Eclipse Wants Single-Pilot Air Taxis
Speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society VLJ Conference in London in March, Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn challenged attendees to prove the safety of single-pilot operations for very light jet air taxi operations to change European regulations requiring such operations have two pilots and to address the looming global pilot shortages. Advocates cite the changes in technology since the dawn of aviation when most flights were flown by a single pilot as mitigating toward a return to single-pilot operations.
In the U.S., many of the new product launches – such as DayJet – offer two-pilot operations despite the fact, under federal aviation regulations, the co-pilot's seat can be used for passengers. The trend seems to be in the opposite direction since regulators are already concerned about the experience of pilots moving from less sophisticated equipment to the higher performance very light jets. To that end, Cessna, Eclipse and Embraer are offering sophisticated training programs to such pilots to address those concerns. If VLJ air taxi models are the pre-cursor to a new level of commercial aviation, the single level of safety can be expanded to air taxis. However, it would likely take a series of accidents, high-profile coverage and Congressional pressure to do that, just as it did with regional airlines in the mid 1990s.

New FBO at Homestead
Fixed Base Operator Homestead Executive Jet Center opened its doors recently, serving jets and general aviation aircraft at Homestead General Airport near Miami. A full service operator, HEJC offers short and long-term parking, rental cars, limo service, catering, lavatory service, ice, coffee, newspapers, and quick turn-around. Twenty-four-hour service is available with advance notice. Pilots will appreciate the Pilot Lounge with weather, TV, Internet and computerized weather.
Homestead General Airport is located 12 miles from the Homestead Miami Speedway and makes a convenient fueling stop on flights to the Florida Keys and to the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. A 4,000 foot runway with no obstacles provides ample room for most GA and small Jet aircraft.