Private Jets Charter News

Thai presses on with current strategy and new regional carrier despite upcoming political changes

Thai Airways International is moving forward with plans to launch new regional carrier Thai Wing despite the possibility of a change in management and strategy after Thailand’s new government comes to power. The new government is also being asked to quickly make a decision on Thai’s proposal to...

Webjet acquisition improves Gol's position in world's fourth largest domestic market

Consolidation in the fast-growing Brazilian market has taken another major step with Gol agreeing to acquire smaller low-cost carrier Webjet for BRL96 million (USD61 million). The deal follows several moves over the last two years by Gol’s archrival TAM as Brazil’s two largest airline groups battle...

Vision drops some routes, to add international service

After dropping five of its 24 points, Vision Airlines plans to expand to the Bahamas in November after signing a agreement with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board to begin service connecting the popular tourist destination to Fort Lauderdale, Louisville, Richmond, Raleigh and Baltimore/Washington...

Pilot commuting needs more study to determine safety effects

Congress is not likely to be satisfied with the results of a National Research Council study, required by the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, published yesterday on pilot commuting, concluding there is not enough data to dtermine whether commuting may be a safety...

Should rare planes be grounded?

“Liberty Belle crashed just outside of Aurora. Seven out of seven onboard made it out.” This text message greeted me the morning of June 13. Like so many other warbird enthusiasts, I went to the Internet to search for information about the accident. I found video shot from both the ground and the...

Cimber Sterling thrown USD32m lifeline by Skyways and City Airlines owner

Struggling Danish LCC Cimber Sterling has received a DKK165 million (USD31.9 million) lifeline from Mansvell Enterprises Ltd. If approved, Mansvill will become the majority shareholder in Cimber with a 66.7% stake. The deal would enable Manswell to "conclude a significant step towards its ambition of...

Air Canada and WestJet report slightly weaker load factor in Jun-2011

Air Canada and WestJet Airlines, Canada's two largest carriers, both reported slight load factor reductions in the shoulder month of Jun-2011, but expressed optimism about a pick-up in demand during the peak summer travel months of Jul-2011 and Aug-2011. The much smaller Porter Airlines, meanwhile,...

EPA dramatically scales back ethanol mandates

The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114...

Australia puts a AUD23 per tonne price on carbon; airlines to be hit hard

Sections of the Australian aviation industry, especially regional carriers, have expressed concern with the Federal Government’s introduction of a carbon price system from 01-Jul-2012, while major carriers are warning of fare increases to recoup rising fuel costs. Domestic airlines will not have access...

Over the horizon LSA producers: Iran and Malaysia

Most of what our media reports about Iran is bad: Islamic militants. Contested elections. Brutal suppression of dissent. Nuclear ambitions. What we don't hear is about the country's light aircraft producers. Then consider Malaysia. Do you think of that country relative to aircraft production? Do you...

Production complete on ‘Rise Above’

Filmmaker Adam White has completed production on his new film "Rise Above," which is being produced by Hemlock Films for the Red Tail Squadron. The film, about the Tuskegee Airmen, will be shown in a mobile theater, complete with a 170° curved screen to put you in the airplane. Continue Reading &...

China is making a big GA mistake

A recent blog post by Aviation International News' Matt Thurber notes that while Chinese companies are making huge investments in GA, the Chinese government is making "a gigantic mistake that will make it difficult for these investments ever to pay off." Thurber goes on to say: "A recent report notes...

The world that wasn’t – past visions of aviation’s future

Aviation is poised to enter a bold new era of superjumbo jets, low-emissions engines powered by algae and commercial space flight. Yet, these innovations are pedestrian compared with conceptions of flight that date back centuries, according to a new photo gallery at Txchnologist, an online magazine...

Triple Play: Pipistrel wins SLSA approvals

After a pause in new SLSA, Pipistrel burst onto the scene with multiple approvals — three at once — reports Michael Coates, the importer for Pipistrel USA. We raced to get these placed on the SLSA List because it's news, but also because FAA uses this list to verify new models before assigning them...

Spring Airlines slows expansion due to pilot shortage; strategy evolves

Spring Airlines, since its establishment in 2005, has defied the odds by growing rapidly and profitably in the heavily regulated Chinese market that favours the larger, state-owned carriers. While it has had success as the nation’s largest LCC, it has faced a number of challenges. The latest hurdle...

TSA names acting manager for GA

The Transportation Security Administration has named Kerwin Wilson acting general manager for general aviation, succeeding Brian Delauter, who left the post May 23, according to a report at AOPA.org, which notes "Wilson will lead efforts to enhance security within the GA sector, working in partnership...

Middle Georgia College partners with Thrush Aircraft

The Georgia Aviation Campus of Middle Georgia College (MGC), in Eastman, recently celebrated a successful partnership between the college and Thrush Aircraft Co., a manufacturer of agricultural application airplanes in Albany, Georgia. Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by Janice...

Al Conklin Scholarship deadline looming

The deadline for students to apply for the Al Conklin Scholarship is July 29. Each year, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Conklin & de Decker award $5,000 to a student who is enrolled in an aviation management program Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by...

Keep your iPad clean and protected

Pilots and iPads form a terrific partnership, and now Sporty’s offers a microfiber cloth to clean iPads — with the added bonus of important aviation information. Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Decalin RunUP Fuel Additive fights lead build-up

Now available is Decalin RunUP Fuel Additive, which is designed to prevent lead build-up in engines running 100LL. Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Gardner’s ‘Complete Private Pilot’ now in 11th edition

"The Complete Private Pilot" by Bob Gardner, now in its 11th edition, covers everything involved with becoming a Private, Sport, or Recreational pilot, preparing students for the FAA Knowledge Exam and checkride. Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. &...

Million Air awarded lease at Calgary’s YYC

Million Air has inked a multi-year lease agreement for the construction and development of a new FBO complex at the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 10th, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Out of balance Beech crashes

This July 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Beech C35. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Weslaco, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What...

Standing tall in the face of opposition

Let's be totally honest for a moment. Airplanes crash now and then. They ditch, make emergency landings, have system failures and, once in a while, one of them catches on fire. That's all true. It's also exceedingly rare. We need to be truthful and willing to speak on that topic. Because we can tell...

UK Government publishes call for evidence about its stake in NATS

The UK Government is taking another look at its ownership in UK air navigation services provider (ANSP) NATS, announcing a ‘call for evidence’ over its stake earlier in Jun-2011. The ANSP, partially privatised in 2000, has been the subject of much debate over the past six months, concerning the...

EASA finally releases LSA certification specifications

Try not to yawn. This is important. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), roughly the equivalent of FAA for the European Union, finally released its CS-LSA, or Certification Specification for Light-Sport Aircraft. While not exactly what the industry hoped for, it at least represents acceptance...

UK/Irish carriers report mostly strong growth in Jun-2011

Ryanair, easyJet and IAG reported strong traffic growth in Jun-2011, though Aer Lingus continue to struggle. Aer Lingus reported monthly passenger traffic fell 1.7% to 925,000 in Jun-2011. The airline said the figures reflected ongoing uncertainty caused by the threat of industrial action by pilots.

One airline, two brands serve Caribbean

As headlines in Jamaica touted the end of an era, Caribbean Airlines, which acquired Air Jamaica in May, promised to become a “truly Caribbean airline” to serve the Caribbean as one airline but two brands. The two brands are now operating under the Caribbean Airlines BW code as they continue to...

EAA Chapter 1083 hosts summer camp

Rowan Area EAA Chapter 1083 in North Carolina recently hosted A.S.C.E.N.D — Aviation Summer Camp Exploring New Dimensions — at Rowan County Airport (RUQ). Continue Reading »===> Posted on July 11th, 2011 by GAN Staff. No comments. © GAN 2011.

SkyWorks Capital COO sees current environment creating many opportunities: aircraft financing

President and COO of SkyWorks Capital, Jeffrey Craine, talks to CAPA about the opportunities for SkyWorks in light of IATA's industry downgrade, the strong sale and leaseback market for airlines, and the likelihood of consolidation in the industry over time.