http://www.charterx.com Industry headlines from CharterX. Buy and sell air charter easily. en-US ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7180 U.S.-based private jet charter leader New Flight Charters has been named for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Awarded to the prestigious Inc. 500|5000 annual ranking for 2010 as well as 2009, the company achieved more than 200 percent sales growth over the past five years. In 2009 New Flight Charters ranked in the top 40 logistics & transportation companies and was identified as the fastest growing private jet travel company in the U.S. For seven straight years the company has marked sales increases year-over-year, including during the recent economic recession.

"We are pleased to be selected again," said company president Rick Colson, "Our history, reputation and reliability continue to win repeat customers, and particularly in this down economy it is confirming to our offerings and service level."

New Flight Charters also credits its continuing growth to retaining top industry professionals, its Best Price Guarantee, and a comprehensive jet charter listing including based aircraft, floating fleets, discounted one-way flights, and empty legs nationwide.

According to Jane Berenston, Editor of Inc. magazine, "As an Inc. 5000 honoree, New Flight Charters shares a prestigious pedigree with such notable alumni as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Jamba Juice, Timberland, Visa, Clif Bar, Patagonia, Oracle, and scores of other powerhouses."

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

]]> CharterX 2010-09-08T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7176 Just after reaching the 500 fans milestone on its Facebook page, TSH aero, the well-known private air charter and aircraft brokerage company based in Nassau, Bahamas, announces that its online air charter quoting tool is now accessible directly from its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TSHaero.

"Our quoting program is the easiest way for anyone to get an online estimate of the cost of a private jet charter and request a personalized quote 24/7," explained Thierry S. Huguenin, owner of TSH aero.

Clients can simply enter the details of a trip, click search and the system will automatically price various solutions based on aircraft categories in seconds! Then the user can proceed with a few clicks and submit a trip request to TSH aero charter team to receive a personalized firm offer.

"The majority of our regular clients email or call us directly to get a quote but I feel that our online quoting system is ideal for first time charterers and individuals or groups who did not use our services yet." said Huguenin. "As a broker, we have access to thousands of aircraft and certified operators worldwide enabling us to match our client's mission with the perfect plane or helicopter."

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

]]> CharterX 2010-09-07T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7178 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced that Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue (R-GA) will be featured as a keynote speaker for the Opening General Session at NBAA’s 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) in Atlanta, GA, and will be recognized with the 2010 American Spirit Award.

“Governor Perdue has two great passions – aviation and the state of Georgia – and has spent many years tirelessly supporting and nurturing the development of both,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA is proud to include him among the speakers at our Convention’s Opening General Session, and also to honor him with the American Spirit Award for his dedication to all aviation, including business aviation.”

The NBAA American Spirit Award is presented in recognition of an individual who exemplifies the service, courage and pursuit of excellence in support of business aviation that characterizes the men and women who created and advanced the American aviation community. The Convention’s Opening General Session, during which Gov. Perdue will be presented with this year’s award, takes place on October 19, at the start of NBAA2010, which will be held from October 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

In 2007, Gov. Perdue enthusiastically addressed attendees at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, also in Atlanta, welcoming the crowd to “the real state of aviation,” and proudly detailed Georgia’s long list of aviation superlatives, including the state’s role as home to the eighth-largest general aviation industry in the nation, with many thousands of people employed at more than 500 aerospace and aviation companies.

That year, Governor Perdue also joined NBAA in celebrating the anniversary of an American aviation milestone – the 100th anniversary of the state’s historic first flight by E. Patrick Epps, in 1907.

In 2009, Governor Perdue issued a proclamation recognizing the essential role general aviation plays for the state and its businesses. The proclamation noted that in Georgia, “a great many businesses and communities depend upon general aviation aircraft and small aircraft of all types for access to medical treatment, mobility, economic opportunity, disaster relief and a wide range of critical resources.”

Bolen praised Governor Perdue’s proclamation, saying: “We thank him for sending this welcome message about the importance of jobs, business productivity, and access to small airports and humanitarian initiatives that our industry supports.”

Past honorees of the NBAA American Spirit Award have included such aviation notables and pioneers as John and Martha King, founders of the King Schools, Inc., and Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL).

For more information about the Convention's 2010 programming, visit NBAA's dedicated AM&C web page at http://www.nbaa.org/2010. 

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

]]> CharterX 2010-09-07T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7168 The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently marked the completion of $14.5 million in runway projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that will ensure continued safety for flights at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

“The Recovery Act made it possible for this important safety work to happen ahead of schedule,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These projects kept workers in good-paying jobs, and these safety improvements will benefit the airport and passengers for years to come.” 

On August 27, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt marked the completion of the work at an event at San Francisco International Airport. A $5.5 million ARRA grant allowed the Runway 10L/28R project to be completed a year ahead of schedule. Runway 1R/19L was also completed two years ahead of schedule thanks to a $9 million ARRA grant.

“Healthy runways are safe runways,” said Administrator Babbitt. “Old pavement can crumble, creating debris that can damage aircraft and shut runways down causing delays for passengers.”  

The Recovery Act-funded projects leveled out two runways that tend to settle over time because of ground conditions. The new asphalt concrete resurface also will prevent unexpected runway shutdowns due to pavement breakdown, and will guard against crumbling pavement creating debris that can damage aircraft. The work also included: paving both runways with asphalt concrete; reconstructing sections of the runways; upgrading the runway and taxiway lighting systems with more energy efficient LED lighting; re-painting runway markings to increase visibility and improve safety for aircraft on the airfield; and improving the surrounding drainage system.

Granite Rock Company of Watsonville, California was the prime contractor for both projects, which required 92,000 tons of asphalt concrete covering 3.46 million square feet of runways. Work on both runway projects was done on the weekends to minimize disruption to the traveling public.

The Recovery Act funded an additional $22.4 million in upgrades to airports and facilities in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

At Oakland International Airport, $14.9 million in Recovery Act funding is being used in the reconstruction of a large apron area used by airlines and cargo carriers and to reconfigure a taxiway. By replacing old apron pavement, the project will improve efficiency and allow larger aircraft to use the taxiway.

In San Jose, a $5.17 million Recovery Act grant is funding the extension a taxiway at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. This project, which was recommended by an FAA Runway Safety Action Team, will improve safety by eliminating the need for private planes to cross a runway while taxing to an engine run-up area.

An additional $2.4 million in Recovery Act funds is being employed to modernize and make safety upgrades at area facilities and airports.

Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation. 

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]]> CharterX 2010-09-06T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7170 KEVELAIR is proud to announce that the company has taken a second GSA with the Italian carrier Air Vallee Spa, managing one Learjet 31 with eight seats, one Boeing 737 300 with 148 seats, and two Dornier 328s with 31 seats each. One Dornier will be dedicated to France for special flights.

With these additions, KEVELAIR now manages 21 aircraft.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.]]> CharterX 2010-09-06T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7166 Embraer’s newest executive jets, the midlight Legacy 450 and the midsize Legacy 500, have followed the entry level Phenom 100 and light Phenom 300 jets, as well as the ultra-large Lineage 1000, which won the IDEA/Brasil design award in its first edition in 2008. The IDEA® (International Design Excellence Awards) program is the premier international competition honoring design excellence in products, ecodesign, interaction design, packaging, strategy, research and concepts.

“The importance of design to executive aviation must never be underestimated, and for this reason we, at Embraer, are especially honored by the IDEA/Brasil award and the accompanying recognition by the design industry,” said Humberto Pereira, Embraer Vice President, Engineering – Executive Jets. “The company continues to bring innovative and distinctive products to the market, reflecting its engineering and design philosophy.”

IDEA/Brasil is the stage that comes before the U.S. edition of the IDEA Award, one of the most important and highly reputed design competitions in the world. IDEA/Brasil is considered to be the gateway of Brazilian design to the international market. The North American award was created in 1980 by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) for the purpose of recognizing and awarding the best products, packaging, and industrial design concepts created by the world’s professionals, as well as prototypes by students.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

]]> CharterX 2010-09-05T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7158 Desert Jet, a privately owned aircraft charter company based in the Palm Springs area of California, recently launched the air charter industry’s first quoting program accessible from a social media platform, enabling requests for flights directly from the company’s Facebook page.

This quoting tool provides quick and easy access via Facebook to instant charter quotes for Desert Jet’s entire charter fleet, as well as the ability to request a reservation with a click of the mouse. The online quoting tool integrates the popular Google maps API, allowing charter clients the ability to visually select the best departure and arrival airports. After the routing is entering into the quoting tool, a full graphical map display of the proposed trip routing is shown, along with details of the trip and estimated costs.

“Time is very important to our clients,” said Denise Wilson, President of Desert Jet. “They want to be able to plan their trips and make a reservation on their schedule, and want the option to use online technology when feasible. This new feature provides yet another way for our clients to connect with us in the way they prefer, around the clock, every day of the year.”   

Just last month, Yankee Group Research released a report showing that most consumers want to interact with businesses over social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. The problem is that only 30% of businesses are prepared to do so. Desert Jet is expanding its use of social media through sites such as Twitter, Facebook and its blog, www.palmspringsjetcharter.com, to keep in touch with its clients.

Desert Jet also offers a toll-free phone number that connects directly to the charter and dispatch departments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for clients that prefer to reserve their flights by phone. 

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

]]> CharterX 2010-09-04T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7160 The FAA recommended Swift Enterprises proceed with further testing of its unleaded aviation gasoline this week after endurance tests produced some encouraging results and identified areas for further research.

Researchers at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center fuels facility tested Swift’s fuel to determine if there were “any initial major engine performance-related findings that would prevent further research into the use of a Swift binary blend of these components.” After 150 hours of testing in a six-cylinder Lycoming engine, the FAA reported that the engine experienced normal levels of engine wear and that combustion, oil, and fuel deposits were light.

Swift met the anti-knock parameters of current avgas specifications in a previous FAA test, one important measure of a fuel. In the most recent research, the blend met many current aviation gasoline specifications for 100LL and had more energy per gallon than leaded avgas, but had slightly reduced energy per pound (because it weighs a pound more per gallon) and did not meet certain other performance parameters. The FAA tested the fuel in a Lycoming IO540-K, 300-horsepower, piston engine. When the engine was warm, it started immediately, but it was difficult to start the engine the mornings after it was left to sit overnight.

The FAA research facility works closely with FAA certification officials, the Coordinating Research Council, ASTM International (which sets industry consensus standards), and the coalition of avgas stakeholders. This testing is an important step in the evaluation of a potential future unleaded avgas, but the FAA was careful to note that it does not approve fuels. Further testing may address how a biomass blend would differ from the petroleum-based blend, how residual lead in engines that have been burning 100LL would affect performance, and more.

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]]> CharterX 2010-09-04T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7162 The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a proposal to the European Commission for a harmonised regulation on Flight Crew Licensing (Part-FCL) in the form of an ‘Opinion’. This new regulation will ensure that the same pilot licensing requirements and related high safety levels apply in all Member States.

This ‘Opinion’ covers requirements for pilot licensing for aeroplanes, helicopters, airships, powered-lift aircraft, sailplanes and balloons. Measures to ensure a smooth transition to the new rules are also provided. As requested by the European Parliament in its Agenda for Sustainable General and Business Aviation, the newly developed Light Aircraft Pilot Licence, which is part of the new regulation, will facilitate the access to aviation for a broader public while maintaining a high level of safety.

EASA’s proposal was initially open to public consultation from June 2008 to February 2009. Over 8,000 comments were received from a wide range of stakeholders and this feedback was taken into account and integrated in this ‘Opinion’.

The new regulation on Flight Crew Licensing will be adopted by the European Commission and enter info force as Community law by April 2012.

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]]> CharterX 2010-09-04T00:00:00+00:00 ; http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=7154 The Philippines' government and civil aviation sectors are preparing for the visit in October by an official team of the European Union (EU) to conduct an audit on progress in improving safety standards and procedures, the chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.

Alfonso G. Cusi, CAAP director general, said in a telephone interview that his office has asked the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to provide a detailed agenda for the visit on Oct.18-22.

"We’re hoping to get the union’s reply as soon as possible to prepare for the visit," he said. "The visit has been scheduled in October because the European Union Air Safety Conference is scheduled in November. We’re hoping to get positive feedback from them so that the representatives could relay that to other union members in the conference."

The outcome of the visit will be discussed and reviewed by EU members in the conference that will be held in Brussels, Belgium.

Mr. Cusi said the visit is a "perfect opportunity for the country to convince the union that it has improved the security and safety standards of its aviation industry" after the EU banned Philippine carriers last April from flying to the organization’s 27 member states.

The move was after the announcement by the International Civil Aviation Organization in October last year of a "Significant Safety Concern" relating to poor government oversight of safety in the industry and the earlier downgrading of the Philippines’ safety rating by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

EASA is the civilian aviation regulator of the EU based in Cologne, Germany that enforces safety standards and authorizes non-EU flag carriers to service the region.

"We are also hoping to get clearance for the two major carriers of the Philippines which are Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific," Mr. Cusi said.

"Actually, Cebu Pacific never had flights to any EU country," he clarified. "But as one of the major airlines here, we have to get it cleared, according to the union’s standards."

PAL President Jaime J. Bautista told reporters at the sidelines of the company’s stockholders’ meeting yesterday that the flag carrier has been always prepared for the inspection. "We hope to have the ban lifted as soon as possible," he said.

PAL and Cebu Pacific representatives met EU aviation officials last June to update them on the two carriers’ upgraded security and safety procedures after getting new operating certificates from CAAP. However, the airlines were unable to convince the body to drop the Philippines from its black list.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

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