Allen E. Paulson, a man who rose from humble beginnings to bring Gulfstream to the forefront of business jet manufacturing, has died in California at age 78 after a long battle with cancer. Paulson created the modern Gulf-stream Aerospace in 1978, by com- bining Rockwell's Oklahoma City-based general aviation division with Grumman Aerospace's corporate jet division in a $52 million deal.
Photograph: EAA members get acquainted under the Wisconsin sun. Clear prop! EAA Masses of faithful flying enthusiasts made their annual pilgrimage to Oshkosh, Wis., from July 26 to August 1, renewing old friendships, spending time with their families and also exploring what's newest and oldest in aircraft technology. The Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture has become an 1,800-acre aviation expo with a much broader based constituency than in its early years.
BFGoodrich Aerospace has launched a prototype avionics suite for general aviation aircraft, and expects FAA certification in 2002. Called SmartDeck, the suite is a self-contained primary instrument system, which fully integrates an aircraft's primary flight avionics and display equipment. SmartDeck was developed through a joint effort between BFGoodrich and recently acquired, Advanced Creations, Inc, (ACi) of Dayton, Ohio.
Raytheon Aircraft Co. President and CEO Hansel E. Tookes is now also chairman of the manufacturer. The appointment completed the transition of power from Art Wegner, who retired. Tookes, a former United Technologies executive and United Airlines pilot, joined Raytheon in September 1999.
The Houston Police Department has ordered two Schweizer Model 333 turbine helicopters. Now operating one of the United States' largest aerial law enforcement divisions, the department inaugurated helicopter patrols 30 years ago using Model 300Cs.
American Eagle has converted options for six more Embraer regional jets to be delivered in 2002. The arrangement allows the Dallas-based carrier to take delivery of RJs with 37 seats, 50 seats or possibly a 44-seat ERJ variant that Embraer has in the works. Eagle President Peter Bowler said he would prefer 50 seaters, but can do so only if American Airlines' pilots ratify a tentative contract agreement that expands the number of 50-seat RJs Eagle may operate.
Era Aviation (Anchorage) Kip Knudsen to general manager of FBO and facilities, Steve Hill to station manager for the airline division, Mike Le Norman to director of sales and marketing and Lillian Bunch to manager of reservations.
Forbes magazine has recognized WeatherTAP.com as ``Best of the Web'' in its summer Internet issue. WeatherTAP.com is a service of TAP Publishing, publisher of Trade-A-Plane.
Cessna is offering an Instrument Computer Based Instruction program (I-CBI) through the Cessna Pilot Center flight-training network. The new instrument-pilot multimedia training system is the next step for pilots after completing the private pilot CBI program. The I-CBI student kit consists of 28 fully interactive CD-ROMs, a textbook, Skyhawk pilot information manual, course syllabus, the FAR/AIM on CD, the course management module and an IFR flight organizer.
Summit Bank (Princeton, N.J.) -- Robert A. Ewing, vice president for the bank's Aircraft Lending Group, was elected president of the National Aircraft Finance Association.
Time is the most important factor dealing with any fire. You must discover it promptly and act to suppress it immediately while getting on the ground as quickly as possible.
The Airport Council International -- North America and aeroVISTAS.com are teaming up to add more e-commerce features to AirportHub.com. The partners plan to add online auction and electronic RFP capability this month, which the partners say will help reduce the cost of goods and services in addition to opening up new markets to small businesses. AirportHub.com currently offers industry news, business and employment opportunities.
Intheairnet says it is developing a ``next-generation'' inflight entertainment and information system, relying heavily on the Internet, for corporate aircraft and the airlines. Calling the new system a Virtual Aircraft Network, company officials say it combines traditional elements of current IFE systems with e-mail and Internet access. Board chairman of the venture is Michael Rogerson, whose Rogerson Kratos company also will develop components for the new system. Rogerson Kratos makes avionics display systems for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
With the GNS 530, Garmin has taken the functionality of the GNS 430 and increased the viewing area to 5.5 inches. The avionics system combines an IFR GPS, comm, VOR, LOC, glideslope and color moving map into a 4.3-x-6.25-inch package that complements most panels. A built-in Jeppesen database contains important information including airports, VORs and intersections, and can be updated through a front-loading data card. The GNS 530 is upgradeable to WAAS TSO C146 for stand-alone approach procedures. Price: $14,995
SimuFlite's QuickTurn division has introduced Cessna 400 series pilot training at its Grapevine, Texas facility. QuickTurn also offers Cessna Citation I/II and Beech King Air training.
Concern over the vulnerability of government-operated business aircraft to heat-seeking missiles has led Gulfstream to offer an electronic missile jamming system as a retrofit option. The system chosen was Sanders' AN/ALQ-204 Matador, a combat-proven infrared countermeasures system (IRCM) that has been installed on a variety of civil and military aircraft.
