Latest from Gordon Gilbert
Aircraft
The Game’s On for Sport-Jet
Excel-Jet’s four-seat, single-engine very light jet, the Sport-Jet, flew for the first time this past weekend from Colorado Springs Airport.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Will Not Go It Alone on an SSBJ
Gulfstream Aerospace president Bryan Moss has dismissed the company’s long-discussed “Quiet Supersonic Jet” (QSJ).
Accidents
NTSB Reports on Hawker Loss-of-Control Incident
An NTSB preliminary report posted yesterday provides details on a May 4 incident involving a Hawker 800A that went of control and lost more than 10,000 fee
Regulations and Government
Unrest Persists over Flight Time and Rest Rules
The FAA has been working for years to revise Part 121 and 135 flight time, duty and rest rules, but it’s still not close to issuing new proposals or final
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Poised for a Profitable Year?
If Berkshire Hathaway’s first-quarter results are any indication, its NetJets subsidiary will record a profit this year, which would be a reversal from $80
Accidents
Final Reports Due on Learjet Fatal Crashes
The NTSB on Tuesday is scheduled to adopt its final investigation reports, including the determination of probable cause, of two fatal Learjet accidents–de
FBOs
Air-taxi Operator’s Certificate Revoked
The FAA last week revoked the Part 135 certificate of American Air Network (AAN) of Chesterfield, Mo., saying the company permitted flights for hire to be
FBOs
24/7 FBO Opening at Berlin Schoenefeld
ExecuJet Europe next month is opening what it describes as the first dedicated executive aircraft FBO at Berlin Schoenefeld Airport.
Aircraft
Start-up Hopes to Outfox VLJ Competitors
Tony Fox, the 84-year-old entrepreneur credited by those with long memories as being the father of the very light jet, this week sold the 1970s-era Foxjet
Pilot Pleads Guilty to Ecstasy Smuggling Charges
Former Flight Options pilot Franklin Rodriguez, 36, pleaded guilty last week in federal court to charges that while in the Air National Guard he and loadma
Accidents
Crew and ATC Cited in Learjet Crash
The NTSB today concluded that a combination of flight crew and ATC deficiencies led to a controlled flight into terrain accident involving an air ambulance
Regulations and Government
Honeywell Introduces ’Enhanced’ Apex Cockpit
Described by some Honeywell engineers as the “son of Primus Epic,” the Phoenix company’s Apex integrated avionics system is undergoing a makeover that aims
ATC
Pilot Group Petitions against Language Program
The International Council of AOPA (IAOPA) submitted a petition to the International Civil Aviation Organization to modify language proficiency requirements
Regulations and Government
International ’Priority Service’ Limits Delayed
The FAA postponed until January 1 next year a decision to limit “
ATC
FAA Poised To Make Final Offer to Controllers
With the latest deadline in the contract dispute between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) fast approaching, it seems in
Safety
Safety Plan Takes Off in Europe
Eurocontrol, the Flight Safety Foundation, the European Regions Airline Association and other pilot and ATC organizations are implementing a new action pla
Part 23 Ten-minute OEI Method Proposed
The FAA released a draft policy that would offer
Avionics
AirCell Likely To Win FCC Frequency Auction
With all other serious contenders out of the running, AirCell appears likely to win an FCC auction for a coveted slice of frequency spectrum that will enab
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Maine Refurbisher Plans Major Upgrade
Oxford Aviation is planning to move its aircraft refurbishment business from Oxford County Regional Airport, Maine, to nearby Sanford Regional Airport, whe
Regulations and Government
Canada Releases Aviation Strategy Plan
Transport Canada on Thursday released “Flight 2010,” a strategic plan for enhancing the safety levels of the country’s civil aviation sector over the next
Safety
FAA To Protect Program from Public Access
To encourage more industry participation, the FAA is proposing that information provided to the agency from the voluntary disclosure reporting program (VDR
Airline CEO Says Bizav Gets ’Free Ride’
Under the current ATC funding mechanism, business aviation “gets a free ride, or almost free ride,” according to American Airlines chairman and CEO Gerard
Avionics
Part 25 Aircraft Receives Synthetic Vision STC
In a first for a Part 25 aircraft, the FAA has approved the Vision 1 synthetic-vision system from Universal Avionics for use in the Challenger 601-3A.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dassault Ups the Customer Support Ante
To increase the level of support customers receive, Dassault Falcon recently doubled its replacement parts warranty and merged its help desk operations and
Aircraft
Cessna Highlights Product Improvements
A Max-Viz enhanced vision system (EVS) for the Citation Excel and XLS and a Collins Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) for the CJ1 and CJ2 were am
Aircraft
Bombardier Buoyed by Business Jets
An increase in business jet sales and deliveries continued to bolster the aerospace arm of Bombardier, according to the Canadian manufacturer’s financial r
Aircraft
Raytheon Gets More Time To Certify Hawker 4000
Raytheon Aircraft yesterday reached the FAA’s five-year time limit for certification of the Hawker 4000 (née Horizon) under Part 25 amendments that existed
Regulations and Government
User-fee Issue Makes Front Page of The Wall Street Journal
The verbal sparring over ATC funding and user fees reached the front page of The Wall Street Journal today in a long article, “Why Big Airlines Are
Maintenance and Modifications
Raytheon Closing Northeast Service Facility
Raytheon Aircraft Services (RAS) sent a letter dated May 31 alerting customers that it is selling its Atlantic City, N.J.
