Klein Tools of Chicago, Ill., offer a line of insulated hand tools that comply with National Fire Protection Assoc. standard NFPA-70E to protect users against electrical shock. The tools also meet IEC 60900 and ASTM F1505 standards for insulated tools. Pliers are constructed from a flame retardant, impact-resistant outer coating, and a thick, high-dielectric inner coating that is bonded to the tool's forged steel handle. Screwdrivers and nut drivers feature the same dual layers of insulation on the shaft instead of the handles.
Business aviation advocates hailed the interim plan to reopen DCA to general aviation as a good first step but are hoping the restrictions the TSA wants to place on general aviation access will ease. The lifting of the 44-month-old ban on business and charter operations at DCA, announced July 13, followed years of pressure from Congress as well as intense lobbying from business aviation, and comes despite continued reservations on the part of some Department of Homeland Security officials.
A July 13 Washington speech by Chertoff on the review drew delighted applause when he announced the elimination of the requirement that airline passengers remain seated for the first 30 minutes after departure from and the last 30 minutes prior to arrival at DCA.
E.J. Brooks Co. of Livingston, N.J., introduces its tamper-indicating padlocks. Unlike traditional padlocks that can be opened and re-closed without any evidence of tampering, Brooks Indicative Padlocks feature a bored hole that passes through the body and shackle. Applying a uniquely numbered, Brooks-indicative seal through this cavity prevents the padlock from being opened without first having to remove and destroy the seal. Brooks offers a complete line of solid brass tumbler pin locks.
With certification flight testing of its Quiet MD-80 system now complete, Aviation Fleet Solutions (AFS) expects to receive FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of the Pratt & Whitney developed noise-reduction package later this summer. Initial deliveries of the hush kit for the JT8D-200-powered Boeing aircraft could begin by year-end.
Chelton Flight Systems has received an STC for installation of its FlightLogic EFIS in Bell 204 and 205 helicopters. Hillsboro Aviation of Hillsboro, Ore. completed the initial Bell 205 installation for the STC.
Quest Aircraft now has 12 customer deposits for its new Kodiak, a 10-place utility single PT-6-powered turboprop. Designed to be float capable, the Kodiak had by July logged close to 200 hours toward FAA certification. It made its first public appearance in May at the Alaska State Aviation Trade Show, where the company began accepting deposits. Base price for the aircraft is $1,111,000. The airplane is designed to combine STOL performance and high useful load operating off unimproved surfaces.
Avcraft Aerospace GmbH in-solvency administrator Martin Prager said the company will be forced to lay off more workers, as it continues its search for new investors. The company plans to cut its staff by another 40 employees to a total of 144, down from more than 340. Avcraft had to file for bankruptcy earlier this year, as efforts to restart its Dornier final assembly line proved unsuccessful. Prager said he was talking with potential investors for the company but offered no details.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has successfully pushed through an amendment on the Senate floor that specifically would allow the Department of Homeland Security to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along the southwestern border of the United States. An original version of McCain's amendment to the DHS spending bill said UAVs ``shall be deployed,'' but McCain modified his proposal to instead read UAVs ``may be deployed,'' which was agreed to by unanimous consent late July 13.
Published annually by Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla., 2004 Turbine Aircraft Accident Review has become the industry's annual guide to aviation safety, containing over 500 pages of detailed narrative accounts of over 380 fixed- and rotary-wing turbine aircraft accidents and incidents reported worldwide in 2004. A summary of each accident is included identifying model, operator type, phase of operation, conditions and a factual description of all reported circumstances.
I always enjoy your ongoing series of articles about fractional ownership. My clients are mostly in the NetJets program. I have not seen any indications that NetJets has slowed its cruise speeds. But it would not surprise me if this strategy were in use by some providers. Many providers have an entitlement mentality: Their owners owe them a profitable existence.
The Instant IFR Training Glasses are designed to simulate actual IFR conditions for instrument training. The precision frosting and wrap-around design helps prevent cheating. The glasses have adjustable hinges to match the pilot's headset, telescoping temples for a customized fit and low-profile temples for maximum comfort. The curved-frame design of the Instant IFR Training Glasses rests on regular eyeglasses or sunglasses for extra support. Their small size won't obstruct the safety pilot's view like most cumbersome hoods.
The FAA wants to make greater use of a secondary runway at Fort Lauderdale International (FLL) to help ease chronic delays at the Florida airport, and stresses it can do this without violating the existing runway use agreement. The FAA will meet with local officials to discuss the controversial plan and other options. Use of the shorter, secondary runway and a crosswind runway is controversial because of local noise complaints, but this past spring FLL topped national delay lists. The existing runway agreement calls for the main runway to be used whenever possible.
A FRIEND OF MINE in the car business will call periodically when he's got something new and interesting, and let me try it out. It's fun to cut loose in all-wheel drive, and to see the technologies evolve as keys give way to radio fobs, cruise control to radar tracking, speedometers to HUDs, and CDs to Howard unexpurgated Stern via satellite radio (a step backward for some) .
After studying in France, traveling through Europe and North Africa, and earning a bachelor's in French, Sheets put her language skills to work in Aerospatiale's Washington, D.C., office. Eleven years later, she became a regional administrator for Agence France Press. But in 1991, a group of men from the business aircraft resale market convinced her to head a new association created to promote standards and ethics within the industry. Since then she's helped grow NARA from 15 to more than 100 regular and associate members.
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that the FAA has made progress in managing its troubled air traffic control acquisition programs, but challenges remain for the agency as it seeks to keep pace with projected demand. The FAA has spent $43.5 billion on airspace modernization since the early 1980s and plans to spend nearly another $10 billion through fiscal 2009. The effort has suffered from cost, schedule and performance problems and has been on the GAO's list of high-risk programs since 1995, the report says.
United Space Alliance, Houston, has named Meghan Allen as director of legislative affairs in Washington, D.C. Allen previously was director of congressional relations for GenCorp/Aerojet, where she oversaw activities involving Congress related to NASA and the Department of Defense.
Piaggio America turned five on July 5 and celebrated with a party at its West Palm Beach headquarters. The company, which completes, delivers and supports the Avanti aircraft in North America, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Piaggio Aero Industries of Italy.
David Wyss/Chief Economist, Standard & Poor's www.AviationNow.com/BCA
The July 7 terror attack in London again reminds us that the world is very uncertain. Our assumption is that the attacks will reduce consumer confidence somewhat, although not by much. However, the Federal Reserve may take account of this in its policy making. Fear of the impact of terrorism on the economy could still convince it to skip tightening the federal funds rate at the August 9 meeting.
The No. 4 Eclipse 500 test aircraft, N505EA, made a 43-minute first flight from the Albuquerque International Sunport on July 9. The airplane is fully equipped with mechanical systems including pressurization, climate control and ice protection, as well as with the Avio Total Aircraft Integration package.
The Santa Monica Airport Commission has scrapped its fees at SMO in favor of a new fee schedule that has initial approval from the FAA. The new fee schedule, to take effect Aug. 1, also is weight-based, but is the product of negotiations with the FAA to ensure that the fees are non-discriminatory and justifiable. The new schedule imposes a landing fee of $2.07 per 1,000 pounds maximum certificated gross landing weight of an aircraft, resulting in a maximum charge of $155.25 for a 75,000-pound aircraft.
Banyan Air Service, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hired Jon Tonko as the company's line service manager. Tonko has over 13 years of aviation experience and most recently worked for ASI Jet in Minneapolis.
Embraer has started taking orders for its Very Light Jet and Light Jet aircraft through its sales offices in Sao Paulo , Paris, Singapore, Fort Lauderdale and Beijing. Embraer say that on receiving a deposit, buyers will be given an ``expected delivery date.'' The Brazilian manufacturer is planning to officially name both aircraft sometime this year. The VLJ will carry 6 to 8 people and cost approximately $2.75 million. First deliveries are slated for mid 2008. The Light Jet will hold 8-9 people, will cost $6.65 million, with deliveries due to commence mid 2009.
KPMG LLP, Tyson's Corner, Va., named Philip Duke managing director for the aerospace and defense (A&D) risk advisory practice. Duke has more than 35 years of combined consulting and industry experience. Previously, he served as a consultant for the high-tech and aerospace/defense industries with Accenture Corp. and as corporate executive vice president with Lockheed Martin Corp.
