Worldwide GA shipments and billings down in 2009

Speaking at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) briefing, GAMA’s Chairman, Rob Wilson reported that the global economic downturn led to one of the toughest years ever for general aviation manufacturers. Wilson pointed out, however, that there are some hopeful signs that the worst of the economic crisis may be over. He added, “The inventory of used aircraft has peaked and is now declining, flying hours are on the rise, and inquiries for new orders are beginning to grow again. Industry billings dipped to $19.5 billion, a 21.4 percent decrease from the 2008 record high of $24.8 billion, but the third highest year ever. 2009 worldwide shipments of general aviation airplanes declined for a second year in a row with a total of 2,276 units delivered, a 42.6 percent decrease over the previous year’s total of 3,967 airplanes.
The piston airplane segment experienced the greatest decline at 54.5 percent.  The turboprop sector was the most successful in weathering the economic storm, showing a decline of 17.6 percent. In 2009, 441 turboprops were shipped. After five years of growth, the business jet sector declined 33.7 percent with 870 airplanes shipped, compared to the previous year’s figure of 1,313 airplanes.
www.gama.aero

R66 certification ‚very close’

Robinson Helicopter founder Frank Robinson said certification of the company’s new turbine R66 was “very close” and that the company planned an initial production rate of two per week for the $770,000 Rolls-Royce RR300-powered helicopter. He said that the recommended TBO of 2,000 hours for the RR300 in the R66 was “Rolls-Royce’s idea.” Robinson added that the aluminium skin, stainless steel spar rotor blade construction used on the R66 would eventually also be used on the smaller R44.
www.robinsonheli.com

CAE launches CAE 3000 Series helicopter mission simulators

CAE announced that the company is launching a family of new, affordable helicopter mission simulators for the previously underserved civil helicopter market. The first CAE 3000 Series simulator will be available for training by the summer of 2010. "This new CAE simulation capability offers unprecedented realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including offshore, emergency medical services, law enforcement, long line, high-altitude, corporate, and other operations," said Jeff Roberts, CAE’s Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services.
The new CAE helicopter mission simulators will meet or exceed current regulatory requirements, including FAA and European JAA Level D. The CAE 3000 Series features three-degree-of-freedom vibration platform, as well as a visual system with direct projection dome, high-definition commercial off-the-shelf projectors, and up to a 220-degree horizontal by 80-degree vertical field of view display system. CAE is the first to incorporate artificially intelligent human form and moving vehicle dynamic simulation for civil helicopter training tasks and mission scenarios. List prices for the CAE 3000 Series will depend on the helicopter configuration and customer training requirements and will range from less than US$4 million to approximately $10 million.
www.cae.com

People: Jeff Miller, new Gulfstream VP of communications

Gulfstream Aerospace has named Jeff Miller to the newly created position of vice president, Communications. Miller will oversee internal and external communications at Gulfstream. In this position, Miller will work closely with Bill Shira, vice president, Marketing and Sales Support. Miller comes to Gulfstream from Dallas, where he spent nine years as CEO of Blake-Miller Communications, an advertising and public relations agency. During his tenure there, Miller developed public relations and advertising campaigns for aviation companies and others. Prior to founding Blake-Miller Communications, Miller was vice president, Corporate Communications, at Galaxy Aerospace in Fort Worth from September 1996 to June 2001. General Dynamics acquired Galaxy in June 2001. From 1993-1996, Miller worked for Bombardier Learjet Inc. as director, Public Affairs. His career in Wichita included more than three years as manager, Marketing, for Piaggio Aviation. He also spent five years as associate editor at AOPA Pilot Magazine and was a copywriter for Young & Rubicam advertising agency in New York. Miller is a magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College in English and holds a master’s degree in international economics and European studies from The Johns Hopkins University. He has a commercial pilot’s license and is instrument, multi-engine and seaplane-rated.
www.gulfstream.com