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Archive for category General Aviation

NTSB Transfers Control of Austin Plane Crash to FBI

Feb 19

Posted by PilotBug in General Aviation | Comments off

The National Transportation Safety Board has transferred control of the investigation into yesterday’s crash of a small aircraft into an office building in Austin, Texas to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On the morning of February 18, 2010, a Piper PA-28 struck a 7-story building housing federal offices in Austin, Texas.  The NTSB immediately initiated an investigation and dispatched a team of investigators to the scene.

Information developed about the circumstances of the crash since that time point toward an intentional act rather than an accident.

Last night, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman consulted with the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder.  They agreed that given the apparent criminal nature of the event, the primacy of this investigation should be transferred to the FBI.  NTSB investigators will remain at the scene to assist the FBI.

All inquiries about the progress of the investigation should be directed to the FBI office in San Antonio at (210) 225-6741.

###

NTSB Media Contact:     Peter Knudson

(202) 557-1350

Peter.Knudson@ntsb.gov

Washington Office

(202) 314-6100

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Textron Sees Continued Stabilization in Business Jet Environment

Dec 17

Posted by PilotBug in Fractionals, General Aviation | Comments off

Cessna CJ4

Cessna CJ4

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Textron (NYSE:TXT) today announced that its Cessna business unit continues to see stabilization in the business jet market. Cessna management has observed that availability of used aircraft is declining, customer utilization of the existing fleet has stabilized, availability of financing is improving and customer inquiries for new orders are beginning to increase.At the same time, Cessna has continued efforts with customers to clarify the status of long-term orders remaining in backlog. The company has been in discussions with a large customer concerning the cancellation of about $1.1 billion of jets it had on order with Cessna. None of these aircraft were planned for delivery through 2012.

The company expects that cancellations in the fourth quarter will reduce backlog by a total of approximately $1.7 billion. These cancellations are not expected to have a material impact on planned deliveries through 2012.

The company will provide its outlook for 2010 business jet deliveries when it releases earnings on January 28.

About Cessna

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 6,000 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers’ facilities; [c] legislative or regulatory actions impacting our operations or demand for our products;; [d] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; [e] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; [f] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; [g] bankruptcy or other financial or performance problems at major suppliers, subcontractors or customers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain or negatively impact our customers’ ability to purchase our products ; [h] continued difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and [i] continued volatility in the economy resulting in a prolonged downturn in the business jet market.

SOURCE: Textron Inc.

Investor Contacts:
Textron
Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288
or
Bill Pitts, 401-457-2288
or
Media Contacts:
Cessna
Doug Oliver, 316-517-1927
or
Textron
Michael Maynard, 401-457-2474

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No more “free pass” with FAA’s new DUI policy

Dec 9

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines, Fractionals, General Aviation | 1 Comment

FAA

FAA

The FAA has issued new rules concerning its DUI policy. In the past, an airman seeking medical certification was required to present the AME with the court documents concerning the DUI (driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated) and the doctor had the authority to issue the medical if the AME determined that the airman did not have a substance abuse problem.

Now, as explained in the FAA’s Medical Bulletin, the AME must defer all medical certifications in which the applicant’s BAC (blood alcohol level) is greater than or equal to 0.15% or a positive result for DUI.  The FAA will then mandates that the airman undergo a substance abuse evaluation before any medical certification will be issued.

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Cessna to close plant, move production to Mexico

Dec 8

Posted by PilotBug in General Aviation | Comments off

Cessna CJ4

Cessna CJ4

Cessna announced today to close its production plant in Columbus, Georgia to Mexico.  The move, scheduled to effect approximately 300 people, will take effect over the next 24 months and allow Cessna to consolidate operations in its Wichita facilities.

Text of message from Jack Pelton;

Fellow Cessnans,

Over the past few months, the general economy has exhibited some positive trends: there have been gains in the stock market, the housing market is beginning to stabilize and many economic analysts are forecasting that the economy should begin a slow recovery in 2010.

While we are encouraged by these signs, we have yet to see these trends reflected in the general aviation market, which historically lags the economy by 18 to 24 months.

To adjust to these business realities, Cessna has placed a strong focus on reducing costs, managing inventory and aligning our manufacturing facilities to meet our lower schedule projections. We have already taken several steps to reduce our capacity including closing facilities in Bend and Toledo and consolidating facilities in Columbus and in Wichita.

Although these moves have been significant, additional changes are still necessary to properly align our manufacturing capacity and costs to meet the lower demand.

To this end, we will begin to transition work from Georgia to Cessna locations in Independence and Mexico over the next 24 months, and we will then close the Columbus facility. We will be discussing the impact and options with our Columbus employees directly.

Further supporting the consolidation of Cessna facilities, we will accelerate the transition of certain sub-assembly work from Wichita to Cessna facilities in Mexico. This move will allow us to continue to consolidate our Wichita facilities and reduce our existing cost structure. This transition will also occur over the next 24 months, and we anticipate that the current production schedule along with planned CJ4 growth may provide job opportunities for some individuals whose roles are transitioning.

These actions are necessary to ensure we maintain the financial health of our company and to plan for a future in which we will continue to be challenged by emerging global competitors. We face sizable challenges, but thanks to your resolve, Cessna will emerge in a strong position ready to face the competition.

This type of news is always difficult to bring, especially during the holiday season, but I remain committed to keeping you apprised of changes impacting our coworkers and our business.

Jack

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Gotcha! – Hold for release

Oct 31

Posted by PilotBug in Fractionals, General Aviation | 3 Comments

Did you know that if you receive a “hold for release” IFR clearance at an uncontrolled airfield then decide to depart VFR to pick up your clearance in the air it is a violation? A “hold for release” clearance is just what it says it is, a clearance, and as such you are not authorized to depart without first canceling either your IFR flight plan or clearance.  After, though, you can depart VFR and then pick up your IFR clearance in the air if it is still active.

AIM part 5-2-6. Departure Restrictions, Clearance Void Times, Hold for Release, and Release Times

The above is intended to be advisory in nature and does not supersede any information contained in the FAR’s or AIM.  Every situation is different and may not apply to every flight.

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