Volume 3, Number 21 — December 7, 2005

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FAA'S ATO TO REORGANIZE
The FAA's Air Traffic Organization -- that branch of AVweb's Favorite Aviation Agency responsible for the nation's air traffic control system -- will soon see a major reorganization, according to a letter its Chief Operating Officer Russell Chew published yesterday on the organization's Web site. While details of the reorganization plan won't be available until this Friday afternoon, Chew's letter to ATO employees makes it clear the agency is responding to what it perceives as the dwindling resources available. Wrote Chew, "Rising operating costs continue to leave a smaller and smaller share of our limited funds available to invest in people, facilities, and to modernize our aging infrastructure." Chew labeled his reorganization effort as the "next important step" in transitioning his ATO into the performance-based organization sought by Congress. The good news is that, for most operators, the coming changes will be mostly transparent. That's because Chew's plans mainly focus on administrative and staff support functions, not moving metal. More...

ECLIPSE 500 RECEIVES FAA TYPE INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION
Eclipse Aviation announced yesterday it has received Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) from the FAA for its forthcoming Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ). With this authorization, the FAA is saying the technical data required for Type Certification have reached a point where it appears to the agency the aircraft will meet FAA certification regulations. The practical effect is approving Eclipse's on-board aircraft testing of the Eclipse 500 for certification credit. According to Eclipse, it "demonstrated to the FAA that adequate development testing, analyses and design assurance have been achieved to allow formal entry into FAA certification testing." The company anticipates that, in coming months, the FAA will approve a series of TIAs allowing FAA engineers and test pilots to explore every facet of flying and operating the Eclipse 500. More...

NETJETS TO BUY 50 HAWKERS
Last week, the Raytheon Aircraft Company and NetJets announced an agreement for the airframer to supply 50 medium-sized Hawker 4000 aircraft to supplement the fractional operator's global fleet. The combined total value of the deal -- a 10-year guaranteed maintenance program was also negotiated -- will exceed $1 billion, making it the largest single non-military order in Raytheon Aircraft's history. Deliveries will begin in 2007 and continue through 2013. The Hawker 4000 is Raytheon's new name for the Hawker Horizon, which the company labels as the "flagship" of its bizjet line. “In addition to the innovative design and superior performance of the Hawker 4000, Raytheon Aircraft Company’s commitment to customer service and quality aircraft were key factors in our decision to purchase the aircraft,” said Richard Santulli, chairman of NetJets Inc More...

SHHH...: GULFSTREAM RESEARCHING SONIC BOOM SUPPRESSION
Can a supersonic bizjet be in our future? If Gulfstream Aerospace's ongoing roadshow, demonstrating what it calls its Supersonic Acoustic Signature Simulator II ™ (SASSII) in an apparent attempt to change existing federal regulation on supersonic flight over the U.S. is any indication, an SSBJ might be close than we think. According to Gulftream, its research into suppressing sonic booms caused by supersonic aircraft has led to SASSII's development, allowing it to demonstrate the results of its research by simulating the sound of supersonic flight: the “Gulfstream Whisper.” Gulfstream says its SASSII demonstrator has traveled extensively -- from Savannah to California to Washington, D.C. The 7-by-11-foot audio booth comprising SASSII, featuring a custom arrangement of high-fidelity speakers and housed in a 32-foot-long trailer, allows comparing the sound of traditional sonic booms to the Gulfstream Whisper. To date, more than 600 individuals have participated in the demonstration. More...

PIAGGIO AND AVANTAIR CONTRACT FOR 36 AIRCRAFT
Piaggio America and Avantair last month inked a deal calling for 36 of the distinctive Italian-made Piaggio Avanti II aircraft to be delivered to the fractional operator beginning in 2008 and continuing through 2010. The deal is worth more than $230 million and represents the largest single order in the airframer's history. "The demand for Avanti II aircraft continues to increase and this agreement will assure Avantair of a steady stream of aircraft for its fractional fleet through 2010,” said Tom Appleton, Piaggio America president and CEO. The first Piaggio P.180 Avanti production model flew in May 1990, and was certified in October 1990. The first Avanti II was certified in October 2005, and is scheduled to be delivered in early 2006. The Avanti II features enhanced avionics, engines, speed, payload and cabin comfort. More...

GROB SPN UTILITY JET UPDATE
GROB Aerospace recently provided an update on the flight-test program being conducted on the company's SPn Utility Jet, a lightweight jet announced earlier this year at the Paris Air Show. Unsurprisingly, GROB says its program -- and the airplane's performance -- continues to progress according to plans. So far, total test flights have numbered 46 since the new design first flew in July 2005. Tests have focused on "flight dynamics and performance, and included forward centre of gravity (CG) tests, initial Vmca flights, airflow visualization and tests of the airbrake and trim system," the company added. A second copy of the new jet is scheduled to join the flight-test program early next year. More...

P&WC EXPANDS RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK
Pratt & Whitney Canada last month announced it is expanding its U.S.-based network of rapid response Mobile Repair Teams (MRTs) "to provide faster support to its engine customers." According to the company, five additional teams will be strategically located throughout the country to minimize any downtime, regardless of an operator's location. Each of the company's MRTs is composed of two specialists who are trained and equipped to perform 24/7 on-site work on P&WC powerplants, including the PW300, PW500, JT15D and PT6 engine series. Each team's capabilities include performing hot section inspections on the company's PW500, JT15D and PT6 engine families. More...

TEB PLANS FEE INCREASES
If the Port Authority of N.Y. and N.J. has its way -- and it usually does -- the so-called "flight" fees imposed at Teterboro (TEB) will go up as of Jan. 1. The fee increases are being imposed, says the authority, to help cover the costs of "increased operating, capital and safety improvement expenditures at the airport." Among the improvements for which the authority is seeking additional monies are taxiway pavement and edge lighting, plus enhancing the airport's drainage systems and new fire/rescue vehicles. Interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the increased fees at the Port Authority's monthly airport manager's meeting, set for 10:00 am on Dec. 14. More...

WHILE NAVCANADA PROPOSING ITS OWN CHANGES
Meanwhile, ATC services provider NavCanada this month formally notified operators and the public of its proposed new and revised service charges for air navigation services. NavCanada said its new fee structure would become effective on March 1, 2006, and results from a review of its rate stabilization account and aeronautical publications plus the charging and cost-allocation methodologies it uses begun in January. According to the company, the proposed revisions represent changes in methodology only and are designed to result in the same total revenue for NavCanada, if not changes in costs for some operators. Under the proposed changes, NavCanada will be tweaking many of the fees it imposes, including the terminal services charge, the daily charges and the international communication services charge. Additionally, the organization is proposing increases in its rate stabilization account and changing its credit terms and conditions. More...

SIGNATURE CONTINUES ACQUISITIONS
Three new acquisitions in California in recent weeks have brought the Signature Flight Support FBO chain to a total of 66 wholly owned facilities worldwide. The newest additions -- Long Beach Million Air Inc., at Long Beach Airport / Daugherty Field and at the Oxnard Airport near Santa Barbara, plus Million Air La Quinta at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM) in Riverside County, Calif. -- cements the chain's position at the top of the FBO ladder. As if there were any questions. In fact, the number of wholly owned FBOs does not include joint-venture FBOs, in Brazil (13) and Hong Kong. More...

WATCH YOUR INBOX...
...the next issue of AVweb's BizAVflash will be e-mailed to you on Dec. 21. More...

Business AVflash is a twice-monthly summary of the latest business aviation
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Today's issue written by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside:
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