We have talked a number of times about the event in Europe but the latest convention in the business aviation industry is in Latin America. The 8th annual Labace event kicks off today in São Paulo – Brazil. It is our understanding that this event will be the largest of its kind in Latin America. We will be at the event in and hope to provide some of our thoughts of the conference as they unfold.
Labace expects to have more than 13,000 visitors from around the world at this event and many of the top aviation executives will be in attendance, as well as most of the manufacturers. From its beginning in 2003, attendance was less than 5,000 people and last year they produced more 15,000 attendees each year eclipsing the mark set the year before. There were a record number of exhibitor last year at the event and conference organizers are looking forward to that type of return in 2011. Labace had more than 50 aircraft on the grounds last year and we hope to see that many or more at this event.
Once we have had an opportunity to sift through the news and get some images of the event we will try to get them up here or we will update the Facebook page with the information. Stay tuned!
This press release from the FAA is shocking but not unexpected. As many in the Federal Government begin to get ready for the economic issues faced by not having legislation from Congress to continue paying loans and working.
WASHINGTON – Contractors have been told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass legislation on Friday giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Dozens of “stop work orders” have been issued for major projects designed to build and modernize control towers and other aviation infrastructure from coast to coast.
“Construction workers across America will lose their jobs and local communities will be hurt the longer this goes on. Congress needs to pass an FAA bill to prevent further economic damage,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world.”
“Unless Congress acts quickly, more work on projects critical to our nation’s aviation system will come to a halt. Work is stopping on construction and planning projects, NextGen system testing, and airport certification. The list goes on and on and this is just the beginning,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
Construction workers, engineers and planners were told not to come to worksites across the country after the FAA was forced to issue stop work orders on projects ranging from the construction of new air traffic control towers to the rehabilitation and modernization of air traffic facilities. Nearly 4,000 FAA personnel, many needed to oversee various aspects of these projects, were furloughed on Saturday. Stopping work on these projects could significantly increase the ultimate costs of construction for taxpayers.
Some of these projects include:
- Las Vegas, Nevada: A more than $43 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at McCarran International Airport. Contractor: Archer Western Contractors.
- Palm Springs, California: A $24.5 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Palm Springs International Airport. Contractors: Swinterton Builders.
- Oakland, California: A $31 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport. Contractor: Devcon Construction.
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: A more than $18 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Contractor: Donald J. Keating Co.
- Kalamazoo, Michigan: A more than $14 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Battle Creek International Airport. Contractor: Skanska.
- Gulfport, Mississippi: A nearly $12 million project to build a new air traffic control tower at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Contractor: Flintco, Inc.
- Queens, NY: A more than $6 million project to demolish the old air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport. Work was supposed to begin on Saturday. Contractor: Paul J. Scariano Inc.
Additionally, the FAA has issued stop work orders for $370 million in contracts with Jacobs Engineering of Pasadena, California. The company is contracted to do all the architect, design, engineering and planning services for existing and future air traffic facilities. To view a list of projects where “stop work orders” have been issued click here. This list will be continually updated until Congress passes an FAA bill.
Before last Friday, the FAA was also prepared to award contracts for new air traffic control towers in Cleveland, Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida but was forced to suspend that process because the agency was no longer authorized to access the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
In addition to the FAA’s work on the construction of aviation facilities such as control towers, it is a primary funding source for other airport projects through the Airport Improvement Program. The program is also unable to operate without congressional authorization and as a result the FAA is unable to get roughly $2.5 billion out the door for airport projects in all 50 states that could put thousands of people to work in good paying jobs
Nearly 4,000 FAA employees in 35 states, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have been furloughed and forced to go without pay. Large numbers of employees in New Jersey, New York, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Illinois and the District of Columbia will be affected. This includes many of the FAA’s engineers, scientists, research analysts, administrative assistants, computer specialists, program managers and analysts, environmental protection specialists, and community planners.
While this lapse in FAA’s authorization affects thousands of public and private sector jobs, it is important to note that the safety of the flying public will not be compromised.
We will continue to monitor this situation and I can only assume as these types of actions continue to take place, the loss of work and jobs will cause ripples that will begin to put serious pressure on Congress to take care of the problems sooner than later.
The world of aviation is getting a little older year by year and that is no different that the Federal Aviation Administration. I was interested to read the following press release sent by the FAA. Aviation has become one of the safest ways to travel and the reason is for agencies such as the FAA. They have suffered some recent bad press with the air traffic controllers and other debacles, but for the most part they have done a good job of keeping our skies safe for all. For you enjoyment we have reproduced the release of theirs here.
(WASHINGTON) – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today marked the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control as American aviation experiences its safest period ever. Since its inception with 15 workers operating in just three control centers in 1936, the agency has become a world leader, pioneering safety improvements and developing new technology to speed up flights, save fuel and improve safety.
“The United States has the safest air transportation system in the world. But as the last 75 years show, we will never stop working to make our system even safer,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“As a pilot, I am in awe of the aviation safety and technological advancements that have been made in the last 75 years,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “NextGen represents the next milestone in aviation innovation. The FAA is committed to transforming our national airspace system so passengers can reach their destinations even more safely and more efficiently than they do today.”
Federal air traffic control began on July 6, 1936, when the Bureau of Air Commerce took over the operation of the first airway traffic control centers at Newark, N.J., Chicago and Cleveland. Faced with a growing demand for air travel, the 15 employees who made up the original group of controllers took radio position reports from pilots to plot the progress of each flight, providing no separation services. At the time, the fastest plane in the commercial fleet was the Douglas DC-3, which could fly coast-to-coast in about 17 hours while carrying 21 passengers.
Since then, the air traffic system has expanded from three control centers to include 131 federal stand-alone airport traffic control towers, 132 towers for terminal area approach control, 29 stand-alone terminal radar approach controls and 21 en route traffic control centers. The number of controllers has grown from 15 to more than 15,000, a workforce that handles an average of 50,000 flights each day. The DC-3 has given way to jet aircraft that can carry hundreds of passengers and fly from New York to Los Angeles in about five hours.
The FAA continues to pioneer new technologies that will make air traffic control safer and more efficient. The Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, will transform air traffic control in the U.S. from a system of ground-based radars to one based on satellites. In parts of the country, controllers already are beginning to track aircraft via satellites with a state-of-the-art system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, or ADS-B. ADS-B will be available nationwide in 2013 and will enable more direct routes, saving time and money while also lowering the industry’s environmental footprint.
This month the FAA will celebrate the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control by highlighting advancements in air traffic controller training, NextGen, how the FAA handles convective summer weather and aviation infrastructure improvements.
For more information on the air traffic control anniversary, follow the FAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FAA.
Amtr april 2011 data
The FAA recently released this information regarding the crackdown on the use of laser pointers being pointed at aircraft. I thought it would benefit our readers here for this to be posted.
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt announced today that the FAA will begin to impose civil penalties against people who point a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft.
“Our top priority is protecting the safety of the traveling public. We will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who threatens the safety of our passengers, pilots and air transportation system,” said Secretary LaHood.
“Shining a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is not a joke. These lasers can temporarily blind a pilot and make it impossible to safely land the aircraft, jeopardizing the safety of the passengers and people on the ground,” said FAA Administrator Babbitt.
The FAA released a legal interpretation, which finds that directing a laser beam into an aircraft cockpit could interfere with a flight crew performing its duties while operating an aircraft, a violation of Federal Aviation Regulations. In the past, the FAA has taken enforcement action under this regulation against passengers physically on-board an aircraft who interfere with crewmembers.
Today’s interpretation reflects the fact that pointing a laser at an aircraft from the ground could seriously impair a pilot’s vision and interfere with the flight crew’s ability to safely handle its responsibilities.
The maximum civil penalty the FAA can impose on an individual for violating the FAA’s regulations that prohibit interfering with a flight crew is $11,000 per violation.
This year, pilots have reported more than 1,100 incidents nationwide of lasers being pointed at aircraft. Laser event reports have steadily increased since the FAA created a formal reporting system in 2005 to collect information from pilots. Reports rose from nearly 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009 and 2,836 in 2010.
In 2010, Los Angeles International Airport recorded the highest number of laser events in the country for an individual airport with 102 reports, and the greater Los Angeles area tallied nearly twice that number, with 201 reports. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was a close second, with 98 reports, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport tied for the third highest number of laser events for the year with 80 each.
So far this year, the Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth areas each have recorded more than 45 laser events. The Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Houston areas each have recorded more than 30 laser events.
The increase in reports is likely due to a number of factors, including greater awareness and outreach to pilots to encourage reporting; the availability of inexpensive laser devices on the Internet; stronger power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes; and the introduction of green lasers, which are more easily seen than red lasers.
Some cities and states have laws making it illegal to shine lasers at aircraft and, in many cases, people can face federal charges. The FAA is prepared to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to assist with criminal prosecutions arising under those laws.
Legislation that would criminalize purposefully aiming a laser device at an aircraft is currently pending in Congress. The Senate included this language in the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which it passed on Feb. 17, 2011. On Feb. 28, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would enact a similar penalty for shining lasers at aircraft. Both bills are awaiting further action.
We continue to hear about how the business aviation industry is turning around or is in a rebound cycle and that all of the nations that participate in the industry on on an upturn. The good news is that this is the beginning of something good for the business aviation industry as a whole. The bad news as indicated is that Europe is not rebounding as quickly as its peers in the world of business aviation. Worst yet, it appears that they are not on the faster track of recovery as others either, according to Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates. There are many factors according to Foley including, high fuel prices, user fees, carbon taxes, airspace issues, new regulations and airport slot restrictions. Foley stated “When you factor in sustained economic weakness, a near-term robust market outlook just isn’t a reasonable expectation.”
This seems contrary to the numbers that indicate that Europe will account for approximately 20% of worldwide deliveries over the next 10 years. Foley goes on to state that he believes first-time aircraft buyers will be generated in Eastern Europe, while Western Europeans will be purchasing replacement aircraft. Foley stated that many will be buying on a budget instead of springing for more jet than they can afford. We hope that this is not the case but we also know that any recovery at this point is better than the downturn of the past.
We have heard the old saying that perception is reality and it appears that the perceptions of the public are what is being touted as the next need for change in the business aviation industry. In opening remarks at the EBACE event in Geneva Switzerland it was stated by Brian Humphries the EBAA chairman, “Recognition of our industry’s value is evident at the European level but not in the 27 member states.”
The NBAA was also represented by Ed Bolen, President of the organization when he stated, “It is incumbent on our industry to be aggressive in talking about how we operate.”
This seems to be the stance that is going to be taken by the industry going forward. First the economy was a major factor in the downturn and now that the industry has weathered the storm it appears that is must go on the offensive and show that as an industry we need to polish the image and be advocates and evangelists of the industry. Finally, Britain’s Lord Hesketh wanted to impart that without business aviation economies would not make it. “Companies that do not have the ability to move key personnel are going to fall behind.” He further said, “We do have to get the perception issue right.”
This is a new tact that may gather steam if we continue to hear reports of the economy recovering in the industry. It sees that by being aggressive in the perception of if the industry it will bound to help gather the steam in the right direction.
We continue to get good news from the industry and this is a trend at the EBACE event in Geneva, Switzerland. The latest in good news comes from VistaJet a Swiss business jet operator. The company announced today at the event that they have an order for 18 Bombardier business jets, which will bring its fleet to more than 50 aircraft.
It is reported that the order, valued at $383 million, includes 12 Globals and Challengers and six Learjet 60 XRs. Deliveries of the order should begin in 2012. The founder, owner and the chairman of VistaJet, Thomas Flohr, in a statement said his company’s current order backlog is valued at $1.3 billion. It is also reported that the company has on order currently, 10 Global 6000s, six Challenger 605s, 11 Learjet 85s and six Learjet 60 XRs. VistaJet operates a Bombardier-only fleet. Flohr stated out that 75% of the operator’s flights now originate from or go to “fast-growth markets,” such as Brazil, Russia, India, Nigeria, China and the Middle East. This shows in increase of 50% over this period four years previous.
Flohr stats that 2011 is “off to a good start,” he reported that 20101 saw a 25% increase in revenues over the previous year. Flohr revealed that approximately 20,000 passengers traveled aboard VistaJet aircraft last year. Flohr stated the company is “centered on [the passengers] actual requirements, rather than a perceived desire for abstract ownership.”
Embraer joins in the news at EBACE when it received an order today and announced at the event that Comlux has placed an order for three of the Embraer Lageacy 650’s with the possibility of increasing the order for 4 more of the aircraft. This marks the very first order for the Legacy 650’s from Embraer from this company. The company only has on hand at present aircraft from Airbus and from Bombardier. Embraer will deliver the first aircraft in December, with the remaining two Legacys to be handed over early next year.
Comlux Kazakhstan currently has four aircraft in its fleet which includes two Bombardier Challenger 605s and two Challenger 805s. The company’s COO, Irina Pay, reported that Comlux is located in a perfect place between Russia and China, which makes it a the best place for a charter operator of its kind. Comlux Kazakhstan also provides aircraft dispatch, ground handling and flight operations services.
May 17 through 19 marks the 11th annual EBACE event in Geneva, Switzerland. We are looking forward to hearing many of the exhibitors and others give us an idea how the industry is performing. This time last year we were hearing all about how the economy was putting a damper on jet sales or orders in the industry and this year we are hoping to get the good news that those companies that are in the game continue to be optimistic.
At Geneva PALEXPO, EBACE showcases nearly 300 exhibiting companies from around the world and covers more than 36,000 square meters. At nearby Geneva International Airport, more than 60 aircraft, including nearly every major business aircraft design in current production, will be on display in a special 18,000-square-meter Static Display area.
As the information on the expo becomes available, we will be updating the blog here with that information. If you are at the EBACE event please let us know we would love to showcase you here in the blog posts and also would love to hear of your experiences with the event.
