NEW AIRLINE SECURITY FEARS BOOST BIZAV
Although bottom-line impact hasn't been felt -- yet -- last week's terrorism-related restrictions on airline travel are proving to be a major boost to business and general aviation interests in North America and, presumably, Europe. By canceling trans-Atlantic flights and banning from airline cabins many electronic devices and most liquids, anti-terrorism authorities in the United Kingdom and the U.S. may have done a big favor for private aviation. Since then, major-media news stories covering the alleged terrorist threat have highlighted airline delays, cancellations and lengthy security lines involving flights between the two countries; domestic U.S. flights have also been affected. More...

BUSINESS TRAVELERS LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES
As one wag put it, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's actions last week "deemed an entire state of matter to be a security risk" -- as well as business necessities like cellphones and laptop computers. But there were no new rules in effect for the average general or business flight, something for which the industry was thankful. And busy. According to Adam Aircraft, the company's Web site experienced a 20-percent increase in "hits" late in the week, which company spokeswoman Shelly Simi attributed to "people looking for alternative travel and ways to avoid the airlines." It didn't stop with Adam: The New York Times reported many so-called "jet card" operators saw a surge in bookings and inquires. More...

THE VLJ RACE BEGINS
It's been years in the making, but the race between very light jet (VLJ) manufacturers will soon be at high speed. That's if Eclipse and Cessna have anything to say about it. Cessna last week said it began function and reliability (F&R) flight testing on its forthcoming Citation Mustang VLJ, which the company maintains is "the last step before gaining type certification from the FAA." “We have essentially completed the majority of our certification issues and expect to wrap things up with the F&R program, keeping us on schedule for TC as predicted four years ago when we launched the program. Not only will we meet FAR Part 23 requirements, we’ll also meet a number of the Part 25 commuter aircraft requirements regarding takeoff and landing performance,” said Jon Carr, Citation Mustang project engineer. More...

EVERYONE'S "ON TRACK"
For Cessna, Carr said its Mustang type certificate will include approval for single-pilot operation, day/night operations, visual and instrument flight rules (VFR/IFR), and operations in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace -- same as Eclipse. In fact, Cessna is being forced to say its Citation Mustang "will be one of the first new aircraft certified with" certain features, instead of the first. Like Eclipse, Cessna maintains the Citation Mustang remains "on track" for certification in the fourth quarter of 2006. More...

GULFSTREAM'S G150 ENTERS SERVICE
Gulfstream Aerospace this week celebrated the newest addition to its fleet -- the G150 business jet. Billed as Gulfstream’s "first true mid-size business jet," the G150 was introduced in September 2002 and certified ahead of the company's schedule. The G150 completed its first flight on May 3, 2005, and received FAA certification on Nov. 7, 2005. The G150 aircraft are designed and built in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel. Initial manufacturing is completed in Tel Aviv, then the aircraft are flown to Gulfstream’s Dallas facility for the final phase of manufacturing. More...

SINO SWEARINGEN SJ30 SETS RECORDS
The Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation (SSAC) said last month its SJ30 light jet had unofficially set records for range and speed for a light jet. The company flew an SJ30 from San Antonio, Texas, to Goose Bay, Canada, refueled, and then flew on to the Farnborough air show in Farnborough, England. Records claimed by the company include fastest time in its class from San Antonio to Goose Bay and from San Antonio to Farnborough. The flights were observed by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and won't be official until the NAA verifies them. More...

JET AVIATION ADDS TO U.S. MANAGEMENT FLEET
Zurich-based Jet Aviation said recently its U.S. aircraft management division added 10 new aircraft to its fleet through new long-term agreements. New additions in the U.S. include a Falcon 900EX, a Citation III, a Citation V, a Gulfstream III, a Gulfstream V, a Gulfstream IVSP, a Challenger 300, a Global Express, a Challenger 601 and two Hawker 800s. "Demand for comprehensive aircraft management support is strong and we are pleased that Jet Aviation continues to be the management partner of choice," said Michael Szczechowski, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation's U.S. aircraft management division. More...

BOMBARDIER'S SAFETY STANDDOWN SET
Billed as its "War on Error," Canadian airframer Bombardier has set dates for this year's "Safety Standdown," the company's four-day seminar focusing on safe business aircraft operation. This year's seminar will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita, Kan., Oct. 2 through Oct 5, and is open to operators of all aircraft, not just Bombardier's. More...

AVwebBiz is a twice-monthly summary of the latest business aviation news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.

Today's issue was written by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside (bio).

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