TRAINING PROGRAMME
US air taxi company and training provider Linear Air has teamed with High Performance Aircraft Training - provider of unusual attitude training and jet transition instruction - to provide Eclipse 500 pilot training. Pilots can choose to be trained at Linear Air in Bedford, Massachusetts or by High Performance at their home airport. The latter company will also provide its single-engined Aero Vodochody L-39 jet and the necessary upset training needed to begin Eclipse type rating instruction.
FLOAT APPROVAL
Amphibious float manufacture Wipaire has clinched technical standard order authorisation for its Wipline model 7000 float - designed for the Quest Kodiak single-engined turboprop - paving the way for full approval early in the year, says the St Paul, Minnesota-based company. "With the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of the structure and design confirmed, we are turning our attention to the remainder of flight testing, and expect full approval of the installation during the first quarter of 2010," says Wipaire. Meanwhile, fellow float manufacturer Zenair has delivered its first set of all-aluminium, amphibious float kits.
COPTER SALE
Finnish helicopter operator Copterline has sold two AgustaWestland AW139s to US operator Petroleum Helicopters. The medium twin-engined helicopters, which served on Helsinki-based Copterline's now defunct scheduled helicopter service, were sold through UK aircraft consultancy International Bureau of Aviation. The aircraft will be used for offshore transport.
PAWAN APPROVAL
India's state-owned helicopter charter company Pawan Hans Helicopter has signed an agreement with the Indian Postal department to provide air transport services within the country. The contract comes as the Indian government approves the purchase by Pawan of seven Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin helicopters to help support the company's offshore operations.
Source: Flight International
