February 11th, 2011
TAG Farnborough has won its protracted and acrimonious battle with the local community to double the number of aircraft movements at the UK’s only dedicated business aviation airport following the UK government’s decision to approve the plans.
TAG has fought for more than a year to overturn Rushmoor Borough Council’s decision to reject the airport’s application for an annual movement hike from 28,000 to 50,000 movements by 2019. The council says it reached this verdict based on a possible increase in noise levels and safety concerns from residents.
The government’s decision to uphold TAG’s appeal “means that Farnborough can meet more of the growing demand for business aviation which facilitates overseas trade, inward investment and generates local jobs,” says the airport. “We are taking an industry leading stance on noise mitigation and climate change and will continue to engage with the local community to tackle important environmental issues,” it continues.
Swiss-owned TAG Farnborough has seen business aircraft movements at Farnborough soar from 16,100 in 2003 – its first full year of operation at the site – to more than 25,500 in 2008. TAG Aviation has invested around £100 million ($148 million) upgrading the airport since it became leaseholder of the site – home to the biennial Farnborough air show – in 2001.
Posted in Passenger Charter | No Comments »
January 19th, 2011
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced that the world’s major business aircraft manufacturers have committed to exhibit at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012).
“When NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) announced our plans for ABACE2012, the overwhelming support for the show expressed by industry leaders and CEOs was unprecedented,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are delighted that virtually all the major manufacturers, including Airbus Corporate Jets, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna Aircraft Company, Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Embraer Executive Jets, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation have turned their declarations of support for the show into commitments to exhibit.”
NBAA’s announcement about the exhibitors’ commitments follows a recent ABACE planning meeting in Shanghai between Bolen and high-ranking government and airport officials. The meeting provided the Shanghai officials with an overview of the efforts underway to ensure ABACE2012 will not only be the premier business aviation event in Asia, but will take its place alongside NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition as one of the key business aviation events in the world.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 17th, 2011
Gulfstream test pilots & flight-test engineers recently made business-aviation history when they flew the Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft for the first time using only an electrically powered, fly-by-wire back-up flight control actuation system.
Gulfstream’s Serial Number (S/N) 6001 flew for a total of 3hrs & 33 minutes on 21st December 2010. Test pilots Jake Howard and Gary Freeman along with flight-test engineers Bill Osborne & Nathaniel Rutland evaluated the fly-by-wire system in electric back-up actuation mode for 2hrs & 20 minutes of the flight, performing five landings with the backup system engaged.
“The system performed flawlessly” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering & test, Gulfstream. “There was no difference in handling qualities between the electrically and hydraulically powered modes”
“It flew so well that unless pilots were told they were in the back-up actuation mode I don’t think they would notice” said test pilot Freeman.
Typically, fly-by-wire uses a third hyraulic system to provide redundancy in the event of a dual hydraulic system failure. However, Gulfstream’s fly-by-wire architecture uses electric back-up hydraulic actuators (EBHA): electronically controlled actuators that are primarily hydraulically powered but offer electric power as a back-up.
The G650 has an EBHA at every primary control surface (elevator, rudder & aileron) as well as the outboard spoiler. These Provide enhanced safety & aircraft availability because of the two different power sources. The self contained actuators also offer an advantage following extremely rare failure scenarios, such as a rotor bust.
The 21st December G650 flight began with evaluating the electric back-up mode handling qualities in one axis and then progressed to full evaluations in all axes (pitch, roll & yaw). The test conditions consisted of all flap settings at 10,000 feet for speeds ranging from.13 reference stall speed (VSR) to maximum flap extended speed (VFE). Cruise configurations were evaluated at FL280, FL350 & FL450 and the full speed spectrum. The pilots also initiated an emergency decent profile from FL450 to FL250. Additionally, they evaluated handling qualities in the landing configuration by making multiple offset approaches at Brunswick Golden Isles Airport in Brunswick, GA.
Posted in Off the Runway ..., Passenger Charter | No Comments »
January 17th, 2011
The European Business Aviation Association has launched a campaign for operators, brokers and passengers to curtail illegal charter flight activity within Europe.
The operation of illegal charters has been a top agenda item for EBAA over the past year, and the Association is taking this forward into positive action in 2011. Operating without a valid Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and failing to comply with traffic rights are key concerns for many within the business aviation community. To help eliminate such practices, EBAA has published “Is My Flight Legal. Ensure the Safety and Legality of the Business Aircraft you Charter”, which provides guidance to operators and brokers on the subject.
“It is in the reputational and commercial interest of all in business aviation to ensure that the flights advertised and arranged are legally permissible and in compliance with the regulatory safety standards demanded of AOC holders,” stresses Brian Humphries, EBAA President and CEO. “EBAA has therefore compiled a document that clearly stipulates what activities fall within the realm of permissible flight activity within Europe, which do not. This electronic document is addressed to operators and brokers, and has been distributed to all EBAA Members. Furthermore, we encourage operators and brokers to forward copies of it to as many colleagues as they can to ensure the widest reach possible for this important campaign.”
Posted in Passenger Charter | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2010
A new US operator has been approved by DEFRA for the carriage of dogs and cats from the United States and Canada to Biggin Hill, UK.
The Pet Travel Scheme has enabled dogs and cats from the U.S. and Canada to enter the UK since December 11, 2002. Only certain carriers are approved and this is one of the few private jet companies that have an agreement with the ‘PET’s Program to do this.
The process requires several detailed steps without any stress for owner and beloved pets. With the proper paperwork in hand, and a final treatment required shortly before travel, client’s pets can enter the U.K. together without a quarantine requirement!
Posted in Passenger Charter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2010
US airports are considering a new way of clearing snow — heating pavement. – Could this be the way for UK airports in the furture?
Workers have traditionally relied on chemicals, plows and sweepers to clear snow on runways and taxiways. But some in the industry are pitching the Federal Aviation Administration to make the new methods — passing electric current under the pavement or circulating warm liquids through pipes or tubes — eligible for the federal funding that airports receive for capital-improvement projects.
In a report that outlines the specifications needed for its grants, the FAA says the heating systems could enhance safety for equipment operators, minimize disruptions caused by heavy snow, provide a greener option or reduce snow-removal time.
Disadvantages include high initial costs and complex installation procedures, the FAA says.
The FAA also advised that heated-pavement systems be limited to locations at the airport where manual and chemical treatments are difficult and operational safety is a factor.
It’s being tested on a limited basis at a few airports, says Chris Oswald of Airports Council International-North America. But airports are generally reluctant to install the systems because they’re concerned about ongoing energy costs, he says. “There isn’t a compelling need for these systems in the industry,” Oswald says. “We don’t believe the case has been demonstrated for the need, and that’s what we want to see.”
The council says the FAA has to be more discriminating on selecting new technology eligible for federal subsidies, given the limited pool of money.
Posted in Passenger Charter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2010
British entrepreneur Lord Sugar recently took delivery of Embraer’s newly-certificated transatlantic-capable Legacy 650 business jet. The aircraft (G-SUGA), piloted by Kevin McGrath, departed Embraer’s facilities in São Jose dos Campos, Brazil on Saturday, destined for its new home at London Stansted Airport.
The aircraft will be looked after and operated by an award-winning VIP charter operator, who will also be marketing the aircraft for third party charter use. The Legacy 650 will be maintained and supported at Inflite, which already looks after Lord Sugar’s previous Legacy 600.
“I am absolutely delighted to be accepting this brand new aircraft,” said Lord Sugar. “It has a considerably longer range, it’s fast, it has a very generous hold, accessible from the cabin and is ideal for the 300 hours or so of business flying I do every year. I looked at several aircraft types, but this was the one that fully mirrored my needs. It’s as quiet as the Falcon 7X.”
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 23rd, 2010
A US private air charter operator located in Santa Barbara, California has added another brand new Phenom 100 to its air charter fleet. This new aircraft addition is based in the Santa Ana/San Diego area, complimenting the operator’s existing fleet of light jets based in California.
This new aircraft has a range of 1,000 nautical miles, four leather seats, 120V power outlets, and a fully enclosed lavatory. The fuel efficiency gives the aircraft a very attractive charter rate.
The Embraer Phenom 100 is a great charter airplane, and by adding a second Phenom 100 down in Southern California this will expand the service area.
Posted in Passenger Charter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 8th, 2010
A new Learjet 45 to the private air charter network is now online.
The Lear 45 is a meticulously maintained 2002, which has had one Part 91 corporate owner. The combination of non-stop range to the east coast, eight captain chairs, an enclosed toilet and a large exterior baggage compartment makes the Lear 45 the perfect aircraft for today’s discerning client.
The new hangar features all the comfort and amenities that business jet customers expect and need in today’s competitive environment. Clients will be able to pull through a private gate directly to the aircraft door. Their car will be washed and stored in the private hangar, awaiting their return.
Learjet 45 Information -
The Lear 45/45XR, a light charter jet, is produced by Learjet, Bombardier Aerospace Company, and is currently in production under the name Lear 45XR. With its two powerful Honeywell TFE731-20-BR engines, the Lear 45 has a tremendous range for private air charter of 1,969 nautical miles and reaches maximum speeds in excess of 460 mph. The Lear 45 can soar at an altitude of 51,000 feet, well over any inclement weather, and climb at a rate of 2,800 feet per minute. Dominating the super light category, the Lear 45XR has the longest range and the power to fly at faster speeds with more passengers than any other aircraft in its class. The super light Lear 45 and Lear 45XR offer private jet charter passengers a luxurious, spacious and comfortable cabin of almost 500 cubic feet of space, to maximize time and functionality.
Posted in Passenger Charter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 1st, 2010
One of America’s leading private jet charter firms, announced at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention that it is adding two Global 5000 business jets to its fleet. The 16-seat Global 5000 will be based in Columbus, Ohio, while the 13-seat Global 5000 will be based in the New York City metropolitan area, at MacArthur Airport in Islip.
At the NBAA show, the 13-seat Global 5000 was on static display at the Bombardier stand at DeKalb Peachtree Airport. The Bombardier Global 5000 is a super large business jet that is capable of flying directly from the United States to Europe at high speeds, close to 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) nonstop at Mach 0.80. The 16-seat Global 5000 has a 4,800- mile nonstop capability, while the 13-seat Global 5000 has a 5,200- mile nonstop capability, for longer trips.
Posted in Passenger Charter | No Comments »