Private Jet Mech Offers Mechanics on Call

As the use of corporate aircraft has gone from the “nice to have” to the practically “got to have” status, pilots and operators are finding themselves in positions where they are at smaller airports when their aircraft breaks. And because most of these rural airports don’t have on-site maintainers with experience with today’s advanced aircraft and systems, operators are faced with the problem of finding someone locally who can get them fixed and flying again, fast.

If they’re one of the 150-plus airports serviced by Private Jet Mech member technicians, help is just a toll-free phone call away. “Our company was created as a solution to assist the private business aviation aircraft operator with an unscheduled maintenance problem while on the road,” explained Kevin Hughes, vice president business development. “When this happens it may take many hours to locate a qualified technician.”

Private Jet Mech members can call the 800-number or go to the company’s website to find member maintenance providers at that location or a neighboring airport. “These maintenance service providers specialize in mobile maintenance for corporate aircraft,” he added. “Some are Wyvern-approved and all must have the qualifications to support CFR 91 and 135 aircraft operators. That’s outlined in Private Jet Mech’s membership agreement.”

While Private Jet Mech’s technicians are available at a lot of smaller airports, Hughes explained that they don’t actually work for the company. “They are ‘members’ just like the jet operators,” he said. “Most of them have selected us to represent them. All we do is bring the aircraft operator together with the maintenance provider. We’re sort of like the ‘Triple A’ of corporate aviation.”

Hughes said that Private Jet Mech is growing, having signed up many of the fractional jet providers and a number of big-name FBOs at rural airports. “We’re always looking for experienced, qualified maintenance providers at these locations,” he added. Phone: 866-538-6324, web: www.privatejetmech.com.

— By Dale Smith

Jet Aviation to be Acquired by Permira Funds

Zurich-based Jet Aviation is in the process of being acquired by the Permira Funds. The Permira Funds and Jet Aviation signed an agreement in August that gives majority share of Hirschmann-/Jet Aviation Group to Permira. The deal is subject to antitrust clearance and was expected to be closed by the end of September 2005. Permira is an international private equity specialist.

Billson Joins Eclipse Team

Eclipse Aviation has hired Peg Billson to serve as chief operating officer. Billson, a 20-year aerospace industry veteran, has experience in operations, finance, engineering, technology, customer service, and product support. Billson will be responsible for all areas of operations including engineering, program management, management of information systems, supply chain management, and operations.

Most recently Billson was vice president and general manager of Honeywell International’s airframe systems business where she oversaw 3,300 employees. While at Honeywell she was accountable for all aspects of the airframe systems business including setting strategic direction and delivering on financial commitments. Billson was also vice president and general manager of Honeywell’s aircraft landing systems division.

Bombardier Advances into Russia

With 10 to 15 Bombardier airplanes transiting through Moscow every day and Russian orders or sales of 15 Global Expresses and 5000s and 14 Challenger 300s and 604s currently, Bombardier Aerospace is beefing up its presence in Russia. The company is also adding access to its on-demand charter venture, Skyjet International which will increase aircraft operating in the region.

Bombardier has expanded its Skyjet business jet charter service into Russia to service Moscow and St. Petersburg. The company also announced that it will increase customer support in the region by establishing a line maintenance facility in Russia and will place a dedicated field service representative (FSR) in Moscow.

Bombardier will establish a line maintenance facility in Russia to provide drop-in and AOG services for the growing fleet of Bombardier jets operating in the region. The company said a partner will be selected by the end of the year. “LBAS [Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services, a Berlin-based joint venture of the two companies] is the primary maintenance facility, especially heavy maintenance,” said Dave Orcutt, vice-president customer support business aircraft. “But we need line maintenance in Moscow and we’re working on a partner to set up line AOG service there.”

The dedicated FSR will be the first point of contact for Russian operators. “We’re in the process of hiring a full-time FSR to be based in Moscow,” said Orcutt. “We’re looking for someone who knows the area and knows the cultural challenges.”

European Commission Calls for Airline Black List

In the wake of several fatal crashes that killed a number of Europeans last summer, France and Belgium have published “black lists” of banned airlines in these two European Union member states. The U.K. already had such a black list. Italy uses a “white list” of audited (and therefore authorized) operators. In France, another idea is to establish a “blue list” of recommended airlines. The European Commission wants a consolidated black list at the European level. But all these existing and in-the-making lists leave room for criticism. Nevertheless, pressure from the public and all the parties involved in commercial aviation is strong for more transparency.

A cogent critique came from an Air France pilot. In French daily Le Monde, Alexandre Aubin insisted that a new airline with no safety record could not be on a black list. A temptation for rogue businessmen whose airline is blacklisted would thus be to create another one. French aerospace weekly Air & Cosmos questioned the criteria used to establish a blue list. Clearly hinting at Air France, the magazine asked whether “an airline losing a Concorde and an A340 deserves to be on the blue list, if a Turkish operator found to use a worn tire does not.” Jacques Barrot, the European Transport Commissioner, has pledged the black list at the EU level will be in place early in 2006.

— By Thierry Dubois