BONUS DEPRECIATION
The business aviation manufacturing community has welcomed a proposal from the US senate to extend bonus depreciation for equipment purchases throughout 2010. "Bonus depreciation is a proven incentive for businesses to accelerate replacement and purchases of essential equipment, including aircraft," says NBAA president Ed Bolen.
MIDCOAST MERGER
Midcoast Aviation says it will absorb the operations of its sister interior completions and maintenance company Savannah Air Center by the end of the year.
VIP DELIVERY
Bell Helicopter affiliate Edwards & Associates has delivered a VIP configured 407 to New York City charter and air tour operator Zip Aviation. The light, single-engined aircraft is equipped with a Garmin G500H glass flight display and "luxurious interior and provisions for a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system", says Bell. The aircraft join's Zip's 206B3 JetRanger, 206L LongRanger and 407 in service.
ENGINE CONVERSION
US engineering company Aero Twin has received US approval for improvements to its Honeywell TPE331-12JR-701AT/-703AT engine conversion for the Cessna 208 Caravan, Grand Caravan and Super Cargomaster. Supplemental type certification for the engine upgrade - which became the first US Federal Aviation Administration-certificated Honeywell conversion for the single-engined turboprop family - was originally awarded to Anchorage-based Aero Twin in July 2007. Recent improvements include flight into known icing for gross weights of up to 4,115kg (9,060lb) for the Grand Caravans and the Super Cargomasters and 3,595kg for the 208 Caravan.
Source: Flight International
