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The National Business Aviation Association’s 2017 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). Also, Airbus takes a majority position in the CSeries program, the Global Supertanker is firefighting in California, the Scaled Composites experimental Model 401 first flight, and trouble for Kestrel in Wisconsin and Maine.
Guest
Arthur Rosen is a retired Judge, AOPA-ASN (Airport Support Network) for Scottsdale Airport (SDL), and Chairman Emeritus of the Scottsdale Aviation Commission. He served on the Super Bowl Committee for Aviation, he’s past President of the Arizona Soaring Association, and an aviation expert for ABC TV-Phoenix. Arthur blogs at My Opinion: Thoughts and Comments on General Aviation. Follow him on Twitter at @judgearr.
NBAA-BACE Convention
Arthur, Rob, and Brian all attended NBAA-BACE held Oct. 10–12 in Las Vegas, and we explore their impressions of the event. Brian recorded some of the speakers, and the following are condensed versions:
Opening Remarks from the Keynote: Ed Bolen and Clark County City Commissioner Lawrence Weekly:
Congresswoman Dina Titus, Representative for Nevada’s 1st congressional district:
Michael Huerta – FAA Administrator:
Robert Sumwalt – NTSB Chairman:
Capt Jim Lovell – Retired test pilot and astronaut:
Rob and Brian at NBAA BACE 2017.
Aviation News
Delta Vows Not to Pay U.S. Duties on Bombardier’s C Series
Despite the tariffs recommended by the U.S. Commerce Department, Delta Air Lines says they will not pay import duties on the 75 CSeries aircraft it ordered from Bombardier. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “I can’t tell you how this is going to eventually work out. There may be a delay in us taking the aircraft, as we work through the issues with Bombardier, who is being a great partner in this.”
Airbus to buy majority stake in Bombardier CSeries program
Airbus Group is buying a majority stake in Bombardier’s CSeries program. The CSeries headquarters will remain in the Montreal area but a second assembly line for the 100- to 150-seat plane will be set up at Airbus’ facility in Alabama.
Cal File Calls for “The Largest Tool”
The Global SuperTanker is fighting wildfires in California.
Bombardier’s Global 7000 Debuts in Vegas
The fourth of Bombardier’s Global 7000 test aircraft debuted in Las Vegas the NBAA-BACE
Called “The Architect” it is the “largest purpose-built business jet in the industry.”
Scaled Composites Completes First Flight of Secretive Experimental
Scaled Composites conducted the first flight of the experimental Model 401 proof-of-concept airplane. The airplane (N401XP) was designed for a “proprietary customer” and is the first of two commissioned.
Wisconsin suing Kestrel Aircraft over loan debt, stalled financing
Kestrel Aircraft Company evicted from Brunswick Landing
In 2012, the state of Wisconsin gave Kestrel $4 million in state loans and more in tax incentives to build a plant that was to employ 665 people. Kestrel didn’t build the plant and is in default on their loan payments. Meanwhile, Kestrel has been evicted from its facility in Maine for failure to meet its financial obligations.
Airline Story of the Month
Letter: A positive airline experience
One passenger’s Southwest Airlines experience after giving up her seat.
Aviation Story
Our Main(e) man Micah tells a story about seeing the Blue Angels prior to the The Great State of Maine Air Show.
Our Main(e) Man Micah
Trip Report
Brian’s “big trip” continues with conversations at the Hamburg meetup with listeners Hendrik, Jan, and Christof talking about their flying experiences.
Then Brian talks with listeners Tilman and Matt about GA flying in Europe during the meetup in Berlin.
Tilman, Brian and Matt
Mentioned
Video: Unbelievable Airbus A380 Hard Crosswind Landing during a storm at Düsseldorf
Video: A fond farewell to the Boeing 747
Credit
Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD. Outtro by Bruno Misonne from The Sound of Flaps.