Quick Takes

Fuelino.com Provides E-mail-based Aviation Information Service
Reflecting the increased usage of handheld wireless devices such as Blackberry’s and other email-capable cell phones by pilots, Fuelino.com is pushing its real-time, email-based aviation information service. Compatible with any email-capable device, including Blackberry’s, Apple iPhones, Pocket PC-based smartphones, Palm Treo’s, the service sends information requests on weather, fuel and other services to be sent and information received in real-time via email. Requests are processed within seconds, said the company and emailed back to the user.
Information available at Fuelino.com includes information such as:
• Current METARs and TAFs and 5-day forecasts
• Airport information
• Real-time fuel pricing information;
• FAA airplane registration information;
• Local phone numbers for restaurants, etc;
• Location of an aircraft;
• Airline flight status information;
• Distance calculator between two airport codes; and
• Common airline, hotel and car rental phone numbers and web sites URL’s.
The Fuelino information service can be immediately accessed by anyone by sending any email to info@fuelino.com. A command summary and instructions will then be immediately emailed back to the user. The service is currently offered for free and is in beta-release. Additional services and programs specifically tailored for the aviation community are under development and will be announced as they become available.

Linear Air Goes Online
As it announced its on-line service, Linear Air is the first Very Light Jet (VLJ) air taxi company to offer travelers the ability to easily check pricing and book flights online. The company's new booking tool provides an instant reservation for a specific aircraft in the Linear Air fleet, while the Quick Quote (TM) technology generates pricing and flight information. The newly integrated Quick Quote (TM) technology is one more addition to the many conveniences that Linear Air offers travelers.
"Linear Air's goal is to make air travel as pain-free as possible for our customers -- starting with the booking process," said William Herp, President and CEO of Linear Air. "Now customers can go online and access aircraft pricing and availability with minimal effort and time involved."

Sign of the Times
The pull back in business discretionary flying prompted Ohio-based Flight Options to lay off 200 employees nationwide including pilots. The fractional ownership company cited the fact that business was off 15 percent from a year ago.

Cessna's Orders at EBACE Total $750 Million for 88 Aircraft
Cessna Aircraft Company wrapped up the eighth annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) last week in Geneva, Switzerland, with 88 new aircraft orders totaling nearly $750 million.
During the three-day event, Cessna took orders for 70 Citation business jets, 14 Caravans and four single-engine pistons. These orders include two announced on EBACE's opening-day -- 24 business jet orders from Austrian charter giant JETALLIANCE and 20 Citation Mustangs from Russian air taxi operator Dexter. The orders also include those from Air Alliance GmbH, one of Europe's most active Cessna Caravan Authorized Sales Representatives. Air Alliance ordered six 208B Grand Caravans, a 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane.

FirstFlight Adds Citation CJ3
FirstFlight, Inc., a charter management and aviation services company, is adding a Citation CJ3 to its growing fleet of managed aircraft. This aircraft will be based at the company’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania facility and offered for charter operations. The aircraft was manufactured in December 2005, is configured to comfortably accommodate seven passengers, and is outfitted with a Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, a fully enclosed lav and mini-galley.