July 7, 2010

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

Have You Been Flying with a Different Brand of Premium Headset — But Really Want a Zulu? Your Wait Could Be Over! Check out Lightspeed Aviation's greatly expanded trade-up program. You may be able to trade in your old headset, even if it's from another manufacturer. Generous trade-up allowances can help you move UP to the quietest, most comfortable headset in the world — now! For more details, go to LightspeedAviation.com. AVflash! New Cessnas on the Horizon back to top  Sponsor Announcement New Models On Tap For Cessna Cessna and Bell Helicopters will introduce new models and upgrades of existing aircraft as early as 2012 as parent company Textron boosts investment in the two companies to coincide with an expected industry turnaround next year. In an interview with Bloomberg, Textron CEO Scott Donnelly said work is already under way on the recovery plans. "The programs are there, the teams are working, so we're going full-speed ahead," Donnelly told Bloomberg. "You will see some refreshes, some block changes to some aircraft, and we also have a couple things in there that will be brand-new aircraft." His comments are sure to fuel speculation that the Columbus large-cabin business jet shelved 18 months ago will be among the first to be revived. Donnelly's comments come a couple of weeks after a similarly cheery outlook was expressed by Pratt & Whitney Canada CEO John Saabas, particularly concerning the future of its PW800 series engines. The Columbus was to be the launch customer for the PW800. Cessna has long wanted to crack the lucrative, almost recession-proof super-luxury market and Columbus was to be its foray into competition with Gulfstream and Bombardier. Meanwhile, Donnelly and Cessna CEO Jack Pelton will be in Farnborough later this month with Cessna's core small-to-midsize jets that were propped up while development money was shifted from the Columbus. Pelton told Bloomberg the financial world is unfolding as Cessna believed it would and that growth in business jet sales will happen two years after the bulk of the economy returns to normal. Sporty's SP-400: "Better Than Some Panel-Mounted Gear" That's what The Aviation Consumer said in their latest review of portable aviation radios. And: "Sporty's SP-400 shines ... . Its performance is clearly exceptional." It's the ultimate backup radio, with full ILS display, flip-flop COM, and much more. Call 1 (800) SPORTYS for more info or find out more (and watch the video demo) online. Bizjet Industry to Regroup? back to top  Consultant Sees Bizjet Consolidation Business consulting firm AlixPartners predicts consolidation in the corporate aircraft sector as prolonged slow growth becomes the "new normal" in the aerospace sector in general and the bizjet market in particular. The firm released a study on the industry's outlook on Tuesday and says the future looks especially hard for business aircraft makers. "Business jets face an even tougher environment, while also still trying to shake the 'politically incorrect' stigma of a year ago," spokesman Phil Toy said in a news release. In an interview with Dow Jones Newswire, Eric Bernardini, managing director of the firm, said there are too many bizjet companies fighting over too few orders. He told Dow Jones production dropped 34 percent among OEMs and the fractional business, which accounts for a significant portion of bizjet orders, has also been hard-hit. In general, he said, manufacturers are going to have to adopt different business, engineering and production models to stay afloat in the lean times ahead. Have You Ever Gotten the Short End at Trade-In Time? REVENGE Pilatus just authorized its dealers to offer you more for your aircraft trade-in than anyone else. But you'll have to hurry. They can only offer these prices for a limited time when you trade up to the Pilatus PC‑12 NG. Call 1 (877) 363‑7212 today or click here for info. Trade-in must be 15 years or newer; trade-in value will be determined by a Pilatus dealer; must take delivery of the new PC‑12 NG in 2010. Limited time offer. On the Lookout for New Aircraft Orders back to top  ILFC Shopping For Aircraft It's been three years since International Lease Finance Corp., ordered a new aircraft and it's now poised to dip its toe in the water again. In fact, the company may make a splash with an order for 10 Airbus A380 aircraft. ILFC's new CEO Henri Courpron told Bloomberg there are no plans to sell off any more of the company's portfolio and wouldn't rule out the possibility that the A380 order will be announced at or before the Farnborough Air Show, which starts July 19. "We still have a $13 billion portfolio," Courpron told Bloomberg. "We have plenty of planes on order coming down the pike and we have engaged some fairly focused exchanges with the original-equipment makers to possibly complement that." ILFC is owned by American International Group, which received a major bailout from the federal government in 2008, but Courpron described ILFC as being robust. "I'm not worried about the outlook for ILFC," he said. Because of the bailout, ILFC was unable to borrow money for more than a year and sold off $2 billion worth of aircraft last year. Courpron's rosy outlook is at odds with the Congressional Oversight Panel on AIG's bailout, which three weeks ago described ILFC as a "depreciating asset" that would have to keep selling planes to stay afloat until a buyer is found. Courpron wouldn't rule out selling more aircraft but only "opportunistically as part of a healthy portfolio management." ECAS 2010 — Light Jets Take Off! ECAS 2010, a major business aviation event for Europe, will take place in Linkoping, Sweden, the birthplace of Swedish aviation. The event coincides with the 100th anniversary of flying in Sweden. Light jets take off in Europe, and this international two-day conference will explore the latest developments in the corporate aviation sector of Europe, as well as new business models, opportunities, and challenges in the region. Business aircraft operators admitted at no cost. Click here for more information. Lancair Reorganizes, Evo at the Fore back to top  New Ownership At Lancair Lancair International, of Redmond, Ore., on Tuesday announced new ownership, new leadership, and an infusion of new operating capital for the company. Gene Wolstenholme is now majority owner and chairman, and his son Robert Wolstenholme, who built and flies his own Lancair IVP, was named president and CEO. The company now will focus on the owner-built Evolution turboprop, which Gene Wolstenholme described as "a world-class product." With five of the airplanes flying and 24 orders in hand, "we're off to a great start, and we are going to focus on pushing through this down economy and getting our incredible airplane to market," he said. Joe Bartels, CEO of the company since 2003, resigned his position last month but will remain a minority percentage owner. "Joe did a great job overseeing development of the Evolution aircraft," said Bob Wolstenholme, "and we now need to move ahead and expand the manufacturing infrastructure and training programs to support the Evolution product line." Bob Wolstenholme brings an extensive background in manufacturing from several Wolstenholme Group businesses based in Colmar, Penn., that build precision parts for the medical, aerospace, and telecommunication industries, as well as mine detectors and robots for bomb disposal. "Flying is, and has always been my passion," he said, "and this new partnership is a chance to bring our proven management skills together with Lancair's high-performance products with a focus on customer satisfaction." Tom Bowen will continue to head company operations management. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli recently took a look at the Evolution and its Lycoming IE2 electronic powerplant at Sun 'n Fun; click here for the video. Diamond Has Your Training Needs Covered Getting your license or upgrading your rating? Operating a flight school? Diamond offers the only complete modern fleet of technically-advanced training aircraft, along with model-specific flight training devices and a safety record that is second to none. Leading flight training schools around the globe fly Diamond Aircraft. Find out why. More Changes for Washington, D.C. Airspace back to top  FAA, TSA Amend DC Flight Rules Several changes to operations in the Special Flight Rules Area that affects Washington, D.C., airspace will become effective Sept. 1, the FAA said recently. The most significant change will affect pilots flying VFR who lose radio contact with controllers after departing from an airport located within the SFRA (which extends in a circle extending 30 nm out from Reagan National Airport). Under the current rules, those pilots must squawk 7600 on their transponders and immediately leave the SFRA by the most direct route. The new rule will allow pilots to return to their departure airport if it is closer than the SFRA boundary. The FAA also set a speed limit of 180 knots for VFR aircraft within the SFRA. The FAA also made minor tweaks to several other operating practices (click here for the complete official announcement). Also, EAA says the TSA has revised its rules for sport pilots using the three general aviation airports located within the inner 15-nm circle of the SFRA, known as the Flight Restricted Zone. The TSA has confirmed to EAA that it will treat sport pilots and recreational pilots the same as private pilots, in regards to operating at College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield and Hyde Executive Field. Previously, only private pilots with medical certificates were allowed to complete the application forms required for access to the three airports. TSA officials told EAA the omission was unintentional and the changes are effective immediately. The New EX600 MFD with QuickPan™ Is Simplicity Reinvented With the EX600's simple "map-centric" operation and new Map Panning feature, you can display a moving map of your flight plan and view Datalink Weather all along your route of flight. And view On-Board Wx Radar. And Special-Use Airspace. And Traffic. And Terrain. And Color Lightning. All without ever leaving the map page. It's the only MFD available that provides the complete picture. Flying Made Simple. Click here to learn more and enter to win an authentic Avidyne leather bomber jacket! Who's Where back to top  Promotions at Cessna Bill Collier Peter Wilkinson Cessna has announced that Peter Wilkinson will head the company's McCauley Propeller Systems operations as general manager, and Bill Collier will take over turbine and propeller aircraft parts distribution. Wilkinson has been with Cessna since 1997, and Collier joined the company in 2005. Who's Where? You Tell Us Get a promotion or a new job? Your colleagues want to know about it, and AVwebBiz can get the word out. Drop us a line about the staff appointment, with a nice recent photo, and we'll do our best to include it in our new section, "Who's Where." The items will be permanently archived on AVweb for future reference, too. Get More Rewards Faster with WingPoints®! Reward yourself when you refuel with WingPoints from Phillips 66® Aviation. Start earning points immediately, and earn double points when you use WingPoints with any Phillips 66 Aviation branded card. Get your card today! Opinion & Commentary back to top  AVweb Insider Blog: Fuel Fight — It's About Time Plowing through the minutes of the Coordinating Research Council on avgas research, Paul Bertorelli suddenly realized little has come of this quest because we just haven't had the loud discussion that's required. Well, we're having it now. And every owner who's sidled up to the Exxon nozzle has a dog in the fight. Click to read why Paul is excited about the fray — and why you should be, too. Advanced Airmanship This book is for professional pilots with high-level career goals. In it, Les Kumpula of Embry-Riddle University offers solutions for the pitch vs. power dilemma, USAF vs. FAA method conflicts, precision transitions, and accurate approach tracking. Demonstration software shows the book's procedures and examples in action. Book $34.95 / eBook $31.45 Call (800) 780-4115 or click here for more information. AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn back to top  Lycoming's IE2 Project Tech Review Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos If Lycoming's electronically controlled IE2 engine seemed like it was over the horizon, it is in fact just around the corner. Lycoming and Lancair are in full-swing flight test in the launch aircraft, the Lancair Evolution, and certified versions are expected by the end of this year or a little later. In this video, Lycoming's Jim Morris provides an update on the project. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. MySky MSOne LSA Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos There are a handful of high-wing LSAs offering tandem seating but only a couple of low-wing designs offering the same feature, giving that fighter-like view from the cockpit for both pilot and passenger. The MySky MSOne is one of those, and in this brief video, AVweb gets a look at the MSOne. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. Looking for Low-Cost, Yet Effective, Marketing Options? Let AVweb assist your company in creating effective direct-response marketing campaigns to generate leads. No other digital aviation news media reaches more qualified subscribers more often. Text messages in newsletters combined with online banners reach over 255,000 readers monthly and deliver more new users to sponsor sites weekly than most print publications do monthly. Click now for details. Help Us Celebrate AVweb's 15th Anniversary back to top  15 Years and Now 15 Grand Giveaways ... It's Your Chance to Win a Zaon PCAS XRX Win a Zaon PCAS XRX as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary! All you have to do is click here to enter your name and e-mail address. (You only have to enter once, and you'll be entered in our prize drawings for the entire year — so if you've already entered, you're all set.) And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, ever. Tell your friends, and invite them to sign up for AVweb so they can qualify for our 15 Grand Giveaways prize drawings, too. (We won't spam them, either — but we hope they will sign up for our newsletters.) Deadline for entries is 11:59pm Zulu time Friday, July 16, 2010. Click here to read the contest rules and enter. Congratulations to Richard Kemp of Canton, Georgia, who won an AV8OR handheld GPS in our last drawing! (click here to get your own from Bendix/King by Honeywell) The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! back to top  AVweb's Newstips Address ... Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. Names Behind the News back to top  Meet the AVwebBiz Team AVwebBiz is a weekly summary of the latest business aviation news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service. The AVwebBiz team is: Publisher Timothy Cole Editorial Director, Aviation Publications Paul Bertorelli Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles Contributing Editors Mary Grady Glenn Pew Features Editor Kevin Lane-Cummings Webmaster Scott Simmons Contributors Jeff van West Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.) Comments or questions about the news should be sent here. Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team. If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebBiz. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.