SOCATA DISTRIBUTOR

Daher-Socata is establishing a new distributorship in the UK Ireland with a long-term TBM owner/operator. Starting in 2011, the new organisation will also be responsible for maintenance, technical support and spare parts provision for the TBM 850 single-engined turboprop from a soon-to-be announced airport base.


LONDON GOES GLOBAL

Canadian charter company London Air Service has become the first operator to place a firm order for a Bombardier Global 7000 business jet. The ultra-long-range aircraft - launched in October along with its longer-legged stablemate the Global 8000 - is scheduled to enter service in 2016. Vancouver-based LAS operates a Challenger 604, two 605s, six Learjet 45XRs, three AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters and has an order for five Learjet 85s.


TRACTOR MAINTENANCE

GE Aviation has appointed Sky Tractor Supply as authorised service centre for the M601 and H80 turboprop engines. As part of the agreement, Hillsboro, North Dakota-based Sky Tractor will offer comprehensive line maintenance, removals and re-installations of engines and spare parts for both engine families.


GRAND NEWS

Japanese national newspaper the Asahi Shimbun has taken delivery of Japan's first AgustaWestland A109 GrandNew helicopter. The light twin-engined aircraft will be used to perform news gathering and aerial photography mission when it enters service early in 2011. AgustaWestland says it has 50 orders to date for the GrandNew, which was launched in February.


ALTO FALCON

Alto Aviation has been selected by Dassault to supply its audio system for every new Falcon production aircraft. The Alto system includes amplifier, high-frequency speakers, subwoofers and paging speakers and will also be available for retrofit on in-service Falcon business jets.


Source: Flight International