Business aircraft flying in Europe contracted by 3.6 percent year-over-year in the March and April period, according to recent data from business aviation information provider WingX Advance, based in Hamburg, Germany. “Activity [in Europe] remains in the trough it entered in the fourth quarter of 2012, with no recovery in sight,” the company said.
Aviation
May 16, 2013 - 3:20pm
The FAA approved an automated rig approach for offshore operators on the Sikorsky S-92, offering new functionality for the medium-twin helicopter. The system is said to “reduce cockpit workload by 60 percent” and allow safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. Sikorsky has been developing the “rig approach” system since 2007 in cooperation with operator PHI.
May 16, 2013 - 3:10pm
A Gulfstream G650 set a city-pair speed record last month on a flight between Shanghai and Newark, N.J., flying the 6,855-nm route in 13 hours and 32 minutes, the Savannah, Ga.-based aircraft manufacturer announced yesterday. The jet took off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on April 18 carrying five passengers and four crewmembers. ATC restrictions kept the G650 below FL310 for the first hour before it was cleared to climb to its normal cruising altitude of FL410 to FL510.
May 16, 2013 - 3:05pm
In the first quarter of 2013, revenue at Eurocopter fell by 13 percent, to €1.04 billion ($1.35 billion), with deliveries of 58 helicopters during the three-month period. Parent company EADS attributed the downward performance to the ongoing “technical problems with the Super Puma/EC225 fleet.” Affected have been both deliveries and the service revenue generated by helicopter operations. In the first three months, Eurocopter booked net orders for 51 helicopters, the company said.
May 16, 2013 - 2:55pm
An announcement made this week by cabin equipment manufacturer Vision Systems hints that Eurocopter will unveil a VIP variant of the EC175 medium twin at EBACE, which opens on Tuesday in Geneva. Vision Systems said it provided a Wi-Fi network, a tablet application, ceiling displays for movies and electronically dimming windows–all integrated in a cabin management system–for the EC175 that will be displayed at Eurocopter’s EBACE booth.
May 15, 2013 - 11:43am
![Southwest Airlines will be the first operator of Boeing's new 737 Max 7 narrowbody from 2019. [Photo: Boeing]](http://ainonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/home-thumb-medium/public/uploads/swa-max7_k65810-02.jpg?itok=gV89T1m0)
Southwest Airlines has triggered the program launch of Boeing’s 737 Max 7 narrowbody by converting 30 options that it holds for the existing 737 Next Generation family into orders for the new model. The U.S. low-cost carrier expects to take first 737 Max 7 deliveries in 2019. In a deal announced Wednesday, it also has exercised options for five more Next Generation 737-800s.
May 15, 2013 - 11:23am
The world commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market will reach a value of $49.2 billion this year, according to recent market research conducted by Visiongain. The commercial aircraft MRO market is forecast by Visiongain to experience growth over the next decade, providing numerous business opportunities.
May 15, 2013 - 11:10am
Qatar Airways’ private jet division, Qatar Executive, has been granted Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) regulatory approvals to conduct base maintenance services for Bombardier’s Challenger604/605 and Global series. To meet anticipated demand, the MRO has expanded its service offering with heavy maintenance checks at its nearly 70,000-sq-ft dedicated hangar at Doha International Airport.
May 15, 2013 - 11:07am
Aviation Partners has issued a Service Bulletin for the Hawker Beechcraft/BAE 125 Series 800A/B, C-29A, Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP. The Service Bulletin provides instructions to reduce the maximum permissible altitude to FL340 from FL410. The altitude limitation is implemented by an Airplane Flight Manual limitation and placards installed on the instrument panel.
Aviation Partners and the FAA consider this Service Bulletin to be a safety-related limitation until a design change to preclude the oscillations is developed and FAA approved.
May 15, 2013 - 10:55am
GA Telesis and Finnair have entered into an agreement in which GA Telesis has acquired part of Finnair Engine Services and will employ 80 engine-service professionals from Finnair’s existing workforce. The deal comprises the sale of assets and transfer of personnel to GA Telesis Engine Services (Gates). Gates has simultaneously entered into a long-term lease of all of the engine maintenance and test cell facilities from Finnair.
