France's Regional Airlines, European launch customer for the Embraer RJ-145, has announced a $150 million contract for five additional 50-seaters and five 37-seat ERJ-135s. President Jean-Paul Dubreuil said the addition of the 135s will enable the carrier to reduce operating costs on routes that require jet speeds but that are too thin to support 50-seaters, such as Toulouse-Dusseldorf. They will represent a savings of $5 million per year, he added.
Executive Jet's order backlog for its NetJets fractional ownership program surpassed the $7 billion mark at the NBAA convention, where the company announced new orders for the Boeing BBJ, the new Cessna Sovereign, and the Gulfstream IVSP and V. The BBJ order is for nine aircraft with 16 options. Quarter shares will sell for $11.2 million, and the monthly and hourly fees will be $64,000 and S3,400, respectively.
When the AOPA is mentioned in Washington, you'll occasionally hear some mutter ed complaints from other aviation groups about its modus operandi. AOPA issues too many press releases touting its accomplishments, one critic will say. The AOPA jumps into the middle of battles other organizations are already fighting, another will complain. AOPA acts like it's the exclusive represeniative of everything that flies, another will beef.
The anticipated fall opening of Raytheon Aircraft Services' FBO at Atlantic City International Airport isn't going to happen. A company spokesperson said the new facility, instead, will be rolling out the red carpet in early 1999 due to construction delays. The adjusted target date is about two years later than originally estimated (July 1996, page 24).
An increasing number of noise complaints from area residents has prompted the management of Boeing Field to reissue a brochure containing voluntary noise abatement procedures for VFR operations. The brochure also highlights noise-sensitive areas and shows preferred routes to and from the airport to avoid residential areas. Copies of ``Boeing Field Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures for VFR'' are available from the airport's noise abatement office. Phone: (206) 296-7437; e-mail: [email protected].
Thrane&Thrane has selected Tucson-based Universal Avionics Systems Corp. to be the exclusive marketing agent for the Danish company's TT-5000 Aero I satcom system. The TT-5000 can simultaneously support three voice, fax and modem data channels, and can accommodate up to four handsets and two phone/fax modem ports. Total system weight is less than 35 pounds. Uninstalled price: $120,000. Aero I is designed for light to medium-size jets.
Chief pilot for a retailing corporation: ``First, I'd be very open with all the in-house [flight department] employees about what is going on and why, so they won't feel their jobs are being outsourced.
PosiTech International has received FAA certification to re-core TSIO-series 520 oil coolers used in Cessna, Beech and Bellanca aircraft (others pending). PosiTech's Nu-Core technology uses a bar and plate vacuum braze construction with a core pressure rating of 150 psi at 200F and a maximum pressure spike rating of 300 psi. Re-cored coolers are guaranteed for two years or 2,000 hours of flight time. Price: using the example of OEM Part No. 636900, $695. PosiTech International, 170 N. 17th St., Wheeling, W.Va. 26003. (304) 277-4050; fax: (304) 277-4085.
Cascais, Portugal--Omni Servisair Portugal has been established to provide FBO services at Cascais Tires Airport. The new company was formed by two Portugal-based firms that have previous experience providing business aviation services--Omni Aviacao e Tecnologia and Servicair Portugal. Local sightseeing, catering, and hotel, restaurant and transportation reservations are among Omni's special services. Phone: +01 445-8600.
Cessna Aircraft is betting on a solid future for the work-a-day aircraft of its Citation family, and has begun filling the gaps in the product line with four models. The list comprises the all-new Sovereign ``traditional'' midsize twin-jet; a much-improved Citation Ultra with new landing gear, engines and systems; a stretched CitationJet with new engines, avionics and systems; and an improved CitationJet with new avionics. All four projects were announced at October's NBAA meeting.
AT&T Wireless Services, Aviation Communications Division delivered two System Interface Units (SIUs) for installation on two Challenger 604s. The SIUs were installed with dual Claircom Model 208 telephone systems and a Rockwell Collins digital satcom system during aircraft completions at Gulfstream Aerospace in Dallas (the former K-C Aviation). The SIU provides common handset capability and switching between Honeywell or Collins digital satcom systems and AT&T's Claircom inflight telephone systems.
The 14 aircraft reported stolen in the first eight months of 1998 were a record low, according to statistics from the Aviation Crime Prevention Institute. If the remainder of the year experiences the same theft rate, then the total number of aircraft stolen for the year will be 21, one of the lowest levels on record. The Hagerstown, Md.-based group reported 42 aircraft stolen in 1997. The number of reported incidents of avionics and other equipment stolen from aircraft also is down significantly so far this year.
HeliFlite Shares, a new Dallas-based firm, has ordered two Bell 430 twin-turbine helicopters for delivery in the first half of February 1999 and optioned up to eight more for the company 5 start-up helicopter fractional ownership program. The aircraft initially will serve its owners on a regional basis in Texas and California typically within a 250-nm radius. According to HeliFlite President Phillip M. Ozenick, fractional interests may be acquired either by direct purchase or through a lease with a guaranteed residual value at the end of the five-year ownership term.
As expected, the FAA extended the deadline--from November 6 to January 1999--for comments on proposed amendments that would significantly revise FARs that cover mechanic certification (September, page 46). The amendments modify FAR Parts 65 and 147, do away with the term ``mechanic'' and create a Part 66 specifically addressing the certification of AMTs (aviation maintenance technicians) and AMTTs (aviation maintenance technicians for transport aircraft).
Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the FAA, is considering developing revised emissions standards for aircraft engines and APUs. The EPA is aiming to release the new standards by November 15, 2000. A notice of proposed rulemaking should precede any final rulemaking.
New from the Air Data Agency is Windows-based software to help FBOs and aircraft management firms computerize aircraft logbooks. The CALM (Computerized Aircraft Log Manager) Basic FBO Suite provides maintenance tracking for airframes and engines, auxiliary systems, user-specified bulletins and ADs, inspections, calendar items and basic on-and-off component movements. A built-in backup utility is included in the suite. Flight-time entries are tracked to tenths of hours. Price: $2,500 for up to a 20-aircraft fleet. Air Data Agency, P.O. Box 973, Lincolnshire, Ill. 60069.
Trimble Navigation (Sunnyvale, Calif.)--This manufacturer of GPS receivers has undergone significant management changes. Bradford Parkinson, a board member and consultant, is temporarily serving as president and CEO, following the resignation of company founder Charles R. Trimble. Jim Sorden, executive vice president for commercial systems, also resigned. Robert Cooper, president of Atlantic Aerospace, was elected chairman.
After 52 years of service, ARCO's corporate aviation operations in Burbank, Calif. will close down at year-end as part of a ``company-wide cost reduction program.'' The closure will impact 20 flight department employees, along with the disposition of two Gulfstream IVs. According to a spokesperson in ARCO's corporate office, the flight operation logged more than 191,000 hours without accident or injury. The shutdown will not affect ARCO's Alaskan aviation unit that includes two Boeing 737s and a Twin Otter.
A decision to proceed with the new RJX series of quadjets is expected to be made by the British Aerospace board by year-end, according to Jeff Marsh, vice president-sales and marketing for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft. Engine selection is expected shortly. Although the Pratt&Whitney Canada PW303 is being considered, it appears the choice will be the AlliedSignal AS907-A.
The runway at Wisconsin's Rusk County Airport (RCX) will be 4,000 feet long at the end of the year when a 900-foot extension is scheduled to be completed. Also set to be finished are a new terminal area, connecting taxiway, hangar taxi lanes and an access road. Next on the airport's agenda: the availability of jet fuel to help attract turbine aircraft.
On April 1, 1999, Inmarsat is scheduled to become a limited public company governed by a 15-member board: a CEO and 14 directors, including three from developing countries. The new Inmarsat is expected to issue an IPO within two years of formation. This London-based satellite operating organization is now a quasi-government consortium of 84 member nations.
Concerned that small airports don't have the financial resources to resolve their Y2K problems, the FAA has requested Congress to allow AIP grants or state apportionment funds to help pay for computer upgrades during fiscal 1999.
British safety investigators said that a near miss between a Gulfstream and a Boeing 747 near London in July 1997 was caused by the airline pilot's failure to properly report his aircraft speed to controllers, according to an Associated Press account. Further, controllers did not notice the 747 had stopped descending when they gave instructions to the Gulfstream, the AP report added. The aircraft passed within two-thirds of a mile horizontally and 200 feet vertically .
The General Accounting Office might be charged with conducting a study ``of the current state of the national airport network,'' if an amendment introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) survives the FAA reauthorization process. The purpose of the GAO scrutiny would be to determine whether reliever airports and those in remote communities can meet the nation's air-transportation needs in the next 15 years. Among the criteria the amendment aims to examine are runway length of 5,500 feet or the equivalent altitude-adjusted length, ATC facilities and navigational aids.
Operators can obtain a copy of the Pilots Guide to Large Aircraft Ground Deicing (FAA AC 120-58) and Pilots Guide to Small Aircraft Ground Deicing (AC 135-17) from B/CA. The booklets, published by the FAA, contain general information in addition to specific procedures concerning ground deicing operations and deicing fluids. Single copies of the guides are available, while they last, for $1 each (to cover postage and handling) from Business&Commercial Aviation, 4 International Dr., Ste. 260, Rye Brook, N.Y. 10573.
