Hawker files for bankruptcy

Hawker Beechcraft filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday as part of a prearranged deal with lenders that will eliminate about $2.5bn in debt and $125m in annual interest expenses.

The company, which was bought by Goldman Sachs‘s private equity arm and Onex Corp in 2007 for $3.3bn, said the moves included a commitment for $400m in debtor-in-possession financing, which would allow it to continue operating and paying employees, suppliers and vendors.

Hawker Chief Executive Steve Miller said the agreement would stabilize and improve the company’s capital structure after three years of “aggressive transformational changes in all operational functions.” read more

GAMA urges swift action on Export-Import Bank reauthorization

GAMA hailed the bipartisan agreement between Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to end an impasse over the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.

The agreement extends the bank’s charter for three years and increases its lending authority to $140bn.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has supported the bank’s reauthorization because this lending is vital to the industry’s ability to grow and maintain exports as general aviation manufacturing recovers from the economic downturn. Additionally, the exports generated are key for job creation and for the Obama Administration's efforts to double exports by the end of 2014. read more

Embraer Legacy 450 and 500 programs advance

Embraer’s development program for its mid-size, 3,000-nm-range Legacy 500 executive jet achieved several significant milestones recently including taxi runs and the beginning of Ground Vibration Tests in anticipation of the first flight scheduled for the third quarter.

Milestones also include developments in the second and third prototypes. Concurrently, the Joint Definition Phase has started for its sister aircraft, the mid-light, 2,300-nm-range Legacy 450 executive jet.

Legacy 500 rolls out

“We have achieved key milestones that make us confident we will perform the Legacy 500 first flight in the third quarter of this year, as planned,” said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, Sr., Vice President Operations and COO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The tests demonstrate the aircraft is very mature regarding systems design and integration. As the Legacy 500 starts its test campaign, development of the Legacy 450 project grows with the JDP well underway.”

The Legacy 500 first prototype began taxi tests, achieving 40 knots and then 80 knots, and GVT in March. At the same time, the Wing Fuselage Junction and the first Power On were completed on prototype #2. Production also completed the fuselage junction of Prototype #3, which will be the first to have the complete interior. read more

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Dallas Airmotive expands HTF7000 field support

Acquires tooling and inventory from CTS

Dallas Airmotive, a BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul Group company, is expanding its field service support for the Honeywell HTF7000 engine by acquiring the tooling and inventory from Consolidated Turbine Support, Inc. (CTS) of Mesa, Arizona.

The tooling and inventory along with Dallas Airmotive (DAI) Mobile Response technicians will be based at DAI’s Phoenix Regional Turbine Center and provide 24 hour, around the clock response coordinated through the company’s F1RST SUPPORT™ network.

“Newer engines such as the HTF7000 are designed for on-condition service,” commented Hugh McElroy, President of BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO). “This means routine inspections and service needs will be handled increasingly on-wing rather than in an MRO facility. In anticipation of this trend, we have been growing our field service coverage to keep pace with the increasing presence of engines such as the HTF7000. We have been in discussions with CTS for some time and by acquiring their tooling and inventory we are able to provide a jump-start in our support for this engine." read more

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ACG prevails in case with Olympic Airlines

Litigation attracts considerable interest in aircraft leasing industry

Aviation Capital Group has prevailed in its litigation with Olympic Airlines.

In a case that has attracted considerable attention in the aircraft leasing industry, the English High Court rendered judgment in ACG’s favour in ACG Acquisition XX LLC v Olympic Airlines S.A.  

The Court found that Olympic was bound by its acceptance of a leased aircraft and its statement that the aircraft satisfied the delivery conditions. As a result, Olympic is liable for unpaid rent and not entitled to damages. 

By upholding a lessee’s acceptance of a leased aircraft, the judgment highlights the importance of commercial certainty to all participants in the aircraft leasing industry. 

read more

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Following their recent award of an EASA Part 147 Training Approval, Aeronautical Professionals Malta Ltd., held their first Bombardier Learjet 60 B1 Level 3 type rating course at the company's training facility at Malta International Airport.

Five EASA instructors were flown in for the course and M.C.M Maintenance Centre Malta, located adjacent to the facility, provided hangarage for the training aircraft. 

AP Malta Training Manager Mario Cassar commented that the company intends to add further aircraft type approvals, thus continuing to establish itself as a reputable school.

FAA issues update on NextGen work

The FAA's updated NextGen Implementation Plan, now available online, includes tweaks to its strategy for modernizing departure and arrival procedures, particularly in 21 "metroplexes" (metro areas encompassing multiple airports).

Highlights of the plan affecting general aviation include expanded implementation of WAAS/LPV approaches, as well as RNAV RNP.

NBAA Senior Vice President for Operations & Administration Steve Brown said of the plan, "They've appropriately prioritized what they need to do first, and they've followed recommendations from the industry advisory committees we participate in, so we're happy about that."

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Gulfstream

William Clarey Gulfstream Aerospace has named William (Bill) Clarey a sales director in the company’s North American Sales, East Division, Mid-Atlantic Region. His territory is Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Clarey, who is based in Northern Virginia, reports to Jim Dobbins, vice president, North American Sales, East Division. Clarey replaces Bill McLeod, now vice president, North American Sales, Central Division. Most recently, Clarey was based in Seattle as the Pacific Northwest sales director for Hawker Beechcraft business jets. From 2007 to 2009, he was responsible for Hawker Beechcraft light jet and turboprop sales in the Pacific Northwest. From 2001 to 2007, Clarey served in increasingly responsible sales positions for Phoenix-based Cutter Aviation and Boise, Idaho-based Western Aircraft. He represented (and flew) a broad range of aircraft, spanning the market from high-performance piston models to single and twin turboprops.

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China

Cessna and AVIC partnership strengthens supply for China aviation needs

Cessna has signed a strategic agreement with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company Ltd., (CAIGA) and the Shijiazhuang Municipal Government. This agreement is a progression stemming from the strategic framework that Cessna entered into with CAIGA parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), in March 2012.

Specifically, this next step forms a cooperation framework for an eventual joint venture whose purpose will be the final assembly, sales, and customer support for the Cessna Caravan in China for the Chinese market.

"It is important to understand that today's agreement is a direct result of the overarching agreement signed with AVIC in March. This agreement picks up where that announcement left off," said Mike Shih, Vice President, China Strategy and Business Development for Cessna. "Not only does this continue Cessna's involvement in the development of General Aviation in China, but it also paves the way for aircraft sales to which we would not have otherwise had access. These Cessna aircraft will be manufactured in the United States, in Kansas, and sent to Shijiazhuang, China, to undergo final assembly and then be sold in China."

Cessna and CAIGA plans include locating the joint venture's operations at the CAIGA facilities in Shijiazhuang to conduct final assembly, painting, testing, interior installation, customization, flight testing and delivery of the Cessna Caravan to in-country customers.

"As a subsidiary of AVIC, CAIGA has demonstrated great capabilities with general aviation production, and this made the choice of the Shijiazhuang facility a simple one," said Lannie O'Bannion, Business Leader for Caravan aircraft. "The cooperation between Cessna and CAIGA will enable us to deliver the Cessna Caravan within China for many different purposes. We have seen interest for the Caravan for use in commuter aviation fleets as well as China's growing tourist and sightseeing businesses. The versatility of the Caravan makes it a great fit for this market."

Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO, says: "We continue to be extremely pleased with the cooperative relationship between AVIC and Cessna. China's potential in general aviation is tremendous, and represents an exciting opportunity for Cessna. Since we do expect China to be one of the largest general aviation markets in ten years’ time, we are excited to see that it will be Cessna aircraft that will help meet this demand in the years to come."

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Photo: Paul Cordwell | www.cordwell.aero

The world's largest Private Jet fleet - NetJets Europe.

BlueSky's '25 Most Popular Business Aviation Departure Airports in Europe' in association with Avinode

This fortnightly popularity ranking is based on the number of unique flight requests with their first passenger leg departing out of IACO codes starting with E, L, and U, transmitted through the Avinode Marketplace over the last 30 days. When followed over longer stretches of time this chart will give you a sense of seasonal changes in-flight patterns and general flight patterns in Europe.

For the full list of 25, click here

POSITION			AIRPORT	NAME / NEAREST CITY	(PREV)
1			UUWW	VNUKOVO, MOSCOW	(1)
2			LFPB	LE BOURGET, PARIS	(2)
3			EGGW	LUTON, LONDON	(3)
4			LFMN	COTE D'AZUR, NICE	(5)
5			LSGG	GENEVA COINTRIN	(4)

London Olympics

First Class Cars to open at TAG Farnborough Airport ahead of the Olympics London Luton-based executive ground transportation firm First Class Cars, is expanding its UK presence with the opening of a new base at TAG Farnborough Airport, the UK’s only dedicated business aviation airport. The move to extend the service’s reach follows the anticipated increase in business driven by this year’s Farnborough Air Show and the Olympics this summer. The new office will open by the end of May, initially with four cars and drivers based at the airport, complementing existing bases at Luton and Stansted. “The decision to open at Farnborough, the UK’s only dedicated business aviation airport, demonstrates our continued focus on the executive aviation sector,” says Graham Coate, Managing Director and founder of First Class Cars. “With the upcoming summer events we know that there will be increased demand from existing and new clients, and we want to be ready for the increased business. We watch Graham Coate the trends in aviation to pick up on patterns that affect major business aviation hubs and adapt our service accordingly.” read more

Flightworx to launch iView.aero Flightworx Aviation Ltd., based at Earls Colne Airfield, Essex (UK) will be using the opportunity of the 12th Annual EBACE convention in Geneva to highlight their new-to-market web based flight support platform : www.iview.aero The iView.aero program allows pilots on the move to interact with the company's 24/7 Flight Operations function in real time to obtain fast information on their flight bookings and progress. They also have the ability to get instant fuel prices from the Flighworx non-biased fuel shopping program for any location Worldwide. The portal can interact across the spectrum of the flight operation from pre, to inflight right through to post activities and can enhance any private or commercial flight operators program at the touch of a button. The product has been designed to be simple for customers on the move. read more Visit Flightworx at EBACE, booth #2347

Colt International takes the lead in international trip support services Colt International has taken the top spot in this year’s Professional Pilot Magazine’s annual rankings of the world’s Best International Trip Planning companies. Colt secured the honor by capturing high marks based on industry votes in service quality, value, dependability, and customer satisfaction. The key to Colt’s success, says Colt Senior Vice President of International Trip Support, Jeff Briand, is listening to its customers. “Many of our customers expressed concerns about issues within the industry that made their trips a hassle at times,” he explained. “Some of the main complaints international operators were having about Trip Support Companies revolved around shortcomings in customer service, a lack of continuity, and problems with the invoicing process. Knowing this, we have poured significant resources into ensuring those areas are strengths of ours." read more Visit Colt International at EBACE, booth #1425

Significant growth at Gama's Sharjah FBO

Gama Aviation FZE’s creation of a new FBO at Sharjah International Airport earlier this year has resulted in significant growth in business jet movements through the United Arab Emirates’ newest Executive Terminal facility:

• A 25% increase in the number of business jet movements in the first quarter of 2012 versus the first quarter of 2011

• A doubling of movements during April 2012, compared with April 2011

Gama took over responsibility for all business and general aviation aircraft handling at the Airport in January this year and has secured agreements with a further 20 operators and flight support agencies. read more

Medical crews given simulation training in air ambulance CEGA Air Ambulance recently brought together its medical crews for a simulation training day in a fixed wing air ambulance; thought to be the first training exercise of its kind to be held in Europe. The team demonstrated resuscitation and defibrillation procedures in a King Air 200 aircraft; using a high fidelity manikin with breathing functions, palpable pulses and blood pressure displays. “Simulation training in an aircraft can provide medical crews with valuable hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment; promoting a positive patient safety culture,” says Dr Tim Hammond, CEGA’s Chief Medical Officer. “By providing a realistic scenario, it can also help crews to develop teamwork and communication and aid in the planning of practicalities, such as the positioning of medical equipment and patients’ luggage.” “This training for our medical crews complements the simulation training given to CEGA pilots and is testament to our commitment to be at the forefront of patient safety initiatives.” The simulation session received an overwhelmingly positive response from participants and is likely to become a regular fixture in the CEGA Air Ambulance training programme.

New BMW Cart Iacobucci HF Group continues to redefine the premium on-board aviation experience with the introduction of innovative lightweight Cart Continuing a highly successful collaborative partnership which has already resulted in the launch of the breakthrough new VIP Seat Model Line, Italy's Iacobucci HF Electronics S.p.A and BMW Group DesignworksUSA revealed the Iacobucci ATS Galley Cart which draws together ingenious structural optimization, a wide array of options for customization, and industry-leading weight saving attributes to deliver robustness and durability. “With DesignworksUSA, Iacobucci HF Group is introducing new products which build upon my company’s founding principles of integrity, commitment, innovation, and quality together with valuable insights, intelligence and future perspectives,” says Lucio Iacobucci President and CEO of Iacobucci HF. “I am very proud of the new Iacobucci HF Galley Cart, and I am confident it meets the rigorous demands of weight saving, functionality and robustness to ensure its useful application aboard aircraft around the  world for many years to come,” Iacobucci says. read more

Phenom 100 reaches 100,000 flight-hour mark Embraer’s entry-level aircraft, the Phenom 100, passed another program milestone when flight hours totaled 100,000, a little over three years since it entered service in December 2008. “This is a significant milestone achieved in such a short time,” said Luciano Castro, Embraer Vice President, Programs - Executive Jets. “The Phenom 100 now has a healthy market share. The success of the aircraft, with 240 now in service worldwide, results from its flexibility in being able to meet the needs of diverse customers including private individuals, corporations, flight schools and motor racing executives as well as fractional and charter companies.” The 100,000 hour mark comes after the company delivered the first U.S. produced Phenom 100 to Executive AirShare in December and the certification of an optional fifth seat a month earlier.

JETNET showcasing new services and upgrades at EBACE

Aviation market intelligrnce provider, JETNET LLC, will be presenting a number of new features and upgrades to its subscriber products at EBACE next week.

Among these are a new Commercial Airliner database, a Sales Price Index (SPI) option for aircraft sales professionals, and interface enhancements for Mac and multi-browser compatibility, along with mobile and web-enabled device compatibilities.

They will also feature their JETNET iQ forecast service and JETNET Customer Relationship Management (CRM) interface. All will be available for demonstration.

“2012 is a banner year for us,” said Vincent Esposito, JETNET President. “This has been the largest series of product introductions, upgrades and enhancements in our history, and we’re looking forward to personally sharing them with Europe’s business aviation community.”

Visit JETNET at EBACE booth #571

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Events

Gulfstream will host its biennial Operators Conference, June 11 to 14 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. Customers and suppliers will receive updates on Gulfstream programs and technical information on the company’s aircraft. The event also serves as a forum for feedback and ideas.

“Subject matter experts at Gulfstream and our suppliers will provide the maintenance, operational and technology updates,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “There will also be advanced training opportunities designed to raise safety and dispatch reliability awareness. Perhaps as important are the networking opportunities this event provides, including sharing lessons learned and developing contacts, for Gulfstream employees, operators and suppliers.”

Additions to this year’s Operators Conference include entry-into-service breakout sessions for customers of Gulfstream’s two new aircraft, the ultra-long-range G650 and mid-range G280, and a full day of pilot-dedicated presentations aimed at increasing the safety and efficiency of flight departments.

New data proves NATS is hitting environmental targets

UK air traffic services provider,NATS, has released findings of the first three operational months of its world-first environmental flight efficiency metric, which is designed to deliver 600,000 tonnes of CO2 savings over the next three years, worth up to £120m in today’s fuel prices.

The tool, known as 3Di, was developed by NATS to help air traffic control route flight paths as close to the environmental optimum as possible by accurately measuring the efficiency of each flight in UK airspace. 

By extending existing horizontal flight efficiency tracking to include vertical elements, 3Di quantifies the benefits delivered by air traffic controllers through continuous climb departures, cruise levels as requested by airspace users and continuous descents, as well as most direct point-to-point routings. read more

Aircare FACTS Training to conduct regular Emergency Procedures and Safety Training in Europe

Aircare FACTS Training, headquartered at Olympia, WA., has established a regular schedule of Emergency Procedures and Safety Training at their facility in Amsterdam. The company's published schedule for 2012 offers a total of six, 3-day training events.

Aircare FACTS Training specializes in crew member emergency procedures training for business aviation. The company’s courses combine classroom instruction with extensive hands-on equipment drills to provide an elite training experience for pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians and flight engineers.

Aircare's Hypoxia Awareness Trainer

The training courses meet the requirements for FAA Part 135, EU-OPS, CAR 604 and IS-BAO standards for emergency procedures training. read more

ABS Jets posts record results for 2011

Recently posted financial results for Prague-based ABS Jets show a record year in 2011, with turnover breaking the 1 billion CZK barrier for the first time. 

The results demonstrate a 2% increase in turnover compared to 2010, and similarly a 23% increase in gross profits - which came in at 44 million CZK.

ABS Jets' Commercial Director, Antonia Tomkova.

In addition to posting strong financial results, the company made a number of major investments in 2011.

Key investment in infrastructure included the opening of a new 6000m2 hangar at the company's Prague headquarters together with a full reconstruction of Hangar C which now serves as a dedicated maintenance facility. read more

Legal issues of aircraft leasing and financing  to be debated by experts in Washington

The 8th Legal Aviation Workshop (LAW) on Legal Aspects of Aircraft Leasing and Financing will be held on May 22, 2012 in Washington DC, USA.

The Workshop Speakers are Mark Atwood (Member, Cozen O’Connor), Jamie Baldwin (Lecturer, Author and Consultant on Air Transportation, Adjunct Instructor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Don Kenny (Senior Vice President, Falcon Insurance Agency), and Thomas J. Whalen (Attorney at Law, Former Delegate, Cape Town Convention).

Following the success of the previous workshops in London, Washington DC and Dubai, this event is hosted by Cozen O'Connor and it will cover the following themes: Introduction to Aircraft Leasing, Contract Law Refresher, Operating Leases (“Dry”), Cape Town Convention, Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance (“WET”) Leases, and Aviation Insurance.

This Legal Aviation Workshop (LAW) is organized by Aeropodium. For more information and to register, please visit the official website

Continuing her definitive series of articles on aviation catering, Paula Kraft, President of Atlanta, GA-based Tastefully Yours Catering and founder of Aviation Catering Consultants, discusses “Mood Foods” - the consumption of specific foods to get a desired result in a person’s energy and emotional disposition.

Mood Foods

For example, Imagine a night crossing from Newark to Tel Aviv, total 5681 miles, traveling 450 kts, approximate travel time 12.5 hours. You need to serve a dinner meal, a late night snack for the flight crew, and breakfast for flight crew and passengers.

Since you are on a fabulous G5, and can fly 14 hours without stopping, you have on board a relief pilot. Should everyone eat the same? Should there be more than two selections? The meal planning for this flight needs to take into consideration numerous things. What is the mission? Will both crews go off duty into a rest period upon landing; are the passengers going to a meeting in the morning, or are they heading to a hotel to unwind from the trip before going to an afternoon meeting?

What if this flight was a day crossing and the passengers were going to work on the crossing. They would require high energy foods rather than calming foods. And the trend is more night crossings from the US because of the curfews and restrictions of airports outside of the United States. But what about meal service for a day trip from Moscow to London - a mere 1545 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. The same things need to be considered. What is the mission? What are the passengers doing prior to boarding, and after deplaning? What time zone will you be arriving in? Do they need to be prepared for meetings on arrival? Or for rest?

What if the flight is departing from Luton, London and going to Mumbai, India? 4483 miles, approximately 5.5 hour flight. What is the mission? What time is going to be when the flight lands?

This information vital because recent studies show there is a direct correlation between the foods consumed and the resulting mood and energy level experienced read more

Learjet 60 XR on tour in Poland

Bombardier's Learjet 60 XR aircraft is undertaking its first ever tour of Poland this week.

Presented in conjunction with Polish-based business air carrier Blue Jet, the five-city stop schedule, from May 7 to May 11, calls in for private viewings at Wroclaw, Krakow, Warsaw, Poznan and Gdansk, as well as a media viewing during the Warsaw leg.

"This is an exciting tour for Bombardier and Blue Jet," said Christophe Degoumois, Vice-President Sales, Russia, C.I.S., Central & Eastern Europe, China, Asia-Pacific and Australia, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "The Learjet 60 XR is a versatile jet offering a spacious cabin with and impressive transcontinental range. It is perfectly suited for the requirements of our customers in Poland," he added.

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Afghanistan

Volga-Dnepr Group has transported 100 tonnes of food supplies to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel in Afghanistan using one of AirBridge Cargo Airlines’ Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.

The flight from Riga, Latvia, to Bagram was the first flight by ABC to be operated within this project and was performed on behalf of American Supreme Food Supply via National Air Cargo. 

The perishables cargo arrived in Riga from the United States in refrigerated sea containers and onboard scheduled airline flights. Cargo was presented in special temperature controlled containers.

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GKN opens world-leading aerospace facility Rt Hon George Osborne MP, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer opened a new facility on Friday 27th April that places the UK at the forefront of high-precision aerospace manufacturing. read

Italian luxury tax modified in response to industry concerns The Italian Parliament has passed legislation that significantly modifies a number of new taxes on aircraft that were first approved in December. read

From Heavy Metal to heavy metal Bruce Dickinson, lead singer with rock legends Iron Maiden, is set to create hundreds of jobs in South Wales following the launch of an MRO business at St.Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. read

London Oxford Airport and London Heliport partner up for Olympic traffic London Oxford Airport and the London Heliport - now under single ownership - are exhibiting together at EBACE to highlight the synergies and ease of travel to interlining jet operators, especially during the London Olympics this summer. read

Gender Preferences What if we plan catering menus for our passengers and crews based on their sex? Paula Kraft continues her definitive series of articles on aviation catering. read

NBAA Maintenance Technical Reward and Career Scholarship recipients read

The Jet Business broadens its focus to include helicopters The Jet Business founder Steve Varsano and his marketing team travel to EBACE to highlight their new added proposition - helicopters. read

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