 2010," he said.
The company, which was struggling to obtain short-term financing by Jan. 31, laid off more than one-third of its workforce last month, said the suspension of operations was a difficult but necessary move. "This measure was required due to the inability of the company to come to terms with its lender [Citibank] for funding necessary to maintain business operations," Adam said. The company said it's currently exploring all of its alternatives and that it would provide further details when decisions are made, which is expected to be later this week.
Friday, a female passenger on board a 19-seat Jetstream, operated by Air New Zealand, walked into the cockpit, separated by a curtain, and stabbed the two pilots. Both of the pilots were treated at a nearby hospital suffering minor injuries. The police arrested the woman, who claimed to have a bomb.
"The FAA needs a leader with a new perspective and new ideas to improve flight safety and performance," Lautenberg said. "Mr. Sturgell helped create the policies that left our air traffic controllers overworked and understaffed, our runways in dangerous condition, more air noise on our communities and the worst flight delays in our history. It's time for President Bush to nominate an administrator who solves transportation problems, rather than creating more of them."
The bottom line is that from Oct. 1, 2007, the beginning of fiscal year 2008, through Jan. 5, 603 controllers have left the towers and radar scopes--twice the number of controllers who've left in the first three months of the current fiscal year than the FAA predicted. As of Jan. 5, the FAA employed 11,077 CPCs; after the next pay period, it's likely the employment rate of CPCs will drop. The number of employed CPCs has hit an all-time low in more than 15 years; on Sept. 30, 1992, 10,696 CPCs were employed; on Sept. 30, 2002, 12,801 CPCs were employed--the highest level of employed CPCs in the last seven years.
Triple Alpha Jet Charter in Germany became Europe's first Mustang very light jet operator. Netherlands-based Bikkair, a new air-taxi operator, recently took delivery of its first Mustang. Bikkair, selling 15, 40 and 100-hour blocks of flying time, plans to launch service this month with three Mustangs. The operator said it would take delivery of an additional seven aircraft through 2008, and by 2009, 20 VLJs are forecast for operations. With an ambitious plan, the company hopes to have 100 VLJs in service by 2012. Thursday, during a ceremony at Farnborough Airport, London Executive Aviation, the UK's largest executive air charter operator, took delivery of its first Mustang. With an order of 10 Mustangs, LEA said deliveries would continue through 2009.
The company said 97 percent of flight hours in 2007 earned revenue, compared to an average of 62 - to -70 percent in the fractional-share aircraft segment. XOJET CEO Paul Touw said the company's average contract covered more than 150 flight hours per year, "a stark contrast to most fractional programs whose customers are primarily 50-hour shareowners and 25-hour membership cardholders."
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association accused the Bush administration of turning a deaf ear to Congress regarding Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization funding. "Despite Congress saying ‘no' to the administration's proposal to scrap the current funding mechanism for a less efficient one that imposes user fees, they've once again launched an effort to complete a FAA reauthorization bill by proposing the exact failed plan," said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce."
Lear, the author of "Fly Fast, Sin Boldly; Flying, Spying, & Surviving," said in the spring of 1977, his father had been working with a new material, known today as composite, for the Lear Fan Model 2100, an eight-place, fuel-efficient turboprop. "The material promised the same strength as aluminum, at one-third less weight," he said. "Dad was never one to simply nibble at a problem; immediately, he foresaw a business aircraft constructed entirely from this revolutionary material." Bill Lear Sr. died on May 14, 1978.
Simi said earlier media reports had suggested that AAI would be forced to liquidate, if it didn't raise $30.5 million by Thursday. "That's not accurate; there may be liquidation of assets from shareholders, not the company Adam Aircraft," she said. In other words, current shareholders would own a smaller piece of the pie. One thing's for sure: our economy is in the toilet; any company seeking capital, especially in the U.S., is finding it difficult.
John Travolta, the 2007 Ambassador of Aviation award recipient, shared both his love of aircraft and film. During the ceremony, Travolta read two pages from his favorite childhood book, "Gordon's Jet Flight," by Naomi J. Glasson, which he said gave him inspiration to become a pilot. "I read this book all of the time when I was a kid; I dreamed of becoming a pilot, and someday, I hoped I would own planes. Today, I've got a Boeing 707 and Gulfstream parked in my backyard," Travolta laughed.
According to the National Business Aviation Association, there will not be a special traffic management program (STMP) put into place. However, users of the air traffic control system can expect to see some form of traffic management initiatives put into play for the Phoenix area. The Super Bowl is considered a special security event, thus the FAA has published two TFRs, which will prohibit private aircraft from using certain GA airports, within certain hours during game day.
The letter said two successful financing transactions must occur or Adam will be forced to liquidate the company. First, $30.5 million needs to be accounted for by Jan. 31, which will afford the company to continue operating until Citibank secures $100 million in equity financing by May 31. The letter was dated Jan. 15.
The TSA's trial program was launched on Dec. 31. The pilot security program calls for Orlando, Fla.-based Signature Flight, a subsidiary of UK-based BBA Aviation, to screen passenger and crew identification at SFS's FBOs at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage, Alaska, and at Shannon Airport (EINN) in Ireland. The TSA partnered with SFS/BBA because they have the largest FBO network in the world.
Following the production of its SkyCatcher, U.S.-based facilities will reassemble the aircraft and conduct acceptance test flights prior to delivery to Cessna's sales team authorized reps, who in turn will distribute the LSA to retail customers. Cessna will ship the plane's engine and avionics, along with raw materials from the U.S. to SAC for assembly, with on-site personnel from Cessna overseeing all aspects of assembly, quality assurance and technical support.
Nine days ago, the company said it was focusing its resources on its A700 very light jet, to obtain type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, and that it was on target for its twin-engine VLJ certification in 2008. Recently, the FAA approved type inspection authorization on the A700 jet. Last week, Simi confirmed to Headline Industry News that the company's three test aircraft were conducting flight data testing. At present, there's no indication suggesting that flight data testing has been terminated.
According to Rob Hackman, senior director of regulatory affairs of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Department of Homeland Security officials said they aren't singling out GA aircraft. "The initiative is part of a transportation-wide effort to secure the nation's borders," he said.
Rated as an airline transport pilot and a certified flight instructor, Blouin and has logged more than 7,500 flight hours during his career. Previously, he served as president and founding partner of Sky Group Associates Inc., a privately held aviation consulting firm in Washington, D.C. Blouin was responsible for the acquisition, administration and execution of contracts, and provided management, safety, security and flight operations consulting services to the aviation community. Blouin additionally held executive positions at Bombardier Aerospace, where he worked for 13 years.
CTA's newest scheduling software, FOS Mobile, allows users to utilize PDA devices with Windows Mobile to receive aircraft and crew schedules, crew briefs, trip sheets, and enter flight log and expense data. The software promises to eliminate much of the paperwork involved with flight operations. AI said the installation and training services offered by its company would aid the release of FOS Mobile into the marketplace. CTA will continue to offer installation, training and technical support for its FOS software.
The company's new Make Production Fly (MPF) program, aims to boost production, however, the decision was made to slow production of the A500 in order to streamline the process.
She said personnel from EAS, including Eaton, would continue to work at VNY. New building signage branding Crystal's presence, she said, is scheduled for March. For an undisclosed sum, she said the acquisition included office space and a large hangar facility available for lease. She said half of the hangar space, easily accommodating large jets, is spoken for.
Consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. The new rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage. The Department of Transportation said it's better to keep a spare battery in its original retail packaging. Short of that, says the DOT, keeping a spare battery in a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires.
Media on the scene quickly interviewed several people after the accident occurred, who reported that Leveque was performing barrel rolls or dives, and that he was or may have been talking on his cell phone to his friend while he buzzed over his house. Currently, such reports have not been substantiated. It's unknown whether any of people interviewed by the media have aviation expertise or are pilots. The cause of the accident has not been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration began investigations today.
According to Sertur, it added a Challenger CL 604 and a Hawker 850XP in 2007. The operator said it would add a new Hawker 850XP in 2008. The company didn't state in which month of 2008 it planned to take delivery of the Hawker jet, manufactured by U.S.-based Hawker Beechcraft Corp.
Forrey says the FAA continues to minimize the seriousness of recurring close calls at some of the nation's busiest airports. For instance, he described a recent situation in which a veteran controller had to intercede for an inexperienced trainee to avoid a collision. He said air traffic control facilities are severely understaffed; he estimates that more than 10 percent of the remaining veteran workforce will retire in the upcoming days and weeks.
Boca Raton, Fla.-based, DayJet Services LLC (air carrier certificate WGEA500K) dba DayJet Services and Wingedfoot Services, has the largest fleet of Eclipse VLJs in the world. As of Dec. 20, DayJet's D085 listed 26 Eclipse jets and one Learjet 60.
Brandon O'Reilly, CEO of TAG Farnborough Airport Ltd., subsidiary of TAG Aviation, said the acquisition reinforces TAG's strong commitment to its airport project. He said the airport project would additionally provide surrounding communities with further access to business aviation.
The second large air charter operator to receive FAA approval to fly passengers on a Mustang (model CE-510) was TWC Aviation Inc. (cert. # T19A419I). Based at Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank, Calif., TWC Aviation's D085 was approved on Nov. 29. At present, the operator's D085 lists 22 jets approved for on-demand air charter service.
DAE, on Dec. 13, announced it partnered with the Hertz Corp.'s rental car division to offer customers with Hertz ‘s #1 Club Gold, along with an offer for its customers to receive a 25-hour fleet membership jet card for mid-size aircraft, if they purchase a new CHI Miami residence. Presently, DAE has 20 aircraft approved for on-demand air charter, per its D085, a document issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
ExecuJet, with operating bases on five continents, obtained a letter of intent for the jet from Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, a member of the ruling family of Ajman in the UAE. It also snagged Pakistan-based Princely Jets, a subsidiary of the Akbar Group, which has an exclusive arrangement with Bombardier Skyjet International for jet card and air charter ad hoc service. Currently, ExecuJet is wooing the rich by offering 40 early delivery positions, accepting initial deposits of $250,000. Deposits are being held in a secure escrow account.
Lyn Freeman, founder of Riverside, Calif.-based Build A Plane, said, "The purpose of our organization is to solicit aircraft donations from across the aviation community. Aircraft are then distributed at no charge to high schools across the country. This affords students a unique opportunity to learn science, technology, engineering and math--by actually being able to build real airplanes."
NetJets Europe, subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Co., is still featured on LPJ's website as the main provider of its flights. Lufthansa said until its fleet reaches the required size for 2008 [rumored at around 10], partners certified by Lufthansa would operate individual LPJ flights.
No air charter operator, fractional-share provider or air charter broker wants to believe that Lufthansa's move will change the status quo in the U.S. Yet, Aboulafia says the division between private and scheduled air transport is still in flux.
Koerbel said receiving the TIA confirms that the company is on the mark for achieving FAA certification of the A700 in 2008. He explained that in order to secure a type certification for the all-composite A700, the company would dedicate four test aircraft to TIA tasks.
Concurrently, on Nov. 30, Miami-based H.I.G. Capital finalized its acquisition of Cleveland-based Flight Options, LLC from the Raytheon Co. and announced a firm order for 100 Phenom 300 light jets from Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate. For an undisclosed sum, the purchase of Flight Options from Raytheon was first announced in October. The Phenom order sends an unmistakable signal that H.I.G., a global private equity firm, supports the growth of Flight Options, the world's second largest dedicated private jet fleet and fractional provider.
For Florida-based DayJet and other air charter operators in the U.S. that have been flying passengers in the EA 500, operations for winter promise to be slow; the EA 500 isn't certified for flight into known icing. The demand versus pilot training completion, the low aircraft production at EA, combined with other manufacturing and management problems, along with company's history of having supplier issues, once again, begs the question, can Eclipse make it? On Nov.13, Hampson Aerospace Inc., the empennage assembly supplier for the EA 500 filed suit against the aircraft manufacturer, with allegations that Eclipse hasn't paid bills according to contractual commitments. Hampson is the supplier for Airbus, Boeing and Hawker Beechcraft; the company will also supply the empennage for the HondaJet.
Speaking of Tuesday's event, Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, acknowledged it was a significant day. "It brings together two top aircraft design and production companies--offering the global GA community with the widest range of propeller aircraft, along with world-class product support--all under the Cessna brand," he said.
There's no a shortage of aircraft available for on-demand charter, but declining D085s for Part 135 charter operations suggests that either operators have voluntarily turned in air carrier certificates or that the FAA Charter-Quest team [documentation shows that the Charter-Quest unit exists] is responsible--revoking operators' certificates. Some people in the general aviation industry believe that the FAA wants to change the rules; force all on-demand air charters to adhere to commercial FAR Part 121 regulations. "I think the FAA has plans to make 135 operators follow 121 rules, except that we'll still be able to fly as on-demand carriers," says an operator wishing to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the FAA.
FSDOs Deferring to FAA's Legal Viewpoint
The FAA's A008 Operational Control Specifications were sent out earlier this year, which saw a few revisions and caused confusion for some operators. However, it's always been clear that an operator cannot delegate its responsibility of maintaining operational control over its air transportation/commercial services to outside entities, to include aircraft owners or aircraft management companies. Some operators have been found guilty of renting out the use of their air carrier certificate to third parties, which is illegal. Op Spec A001, a document issued by the FAA, will identify the operator's legal name and any doing business as names. The FAA must approve all dba names listed on an operator's certificate. However, be forewarned: listing too many dba names may trigger an unexpected visit from the FAA.
Montante, currently an independent arbitrator, certified by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS # 3858), can't help but notice that air travel congestion has been the subject of several recent news articles.
Griffin said, "I've directed that all NAOMS data that doesn't contain confidential commercial information, or information that could compromise the anonymity of individual pilots, be released as soon as possible." However, he said such data would be accompanied with the provision that "neither the methodology nor the results have received the level of peer review required of a NASA research project." In other words, the survey methodology or the data shouldn't be considered as verified.
BAP said if you're an aviation enthusiast, and you happen to be a parent, too, you'll appreciate this exciting and unique online experience.
Trying to get a better idea of why private investors are sinking large sums of money into private aviation, H.I.G. declined comment.
For an undisclosed amount, yesterday, Hawker Beechcraft Corp. sold its FAR Part 135 (cert. # ERYA682D) on-demand air charter and management subsidiary, Hawker Beechcraft Charter and Management Inc. to Sentient Flight Group, LLC. "Hawker Beechcraft decided to focus on its core business of manufacturing and delivering aircraft; we're in the process of final certification for six aircraft models," spokesperson Mike Turner told CharterX Industry Headline News.
San Francisco-based TAG Aviation, an air charter broker, owned 49 percent of AMI and managed aircraft that were on AMI's certificate; however, Wells' letter concluded that a foreign-owned company isn't allowed to operate U.S. air charter flights.
Mayor Martin Chavez, defending Eclipse, said most people laid off were contractors and that's what they do for a living. Promoting Albuquerque, he said the job base is robust and workers that were laid off would be fine.
The National Transportation Safety Board, on April 25, released its report on probable causes of the June 22, 2006 Sport-Jet proof-of-concept accident that occurred at Colorado Springs Airport (COS), which concluded: "A loss of control for an undetermined reason during takeoff-initial climb that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain." Colorado-based Excel-Jet Ltd., manufacturer of the four-place, composite very light jet prototype, doesn't agree the crash was a result of undetermined reason. On Oct. 16, Excel-Jet filed a lawsuit against the United States of America, through its two law firms Coppola & Marlin, P.C., and Schaden Katzman Lampert & McClune, claiming, "air traffic controllers cleared N350SJ [Sport-Jet] for takeoff on runway 17R, from an intersection upon the runway, after the departure of the [de Havilland] Dash 8, in violation of the Air Traffic Control Manual."
During Sigari's first interview, he tells CharterX Industry Headline News that a lot of Eclipse orders for its jet comes from private owners, many of which he contends aren't pilots.
The “Thursday Night Massacre” -- On Oct. 4, the Federal Aviation Administration, through arrogance, impatience, stupidity, or simply the end result of malicious inertia set in motion by its previous administrator, effectively fired the shot heard ‘round the aviation world.
The company said under FAR Part 91 corporate aviation rules, owners of individual aircraft are permitted to fly aircraft; however, such rules prohibit aircraft owners from conducting flights for revenue, meaning they can't "charge"-- fly charter passengers. AMIJC remains adamant that it's working with the FAA to prove it can satisfy "operational control" issues, a point of contention the FAA cited it lacked in its emergency order Oct. 4. However, the FAA's order used language, AMIJC "didn't produce or timely produce" documents. Many aviation insiders believe the order wasn't an emergency at all.
Don Hitch, president of AMIJC confirmed to CharterX Industry Headline News on Oct. 8, Swiss-based TAG Aviation owns 49 percent of AMIJC, and before the FAA's suspension, the carrier had nearly 80 jets on its certificate--managed by AMIJC. Represented by legal counsel, Hitch wasn't at liberty to confirm or deny if AMIJC was in the process of purchasing a greater percentage or the stated 49 percent from TAG. Hitch was unable to confirm if the FAA approved individual aircraft owners, which placed aircraft on AMIJC's certificate, to operate under corporate operations (FAR Part 91), giving aircraft owners approval to fly within reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) and MEL (minimum equipment list) approvals.
Murdock has developed aircraft hangars and office structures at KVNY since 1981; Elite Aviation, a noted on-demand air charter carrier is a main tenant, which owns several Gulfstream jets. Albuquerque, N.M.-based airc
