Monday BizAv News Roundup

The New York Times's Dealbook blog reports that United Technologies -- parent company of units including Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Hamilton Sunstrand -- is mulling a potential deal to buy Goodrich.

Business and Commercial Aviation's David Esler writes about operating in Eastern Europe.  "As Eastern Europe has opened up, so have business opportunities among the former Soviet states. Thus, corporate travel through the region has increased exponentially, in turn creating opportunities for business aviation, not only for visitors but indigenously," he writes.

Flying magazine profiles the efforts of Nextant Aerospace to upgrade the Beechjet 400 A. "In fact, in terms of brand and model, Nextant was agnostic. Its mission was to create a very affordable like-new airplane for the fractional/jet card market and to do it at less than half the price of a comparable new bird," says the report.

Tulsa, Okla.-based Bizjet International credits its success to switching its business from "painting and overhauling small general aviation aircraft to the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft engines, "green" aircraft interior completions and VIP and corporate cabin conversions, modifications and refurbishment," reports Tulsa World.

NBAA's Business Aviation Insider covers the rise of iPads in the cockpit.  :Not only are iPads available at a fraction of the cost of EFBs or the first approved tablets, but also the software programs and chart subscriptions are priced such that even operators of light aircraft are jumping on the bandwagon. One Bonanza pilot said, "It's like getting the whole candy machine with one quarter,"says the report.

The No Plane, No Gain campaign highlights an article in the Daily Herald on the value of general aviation.  "The aviation community commends Gov. Pat Quinn’s recent declaration recognizing the importance of general aviation and its vital role in Illinois. At Chicago Executive Airport, we believe the recognition is overdue," the newspaper reports.

Wired magazine's Autopia blog posts about police departments looking at the aircraft of the future -- the gyroplane.  “The use of this type of aircraft isn’t novel. The novelty lies in the bringing of best practices from Europe to the United States” the chief, Robert S. Hauck, tells Wired. This city outside Houston is using a grant from the Department of Justice Law Enforcement Aviation Technology Program to test the vehicle.

The AircraftPost.com blog looks at Pre-owned Market Changes – Week Ending 9/9/2011.  The downturn in the economy was the only thing that kept the pilot shortage from becoming a fact, not a dream, reports Jetwhine.

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