DHS SECURITY RULES COMING TO BUSINESS AVIATION
A security program designed by the Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with industry groups is intended specifically for implementation in the business aviation community and might become a published proposed rule by the end of the quarter, according to NBAA. The final rule is likely to draw its line in the sand by weight and include requirements for criminal background checks and fingerprinting, but probably won't affect piston aircraft or light turboprops. The exact weight limits have not yet been determined, and a final rule isn't expected to clear the regulatory process much within two years. Highlighting measures already in place, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen responded to an article published in the Portland Press Herald about the pending rules, saying that security has always been a top priority for general aviation and that his organization would continue to work with DHS in seeking a balance between security concerns and convenient business travel. More...

CESSNA GOES LARGE IN PARIS
Cessna will next week display a full-scale mockup of its newest large-cabin, long-range business jet concept, dubbed the LCC, at the 47th International Paris Air Show. Since last year at NBAA, when the concept was announced and the LCC mockup was unveiled, Cessna has gauged market demand and formulated a preliminary design that "would set a new standard for performance, cabin comfort, passenger amenities and environmental friendliness," according to Cessna. The mockup outsizes Cessna's Sovereign and Citation X models with a nine-pass enger layout with a "large galley and toilet." Many details, including any decision on specific suppliers of avionics and engines, have not yet been defined, but the mockup going to Paris will display a "representative flight deck." The company says it has received "extremely positive reaction" to the performance parameters and cabin design of the LCC, but that "a final decision on whether to launch the aircraft is still a ways off." More...

CAA RULE CHANGE COULD REVEAL OPERATORS
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is concerned that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will compromise the safety and security of some business aviation owners and operators by publishing contact information for Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders. A CAA communication, which EBAA Chief Executive Brian Humphries calls a new interpretation of existing regulations, could mean that as early as June 29 full contact information for all AOC holders will be published, excepting those whose petitions for exemption are accepted. (The CAA reserves the right to reject any argument.) EBAA says the move contradicts a clause of Section 23 of the Civil Aviation Act that prohibits the CAA from "publishing information relating to a particular individual or company." But the CAA points to another clause that says it may publish information subject to "offering the person an opportunity to make representations," which, as previously mentioned, it claims the right to reject. More...

ECLIPSE VLJ PRODUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAINING UPDATE
Eclipse Aircraft says its Avio NG avionics package for the Eclipse 500 very light jet is progressing through testing at a pace that is slightly behind schedule, but the system has been flown on one jet. A second Avio NG-equipped 500 will fly later this month. The company believes it has identified and resolved a pitot/AOA system icing problem discovered in testing that resulted in loss of pitot pressure in both the left and right primary flight displays. A new system design has been submitted to the FAA for certification this month. Affected customers can seek retrofits in July. A new design intended to address fatigue cracks found in the outer layer of the windshield and side window has led to increased inspection and replacement intervals (inspection every 300 flights and replacement at 1,500 and 600 flights for windshield and side windows, respectively). The certification for the new window designs begins this month. Physical modifications to the aircraft for enhanced performance continue and certification for those is expected "soon." More...

HAWKER BEECHCRAFT SALES SOAR IN Q1
As the Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Company moves toward ownership of the forthcoming Hawker Beechcraft, the company has reported net first quarter sales of $667.8 million -- up 32.3 percent over the same period last year. Along with that, the company reported an increase to $28.4 million from $10.1 million in first-quarter operating income, an increase it attributes to deliveries and "a favorable product mix." Cash used in investing activities increased from $8.7 million in Q1 2006 to $27.3 million this year. "Expenditures relate to capital expenditures consisting of company-manufactured tooling, expansion of manufacturing facilities and modernizing equipment and software additions," the company said. More...

VIRGIN CHARTER LAUNCHES ONLINE MARKETPLACE
Sir Richard Branson on Tuesday announced the launch of Virgin Charter, a new online marketplace catering to "buyers and sellers of private aviation services." The "full-service marketplace" allows sellers to offer their inventory to a larger customer base without necessitating a change in the way they normally do business. Virgin Charter does not own or operate any aircraft or serve as a broker. Sellers make their inventory available on the service and buyers use the service to manage their entire trip online from finding available aircraft, to negotiating pricing and purchasing private air travel. The team behind Virgin Charter is led by founder and CEO Scott Duffy and includes technology and aviation executives "from Google, Expedia, eBay and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory." More...

CAE SIMUFLITE NORTHEAST ANNOUNCES EXPANSION
The CAE SimuFlite Northeast Training Center, located near the Morristown Airport in New Jersey, last week opened its doors as the company's newest business aviation training center, while CAE simultaneously announced plans to expand that center from six to 12 simulator bays to meet demand. The company is aligning itself for profitable positioning with regard to an expected increase in business jet deliveries of approximately 40 percent over the next few years. The current six-bay center will serve entitlement training for the Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 900EX EASy, Falcon 2000EX EASy, Gulfstream IV and Sikorsky S-76. Expansion will include a "fully-convertible Gulfstream 450/550 full-flight simulator." The company's 7X simulator is the first ever created for the 19 passenger (max) fly-by-wire business trijet. More...

JETDIRECT ACQUIRES SUNSET AVIATION
JetDirect Aviation Holdings, through acquisition of Sunset Aviation in northern California, will add a ninth regional base of operations and increase its combined fleet to more than 130 managed aircraft. JetDirect says its retail charter business and Sentient Jet Membership Program tripled in size over the past two years and that it already claims its place as "the largest FAA Part 135 managed fleet." Key members of Sunset's management team will continue to oversee operations in northern California and support other JetDirect businesses. "This acquisition is an example of our continued drive to increase the value we provide our customers," said Steven Hankin, JetDirect's president and chief operating officer. More...

JET SOURCE TO GO FRACTIONAL WITH SPECTRUM JETS
Launching a new brand identity this September and a new 35,000-sq-ft facility in Henderson, Nev., 10-year-old Jet Source of Carlsbad, Calif., has announced plans to offer fractional jet ownership (including Spectrum twinjets) through three unique offerings targeting business travel, personal travel and licensed pilot travel. The company, which shares its Carlsbad home with Spectrum Aeronautical says the two have forged a business alliance that will ultimately bring the Spectrum Independence (Model 33) and Spectrum Freedom (Model 40) all-composite jets to the fractional market. The eight-place Independence is scheduled for certification and initial deliveries in 2009, and the nine-place Freedom is expected to follow in 2010. "Spectrum’s aircraft provide incredibl e fuel efficiency with the style and pizzazz our clients crave," says Jet Source, which plans to appeal to its target markets through a fractional-ownership program , an owner-pilot club and travel cards. More...

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