Private Jets Charter News

Tailwheel airplane challenges pilot

This August 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: Aeronca 7AC. Injuries: None. Location: Finleyville, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly...

Is there still ‘Room at the Top?’

Drew Steketee was president of BE A PILOT, senior vp-communications for AOPA and executive director of the Partnership for Improved Air Travel. He also headed PR and media relations for Beech, GAMA and the Airport Operators Council International. We’re packing up our home of 21 years to leave Washington...

Air Berlin to restructure after disappointing result; CEO resigns

Air Berlin, Germany’s second-largest airline group and oneworld member elect, announced it would cut capacity and fleet as part of a restructure following a widening in operating losses in the second quarter amid a sharp rise in fuel costs, the impact of Germany’s new travel tax and disruptions...

Death — and billions of dollars — at risk with LightSquared plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A report from the FAA, leaked to the press, about the dangers of LightSquared's plans to build a wireless communication system might be the reason the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association wonder why LightSquared is silent on the...

GA won’t repeat 2008 rout

With equity markets whipsawing, national debt issues, and overall economic uncertainty, some in the general aviation sector wonder if it’s a precursor to another 2008-like industry free-fall. “Not so,” asserts industry analyst Brian Foley. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011...

WorldPerks case sent back to District Court as possible new accountability for US airlines

In a decision that will likely end up in the US Supreme Court, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower state court decision, allowing a passenger’s suit against Northwest Airlines, regarding the revocation of his status as a WorldPerks Platinum Member, to proceed. The validity of the...

New Swiss airline SkyWork aims for “metro-capital” airport success

Tiny Switzerland has another airline, this one based in Bern, the nation’s capital and fourth largest city. Given that both Zurich and Geneva, the most populous, are small by global standards, basing an airline in a metro area with only 350,000 inhabitants may be a risky, and previously unsuccessful...

Call for more homebuilders to participate in safety survey

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 5,000 experimental aircraft and homebuilders have completed a survey on how these aircraft are built, but the National Transportation Safety Board and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) would like to see more participation. Continue Reading »===> Posted...

Teen returns home after flying around perimeter of U.S.

There was a frenzy of excitement at Corona Municipal Airport (AJO) on Aug. 18 as people scanned the sky searching for 17-year-old Taylor De Ley, who had just flown his family's RV-4 around the perimeter of the U.S. by himself. According to a story in the Press-Enterprise, Taylor said upon landing: "...

New national commander for CAP

Civil Air Patrol National Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Charles L. “Chuck” Carr Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, was elected national commander last week, Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Drone tests… coming to airspace above you?

AOL Defense is reporting the FAA and Pentagon are "carving out between four to 10 "bubbles" in civilian airspace above the United States to test UAS [unmanned aerial systems]". These bubbles will be located are the U.S. "to show that UAS can fly in heavily-traveled commercial airspace in all conditions...

Diamond expands sales and service network

Diamond Aircraft has expanded its U.S. sales and service network with new Diamond Regional Distribution Centers in Northern California and Minnesota. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Aircraft Spruce offers free shipping on Sennheiser’s new headset

Aircraft Spruce is now offering free shipping on the Sennheiser S1 Digital aviation headset, which was introduced at AirVenture. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Ehler joins West Star Aviation

Don Ehler has joined West Star Aviation as Technical Sales Manager. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Vitatoe Aviation receives STC for C-210 engine conversion

Vitatoe Aviation has received an STC to install Teledyne Continental IO-550P engines in Cessna P210Ns, Cessna T210Ls, Ms, and Ns, while retaining the original turbocharger. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Nine named Master Instructors

Nine CFIs earned or renewed their Master Instructor accreditations in June and July, including General Aviation News' own Meg Godlewski. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Hard landing for student pilot

This August 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: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Pensacola, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly...

AirAsia Philippines impact on Cebu Pacific & PAL should be minimal – at least initially

Cebu Pacific, which has remained in the black in 1H2011 despite soaring fuel costs, does not expect the Oct-2011 launch of AirAsia Group’s new Philippine affiliate to curtail its growth or impact its profitability. Philippine Airlines (PAL), which was back in the red for the three months ending 30...

Beijing and Frankfurt to be first international Boeing 787 destinations for ANA

All Nippon Airways (ANA), the launch customer of the B787, has announced the first international routes for the much-anticipated aircraft: the Tokyo Haneda-Beijing and Tokyo Haneda-Frankfurt sectors. ANA’s international growth is largely built around the delivery of the B787 - an expansion agenda...

Gulf Air Middle East and South Asian operations enhanced for Winter 2011 schedule

Bahrain’s Gulf Air continues to refine its flight schedule as it seeks to enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of its operations. Earlier this year, the loss-making carrier launched a new commercial initiative and advertising campaign to regain lost ground in its home market. Now it hopes that...

Jet Airways increasing low-fare capacity in reaction to industry trends

Jet Airways plans to increase domestic and short-haul international low-fare capacity in response to rising LCC competition in the Indian market. The move will entail a change in its current business model to be “in sync with market realities.” However, concerns centre on the potential pressure...

Prepare for a bumpy ride

Given the option of taking the pessimistic view or the optimistic view, I'll more often than not take the brighter alternative. I prefer to believe that one person who is willing to put in significant effort can make a difference. There are plenty of examples of this phenomenon in our history, and I...

FAA committee tasked with modernizing rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has formed a  Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), tasked with modernizing the design and manufacturing rules for entry-level, certified airplanes. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN...

American Airlines and Sabre face contract expiration in ongoing dispute

With the expiration of the contract between Sabre and American Airlines now only 11 days away, the two remain locked in negotiations. American, however, now has another weapon: the right to gain an injunction against Sabre dropping it from its global distribution system (GDS). Earlier this month, a...

FedEx cargo props up Memphis airport, but Delta cuts lower passenger traffic

In our examination of US hubs, Memphis stood out as its geography makes it vulnerable to being downsized. The latest announcements from Delta make that outcome more plausible.

Meet the Plane Janes

The folks at the Antique Airplane Club of Greater New York must be a hoot to hang out with, if their videos on YouTube are any indication. Every year, the club produces a fundraising calendar and, while last year's "Pilots Without Pants" was a hit, club members decided that to be fair the calendar should...

With revenue and passenger traffic up, Flybe sets sights on European expansion

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, announced that it recorded strong gains in revenue and passenger numbers in its fiscal first quarter (Apr-2011 to Jun-2011) and expects to post an annual profit compared to last year's loss. The regional LCC also stated it has made “excellent” progress...

Three dead in weekend air show accidents

It was a tragic weekend for air shows as three fatal accidents occurred, killing a wingwalker and solo aerobatics performer in the U.S. and a member of the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows at a show in England, according to an AVweb report. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Janice...

‘General Aviation Month’ proclaimed in Virginia

Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell has proclaimed August “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2011.

Flight school accreditation program launches

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) has launched its flight school accreditation program. Continue Reading »===> Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Janice Wood. 2 comments. © GAN 2011.