A recent EPA decision to require an elaborate secondary containment system to protect against spills from parked refueling vehicles is raising concerns that some airports and operators may choose to get out of the fueling business.
Their sales folders thick with purchase orders, helicopter manufacturers have their fingers crossed, hoping this is the start of long-awaited good times, last enjoyed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. That's when more than 4,400 new civilian helicopters were delivered over a four-year period. With oil prices reaching all-time highs, with most existing offshore and EMS helicopters long in the tooth, and with the introduction of new, more capable, more durable and more maintainable airframes, helicopter buyers are rushing to update their fleets.
Infinity Aviation Group, White Plains, N.Y., a full-service charter, sales, management and maintenance company, hired Ron Muller as head of its new charter sales office at Westchester County Airport.
Pentastar Aviation's Avionics Department received its second Training Excellence Award from the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) at a ceremony held in Dallas in April.
Rockwell Collins was awarded a 10-year contract by NetJets Europe, a subsidiary of NetJets Services, Inc., to provide forward exchange-based avionics maintenance, repair and technical support for its fleet of Hawker 400XP aircraft. Rockwell Collins Aviation Services' facility in Reading, U.K. will provide 24/7 service.
Meggitt/S-TEC, Mineral Wells, Texas, named 30-year aerospace veteran Michael McMillan president of the company. McMillan is responsible for leading Meggitt/S-TEC's strategic direction in all key areas including design, manufacturing and sales for the legacy as well as advanced flight control systems.
The spring 2005 edition of the Aircraft Bluebook's Marketline newsletter recently proclaimed: ``There is no doubt about it. The used aircraft market is in full comeback mode.'' The quarterly publication noted that several factors had combined to bolster sales of previously owned airplanes in late 2004 and into the first quarter of this year: -- The prevailing view was that the outcome of the U.S. presidential election was a win for American business. And ``when business wins, general aviation wins.''
Bombardier announced that three Mexican operators placed orders for a Bombardier Learjet 40, a Special Edition Learjet 60 and a Challenger 604. The company also announced April 8 at the AEROEXPO exhibition in Mexico City that it has a firm order in Brazil for a Special Edition Learjet 60 -- the first for the new model in that country. The four new sales, together with two orders for Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft recently placed by Honduran and Brazilian operators, have a combined value of more than $125 million (U.S.).
As more operators become comfortable with the notion of the paperless cockpit it seemed appropriate to add an Electronic Flight Bag table to the Avionics section (see page 211). While there as yet is no specific TSO specification for EFBs, operators who are considering use of one should familiarize themselves with Advisory Circular (AC) 120-76. The AC is an acceptable method of compliance for the certification, airworthiness and the operational approval of both portable and installed EFBs.
IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO that we used this space to bid a fond farewell to Edward W. Stimpson, the long-time president of GAMA. Like everyone else in the aviation community, we were really sorry to see Ed leave because he was so effective as the association's leader and such a nice guy. But Ed, a cum laude graduate of Harvard University, had spent his entire career working for government (congressional affairs at the FAA) or a trade association, and he had an itch to try his hand in the private sector.
The announcement that TSA chief David Stone would depart within the next few months surprised many general aviation advocates who had been working with him on security initiatives. They remain optimistic that the initiatives, including the TSA's plan for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) access, will stay substantially on track.
NationAir Insurance Agencies, Chicago, named Terry White branch manager for its new Nashua, N.H., office. White was previously with AIG Aviation as assistant vice president/Canada branch manager.
Protective Packaging Corp.'s moisture barrier bags offer protection against humidity and damaging vapor, for products of all sizes and shapes -- from ball bearings to jet engines and helicopters. Users may choose from several moisture barrier materials: Mylar, Tyvek, Kraft, vinyl, foil or composite. Each material offers benefits ranging from tear resistance to puncture resistance, antistatic qualities, or corrosion inhibitors. The bags can be used for long- or short-term storage and preservation. Price: Varies Protective Packaging Corp.
Stevens Aviation, Greenville, S.C., appointed Glenn J. Brown as president and chief operating officer. Brown has over 27 years of experience in aerospace and aviation management including executive leadership with Rolls-Royce and operational and financial management at Lucas Aerospace.
``I am more optimistic than I've ever been,'' said National Air Transportation Association President James M. Coyne about the prospects of general aviation regaining access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Senior leadership at the Department of Homeland Security has been briefed about the TSA's plan to reopen DCA to general aviation. DHS Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson is believed to be seeking a few revisions to the plan, out of reported concern that the original version was too stringent and too inflexible.
London's Biggin Hill Airport recently filed its master plan with the Department for Transport as part of the U.K. government's 30-year Air Transport Policy. Locals concerned about increased air traffic have registered complaints, but, ``Businesses are supporting us and outweigh the number of protesters,'' said Peter Lonergan, the airport's marketing manager. Biggin's close proximity to London's Canary Wharf business district and its Jet Aviation FBO have made it a popular general aviation and business airport.
