Runways that lack Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches could receive some glidepath information under a new FAA initiative designed to prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. Margaret ``Peggy'' Gilligan, the FAA's deputy associate administrator for regulation and certification, said the new approaches might use some aspects of GPS technology, but not in the short term.
With growth of the NetJets fractional ownership program continuing at a pace of six to eight new airplanes and 35 to 50 new owners per month, Executive Jet Aviation (EJA) in mid-June dedicated its new 200,000-square-foot operations center at Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. EJA's old facility will be dedicated to training and houses a Citation V Ultra simulator, with Citation X and Citation Excel simulators expected over the next six months. Currently, EJA is hiring around 50 pilots per month.
The FAA has proposed a $95,000 fine against Grand Aire Express for maintenance discrepancies. The action comes just a month after the FAA hit the Toledo-based operator with a $195,000 fine for maintenance-related transgressions. FAA records allege that Grand Aire maintained a Fairchild Metroliner without reference to required maintenance manuals, and operated 41 subsequent flights with a broken intercom rocker switch. Grand Aire has 30 days to respond to the FAA's latest action. In most cases of this type, the two parties settle on a greatly reduced penalty.
Skyjet.com, a Web-based air charter booking service, has introduced MySkyjet, a new online auction for empty legs. The new service allows operators to post empty legs and solicit bids for the segments. As with other online auctions, the seller can determine a minimum acceptable price for the service. Customers also can post proposed itineraries on which operators can place bids. Skyjet says 235 charter companies operating more than 1,300 aircraft participate in its online booking system.
Photograph: Robert Johnson An offshoot of the proposed United Airlines-US Airways merger could be DC Air -- the first new entrant carrier to surface at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) in more than a decade. Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and US Airways board member Robert L. Johnson is behind the venture, which plans to serve 44 cities with 122 daily departures, using 37 aircraft and crews wet-leased from United and/or US Airways.
Brazil and Canada have agreed to seek a negotiated settlement of their ongoing dispute over the use of government subsidies in regional jet aircraft sales. Officials from the two sides held preliminary discussions in New York on May 23; the next meeting was scheduled for June 22 in Geneva as B/CA's July issue went to press. Canada, however, still wants the WTO's approval to retaliate against Brazil for its continued use of ProEx, an export financing package the Geneva-based trade body declared illegal in August 1999.
The tables above show results of a fuel price survey of U.S. fuel suppliers performed in June 2000. This survey was conducted by Aviation Research Group/U.S. (ARG/US) and reflects prices reported from FBOs nationwide. Prices are full retail and include all taxes and fees. For additional information, contact ARG/US at (513) 247-1010 or on the internet at www.aviationresearch.com.
Photograph: Implosion makes way for airport development. GTAA Old ATC Tower Imploded at GTAA The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) demolished the old ATC tower in the infield of Canada's Lester B. Pearson International Airport as a part of the GTAA's $4.4 billion airport development program. The 10-year program includes the construction of a terminal building, to replace Terminals 1 and 2, two new runways and the construction of several new facilities in the airport infield.
Aircraft Belts has introduced a new concept in aircraft restraint systems -- the Dual Action Push Button Restraint System. The new Dual Action system can be released by pushing a button on the top or side of the buckle allowing what the company says is ``improved safety, operation and longevity'' over traditional single-button seat belts. The system meets FAA standards, is available in either polymer or metal housing, and only can be used in three-point configuration. Price: $400 to 584 Aircraft Belts, Inc. P.O. Box 845
Chalks Ocean Airways, one of the world's oldest continuously operated air carriers, has introduced a new Web site, www.chalksoceanairways.com. The site contains information regarding the company's history, a photo gallery, flight schedules and information about its five destinations: Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Paradise Island/Nassau; Bimini; and Walkers Cay, Bahamas.
Business aircraft come in many forms, running the gamut from small single-engine aircraft to the largest widebody jets. But the most distinctive -- and probably the most fun to fly -- has got to be Cessna's 208 Caravan on amphibious floats. Minneapolis-based Wipaire has the STC for CE-208 float conversions, and does around 20 a year. Though a few buyers have opted for straight floats, most choose the company's Model 8000 amphibious floats, which of course allow the flexibility of land or water operations.
Raytheon Aircraft says FAA certification of its new Premier I business jet will occur some time this summer, upon completion of the remaining 25 percent of the test program. Company spokesman Kevin O'Hara says avionics certification of the $4.85 million jet is nearly complete, and a fourth aircraft -- now in the paint shop -- will undertake function and reliability and single-pilot certification testing over the coming weeks. The aircraft's document package and manuals are complete, and the simulator is operational but not yet FAA certified, he adds.
Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures, Inc. (AASI) says its single-engine turboprop Jetcruzer 500 has successfully completed pressurization tests and that the aircraft is now certified to a 30,000-foot cruise altitude. Saying that pressurization was ``the one thing we had never done before,'' AASI Executive Vice President Gene Comfort proclaimed the project ``on-schedule'' for third quarter certification and initial customer deliveries by year-end.
The FAA has named 24-year agency veteran Steven B. Wallace, an attorney and licensed pilot, director of the Office of Accident Investigation. In his new position, Wallace is responsible for all FAA accident investigations and for all activities related to the NTSB. Wallace had been the FAA's senior representative at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, serving as the agency's contact with U.S. government officials, foreign government representatives and the aviation industry throughout Central Europe, the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East.
J.A. Air Center launched a new Web site and online store with secure online shopping. Customers can order new and reconditioned handheld and panel-mount GPS equipment, headsets, transceivers, audio panels, transponders and other avionics. For more information, visit its Web site at www.jaair.com.
Lufthansa Technik (Dallas) -- Lutz Weirschin is appointed Lufthansa Technik Component Services' (LTCS) customer service manager and Walter Kattwinkel was named LTCS's key accounts manager.
The FAA has made permanent a Mentor Protege program for ``socially and economically disadvantaged'' small businesses. FAA prime contractors and subcontractors are encouraged to prepare smaller companies to bid on future FAA contracts. The mentoring program was introduced in 1997 on a trial basis and is meant to ``extend the benefits of our vibrant economy to all Americans,'' according to Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. Additional information is available at www.faa.gov/sbo.
Gulfstream officials say European JAA certification of the G-V is ``a moving target,'' that ultimately could cost more than $20 million. When the G-V was first conceived, harmonization of FAA and JAA rules was on track, and the company opted to pursue FAA certification first and then follow with the JAA. However, a growing list of differences between the standards -- one of the biggest of which is loads testing -- now stands in the way of JAA certification.
Only nine of 42 delivered BBJs are in service due to completion delays. BBJ President Borge Boeskov said he expects 20 BBJs to be in service by the end of the year. Boeing has trimmed production of the aircraft from 29 in 1999 to a projected 18 this year, in part to ease pressure on completions facilities. Completions are running between seven and 12 months, Boeskov said. Boeing is exploring the possibility of a follow-on BBJ-3, which would combine a 757-200 fuselage with a 757-300 wing and landing gear to produce an aircraft with more than 7,000-nm range.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) recently took AOPA President Phil Boyer to task for opposing aviation user fees. The exchange took place at a confirmation hearing for Boyer's nomination to the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Committee (MAC). McCain is a long-time proponent of user fees for corporate operators, whom he referred to as ``fat-cat friends'' who ``pay nothing'' to use the air traffic system. Boyer repeated his assertion that non-airline users pay for using the system in the form of a federal fuel excise tax.
Signature Flight Support moves into its new executive terminal at Centennial Airport in Denver. The facility features 12 acres of ramp space, first-class customer services, telephone dataports, flight planning, conference room, pilot lounge and crew showers. Signature recently completed construction of a new executive terminal at Chicago's Midway Airport.
