Latest from Gordon Gilbert
Regulations and Government
New Rules for Air-tour Operators Move Closer
Controversial FAA regulations that would impose numerous new requirements on air-tour operators are one step closer to publication.
Airports
Boston Logan Taxiway Proposal Extended
The FAA extended to September 22 the public comment period for a draft reevaluation of a proposed centerfield taxiway at Boston Logan International Airport
Maintenance and Modifications
Boeing Acquisition of Aviall Moves Closer
Aviall, one of the largest independent distributors of new parts for business aircraft, said the European Commission “has not raised any antitrust issues”
Airports
FAA Weighs Future of Airport Advisory Service
The FAA is requesting public comments on the usefulness of airport advisory services now available part- or full-time at 20 airports in the continental U.S
Charter & Fractional
Wyvern Markets Audits Directly To Operators
After 15 years of auditing charter operators only at the behest of the companies or individuals who hire them, Wyvern Consulting, on Tuesday, announced tha
Charter & Fractional
Now NetJets’ Mechanics Start Picketing
First it was NetJets’ pilots who picketed and finally got a new labor contract; now it’s the fractional’s mechanics and other support personnel who on Frid
ATC
Canada, Playing Catch-up, Will Mandate TCAS
Transport Canada has proposed a regulatory amendment requiring installation of TCAS-I and TCAS-II, in line with current FAA rules.
Safety
Glider in Midair with Hawker Didn’t Turn on Tx
The Schleicher sailplane that collided with a NetJets Hawker 800XP near Smith, Nev., on August 28 was equipped with a transponder, but it was not turned on
Aircraft
Citation Mustang VLJ Obtains Full Certification
The Cessna Citation Mustang on Friday became the first of a new segment of aircraft known as very light jets (VLJ) to be fully FAA type certified.
Regulations and Government
Comments Due Monday on Two NPRMs
September 18 is the comment deadline for two separate notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
ATC
Approach Limits Raised in Canada
Responding to recommendations from Canada's Transportation Safety Board after at least two low-visibility landing accidents, Transport Canada will increase
Charter & Fractional
ARG/US Wins Injunction Against CharterX
A North Carolina judge issued an injunction recently against charter facilitator CharterX, its new Wyvern Consulting charter audit unit and a former ARG/US
Rotorcraft
Bell Warns Operators about BLR Strakes
A September 7 information letter from Bell Helicopter warns Bell 206 and 206L operators of potential problems with STC'd Boundary Layer Research (BLR) tail
Aircraft
Boeing Flies 737-900ER, Platform for BBJ3
On September 1 Boeing’s new 737-900ER, the platform for the new BBJ3, made its first flight.
Aircraft
The New ’Dynasty’ Is Not a TV Soap Opera
Epic Aircraft parent Aircraft Investor Resources (AIR) last week changed the name of the certifiable version of its Epic LT turboprop single to the Dynasty
Avionics
Another EFIS Package STC’d for the PC-12
The FAA granted Innovative Solutions & Support an STC on September 14 for installation of two and four 10-inch display units in the Pilatus PC-12.
Aircraft
Execujet Owners Take Over Grob Aerospace
Executive Jet Investments (EJI), a Swiss investment firm led by Execujet CEO Niall Olver, has acquired a controlling stake in German-based manufacturer Gro
Avionics
Verizon, Listening To Customers, Reverses Course
Last Thursday Verizon Airfone notified customers that it will continue to provide MagnaStar users with air-to-ground communications “through at least Decem
Training and Workforce
Diamond Selects D-Jet Training Organization
Airline Transport Professionals (ATP), a Jacksonville, Fla.-based organization that provides advanced pilot training at 23 flight schools nationwide, repor
Engines
Piper Selects FJ44-3A Version To Power PiperJet
At AOPA Expo yesterday Piper announced it had selected a variant of the Williams International FJ44-3A turbofan to power its new PiperJet.
Safety
Cessna Wins Icing Approval, Sets Costs for Mustang
Cessna said the FAA cleared the Citation Mustang for flight into known icing two months after the new entry-level jet received FAA type certification on Se
Correction: ExcelAire Says Only Assets in Brazil Affected
According to ExcelAire, the Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based charter company whose Embraer Legacy 600 was involved in the midair collision with a 737 over Brazil on
Regulations and Government
NATA Says Reimbursement Process Daunting Task
The proposed procedure for reimbursing FBOs and other providers of general aviation ground-support services at five airports in the Washington, D.C.
FBOs
Zurich FBO To Open Handling Facilities
Swissport Executive Aviation is scheduled to open new handling operations at Zurich Airport on January 1.
Regulations and Government
New A380 Wake Turbulence Recommendations
The Airbus A380 Wake Vortex Steering Group recently issued new recommendations for A380 wake turbulence spacing.
Charter & Fractional
Avanti Deliveries Can’t Keep Up with Demand
Piaggio shipped only three Avantis in the first nine months of this year, hardly enough to keep up with demand, particularly from one of the OEM’s largest
Safety
FAA Moves Safety Effort to a Higher Level
The FAA took another step in its efforts to promote a “cultural change” to improve aviation safety–replacing the Aviation Safety Program (ASP) with the new
Business jet accident rate trends upward in first half
Despite a rash of accidents in June involving U.S.-registered turbine business airplanes, there were fewer fatalities in the first six months of this year
