ExxonMobil Avitat FBO Network Expands
On the eve of the EBACE show in Geneva, ExxonMobil Aviation presented its annual awards for longevity and high sales to five of the ExxonMobil Avitat-branded FBOs: Signature London Luton, TAG Farnborough, Jet Aviation Business Jets, Universal Weather & Aviation and Avitat London Harrods. In addition, ExxonMobil announced the addition of five locations to its network of Avitat FBOs–in Dubai, Dusseldorf, Geneva, Zurich and London Biggin Hill–all operated by Jet Aviation.

Engineering Complete on Beechcraft 1900D
Hawker Beechcraft Services has completed the engineering for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated display system (IDS) on the Beechcraft 1900D. The first installation is under way in Wichita, with completion and system certification planned for the summer. The second installation is scheduled to begin in July.

The upgrade replaces legacy flight display, altimetry and attitude-reference equipment with Pro Line 21 video-capable adaptive flight displays, dual attitude heading reference systems, dual RVSM-compliant air-data computers and an engine-indication system. The system lowers the aircraft’s operating costs and can integrate easily with existing and future technology and regulatory requirements, according to the company.

Ruag, Rockwell Collins Offer Avanti Upgrade
Ruag Business Aviation and Rockwell Collins are offering a cockpit upgrade based on the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite for the Piaggio Avanti twin-turboprop pusher. Promised are better reliability and reduced weight. Pro Line 21 includes adaptive flight displays, dual attitude heading reference systems and an electronic engine-indication system, among other features. Certification of the modification is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

The installation comes with a two-year Ruag Aviation/Rockwell Collins warranty. In addition, buyers may also select Rockwell Collins’ corporate aircraft service warranty, which provides “virtually zero avionics operating costs during the first two years after installation,” according to the equipment manufacturer.

Jeppesen, ExecuJet Sign Flight-planning Contract
ExecuJet Aviation Group (Booth No. 242) has signed a five-year deal with Jeppesen (Booth No. 336) for JetPlan flight planning, NavData digital charting and document management. As part of the deal, Jeppesen will provide set-up and revision services for the operations manuals for ExecuJet’s Global Express, Challenger 850, Challenger 605, Challenger 300, Learjet 60 and Gulfstream G550. “Jeppesen’s comprehensive business aviation solutions, including document management services, allow us to strengthen our business operation globally, through optimization of our operations manual development process,” said Capt. Andreas Pfisterer, operations director for ExecuJet Europe.

Elie Zelouf Honored with 2010 Euro Bizav Awards
EBAA and NBAA on Monday jointly awarded the 2010 European Business Aviation Awards to Elie Zelouf, senior vice president of Jet Aviation, and officials at Aéroports de Paris. The awards are presented to industry officials who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing the business aviation industry.

EBAA chairman Rodolfo Baviera said Zelouf is a “true visionary leader” within the industry. “He has been described as a man of action who knows first-hand what clients expect. Zelouf has always believed in the future of business aviation, even in difficult times,” said the EBAA chairman. “This award honors his drive, unwavering support and dedication to the business aviation community.”

Officials from Aéroports de Paris, meanwhile, have continuously promoted the value of business aviation, Baviera said. He cited the airport’s 20-year, $220 million modernization program as an example.

“We join the Aéroport de Paris’s Le Bourget airfield in celebrating its 50th anniversary as being the first business aviation airport,” Baviera said. “Le Bourget truly exemplifies the many benefits and business opportunities business aviation offers a region, a country and the global business community.”