Offshore Logistics, one of the world's largest helicopter operators, intends to buy up to 50 percent of Bristow Helicopters. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Offshore Logistics operates its own fleet of 145 helicopters and airplanes in addition to managing a similar number of aircraft for other parties. Bristow, based in Surrey, England, provides air support for oil exploration, training and rescue activities.
Depending on who you talk to, Business Express is looking for equity investors and/or an outright buyer to pull the carrier out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors. Management and its unsecured creditors committee, represented by airline consultant SH&E, say they have no intention of selling the carrier and are seeking in-house reorganization and have no intention of placing the company on the sale block.
On April 9, the employees of Alliance Engines, working with three outside investors, purchased this engine repair and overhaul business, which had been a joint venture of Duncan Aviation and K-C Aviation. Alliance, specializing in AlliedSignal engine service, was established near Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport in 1994 with the aim of expanding repair options and reducing downtime (B/CA, December 1994, page 66). Jim Spinder, previously the company's chief operating officer and chief financial officer, will serve as president of Alliance Engines.
On March 29, Sino Swearingen broke ground and started site preparation for its 180,000-square-foot SJ30 business jet assembly plant in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The ceremony came after several years of abortive attempts (and a previous ``ground breaking'' ceremony) to bring the SJ30 into production (B/CA, February 1995, page 16). The San Antonio-based company expects the plant to be built by mid 1997 in order to start customer deliveries in 1999.
Honeywell says it will appeal a jury award of $234 million to Litton Systems for alleged monopolization of a ring laser gyro inertial navigation system (INS). Honeywell believes the jury's findings are not supported by the ``facts and the law.'' On January 9, 1995, a judge nullified a $1.2-billion verdict returned by a different jury in August 1993 against Honeywell in another aspect of the lawsuit. In December 1995, arguments were heard on Litton's appeal of that judgment, and a decision is pending.
The General Accounting Office said an experimental program allowing certain states to administer Airport Improvement Program funds to smaller airports should be extended to other states beyond the current seven: Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin (B/CA, March 1993, page 26). According to the GAO, the states have streamlined the AIP approval processes, reduced paperwork and eliminated duplication. The program is due to expire later this year.
Certification of this $1.5-million, single-engine version of the venerable A109 is expected in mid 1997. A Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6B-37 will supply 1,002 shp for takeoff, and 872 shp maximum continuous power. The skid-equipped Koala has eight seats (including crew), or can be fitted with two stretchers for EMS work. Total interior volume is 175 cubic feet. Empty weight is 3,085 pounds, and maximum takeoff weight is 5,730 pounds, yielding a useful load of 2,645 pounds (or 2,910 with an external load).
FAA adopted a rule to authorize large and multiengine turbine-powered general aviation aircraft to use a single long-range navigation system (LRNS) instead of two for certain extended overwater operations. LRNS equipment includes INS, Omega/VLF, Loran-C and-when FAA-approved-a GPS or other satellite-based system (B/CA, December 1993, page 26). The single LRNS option only is allowed for operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and part of the western Atlantic.
Wilcox Electric of Kansas City, Missouri has assured the FAA it is addressing the agency's concerns about the company being able to meet performance and schedule criteria for the GPS approach enhancement program called the Wide Area Augmentation System. In late March, the FAA threatened to cancel the $475-million WAAS contract with Wilcox if it didn't take action to correct alleged development deficiencies.
Gulfstream Aerospace has opened a 200,000-square-foot service center adjacent to the company's headquarters in Savannah. The new facility, which can accommodate up to 20 various Gulfstream models or 12 G-Vs at one time, includes 12 office suites for customers, crew lounges and conference rooms. The center will provide minor and major maintenance, modifications, inspections and engine changes. Nearly 400 mechanics, technicians and other sales and service staff are assigned to the facility.
Flightstar recently finished building new FBO facilities at Illinois' Rantoul National Aviation Center, the former Chanute Air Force Base. The new facilities feature a hangar large enough to accommodate Gulfstream-V-size business jets. Attached to the hangar is a new full-service terminal. Flightstar started FBO services on the airport shortly after Chanute AFB was closed in October 1993 (B/CA, February 1994, page 39).
FAA has agreed to a gradual phase-in schedule for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) standards in North Atlantic Track (NAT) airspace. The plan calls for 1,000-foot separation minimums to be implemented in January 1997-initially between FL 330 and FL 370, instead of FL 290 and FL 410 as originally planned. The new plan could allay concern expressed by many corporate aircraft operators over not being able obtain RVSM certification by January 1 and thus being shut out of the NAT system entirely.
Most of the ground rules applicable to the ``Business Airplane Charts'' also apply to the ``Helicopter Charts.'' MANUFACTURER /MODEL This block of data includes the manufacturer's name and the aircraft's model name and technical designation. For more information on manufacturers, please see the full company name and address in the ``Airframe Suppliers Directory'' section of the Handbook. B/CA EQUIPPED PRICED
The first Global Express is taking shape at Bombardier's de Havilland assembly facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, leading to first flight in September. Final assembly was expected to be complete as the Handbook went to press, and power-on testing was slated to begin in late April. Initial customer deliveries actually will predate certification, which is expected in May 1998.
The international satellite operation known as Inmarsat plans to reorganize into a more business-like structure. Among the changes: setting a maximum limit on any one investor's shareholding and voting power, allowing multiple investors per member country, and replacing the existing ruling council with a board of directors. A special session of member countries will be convened late this year or in early 1997 to adopt the plan and the timetable for implementing Inmarsats' future structure.
The following companies provide ground-side communications access to satcom-equipped business aircraft: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. 2551 Riva Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 266-4276 Fax: (410) 266-2329 American Mobile Satellite Corp. 10802 Parkridge Blvd. Reston, VA 22091 (703) 758-6000 Fax: (703) 758-6111 Avicom Japan Ltd. Business Coordination Department Kenchiku-Kaikan 5-26-20 Shiba Minatoku, Tokyo 108 Japan
Photograph: The MD600N is the latest NOTAR single from McDonnell Douglas. Certification of the aircraft is expected by the end of the year. Don't look now, but the quiet resurgence in most segments of the civil helicopter market seems to be taking root. In 1995, manufacturers were optimistic about prospects that a turnaround was here to stay, and that enthusiasm seems to have been borne out by performance over the last 12 months.
Business aircraft sales continued strong in 1995. They were fueled by continued overall economic growth, as evidenced by record stock-market gains and the availability of a large number of new models. Indeed, Edward W. Stimpson, president of GAMA, asserts, ``The industry is better off today than at any time in the last 15 years.'' The year 1996 is shaping up to be another strong sales year, one in which GAMA expects both deliveries and sales revenues to increase.
