Latest from Gordon Gilbert
Regulations and Government
EU resolves bickering over satnav initiative
European nations apparently have resolved their objections over budgeting of Galileo, Europe’s $4.2 billion rival to GPS.
'Know Before You Go' airspace primer set up
A new online training program designed to help pilots navigate safely and legally through the ever-shifting airspace regulatory maze has been introduced by
Regulations and Government
DOT IG to review FAA's regional jet oversight
The DOT’s office of inspector general on June 16 opened a review of the FAA’s oversight of the growing use of regional jets and the resulting effects on op
Explosion-suppressant foam behind schedule
Plans to adapt explosion-suppressant foam (ESF) to business jets has been indefinitely delayed.
Aircraft
Global 5000 makes its Paris debut
With a fresh coat of paint and 60 hours of logged time under its wing since it started flying on March 7, the first of two flight-test versions of Bombardi
Falcon building new TEB hangar
Dassault Falcon Jet officials broke ground last month on a 32,200-sq-ft building complex across the street from the company’s Teterboro, N.J.
Airports
Opposition to airport's noise rules reemphasized
In a legal brief filed last month in support of an FAA ruling in March against the Stage 2 noise ban at Naples Airport, Fla., AOPA said that neither the ai
Regulations and Government
FAA wants MU-2B icing video to be mandatory
In an unusual move, the FAA has proposed an AD that would require pilots to view a new icing-awareness training video before they could serve as PIC of Mit
Charter & Fractional
New block-charter company takes wing
JetEquity Travel has opened its doors with a block-charter operation out of Westchester County Airport, north of New York City.
Charter & Fractional
Fractional pilot hiring down significantly
The growth of fractional aircraft share sales has cooled recently, reflected by delayed and canceled orders for new aircraft by fractional providers (<
Swanson moves into left seat at Raytheon
Effective July 1, William Swanson, a 31-year Raytheon veteran who was president of the Lexington, Mass.
Gulfstream marketing V-P resigns
Stephanie Snyder, vice president of marketing and communications at Gulfstream Aerospace, resigned unexpectedly last month.
JetBlue inks Embraer 190 mega-order
Three-year-old JetBlue Airlines has become the launch customer for the new Embraer 190, signing a firm order for 100 of the twinjets, with options for 100
Accidents
Milan court opened runway crash trial
Early last month, 11 airport and ATC officials went on trial in connection with Italy’s worst aviation disaster: the Oct.
Regulations and Government
NTSB targets Rolls-Royce helicopter engine FADEC
The ongoing investigation into the fatal crash of a Bell 407 following a loss of engine power during a low-altitude hover has prompted the NTSB to ask the
FlightSafety founder receives Cabot Award
Albert Ueltschi on June 6 became the 50th recipient of the Godfrey Cabot Award from the Aero Club of New England.
Minnesota introduces online aircraft registration
An Internet aircraft-registration system is now online for operators based in Minnesota.
Regulations and Government
Appeals court overturns GARA defense
The 2nd District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles has overturned a lawsuit stemming from a crash in 1998 of a 1976 Bell 205 claiming Bell Helicopter used fr
Regulations and Government
Docket reopens on FAR Parts 135/125 rewrite
The FAA is again asking for public comments on its review of FAR Parts 135 and 125, which started last month in Washington, D.C.
Maintenance and Modifications
Packed room shows need for hush kits
The race is heating up in the Gulfstream hush kit market, as three providers maneuver for the inside track.
Robot man serves food for thought at Dassault breakfast
Attendees at Falcon Jet’s annual NBAA Convention breakfast yesterday probably noticed, some with disdain, that one of the people at the head table stood ou
Aircraft
BBJ ups its pressurization
Early next year, Boeing will offer a kit for BBJs and BBJ2s that will provide a 6,500-ft cabin at FL 410 instead of the standard 8,000-ft cabin.
Maintenance and Modifications
Pilatus expands service options
Pilatus Aircraft announced here an expanding suite of maintenance support choices for PC-12 customers under the umbrella name of ServiceWorx.
Aircraft
Dassault 'reopens' subject of a small jet
Since production ended more than 25 years ago of the small, sleek Falcon 10, Dassault has concentrated on building larger business jets.
Honeywell forecast calls for bizav's continued good fortune
Deliveries of new business jets continue to grow despite the slow economy and, according to Honeywell’s 10th annual business aviation outlook, the market w
Aircraft
Dassault delivery marks a momentous milestone
Last month, Dassault Aviation delivered its 1,500th Falcon, a Falcon 2000.
Honeywell revises its bizav industry forecast
Just three months after issuing its annual 10-year business jet delivery forecast, Honeywell published a revised and less optimistic forecast.
Regulations and Government
Opponents raise objections over Subpart K frax rules
“We oppose this proposal in every part and recommend that it be withdrawn.” This was the terse comment from fractional pilot Thomas Gasta to the FAA’s prop
Charter & Fractional
More 'personalized' service is goal of new frax operation
JetLimited, the new fractional aircraft ownership program from Rifton Aviation, believes it sets itself apart from other regional and national frax program
