Chicken Little Reports Sky Is Falling

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As the story goes, one day Chicken Little was walking through the woods when an acorn fell on his head. Accordingly, he assumed the sky was falling. Thus, Chicken Little initiated a media blitz to warn the government (in this case the king) of the impending doom. There are some good endings and not-so-good endings to this fairy tale, but the messenger, Chicken Little, and the message of impending doom have remained consistent.
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Pilots Gain Online Access to AC-U-KWIK Data

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Professional Flight Management Inc. (PFM) is launching online access to AC-U-KWIK's global database this quarter. Now, PFM will routinely pull updated data from the AC-U-KWIK database, which includes information on key FBO amenities, after-hours telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, Web sites and airport diagrams. This new service, called AC-U-KWIK Aviation eXpress Information Service (AXIS), was designed to make preflight planning more efficient. Pilots will be more aware of changes at airports and FBOs before takeoff, according to Julia T. Brooks, PFM's business manager. Updated facts on facilities will be highlighted when crews type in their destination.
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FAA 14 CFR 139.321 Training Goes Online

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The LSAT has made its way into the GA industry, but graduates of this course are not destined for law jobs. FBO supervisors can take FAA 14 CFR 139.321 training online through Aviation Continuing Education Inc. (ACE). The Line Service Annual Training (LSAT) program covers all Fuel Safety and Inspection Program sections designated for supervisors at Part 139 certificated airports, according to Jay Shanley, ACE spokesman. It also covers several Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements.
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Where the GA Jobs Are

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The consolidation of the General Aviation industry has created a range of new opportunities and transitional issues for business jet professionals. "The demand for talent outpaced the available resources," said Raymond Stebler, director of staffing solutions for New Jersey-based Jet Professionals, which experienced 50 percent growth in business in 2007. "We have also noticed an increase in temporary staffing and long-term contracts to secure enough personnel for the growing fleet of corporate aircraft."
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Encore Announces Landmark Merger and Plots 2008 Acquisition Spree

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Encore FBO and private-equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner are in the process of acquiring all of Landmark Aviation's FBOs from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Aviation Holdings. The merger also covers Landmark's charter, aircraft sales and maintenance parts assets, but not its MRO division. The combined company will own more than 40 FBOs.
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The “Long Ranger” Rides High in Value

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In the midst of all the usual confusion with the economy, real-estate woes and the subprime lending practices offering fuel for a possible recession, general and corporate aviation value trends continue to remain generally stable. Even the nearly $100 per barrel price for crude oil seems to get at the most a raised eyebrow at the pump. After a possible grumble, it’s wheels up, and life goes on. It’s the American way.
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World Fuel to Acquire AVCARD

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The upcoming merger between World Fuel Services (WFS) and AVCARD is expected to generate significant growth opportunities for both companies. “We will now be able to market our flight support and third-party services to all of AVCARD's customers, while at the same time providing AVCARD's robust data capture and reporting solution to our current customers, as well as those of our strategic partners,” said Paul H. Stebbins, WFS chairman and CEO, in a company statement.
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Signature's Portfolio Bulges with New FBO Acquisitions

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Signature Flight Support's acquisition spree passed new milestones this fall. In October, Signature acquired Marathon Flight Services at Kissimmee, Fla., Gateway Airport and Carolina Air Center in Hilton Head, S.C. This month, Signature announced it had acquired Regent Aviation's FBOs in St. Paul and at the Rochester International Airport in Minnesota.
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Identifying Expansion Opportunities in the Middle East

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Sales of aircraft at this week's Dubai Airshow have already exceeded $75 billion and are a fresh indicator of business aviation's fast-paced growth in the Middle East. "Interest in Boeing Business Jets and VIP models continues to grow in the Middle East, and, in fact, 29 percent of our customer reside there, followed by 26 percent in North America and 23 percent in Europe," says Vicki Ray, a Boeing spokeswoman.
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Bombardier's Learjet NXT Reels in Letters of Intent

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Bombardier's new Learjet NXT product was launched less than one month ago, and the midsize aircraft has already generated more than 65 letters of intent. In size, the aircraft falls between Bombardier's $13.3 million Learjet 60XR and $21 million Challenger 300. It seats eight passengers, has a 3,000-nm range, a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82, and a transcontinental range pushing 3,000 nautical miles.
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