PFM and ARINC Develop New Automated Management Features

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Professional Flight Management recently announced that it is working with ARINC Direct to jointly develop technology solutions that automate flight management departments. Projects under way include enabling PFM to display domestic and international off/on position reports directly from ARINC, with automated updates; enabling PFM to pull online fuel data from ARINC Direct; and enabling PFM customers to request and display ARINC Direct flight plans without leaving PFM.
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Worldwide Sales Boost GA’s Record-Breaking Growth

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Honeywell’s 2007 Business Aviation Outlook forecasts the delivery of approximately 14,000 new business aircraft through 2017, generating industry sales of $233 billion. For this year alone, the delivery of more than 1,000 new business jets was forecasted –up from 861 in 2006. Next year 1,300 deliveries are expected.
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U.S. Stock Jitters Ripple Through Global Markets

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If there were any question that amergence of a global economy is a reality, one would only have to look at the impact U.S. markets had on global markets during the second week of August. The jitters experienced in U.S. markets with noticeable declines in a wide range of stocks set a rippling effect into world markets. While negative speculation created a wave of sell-off frenzies, the seasoned investor, like a professional pilot flying through unexpected turbulence, remained steady knowing their knowledge, expertise and skills would see them through into calmer air. Behind every cloud is a silver lining. As markets recover from a case of jitters, it is a proven fact a global market does exist even though each market is an independent entity. The good news is products and services remain strong, and the opportunity for economic growth is limitless.
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Multi Service Aviation Expands Line of Services

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U.S. Bank's acquisition of Multi Service Aviation (MSA) in 2005 has given pilots access to a greater range of services, according to Jill M. Heisterkamp, MSA's communications and media manager. U.S. Bank products accessible to the general aviation industry include business equipment leasing, corporate banking, treasury management, corporate and purchasing cards -- such as the Voyager Fleet Card. Look for details on these products at this year's NBAA show.
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The Impact of the Atlantic-Mercury Merger

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On the heels of the merger between Atlantic Aviation and Mercury Air Centers Inc., Atlantic is working to rollout Atlantic Awards, its loyalty program for pilots, across the new organization, says Sue Sommers, Atlantic’s vice president of sales and marketing. This is one of the few changes that the merger is expected to have on Atlantic's service package, Sommers says.
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FBOs Find Success with Sport Programs

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FBOs across the country that are offering new training programs for sport licenses are attracting a special genre of recreational pilots. The two-year-old sport program at St. Charles Flying in St. Louis "adds a new dimension to our school," says Dennis Bampton, president of St. Charles Flying. "We have graduated 34 new sport pilots and currently have 10 additional students enrolled in our sport program. We are trying to appeal to older individuals who have always wanted to fly."
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Cirrus' "The Jet" Is Halfway Through Development

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Cirrus unveiled the mock-up of its single-engine personal "The Jet" earlier this summer, but a flying prototype is still in the works. Key advantages of the new concept include one pilot, extensive cubic feet for passenger use, a top speed of 300 knots and a range of 1,000 nm. The current price is in the $1 million range. A unique configuration of aircraft parts makes this concept particularly innovative, says Mike Van Staagen, vice president of Cirrus' Advanced Development Group.
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Honeywell Introduces New Avionics Display

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Honeywell is developing a new display for general aviation use that closely matches Honeywell avionics systems found on larger aircraft. GPS and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), a new software-based VHF communication and navigation radio are included. Flying information can be displayed in multiple configurations. Pilots will use traditional hard keys, line select keys, display based dedicated keys or a cursor control device (CCD).
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AVCARD Devotes Manpower to Fuel Negotiating

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Electronic automation, such as Avcard's multipurpose charge card, might be widespread and effective but on its own can't singlehandedly procure affordable fuel for general aviation operations. That challenging process takes extra legwork and minds these days and is the genesis behind Avcard's 24/7 fuel dispatch department, a complimentary service that was created to negotiate bulk fuel prices and pass the savings on to Avcard clients.
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Eclipse Releases Light Jet; New Flight Technology Follows

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The boom in U.S. regional air travel has created demand for aircraft that emit few emissions and reduce noise pollution, a common complaint from neighborhoods surrounding regional airports. Eclipse Aviation's new light aircraft is quieter than any other single-engine piston or twin engine aircraft ever made, according to Andrew Broom, spokesman for Eclipse Aviation Corp. The Eclipse 500 costs only $400 per hour to operate.
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