The average size of regional airliners continues to increase. So also is the airlines' ability to carrier more cargo. More and more regional airlines are actively marketing their freight-carrying capabilities, often in conjunction with the cargo and small-package services of their senior partners, and it is paying off, according to carrier officials. Airlines have gone to great lengths to fill empty airplane seats. Yield management has enabled carriers to ``anticipate'' the number of empty seats on any particular flight and offer those seats at a discounted rate.
Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y., has begun using flight-tracking software to identify violators of local noise regulations. Many operators already had privacy concerns about the software, arguing that it could pose a security threat. The software is part of a new noise-monitoring system that has been in place at the noise-sensitive airport since November 1999. For some time, citizens who call HPN's noise-abatement office have been able to obtain the name of the aircraft operator that caused the disturbance, if it can be confirmed.
Jet Aviation has added six business aircraft to its U.S. management fleet, raising the total to 76 aircraft. Included are the company's first Dassault Falcon 2000, two Falcon 50s, a Falcon 900EX, a Falcon 900B and one Gulfstream IVSP. Jamie Barrett, general manager of Jet Aviation's U.S. charter division, says ``all of these new additions, except one Falcon 50 and the Falcon 900B, will be available for charter through Jet Aviation's certificate partner New World Jet.''
Receivers have placed Britten-Norman, Ltd. up for sale after company directors failed to solve cash flow problems. ``This is a very regrettable situation for a company with a good order book and requisite approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defense,'' said Chris Laughton, of administrative receivers Levy Gee. The manufacturer has cut 112 jobs, leaving behind a skeleton staff of 21 as caretakers at Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Fred George Spey Hush Kit Flunks Noise Test
In early March, Dallas Airmotive flew the final FAR Part 36 noise test on a Gulf-stream II fitted with Stage III Technolo-gies' Rolls-Royce Spey hush kits -- with disappointing results. While the system enabled the G-II to meet Part 36 takeoff noise standards, ap-proach noise was 1.5 dB above the limit and sideline noise was a full five dB over Part 36 standards, according to a letter sent to customers by Ken Seeley of Dallas Airmotive, the firm that markets the kits.
Flightserv.com has inaugurated public charter service utilizing business jets between Atlanta's Dekalb-Peachtree Airport and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. After a two-week introductory period with tickets priced at $499 each way, including ground transportation, flights between the two cities will cost about 10 percent more than the scheduled airlines' unrestricted first-class fare. The service will be flown by FAR Part 135 operators using light to midsize jets.
Cessna Aircraft (Wichita) -- Craig Estep has been promoted to vice president of aircraft completion and Cynthia Halsey is now vice president for interior design and engineering.
Midway Airlines is terminating the leases on four Fokker F100s in early 2001, about two and one-half years ahead of schedule. The carrier has begun taking deliveries of 17 new Boeing 737-700s.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Paul Richfield Grand Canyon Rules Irk Operators
The Clinton administration has moved forward the implementation timetable for new rules designed to limit the impact of aircraft noise on the Grand Canyon National Park. Public knowledge for the past two years, the restrictions alter the current air tour route structure, cap the total number of air tour flights, and increase the size of areas where aircraft are prohibited.
Dassault Falcon Jet (Teterboro) -- Jon H. Lax has been promoted to director of customer administration, replacing Gerald A. Goguen, who was promoted to senior vice president. Donald J. Pointer succeeds Lax as director of service engineering.
Turbomeca/Microturbo (Grand Prairie, Texas) -- Geneva Whalen rejoins the engine manufacturer as director of finance. James Loftin has been promoted to director of operations.
Photograph: Cessna Citation Sovereign Cessna Ayres Emerging Aircraft Existing manufacturers add new designs while many new manufacturers struggle to overcome funding, certification obstacles. Although none of the aircraft on 1999's emerging aircraft list have ``graduated'' yet to the performance charts, neither have any been dropped due to lack of funding, interest or certification problems.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Perry Bradley, in Brussels, Belgium
A Dubai-based operator has signed a deal for two Airbus A319CJs that will be used for VIP charter service. SAPO Inter-national will take delivery of the first aircraft in November, followed by a second in June 2001. The aircraft are expected to enter service in mid and late 2001, respectively.
Nav Canada says it will invest more than $100 million in capital improvements to Canada's air traffic control system this year. The money will be invested in updating aging ATC radar displays, opening new towers and weather briefing stations, and further implementation of the Extended Computer Display System, which automates the exchange of flight information between controller positions. The firm also will begin rolling out its new Converging Runway Display Aid -- designed to make runway and airspace usage more efficient.
Vail Valley Jet Center (Vail, Colo.) -- Bryan M. Burns joins as president of the FBO. He was formerly general manager of Signature Flight Support's Reagan Washington National Airport FBO.
President Clinton signed AIR-21 - the long-awaited FAA reauthorization bill - into law on April 5, clearing the way for three years of unprecedented federal investment in America's aviation infrastructure. The bill will increase the nation's aviation endowment by $10 billion over current levels, bringing the total allocation to $40 billion between fiscal 2001 and 2003. Of this total, $33 billion will come from the Aviation Trust Fund, and $6.7 billion will be appropriated from the General Fund.
Meggitt PLC, a U.K.-based aerospace and electronics group, acquired autopilot manufacturer S-TEC Corp. to expand the product line of Meggitt Aerospace Systems' MAGIC line. Meggitt noted that S-TEC's worldwide network of general aviation dealers was a major consideration in the decision to acquire the company. Meggitt and S-TEC already are teamed in providing avionics for the New Piper Aircraft's Malibu Meridian single-engine turboprop aircraft. Approval by regulatory agencies is expected by early this month.
The FAA has approved the $35 million, 99-year lease agreement between the state of New York and airport operator National Express Group (NEG), clearing the way for the privatization of Stewart International Airport (SWF) near Newburgh. NEG assumed operational control of the airport on April 1, replacing Airport Group New York, which had managed the airport under a contract with the state DOT.
A new auction Web site for airport equipment, www.equipmentforairports.com, is planning to launch this month. The site will function much like other Internet auction sites, although it will feature items in categories such as APUs, refuelers, ground support and other equipment of interest to FBOs and general aviation. There is no fee for listing a product, but successful sellers pay a two- to three-percent commission based on the selling price of the item. Future capabilities planned for the site include an online parts search, chat services and a message board.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Paul Richfield CBAA Pushes for `Self-Regulation'
The Canadian Business Aircraft Association (CBAA) is edging closer to becoming the primary regulatory authority over Canada's business aviation community. Though initial costs to operators would be higher under the CBAA's purview (``self-regulation'' is the CBAA's term), the trade group sees offset in the form of additional operational flexibility and lower charges for individual certifications and approvals.
Bombardier has contracted with BFGoodrich Aerospace to undertake Global Express interior and avionics completions at the company's Everett, Wash., facility. The manufacturer has a lengthy order backlog and has recently sought to expedite the completions process by subcontracting with outside completions facilities. There are currently 10 Global Express aircraft in service with more than 30 additional aircraft awaiting completion. BFGoodrich expects to complete five green aircraft this year.
SimuFlite (Dallas) -- Kyle Drake has been named quality leader/master black belt. Drake will implement the training company's Six Sigma program and other training programs. Bill Wilhelmi is now managing director for training services and David Boggess has been named director of training support.
