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June 6, 2007
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Announcing the Online MBA for Aviation Professionals
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Monday afternoon's crash into Lake Michigan of a Cessna Citation Bravo engaged in transporting human organs for transplant killed all six aboard the flight, including the two crew
and four medical team members. The jet, N550BP, had just launched from Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (KMKE), headed for the Willow Run Airport (KYPS) near Detroit, when its crew
reportedly declared an emergency and stated its intention to return to KMKE. Seconds later, after climbing to approximately 2,000 feet MSL, the jet was lost from radar as it descended through 600
feet. Within an hour, searchers discovered aircraft wreckage -- including human remains -- and a jet fuel slick on Lake Michigan's surface roughly a mile east of Milwaukee's lakeshore. Reported
weather at KMKE within minutes of the crash included northerly winds at 10 knots with gusts to 19, nine statute miles' visibility in light rain, scattered clouds at 1600 feet, a broken cloud layer at
3000 feet and an overcast at 3500 feet. The Citation Bravo was leased from Southland, Mich.-based Toy Air and operated by Marlin Air for the University of Michigan Survival Flight air ambulance
program. The medical team aboard the flight was composed of University of Michigan employees.
According to published reports, the crew radioed ATC they were experiencing a "runaway" condition, presumably of the Citation's pitch controls. Early on Tuesday, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bruce Jones
told reporters, "The condition of the aircraft debris and human remains found indicate a high-speed impact," confirming early information indicating the Citation had a groundspeed of approximately 185
knots when it was lost from ATC radar. Dennis Hoyes and Bill Serra piloted the Citation, according to published reports; both were employed by Marlin Air. Passengers included Drs. David Ashburn and
Martinus "Martin" Spoor plus transplant donation specialists Richard Chenault II and Richard Lapensee. The medical team had flown to Milwaukee Monday to harvest human lungs for a double transplant;
whether flight crewmembers Hoyes and Serra piloted the Citation to KMKE wasn't available at AVweb's deadline. No information was available on the intended transplant recipient's fate. The NTSB
is investigating.
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The aftermath of last September's midair collision between a Gol Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a brand-new Embraer Legacy 600 bizjet operated by U.S.-based ExcelAire has become more complicated in
recent days. Last week, a Brazilian federal judge indicted the two Legacy pilots, Joseph Lepore, 42, and Jan Paul Paladino, 34, who prosecutors say accidentally turned off the plane's transponder. At
the same time, additional indictments were made against four unnamed air traffic controllers, presumably for failing to monitor the Legacy. Meanwhile, the bizjet's manufacturer said this week that
there was no indication its transponder had malfunctioned, a position echoed late last year by Honeywell, which made the equipment and denied it was subject to an Airworthiness Directive designed to
prevent the unit from inadvertently going into standby mode. Embraer President Frederico Fleury Curado told a Brazilian congressional commission "there was no equipment failure" aboard the Legacy
before the collision, which resulted in the deaths of all 154 aboard the 737. "We have to remove any affirmation that there was a problem with the transponder," he said, according to published
reports.
The pilots' indictments raised speculation among several observers on whether the two Legacy pilots would return to Brazil to face the charges against them. After spending almost three months in
detention, the pair was allowed to return to the U.S. in mid-December but only after they promised to return to
face any formal charges. Now, as AVweb reported, the pair's attorney, Joel Weiss, has indicated the
pilots may not return after all. If convicted of criminal charges in the collision, Lepore and Paladino could face up to 12 years imprisonment, according to various reports. A court date has been
set for Aug 27, in Brazil.
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If Honda Aircraft Co. Inc. doesn't set up a plant to manufacture its forthcoming jet engines in Burlington, N.C., city fathers may have a local politician to blame. Last Friday, state Representative
Cary Allred let it slip that North Carolina transportation department officials told him Honda and Burlington would announce a deal to locate the new plant "in about two weeks." Honda, which typically
would frown upon letting such a cat out of the bag, took a predictably dim view of the shenanigans, allowing Jeffrey Smith, the vice president of corporate affairs for American Honda Motor Co. Inc.,
to say only, “Honda is considering its options both within North Carolina and within other states. Nothing is a done deal at this point.” Honda is gearing up to produce its new HondaJet at
the nearby Piedmont Triad International Airport in 2010, but has yet to establish a facility to manufacture the HF120 engines it will use. According to published reports, Burlington has been -- or at
least thinks it has been -- a candidate location for the engine manufacturing facility.
In fact, Burlington's airport authority has gone so far as to take steps allowing it to acquire land for the factory and extend its runway. So far, the panel has agreed to a $5 million loan
allowing it to buy 120 acres next to the airport "for economic development" and for fill dirt slated for the runway project. The airport authority also has discussed what would be necessary to develop
the adjacent land, to the tune of $6 million. Other local officials in Burlington were keeping mum, however; they seemed content to let Allred twist slowly in the breeze. The Honda engine
manufacturing plant is expected to employ "only" 50 or so workers. Once full production begins, Honda Aircraft Co. Inc. has said it expects to manufacture as many as 400 HondaJets each year. At least
100 orders for the $3.65-million, to-be-certified light bizjet have been received, according to Honda.
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Time for a quick quiz: What has 11,267 attendees, 354 exhibitors, 1,423 booth spaces and 61 business aircraft on display? If you answered, "the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition
(EBACE2007)," held late last month in Geneva, you'd be correct. The event's sponsors -- the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), report
this year's show was the "biggest and best in the show’s seven-year history." As evidence, both EBAA and NBAA compare the numbers above with last year's tallies of 9,743 attendees -- a 15-percent
jump -- and 292 exhibitors, 1,206 booth spaces and "only" 56 business aircraft on display. The organizations report the three-day event helped promote safety and operational excellence throughout the
region and was highlighted by the presentation of the EBACE2007 European Business Aviation Award to Judith Moreton, managing director of Bombardier Skyjet International, and to Mark Wilson, chief
executive of the British Business and General Aviation Association, for their outstanding contributions to European business aviation.
“Once again, EBACE has managed to surpass even our highest expectations,” said EBAA CEO Brian Humphries. “The positive feedback we have received from both Exhibitors and Attendees,
along with the growing support of the business aviation community, is incredible. We are delighted to have this kind of momentum as we move forward in the years ahead.” “EBACE remains a
flagship forum for the European business aviation community and creates valuable opportunities to demonstrate what business aviation is all about,” added NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
“Record-breaking attendance and Exhibitor participation demonstrate the strength and diversity of the community here -- one which has become a major contributor to economic growth and investment
across the globe.” The next EBACE event is set for May 20 through 22, 2008, also in Geneva, where the show is scheduled through 2012.
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Echoing EBAA and NBAA about EBACE2007's success, Cessna last week announced it took in commitments for 40 new Citation business jets at last month's event in Geneva. The commitments for 40 new
airframes include an order for 25 Citation business jets received from JetAlliance, announced on May 24; Cessna expects deposits to firm all 40 orders by the end of June. The company also took orders
for three Model 208 Caravans and one Model 206 Stationair piston single. Cessna also said it is expanding its presence at this year's Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, scheduled for next month. The
company will bring its Citation CJ2+, Citation Encore+, Citation XLS and Citation Sovereign business jets; a Grand Caravan; a couple of piston singles; and a full-size cabin mock-up of its proposed
Large Cabin Concept long-range business jet.
"The tremendous inflow of business we saw at EBACE is indicative of the strength of the market in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe," said Roger Whyte, Cessna senior vice president, Sales &
Marketing. "We saw interest, and took orders, throughout the range of business jets -- from the Citation Mustang to the Citation X. This show continues to grow, and continues to bring in people who
want to buy airplanes." Whyte said the international market continues to expand, growing to almost half of Cessna's 2006 worldwide deliveries, up from levels of around 25 to 30 percent just a few
years ago. "We think the business jet is really proving its worth in the market throughout Europe and the Middle East," Whyte said. "The range of Cessna products available to meet the demand, coupled
with our ubiquitous support network, equals a tremendous value for our customers." Cessna's presence at the Paris Air Show will be in conjunction with fellow Textron companies Bell Helicopter, Textron
Systems and E-Z-GO.
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United Arab Emirates-based Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) last week said it inked an exclusive agreement with Eurocopter to make it the sole regional provider of helicopter maintenance services for
the helicopter manufacturer. The agreement includes the launch of a Eurocopter Maintenance Center at FAS’s Al Bateen airbase to provide full maintenance services for Eurocopter helicopters in the
Gulf region. Under the new pact, FAS and Eurocopter will work closely to develop systems and procedures for the new maintenance center, allowing FAS to benefit from Eurocopter’s global experience
and strategic partnerships with some 100 similar facilities worldwide. Additionally, FAS said it was ordering an additional four helicopters from Eurocopter, increasing its fleet from eight to
12.
“The maintenance center is part of our commitment to delivering the highest level of aviation services in terms of quality and customer service,” said Captain Salem Al Kayoumi, chairman
of FAS. “Thanks to this agreement, FAS will further position Abu Dhabi as a centre of excellence in regional helicopter maintenance. The creation of the centre will allow us to contribute to the
continuing development of the UAE aviation sector and ultimately, the national economy.” Xavier Hay, Eurocopter’s vice president in the Middle East and Africa, added, “There are over
650 Eurocopter helicopters in operation in the Gulf region and demand is increasing. We have been impressed with the level of professionalism and foresight of FAS’s management, and see this as a
long-term partnership which ensures that our regional customers receive international standards of maintenance and customer care.”
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Avidyne TAS600 — Because Two Antennas Are Better than One!
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Rockwell Collins and ARINC said yesterday they have entered into an agreement to reintroduce the former's eXchange broadband connectivity service using ARINC's SKYLink satellite network. Rockwell's
eXchange provides real time, two-way broadband connectivity of up to 3.5 Mbps to the aircraft and, when coupled with the SKYLink satellite service, customers aboard equipped aircraft will have access
to the Internet and corporate intranet (VPN), e-mail, a flat-rate Voice over IP (VoIP) global telephone service, videoconferencing capability and more. Under the two companies' agreement, Rockwell
Collins will supply airborne broadband hardware and after-sales support, while ARINC SKYLink will provide the Ku-band satellite service. ARINC also will continue to provide SKYLink system sales and
support until the transition to Rockwell Collins eXchange hardware is completed. Coverage for eXchange using the SKYLink service is currently available in North America and Europe, with North Atlantic
coverage to be added soon. Further international coverage expansion is planned for the Caribbean and portions of South and Central America.
"We look forward to delivering on our promise to provide fast, efficient connectivity solutions to the business jet market segment with this agreement," said Tommy Dodson, vice president and
general manager, Cabin Systems for Rockwell Collins. "This agreement will significantly enhance the SKYLink service offering on a global basis," stated Stephen Means, ARINC vice president, Aviation
Solutions. "Rockwell Collins adds additional OEM distribution channels for the eXchange airborne broadband connectivity hardware, along with the world class after-sales support that our customer base
expects."
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During last month's European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE 2007) in Geneva, the International Business Aviation Council's (IBAC) governing board voted to admit the Middle East
Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) as a new member. The IBAC expansion gives MEBAA direct access to the latest developments occurring in the international business aviation industry, according to
the association, which was launched only last year. The young association was formed by founding members Airbus, Bexair, Boeing Business Jets,
Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Emirates CAE, ExecuJet, Fairs & Exhibitions, Falcon Aviation Services, Gulfstream, Jet Aviation, JetEX, Lufthansa Technik, National Air Services (NAS), Royal Jet and
Wallan Aviation. It now has more than 45 members and anticipates additional organizations will be joining soon. IBAC is a U.S-based non-profit, non-governmental association, representing business
aviation's interests in international policy and regulatory forums.
Founded in 1981 and with the MEBAA addition, IBAC counts 13 international aviation associations as members, including the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the European Business Aviation
Association and the U.S.-based National Business Aviation Association. "MEBAA has been very active regionally in expanding the business aviation sector. We've worked hard to increase the efficiency
and effectiveness of this industry, which is clearly proved by the astounding 15-20% growth it witnesses annually. We are delighted to join our international peers under the IBAC umbrella and utilize
this opportunity to raise awareness about this growing industry in the Middle East," commented Ali Al Naqbi, chairman of MEBAA.
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DA40 Diamond Star a Fleet Favorite
Airline Transport Professionals, Beijing PanAm, Empire Aviation, European-American Aviation, Middle Tennessee State University, Sabena Airline Training Academy, Utah Valley State College, and Utah
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Go online for
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Signature Flight Support and NetJets Europe last week announced the two companies have settled on a Europe-wide, multi-year handling agreement designating Signature as NetJets’ preferred handler
at strategic FBO locations throughout Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The contract, which takes effect immediately, also includes Signature’s location in Cape Town, South
Africa. The agreement also gives Signature an even greater market-share advantage over its competitors since NetJets Europe is the single largest bizjet operator in the region.
As the only pan-European operator with its own fleet, NetJets Europe, through NetJets Transportes Aéreos (NTA), is the only dedicated business jet operator to be awarded certification via
IATA's Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. NetJets Europe is the marketing agent of NetJets Transportes Aéreos S.A., an EU air carrier. “We are delighted to cement this relationship
with NetJets Europe, the largest operator of corporate aircraft on the continent,” said David Best, managing director of Signature Flight Support Europe.
Paoli, Penn.-based AMETEK Inc. this week said it is acquiring two Wichita-based suppliers to the growing business jet market, B&S Aircraft Parts & Accessories plus Advanced Industries
Inc. B&S Aircraft Parts & Accessories is a third-party maintenance provider, including repair and overhaul services, concentrating on starter generators and hydraulic components, plus fuel systems,
for a wide variety of turbine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Meanwhile, Advanced Industries Inc. makes starter generators, actuators cabin ventilation components and motors for similar aircraft.
According to the Wichita Business Journal, the two companies have combined annual sales of $25 million.
AMETEK, meanwhile, manufactures solid-state instrumentation and electromechanical devices. Its 2006 sales totaled $1.8 billion. "These businesses serve the expanding business and regional jet
markets, have well-established relationships with the key aircraft manufacturers and provide AMETEK with a strategic footprint in Wichita," said Frank Hermance, AMETEK chairman and CEO. "They each
have an excellent reputation within the aerospace industry and offer an excellent fit with our existing aerospace business."
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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.
Today's issue was written by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside (bio).
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 AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Shiny side up, okay?
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