The state of New Mexico is having some buyer’s remorse.
After buying A500 aircraft from Adam Aircraft, the manufacturer filed for bankruptcy and stopped production.
Now, there’s no warranty on their planes and no factory to supply spare parts. In January, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety took delivery on the last of five A500 planes that went to buyers, according to an Associated Press report. The state, luckily, has a technician who knows how to service them.
Public Safety Secretary John Denko said the agency wasn’t aware of the company’s tenuous financial situation when the state bought the airplanes, according to the report.
You may have read that The Eagle is having a holiday open house Tuesday, Dec. 16. It will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. I sure hope you stop by, bring your family and friends, have some cookies, see Santa and hear some caroling. I’d love to see old friends and make new ones. (I was just thinking how Santa is the ultimate pilot! )
Please plan to attend.
Tailwinds,
Molly
If you’re flying over the holidays, be sure to pack your patience and a good book. Planes will be full or nearly so.
That leaves few options should you miss a connection or be delayed in any way. The next flight will likely be just as full.
The number of flights operating are down this month, however, and that should mean better overall performance, according to FlightStats. During the first week of December, there were 6 percent few U.S. flights than in the same period last year and 10 percent in 2006.
Fewer flights also mean that the planes will be full.
Travelers should hope Santa brings good weather. If the weather is mild, things should go pretty smoothly. But if severe weather hits key hubs like Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth or Atlanta, the entire system will be challenged.
Embraer will begin delivering its new Phenom 100 very light jets next week after receiving U.S. certification of the aircraft. The plane was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“U.S. certification validates the jet’s design and its suitability for one of the most important business jet markets,” Embraer executive vice president of its business jet division said in a statement.
Brazil’s Embraer is seen as the biggest threat to Wichita business jetmakers as it continues to build its business jet sector.
