Fairchild Aerospace says it is in the final stages of certifying the 328JET for a service ceiling of 35,000 feet -- a 4,000-foot increase resulting in improved range -- as well as the first of several refinements. The company also has begun final assembly of the first 328JET approved for higher gross weights, which translates to nearly 900 pounds of additional payload. Atlantic Coast Airlines unit Atlantic Coast Jet will take delivery of the first increased-payload aircraft this month.
The FAA has ordered Atlantic City, N.J., to fix unsafe conditions at Bader Field (AIY). According to the agency's March 3 letter, city officials must repair inoperable Precision Approach Path Indicators and runway end identifier lights, poor signage and pavement markings, and poorly maintained runways and taxiways. Bader has been a source of controversy for years, with local officials opposing its continued operation despite accepting federal grants that require it to remain open until 2006.
GE Engine Services has authorized Garrett Aviation Services to perform overhaul and hot section work on CJ610 and CF700 engines. There are more than 3,000 of the engines in service, primarily on early Learjets and Dassault Falcon 20s, according to Garrett program manager Craig Winterrowd. He added that Garrett also provides factory-authorized airframe service on both aircraft, so airframe and engine work now can be performed simultaneously.
When Gulfstream Aerospace announced the Gulfstream IV in the early 1980s, the firm promised the third-generation Gulfstream business jet would have the most advanced technology of any business aircraft yet built. The G-IV also promised to have the most operational flexibility and offer passengers the most comfortable cabin of any Gulfstream yet built. Just as importantly, it would offer historical Gulfstream dispatch reliability.
The NBAA's board of directors has elected new officers, including PAR Travel Tech's Phil Roberts as chairman, succeeding retired Sears, Roebuck executive Tom Myers. Ken Emerick of General Motors and Automotive Air Charter will serve the remainder of Myers' term as a board member. The NBAA directors also elected George Saling of Philip Morris as vice chairman and Texaco's Don Baldwin as treasurer while reelecting NBAA President Jack Olcott and Corporate Secretary Lise Margin as officers.
Aircraft flying through the Julian Mountain Pass in Southeastern California soon will have access to real-time weather conditions. The Bell Charitable Foundation is funding installation of an automated weather observing system (AWOS) in the pass, which will provide wind speed, direction and gusts, temperature, relative humidity and altimeter settings. Once complete, says Sacramento-based AWOS manufacturer Qualimetrics, flight crews can access the weather data by telephone or a discreet VHF frequency en route.
Minneapolis-based Fire Combat is offering a new fire-fighting rig for permanent or mobile installation. FlameOut utilizes foam and dry chemical to extinguish fires and to help ensure they stay out. The rig is ideal for use in heliports, hangars and other aviation facilities, and it is particularly helpful where full-size fire engines are impractical or cost-prohibitive. Price: $3,000 to $6,000, varies with application Fire Combat 5500 Lincoln Dr. Minneapolis, Minn. 55436 Phone: (800) 285-3651; Fax: (612) 938-9617
DaimlerChrysler Capital Services (Norwalk, Conn.) -- Noreen Greenhalgh has been promoted to unit leader of credit risk management and Helen Parker is now unit leader of operations at the financing company.
Million Air has opened an FBO in Utah at the Provo Municipal Airport. Located 35 miles north of Salt Lake City, the facility offers maintenance, charter, aircraft management and flight instruction. Construction of a new FBO/terminal building and hangar is scheduled to begin this spring.
Operators who transit Japanese airspace more than three times per month will now have to pay a user fee. The fees range from about $150 to $850 depending on whether flights occur over Japanese land masses or oceanic airspace. A separate fee structure based on gross takeoff weight and distance flown applies to aircraft landing in Japan.
Signature Flight Support's regional maintenance center in Las Vegas has received avionics repair station certification for Radio classes 1, 2 and 3. Opened in October 1998 at McCarran International Airport, the RMC specializes in service for Hawker, Gulfstream and Citation aircraft.
New entrant carrier Pro Air says the FAA certification process is delaying the launch of its Pro Air Express regional aircraft division. Pro Air announced in August 1999 that it would operate three Saab 2000s owned by General Motors to feed traffic through its Detroit hub. General Motors removed the aircraft from FAR Part 91 employee shuttle service and offered them to Pro Air under undisclosed terms. The carrier says certification is taking longer than anticipated largely because no Saab 2000s have ever operated under Part 121 in the United States.
MedAire's Medlink Worldwide program will now cover passengers on NetJets Europe aircraft. Medlink provides inflight access to physicians in the event of an onboard medical emergency, enhanced first aid and medical emergency kits for NetJets aircraft, and pre-travel medical briefings to reduce health risks while traveling. NetJets already offers the service to its U.S. customers.
The FAA was slated to act on a rulemaking proposal that would regulate fractional ownership under a new subpart of FAR Part 91 by March 31. The rule leaves Part 91.501 intact, while also providing some relief for Part 135 operators. (See stories on pages 50 and 97). If the FAA adopts the proposal, the next step is a 45- to 60-day period set aside for an economic analysis of the rule's impact. A Notice of Proposed Rule Making could be published this summer, but observers have cautioned that it could take a year or more to get to a final rule.
``Act as a reasonably prudent dispatcher, be knowledgeable, and have access to all relevant sources of information,'' aviation attorney Harry Riggs advised schedulers and dispatchers assembled in Las Vegas. One of the most popular sessions at the 2000 NBAA Schedulers&Dispatchers Conference was Riggs' presentation on scheduling and the law.
Signature Flight Support (Orlando) -- Dean Rush has been promoted to president of its Signature Combs Aircraft Sales division. Robert Gallop is named avionics manager at the company's Las Vegas maintenance center and Thomas Wyman is now avionics manager at Chicago Midway Airport. Paul Wallace is named technical services director at the Birmingham, Ala. maint nance center.
San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Servicios Aereos Profesionales is leasing a Raytheon Beech 1900C from the manufacturer for freight operations. The carrier currently operates four Beech 1900D and two 1900C aircraft.
Signature Flight Support parent BBA Group has acquired U.K-based Oxford Aviation from the Close Brothers Group investment partnership in a cash deal worth $88.64 million. Formerly known as CSE Aviation, Oxford owns Kidlington Airport, home of the Oxford Air Training School, and aviation maintenance facilities in Bournemouth, Gloucester and Dundee. Oxford recently developed a ``virtual training course'' that allows pilots to complete a substantial part of their ground school over the Internet.
Piedmont Hawthorne (Winston-Salem, N.C.) -- Paul Strack has been promoted to resale manager in its corporate aircraft sales department, and Deric Dymerski, Tom Zollars and Roger Davis are now regional managers of the company's FBOs. Julie Lang transitions from Piedmont's FAR Part 121 charter operation to become marketing administrator.
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) are now in effect over the Pacific Ocean. Separation for RVSM-equipped aircraft is reduced from 2,000 to 1,000 feet between 29,000 and 39,000 feet. The FAA plans to expand affected altitudes to FL 410. European RVSM is not expected until early 2002.
Sino Swearingen (San Antonio) -- Roy C. McGraw joins the manufacturer as vice president of procurement. McGraw had been director of procurement for Gulfstream.
Wood Group Turbopower (Miami Lakes, Fla.) -- Fenton Appleby is promoted to director of PT6 sales and Jim Herbert is now director of customer service. Recent additions to the company include new regional sales manager for Midwestern sales Rich Carney, regional sales manager for Southern states Steve Gustus and Debbie Williams, who will head national telemarketing at the company's Millville, N.J., office.
