A 24-minute videotape and workbook program designed to help train new FBO employees and polish the skills of more experienced staff is available from the National Air Transportation Association. Topics covered include initial customer contact, check-in and scheduling, personalizing service, handling complaints and radio procedures. The program, produced in conjunction with Air BP, can be ordered from NATA. The program is designed to take about two hours to administer. There is a $10 postage and handling fee for non-NATA members. Phone: (800) 808-NATA.
Photograph: Guests dine at AMR Combs' FBO terminal at SFO. As the first stage of a major airport expansion and modernization, the opening of AMR Combs' new FBO at San Francisco International Airport on September 30 represented more than just the promise of better service for business aviation. It was, according to SFO director John Martin and the new facility's manager, AMR Combs Vice President Steven True, a symbol of cooperation between the airport authority and private enterprise.
The Boeing 707 killed the Lockheed Electra. Will the regional jet kill the regional turboprop? Saab Aircraft AB of Sweden may have tipped the scale to the latter in late October when it said it was considering a halt to production of its models 340B and 2000 turboprops.
In partnership with airlines and engine makers, the FAA plans to require new inspections and new non-destructive testing procedures in an effort to reduce by up to 40 percent the number of failures of high-energy engine components. The action is aimed at FAR Part 25 aircraft, but it likely won't affect business aircraft. "We don't want to fix problems that aren't there," said Tom McSweeney, the agency's director of aircraft certification.
Ottendorf Aviation of Daytona Beach is marketing a Tracor Flight Systems hush kit that brings GE CJ610-powered Learjet 20s into compliance with FAR Part 36, Stage III noise levels. The STCed kit, consisting of a daisy-type sound suppressor installed in place of the reversers, sells for $110,000 per shipset. Ottendorf estimates installation at three to five days. Bizjet in Tulsa and Aero Group in Fort Lauderdale are two centers preparing to offer installations, but customers can select any center.
Sales of new long-range business jets for the Middle East market gained momentum in November. TAG Aeronautics ordered five Global Express and five Challenger aircraft for Middle East operations, according to Bombardier. Separately, Gulfstream Aerospace and Executive Jet International signed a letter of intent for the purchase of up to 12 G-IVSPs that will be the genesis for a Middle East-based fractional ownership program.
King Aerospace, an aircraft refurb center at Dallas' Ardmore Airport, recently completed an improvement program that included a 30-percent increase in its cabinetry department and a totally remodeled facility.
Metro Business Aviation (Heathrow Airport, London)-Steve Grimes joined this FBO as chief executive officer, and Peter Robinson came aboard as director of sales and marketing.
Planning has started for a new international airport to serve Lisbon, Portugal. ATC Market Report, a McGraw-Hill publication, reports two locations are currently under consideration-one north and the other south of the city. Portuguese government officials hope to begin construction in 1999 and open the airport in 2007.
Scheduled FAR Part 135 carriers operating turbine aircraft of 10 or more passenger seats must complete another list of specified equipment requirements in their ongoing transition to comply with Part 121 (January 1996, page 15). Some of those equipment upgrades include: lavatory fire protection in aircraft up to 30 passenger seats, landing-gear aural warning in aircraft up to 19 seats, emergency-exit-handle illumination in aircraft up to 19 seats, protective breathing equipment in aircraft up to 30 seats and passenger flotation means in aircraft up to 30 seats.
Three health care firms have formed an alliance to provide global, around-the-clock medical support and equipment for business aircraft operators. The three companies, all based in the Seattle area, are: AirCare International, a newly formed company conducting aviation medical training and inflight services; AEA International, a worldwide emergency assistance outfit with its own staff of more than 100 doctors; and Heartstream, a provider of small defibrillators suitable for use in the cabins of business aircraft.
So, Hersch, you were a no-show after promising to attend. The 1997 NBAA Annual Convention is a wrap and, for you few hundred non-attendees suffering from gout or a peckish liver, it was a blast. Each year, for the past several, I have written that "this was the best ever and it won't be topped." Wrong. The movers and shakers plotting the meeting in Las Vegas (a.k.a. Lost Wages) in 1998 will be sorely pressed to top 1997's convention in Big D. In two words it was soo-perb.
The following are target dates for emerging aircraft. These dates, supplied by the airframe manufacturers, are subject to change-and frequently do-as a result of design revisions, funding, testing delays or extensions, and/or the resolution of unforeseen problems. Each month, this table will endeavor to show the most-current schedule. Manufacturer Model Milestone AASI Jetcruzer 500 Turboprop Certification
Jacksonville, Fla.-Craig Air Center at Craig Municipal Airport will add another 10 acres of ramp space and two or more business aircraft hangars and offices to accommodate an expected growth in general activity. Growth is anticipated as the Jacksonville Airport Authority plans to lengthen a runway to 5,000 feet to handle larger business jets. (904) 641-0300.
A new FlightSafety International full-flight simulator for the Canadair Challenger 601-3A/3R was awarded Transport Canada Level D certification. The Challenger simulator is located in Tucson. The company also received FAA Level D approval for its Wichita-based Cessna Citation Ultra simulator.
This year is turning out to be a "great year" for general aviation, said GAMA president Ed Bolen. The association reports billings for new U.S. GA airplanes reached $3.19 billion in the first three quarters alone, surpassing the entire 1996 year-end billings of $3.12 billion. In addition, aircraft deliveries this year are up substantially. Even though the delivery of 561 U.S. piston airplanes in the first nine months is a 46.9-percent increase over the same period in 1996, the sales of business jets are making the greatest gains.
Boeing Business Jets has named Lee Monson as its vice president of sales. In an exclusive interview with B/CA, Monson said he foresees a market for 250 BBJ aircraft during the next 10 years. "Today, considering the number of companies with global business requirements, the [market demand] dynamic is changing," he claimed.
Austin, Texas-Austin Jet International, now based at Robert Mueller Airport, plans to relocate in summer 1998 to Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport. The move allows Austin Jet to more than double its hangar space and increase its capacity for maintenance. (512) 472- 8739.
The U.S. position at this month's meeting of the international North Atlantic Implementation Managers Group was to advance the argument for increasing the area of RVSM airspace on April 28, 1998, the next scheduled expansion implementation date. More details on the next phase of RVSM expansion were imminent as we went to press. At present, RVSM airspace lies between FL 330 and FL 370 over the North Atlantic.
Rockwell plans to purchase Hughes' Avicom International and add its inflight entertainment unit to the Collins avionics product line. This is Rockwell's initial venture into the IFE market. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed before year-end.
(www.first-heli-network.co.uk)-Guests can review information about this British company's helicopter fractional ownership program. Tailwinds Catalog (www.tailwinds.com)-The merchandise and services offered in the company's paper catalog-and more-are available from this site. Internet purchases include free shipping. The site, which includes "live imaging" to show the details of many products, is divided into four sections: giftware, computers, flywear and aviation art.
FlightSafety International (Flushing, N.Y.)-Bill Magyar was named manager of FSI's Raytheon Aircraft Maintenance Technician Learning Center in Wichita.
Farnborough, England-Britain's Ministry of Defense selected the TAG Group of Luxembourg to be the lessee and operator of Farnborough Aerodrome. TAG Group officials plan to develop the airfield into a "state of the art business aviation center" with new facilities and related improvements. One of TAG's first challenges will be responding to the concerns from the local community about aircraft noise. Separately, TAG disclosed it is pursuing a "major acquisition" in the business aviation field in the United States.
The following incident, caused by a false assumption, is excerpted from a recent issue of Callback, a publication of NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System. It was a clear and very dark night with excellent visibility. About 15 miles out from the destination, the pilot started a descent from cruise altitude and noticed another aircraft directly ahead, strobes flashing.
Photograph: An AeroMech technician performs an aircraft skin analysis-one hurdle toward RVSM approval. When the scramble began earlier this year to obtain approval to fly business aircraft to reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) standards in North Atlantic Track (NAT) airspace, many corporate operators discovered that there were many hoops they needed to jump through in order to be able to obtain preferred routings on flights to and from Europe (July, page 27).
