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Regulations and Government

Congress set to align FAA reauthorization bills

Both the House and the Senate passed their own versions of an FAA reauthorization bill last month, so differences between the two measures–and the threat o
Charter & Fractional

Final fractional rule imminent

Watch for the FAA this month, at long last, to publish revisions to Part 91, including the new Subpart K for regulating fractional operations.
Regulations and Government

Emergency AD grounds U.S. MD 900s

All U.S.-operated MD 900-series helicopters were ordered grounded pending inspection of their main rotor retention bolts (P/N 900R3100001-103).
Airports

Funds sought to appeal Meigs closing

The Friends of Meigs Field is seeking money for a legal defense fund to prevent further damage to Meigs Field, the Chicago airport whose runway was gouged
Accidents

Pilot killed in crash of CRJ100

A Brit Air CRJ100 carrying 21 passengers and three crewmembers crashed onto a small road and caught fire some 2,500 feet short of the runway at Brest-Guipa
Regulations and Government

Amendment would open DCA to some Part 91

Rep.
Aircraft

SJ30-2 flight testing to resume this month

Sino Swearingen plans to resume flight testing the SJ30-2 early this month with the second conforming prototype (S/N 3), followed within the next 90 days b
ATC

Pilot is first to fill new ATC position

American Airlines Capt.
Charter & Fractional

Short on cash, Indigo ceases regular service

Indigo, the provider of “regular and frequent” business jet service between Chicago Midway Airport and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, suspended flights e
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.
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

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
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.
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 (<
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Accidents

NTSB: Pilot stalled Meridian returning to airport

According to the NTSB, the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a bank angle of 60 to 80 degrees while trying to return to the Vero Beach Municipal
Aircraft

Chinese firm to design 'cheaper' regional jet

China Aviation Industry, the country’s largest state-owned air-plane manufacturer, said at the Paris Air Show last month it plans to design and build a 70-
Charter & Fractional

Raytheon takes majority control of Flight Options

Four months after John Nahill, former v-p of corporate strategy and development at Raytheon Co., took charge of Flight Options from its founder and then ch
Maintenance and Modifications

TPE-powered Caravan conversion delayed

A more powerful, better performing Caravan 208 with improved fuel burn is the goal of Anchorage-based Aero Twin, which is working on a mod to convert the t
Safety

Kidde Aerospace: No threat from faulty extinguishers

The manufacturer of portable halon fire extinguishers targeted for mandatory replacement said the units involved “do not represent a safety problem,” even
Regulations and Government

Lawsuits from GIII Aspen crash go to trial

A wrongful-death trial in connection with the fatal crash of a Gulfstream III in Aspen, Colo., on March 29, 2001, started last month in Los Angeles Superio
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

New bonus depreciation option clarified

A new federal tax-cut law contains an increase in the bonus depreciation percentage from 30 percent to 50 percent in the first-year allowance for the purch
Regulations and Government

Liability-limit law upheld as constitutional

A Superior Court of Arizona judge has dismissed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Cessna stemming from the crash of a 1980 Model 210 in October 2000 th
Regulations and Government

Each Presidential TFR to continue to be unique

Pilots are urged to check notams carefully when operating in airspace affected by Presidential temporary flight restrictions, including the temporary closu
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Completions & Refurbishment: Is this the 'ugly bottom'... or is there an uglier one still to come?

Last year, things were bad for the completion and refurbishment industry as companies were feeling the effects of the economic recession.