This is to recognize with thanks Features Editor Linda Martin for writing the bulk of the Intelligence column in the September issue while Intelligence writer Gordon A. Gilbert was on vacation.
Christian Gras, former head of Eurocopter Mexico, is the company's new president. Gras replaces David Smith who resigned in late 1996 during a Pentagon investigation into wrongdoing by the company and some of its executives.
FAA agreed to a 2200 hour curfew for takeoffs by aircraft generating 74 decibels or more at Van Nuys Airport. The nighttime curfew, which had begun at 2300 hours, will continue to end at 0700. The FAA also approved adoption of a non-addition rule prohibiting FAR Part 36, Stage 2 aircraft operations other than those already based and operating at the airport.
On October 1, a Connecticut state law went into effect eliminating the sales tax on the purchase, service and parts of aircraft with MTOWs of more than 6,000 pounds. This is one of several initiatives the state has taken to ease the financial burden on business aircraft operators over the last several years. In 1993, Connecticut replaced its personal property tax on aircraft with an annual registration fee (August 1993, page 30).
In spring 1998, Raytheon Aircraft Services is scheduled to open an FBO at Atlantic City International Airport. The $5.75-million facility will include hangar space for storage and maintenance, an executive terminal and a charter department. The operation also will provide authorized service for Raytheon turbine and piston aircraft. (316) 676-7111.
A fourth Global Express ultra-long-range business jet recently joined the test fleet. It will be used for 150 hours of function and reliability flights. Certification of the Global Express is scheduled for May 1998, followed shortly thereafter by the start of customer deliveries.
In January 1998, India airport authorities are scheduled to designate a separate terminal for business aircraft operators using the airport at Mumbai. The mix of airline and private aircraft passengers allegedly causes delays and coordination problems. Dedicated business aircraft terminals at other India airports are unlikely any time soon, said authorities.
Aircraft Integrated Systems division of BFGoodrich Aerospace received an STC for a HUMS (Health and Usage Monitoring System) for the Agusta A109K2 twin-turbine helicopter.
Congressional hearings might begin this fall on proposed legislation introduced in July to reform the FAA's emergency authority to revoke pilot certificates. Under the new law, the FAA could only order a pilot grounded if the NTSB upheld the order. The pilot could continue to fly while the FAA pursued its revocation case through an expedited appeal process. Currently, the FAA can issue an emergency order grounding a pilot pending the outcome of an NTSB appeal (September, page 148).
A decision this summer by the boards of directors for the National Air Transportation Association and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association to combine their respective trade shows is paying off already. To date, more than 425 exhibit booths have been reserved by 210 companies for the Aviation Services and Suppliers SuperShow, scheduled for April 1-3, 1998 in Kansas City, Mo. This is two-thirds of the available space, ``leaving sales well ahead of projections,'' said NATA officials.
Gordon A. GilbertEdited By GORDON A. GILBERTGordon A. Gilbert
Information on this Grand Junction, Colo. FBO includes a description of its transient services, maintenance capabilities, modification, refurbishing and painting abilities, and a quote-request form.
Two depicitions of aircraft cross-sections in the Airbus A319CJ story (September, page 124) were incorrectly labeled. See Observer (page 39) for further clarifications.
The remaining FlightSafety International Mitsubishi MU-2 safety seminars this year are slated for October 11 in Tampa, Fla., October 25 in Detroit, November 1 in Hartford, Conn. and November 4 in Nashville.
For the last 18 months, Airmark International has quietly been building up its Learjet parts inventory, primarily as a result of purchasing major quantities of spares from Learjet itself and, consequently, being designated an authorized Learjet parts distributor. With the company now distributing 80,000 parts (of which 48,000 are Learjet spares), the company needs a larger facility. In November, the Corona, Calif. firm is scheduled to leave its present 7,000-square-foot building and move into a 28,000-square-foot complex.
Users can view and download FAA Master Minimum Equipment Lists for 192 aircraft types. The cost for unlimited annual access to the MMEL library is $125 per Internet computer workstation.
Former em-ployees of the defunct Jetstream Aviation Catalogue launched this Web site as an online catalog featuring over 350 avcomps products. Users will find in-depth descriptions and downloadable demo versions of many of the products.
The AOPA's Expo '97, to be held on October 23-25 in Orlando, entices pilots to view over 425 general aviation exhibits. General session topics will be diverse: flying GPS approaches safely, ATC and you, aircraft taxes, cockpit communication, using airborne radar and dealing with stress through humor. Other seminars include: untangling confusing regulations, flying techniques unique to different regions, weather seminars, reducing the cost of flying and analyzing aviation safety.
Sino Swearingen's one and only flying SJ30-2 is now in flight tests powered by Williams Rolls FJ44-2A turbofans in place of the -1A. The 2,300-pound-thrust -2A, certificated in July, is the engine that will equip production versions of the SJ30-2, which is scheduled for certification in late 1998. The -2A also will power Raytheon's Premier I business jet.
Construction is underway of Million Air Pontiac at Oakland International County Airport. The new FBO, being developed by airport resident Corporate Air Management, will incorporate an executive terminal and two hangars. Completion is expected in January 1998. (810) 666-3343.
