Stevens Aviation (Greenville, S.C.) -- Ward Brooks has been promoted to vice president of aircraft sales for this aircraft sales, brokerage, acquisitions and service company. He will be responsible for managing both the firm's new and pre-owned aircraft sales activities. Brooks, who joined Stevens in 1980, has served in a number of management roles, including general manager and maintenance manager. He mostly recently was in aircraft sales management.
On June 30, Perfect Jet Travel, Inc. began scheduled, nonstop air service Thursday and Sunday afternoons in both directions between Dallas and Los Angeles and Aspen, Colo,, using large-cabin business jets such as the Gulfstream III and IV, Challenger 604s and Falcon 2000s. Passengers purchase only the seats they need on each flight, which Perfect says can save them up to 80 percent of the cost of traditional jet charter. Travelers can choose any combination of departure and return dates.
Four more former military airports have entered the DOT's Military Airport Program, Secretary Norman Mineta announced. Williams Gateway in Mesa, Ariz.; Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla.; Guam in Agana, Guam; and Rickenbacker in Columbus, Ohio, will receive funds for three years to further develop as civilian facilities. The number of airports participating in MAP now totals 15.
Raytheon Aircraft Co. said its Little Rock, Ark., facility won a trophy from fractional aircraft provider NetJets, Inc. for outstanding performance. The Little Rock facility services and performs scheduled maintenance on NetJets' fleet of Hawker 400XPs, Hawker 800XPs and Hawker 1000s.
The 100,000-pound aircraft weight limit at Teterboro Airport remains stubbornly embedded in the report accompanying the FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations bill. Boeing and certain operators had been hoping to convince the airport to modify the weight restrictions to enable the Boeing Business Jet to access TEB. But Congress has barred the airport from raising the weight limitation in the past two appropriations bills.
American Legend Aircraft Co., Sulphur Springs, Texas, has appointed Bryan Hurley vice president of manufacturing. Hurley has 15 years of manufacturing management experience, holding management roles in a variety of industries. He will head up pro- duction of the Legend Cub.
INSTEAD OF ENJOYING THE amazing success of the Washington Nationals baseball team this summer, officials at the NBAA and other aviation trade groups are arm wrestling with the Internal Revenue Service. The problem is some new IRS interpretations that could cost aircraft owners millions of dollars in lost depreciation and other expenses for using their corporate aircraft.
Well regarded for producing an aircraft with ``jet-like'' performance, Piaggio may soon drop the ``-like.'' Forecast International's latest Internet survey says it has been hired by ``a world-ranked aircraft manufacturer to evaluate the future market for light and medium jets.'' The picture on the Connecticut-based market analysis firm's Web site shows a low-wing rear-twin-turbofan-powered aircraft whose windscreens are nearly identical to the distinctive glass on Piaggio's P-180 Avanti. The new jet however, lack's the 180's canard.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) is working with the FAA in the hope of developing acceptable restrictions that would reduce the number of flights into Teterboro Airport (TEB) without violating FAA guidelines. The FAA warned in July that proposed restrictions could violate grant assurance agreements. PANYNJ is getting strong support from Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.), who has inserted a measure into the FY 2006 transportation appropriations bill to ensure that the weight limitation at the airport is not raised above 100,000 pounds.
Chantilly Air, Manassas, Va., added four crewmembers to its growing team. Pilots Chris Buckland, Eddie Fernandez, Jason McMahon and Mike McCoy recently joined the company, an aircraft charter and management service in metropolitan Washington, D.C.
The Air Traffic Control Association urged the Senate not to block the FAA's efforts to outsource flight service stations, as Senate lawmakers began to mark up their versions of Transportation Appropriations legislation. The House included a provision in its version of the bill that would give the FAA no money for the outsourcing contract. The Senate, however, has so far included no such provision in its bill. The differences will eventually have to be resolved in conference committee.
VH-71A is the official designation for the new Lockheed Martin presidential helicopter the military announced on July 12. The VH-71A is derived from the AgustaWestland EH101 multimission helicopter. The first four presidential replacement helicopters put into service will be manufactured at AgustaWestland's plant in Yeovil, England, before production is transferred to the Bell Helicopter facility in Amarillo, Texas. A ``popular'' name for the VH-71A still is under consideration by the U.S. Air Force, which has naming and designating duty for military aerospace vehicles.
A group of Commander owners has purchased Commander Aircraft Corp. from the company's bankruptcy trustee. The bankruptcy court approved the sale to Commander Premier Aircraft Corp. (CPAC), comprising more than 50 owners of Commander models. The acquisition includes the FAA type certificates for the Commander line as well as all jigs, tooling and other manufacturing assets. Under the approved acquisition, CPAC must move the assets, but it has not yet decided where to locate the company. CPAC hopes to begin production in early 2006.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's top-to-bottom review of the agency has been completed and as we go to press, the general aviation organizations are analyzing the available details on the changes that could result. Chertoff, who ordered the review shortly after taking over the DHS from Tom Ridge, has said one likely change would include mandatory standards to upgrade security measures at chemical plants, a decision that would require approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The National Air Transportation Association unveiled a new air charter Safety Management System (SMS) to representatives of approximately 50 aviation businesses at a town hall meeting in Teterboro, N.J., July 11. NATA President James K. Coyne said the system involves five steps to make safety a systematic part of business operations: -- Senior management commitment -- Creation of a comprehensive safety manual customized to each participating business -- Web-based continuing education -- Independent third-party audits
CJ Systems Aviation Group purchased a Learjet 35 to fly medical and executive missions from its Allegheny County Airport facility near Pittsburgh. For air medical missions, the aircraft is fully equipped and includes a LifePort interior and satellite capabilities for ease of communications. If required, a medical team provides specialized care during the flight. With seating for up to eight passengers, the aircraft is also appropriate for organ procurement teams. In addition to flying medical missions, the Learjet can be configured for business travel.
While I appreciate the symbolism of DCA, the fact is that entirely too much time, energy, and attention has been given to the reopening of Reagan Washington National to business aircraft.
Rockwell Collins certified Blue Sky Network's Iridium Satellite phone system as a qualified data channel for its Airshow 4000 moving map and inflight information system. The Blue Sky Network system is also certified for the current fleet of Airshow Network (Genesys) customers. The Blue Sky Network's C-1000A Iridium Satellite phone system enables the delivery of customized news, financial, sports and weather data from Rockwell Collins' Member Service Center to the aircraft.
The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association exchanged opening shots, as the two sides prepared to begin formal contract negotiations. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said the current contract -- signed in 1998 by her predecessor Jane Garvey -- was ``a bad deal'' that cost far too much and restricted the agency's flexibility to adjust overtime and scheduling. But NATCA President John Carr noted that the current contract is Blakey's too, since in 2003 she agreed to extend it for another two years. Formal negotiations were expected to begin July 19.
Business jet operators were involved in 12 accidents during the first half of 2005, including one fatal accident that claimed the lives of eight people; by comparison in the first half of 2004 there were eight accidents, none of which were fatal. Turboprop operators were involved in 21 accidents, eight of which killed 28 passengers and crew. In the first six months of 2004, there were 24 accidents, nine of which claimed 16 lives.
The FAA is seeking about $3 million in civil penalties from Platinum Jet Management of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and from Michael F. Brassington, Platinum's CEO, for alleged violations of FARs during a series of flights in three different Bombardier Challengers. The agency proposed the civil penalties as a result of an investigation that ensued when one of the Challengers was involved in a runway overrun accident at the Teterboro, N.J., Airport (TEB) in February.
General Electric consolidated 11 businesses into six, effective July 5, with the GE Transportation and Aircraft Engines chief moving up to vice chairman. GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt named vice chairmen for three of the newly formed businesses: Dave Calhoun for Infrastructure, Michael Neal for Commercial Financial Services and John Rice for Industrial. Calhoun, 48, was president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines and two years ago, he was tapped to also lead GE Transportation, which combined engines with the rail unit.
BACK Aviation Solutions, East Windsor, N.J. (a Commonwealth Business Media, Inc. company), added Marty Graham and Nicole Rieder to the expanding aviation consulting practice based out of the Washington, D.C., office. As manager of consulting services, Graham brings extensive air cargo expertise to the team, while Rieder, a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will provide analytical support.
The NBAA announced that David W. Almy, senior vice president, marketing and communications, is resigning his post. He will remain associated with the NBAA for a period of time to assist in the transition. ``David has been a significant contributor to NBAA and the business aviation community in his 12 years with the Association,'' NBAA President Ed Bolen said. ``We wish him well in his new endeavors.'' Dan Hubbard, vice president, communications, will assume management of the NBAA's communications programs.
