Business Aviation
News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.
Regulations and Government
FAA Issues Flight Restrictions over DC for Inauguration
Business aircraft flights limited to Manassas Regional, Washington Dulles and Baltimore/Washington International Airports.
Gama Partners With Hong Kong MRO China Aircraft Services
Gama Aviation Hutchinson will work with CASL to provide business jet maintenance services at Hong Kong International Airport.
Charter & Fractional
BACA To Hold Its Inaugural Air Charter Expo in London
ACE ’17 will include conference and learning sessions, a static display, exhibition space and networking opportunities.
Regulations and Government
FAA Study Could Overturn Long-standing Jet Ban at LNA
FAA determined that a ban on jets, first put in place in 1973, is not grandfathered under ANCA.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Deliveries Down, but Hopes Are Up for 2017
While delivery numbers were down, the average unit price sold increased substantially thanks to customer-specified options.
Alnaqbi Steps In as Vice Chair of IBAC
Alnaqbi, who founded MEBAA to united the business aviation communities in the Middle East and North Africa region, formerly was IBAC treasurer.
FBOs
Jet Aviation Acquires Washington Dulles FBO from Ross Aviation
The Washington Dulles FBO complex ecompasses six hangars, 10 acres of ramp space and a newly renovated FBO terminal.
Environment
EPA Rejects Appeal on Certain Aircraft Emissions
The Biogenic C02 Coalition claims EPA's aircraft emissions endangerment finding is illegal because of its treatment of certain biogenic emissions.
ATC
Honeywell Debunks Reports of Bogus CPDLC Messages
G550 crew received a “DESCEND AT MAXIMUM” message on CPDLC, and when they checked on voice with ATC it hadn’t come from them.
Rotorcraft
Abu Dhabi's Falcon Aviation Launches AW169 Offshore Service
Falcon Aviation will operate Leonardo's AW169 in support of Total's offshore oil and gas activities in the Arabian Gulf.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Completes 200th Challenger Heavy Inspection
More than 1,600 Challengers are now in service worldwide.
Maintenance and Modifications
Harrods Aviation Approved as S-92 Service Center
The London-based service provider can now service the S92 as well as the S76, Airbus H155 and Leonardo AW139.
Astronaut, Safety Advocate Gene Cernan Dies
He was the face of Bombardier's Safety Standdown.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA, SkyPan Settle Charges of Alleged Improper Drone Flights
The Chicago aerial photography company will pay a civil penalty of $200,000, the largest fine to date for unmanned aircraft systems.
AIN Blog: Is Flight-sharing Dead? (It’s all Uber’s Fault, Part 2)
The Supreme Court elected not to hear a case involving a flight-sharing company's attempt to offer services to the general public.
Maintenance and Modifications
Germany's Atlas Air Service Earns FAA Mx Approval
The Bremen-based MRO has broadened its international clientele with a new authorization to work on N-registered aircraft.
Aircraft
More Layoffs at One Aviation as VLJ Market Dims
Company’s focus is on completion of Project Canada, and will "look to hire folks back” as it nears production.
West Star Completes Global Express Venue Installation
The maintenance provider completed the cabin management system installation as part of the refurbishment of the Bombardier Global Express.
Aircraft
NTSB Sounds Alarm over Piper Cheyenne Wiring Issue
The NTSB issued an urgent recommendation concerning unsafe wiring on Piper PA-31T Cheyennes that might lead to arcing and fires.
TBM 900 to Get G1000NXi; 2016 Delivery Stats
Turboprop singles will have updated avionics; while North America dominated the delivery schedule for last year.
ATC
DOT Watchdog: FAA Not Yet Prepared for Mass ATC Outage
Shuster holds up report as another reason for ATC reform, while Democrats are unconvinced.
Aircraft
Embraer Bizjet Deliveries Fall Slightly, but Mix Better
Last year’s tally includes 73 Phenom light jets and 44 Legacy and Lineage large jets versus 82 Phenoms and 38 large jets in 2015.
Hampton Aviation Named Authorized CenTex Mod Dealer
The Arkansas-based maintenance provider now offers CenTex modifications for King Air series.
Airports
NJ Airport Offers Free Intro Flights to Local Youth
Up and Coming Monmouth County Executive (KBLM) partners with flight school on free lessons for township kids aged eight to 17.
Regulations and Government
Puerto Rican FBO Opens Co-located U.S. Customs Facility
New general aviation facility was built in full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) standards.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maximum View Bubble Windows Improve AS350 Hover View
The Swiss Rotor Solutions modification for the Airbus AS350/H125 helicopter improves pilot field of view when looking down by 10 times.
Safety
Disaster Airlift, Red Cross Partner on SMO Exercise
The disaster-preparedness event highlighted Santa Monica Airport's status as critical infrastructure in southern California.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
GDC Technics Earns FAA ODA
The award will give the Texas-based completions specialist more independence and flexibility in dealing with FAA approvals.
Regulations and Government
Court Issues Injunction Barring East Hampton Curfews
The preliminary injunction follows the November 4 ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
