Innotech Aviation has added 35 designers and engineers to its facility in Montreal to meet growing demand for its business jet completion, refurbishment and maintenance services. The company also has made additional investments in capital equipment and software. Innotech specializes in completions and providing major service for Bombardier Global and Challenger aircraft, and is designated by the manufacturer as a preferred completion center and authorized service facility for those aircraft types.
Great article about the Canadian pilot and his felony arrest ("Pilot Error: Grist for the Criminal Courts?" Cause & Circumstance, August, page 66). I always wondered why city, state or federal prosecutors don't press for criminal charges when blatant acts of stupidity committed by flight crews cause the death or great bodily harm to passengers or people on the ground.
A NASA-produced video, "Icing Training Programs," summarizes best operating practices learned from all of the agency's in-depth research, and if you're stuck at an FBO for a day, watching it provides some great refresher information.
FirstFlight, Elmira/ Corning, N.Y., has appointed Stephen Lee to the position of vice president of strategic projects, managing charter, aircraft management and maintenance service in the Washington, D.C., area.
B&CA presented some questions to FAA headquarters concerning the capabilities of ADS-B, its impact on the air traffic controller force, the implementation and operation contract awarded to ITT in August, and how the whole system will be paid for. The questions were answered by principals in the Surveillance and Broadcast Program Office. B&CA: Why does the FAA believe that ADS-B will "significantly reduce delays and enhance safety"?
Adam Aircraft has partnered with SAFERjett to provide pilot and maintenance training for both the A500 piston and A700 jet aircraft. SAFERjett is building a 50,000-square-foot training facility at Fort Worth Alliance Airport that is to open for training in late 2008. The facility will be equipped with an A700 full-motion Level D simulator that SAFERjett is building with Aerosim and Mechtronix, along with an advanced aviation training device and virtual flight deck.
Flight Display Systems introduced a new hi-definition delivery system that supports Blu-ray and HD DVD while delivering digital video up to 100 feet. The new system uses a proprietary line of video distribution amplifiers manufactured by Flight Display Systems specifically for this application. Coupled with Category 5e (Cat5) cable and HD monitors, the system provides the highest quality video feed to the cabin, according to the company. Cat5e cable is a twisted pair wire commonly used in computer networks.
I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the Purchase Planning Handbook you publish in the May B&CA. It is our single best source of comparative information. We refer to it often, and rely on it always. Thanks for the thorough research and the clear presentation.
Aviation industry experts are questioning what could have possessed the FAA to attempt to make an example of an operator that not only has a sterling operational and safety record, but also has been cooperative and professional in all aspects of its relationship with the FAA. Jim Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association, which represents AMI Jet Charter and hundreds of other charter operators, noted there has been a great deal of confusion within the FAA and the charter industry about OpSpec A008.
Airbus, Toulouse, France, has announced its new executive committee: Fabrice Bregier, chief operating officer; Hans Peter Ring, chief financial officer; John Leahy, chief operating officer, customers; Tom Williams, executive vice president, programs; Patrick Gavin, executive vice president, engineering; and Gerald Weber, executive vice president, operations.
The Hawker 900XP's Pro Line 21 package features four, 10-by-eight-inch, portrait-configuration flat-panel displays; a standard single file server that hosts electronic charts, enhanced map graphics and optional data-link weather capability; and dual, console-mounted CDUs that control the twin FMS-6000s and dual Pro Line 21 radio packages.
Business is so good at FlightSafety International's Farnborough operation that the company is planning to double in size from 14 to 28 simulators over the next few years. Business is coming from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, Pakistan and even South America because of the TSA requirements in the United States. Student throughput is currently 2,500 but will reach a ceiling of 3,000 next year. To cope with this, FlightSafety Farnborough will need another 30 instructors by early 2008, and it takes four to six months to train the trainers.
(Englewood, Colo.) - Steve Crowley is this aircraft manufacturer's new vice president of sales, marketing and customer support. Crowley has 25 years of aviation industry experience, having held executive positions in sales, marketing, finance and program management. He most recently served with Bombardier Aerospace.
The city of Phoenix will spend $84,000 to provide Behavior Pattern Recognition (BPR) training to the Sky Harbor Police Airport Bureau. Sky Harbor Police Lt. Rick Gehlbach said his force had watched the progress and researched the BPR program since 2002, when it was first taught to the police officers at Boston Logan International Airport. Miami International began offering all employees BPR training a year ago. "Most security measures at airports are reactive in nature.
General aviation was not spared Blakey's rod. "I also think that our business jet and GA partners need to take a step in the right direction -- to be part of the solution," she said. "It's time to face up to the fact that your practices need to change as well. Flying to and from wherever you want whenever you want is not a free utility.
The Isle of Man business aircraft register is up and running and exceeding expectations. The island's Civil Aviation Department was besieged with requests for registration even before its May 1 opening, and two aircraft were on Ronaldsway Airport's ramp, on day one, sporting distinctive "M" prefix registrations. By early September a dozen aircraft had been registered, with another 10 in process. Most of the business is coming from European sources but U.S. companies have also been in contact.
(Moline, Ill.) - Mick Harrison, a longtime aircraft support executive, has been named president and chief operating officer of this aircraft sales and service company, marking the first time in the firm's 71-year history that someone outside of the Elliott family has held this post. Wynn Elliott remains chairman and CEO of Elliott Aviation.
Russia has cut import duty on large business aircraft from 20 to 10 percent, which applies to aircraft in the 15-20t class. Reports suggest that this lower tax will also be applied to aircraft in the 2-15t category later in the year. Rumors had circulated for the last few years that the Russian government was planning to do this and encourage Russian business aviation growth. As many as 200 business aircraft around the world could be Russian owned but the vast majority have been operated under foreign registries to the present time.
Eclipse Aviation formally opened a new, two-story 41,500-square-foot Customer Training Center at Double Eagle Airport II (KAEG) on Sept. 13 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. The Center, located on 3.5 acres of the company's 150-acre site, is the first Eclipse facility on the west side of the city of Albuquerque, and will serve as the transition leader as all other Eclipse facilities are moved there. The Center will house 100 employees, four simulators, four classrooms and eight briefing rooms.
One night in 1969 in the village of Kien Duc in Quang Duc province, Republic of South Vietnam, two RVN soldiers were in their hooch playing cards and drinking beer. They began to argue and one shot the other with his service rifle, an old Garand M-1.
