TAG Aviation is now providing direct online charter quoting in Europe as well as in the United States using Air Charter Guide's CharterX system. Retail and industry inquirers can locate, price and book aircraft through TAG's Web site at www.tagaviation.com.
The National Air Transportation Association is developing a ramp safety program to cut ground-based aviation accidents. At a press luncheon in Washington, D.C., NATA President Jim Coyne said, ``In 2004, we'll raise the bar on ramp safety. It's a fact that there are more accidents on the ground than in the air. . . . Unfortunately, there are a few pilots who turn off their brains when the nosewheel touches down.'' Coyne said he believes more progress can be made in cutting down on ramp, taxiway and other ground-based accidents without additional regulation.
The first Embraer aircraft manufactured outside Brazil, an ERJ145 produced by HEAI (Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co.), rolled out and completed its first flight on Dec. 16, 2003. HEAI is a joint venture of Embraer and Harbin. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking Chinese and Brazilian government authorities, executives from China's top airlines, and representatives of partner and supplier companies.
FlightSafety International, Flushing, N.Y., has appointed Bruce N. Whitman as president. Whitman, who joined the organization in 1961, has been FlightSafety's executive vice president since 1962.
ARINC has opened a new customer service office in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to support aviation and airport clients in the Middle East and Africa, as well as the company's business expansion plans. The office is located in the newly developed west wing of the Dubai Airport Free Zone, from where the company will initially concentrate on the development of regional marketing, sales and support teams. ARINC now has offices or representation in eight European and Middle East cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Zurich, Krakow and London.
The FAA added more than 100 military airfields and about 750 accompanying instrument approaches to government-published approach chart books and airport/facility directories. ``In the past, pilots who wanted the extra safety benefit of having approaches for military bases in case of emergency had to buy and carry a separate publication,'' said Heidi Williams, AOPA manager of air traffic policy.
The HondaJet is real -- and it flies. Honda has finally made a public announcement of the HondaJet and the new turbofans that power the aircraft that flew for the first time in relative secrecy in December 2003 at Piedmont Triad Airport in North Carolina. It is now embarked on a 200-hour flight test program. Honda began research on compact business jets in 1986 and started work on its own proprietary engine in 1999. The test article is a fully equipped aircraft with a Garmin glass cockpit, integrated avionics suite, an autopilot and anti-ice systems.
Keystone Aviation, LLC, Salt Lake City, has appointed Michael Parker as director of sales and marketing. Parker most recently served as sales director for Cessna Aircraft Co. He will be responsible for turbine aircraft sales and overall marketing of products and services offered by Million Air SLC.
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has delivered the final Avro RJ to Blue 1 of Finland, bringing to a close 22 years of BAE 146/Avro RJ production. The Avro RJ was the last of a recent contract for four aircraft. A total of 390 Avro RJs and BAE 146s have been delivered, a figure that, according to BAE, makes it Britain's most successful line of jetliners.
Slots for corporate aircraft visiting the Athens Olympic Games (Aug. 13-29, 2004) are going to be tight, and according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, ``Operations without an approved slot will result in severe monetary penalties.'' Jitte Boutens of Athens Aviation Services said, ``General aviation operators will have to obtain slots and a confirmation number through their handler.
The NTSB will host a forum on safety issues related to the U.S. air cargo industry on March 30-31 at the new NTSB Academy in Ashburn, Va. For information, call (571) 223-3900.
Ouch! Cargo operator Key Lime, Inc. had two of its Swearingen Metros put out of commission simultaneously on Dec. 3, 2003, when they collided at Denver International Airport. The collision occurred when one aircraft taxied into the other, which was standing on Taxiway M waiting to take off on Runway 17R. NTSB investigators said the outer 8 feet of one aircraft's right wing was severed, while its right propeller blades were damaged. The airplane's empennage also was crushed and bent.
Exclusive Resorts said it will offer Marquis Jet Cards to its customers. The cards provide access to NetJets aircraft in 25-hour increments. Under the terms of an agreement between Marquis Jet and Exclusive Resorts, resort goers can call for a jet on several hours notice -- and be flown to the Exclusive Resorts getaway of their choice.
When it comes to the care and feeding of APUs, aircraft maintenance personnel have been dished some curious menus, as the squawks and remedies attest: PROBLEM: APU power up and start sequence occurs normally up 102 percent and steady, then ``Ready to Load'' illuminates, the auxiliary hydraulic pump relay engages, and the APU shuts down shortly thereafter. The ESU BITE code indicates an underspeed condition. Troubleshooting with an APU breakout box shows all indications normal throughout start-up and even into shutdown. Quentin E.
Executive Jet Management, Cincinnati, has named Peter Kiernan vice president of aircraft charter sales for the Northeast. Kiernan, who will be based at EJM's offices at First Aviation in Teterboro, N.J., has nearly 19 years of aviation industry experience working in customer service, crew scheduling and dispatch.
Three out of four Americans feel the FAA is doing a good job, according to a recent survey from the Harris Poll, ranking the agency as one of the top three in government. The 76 percent positive public rating for the FAA in 2003 is a dramatic jump from 2001 and 2002, in which approval ratings were 58 and 54 percent, respectively.
The Senate recently confirmed Adm. James Loy (U.S. Coast Guard, ret.) as deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He was previously head of the TSA. ``We are very pleased that Admiral Loy has been confirmed,'' said GAMA President Ed Bolen. ``Throughout his remarkable career of public service, Admiral Loy has demonstrated extraordinary management skills and a tireless work ethic. For the past 18 months, he has developed an in-depth understanding of general aviation and has been very supportive of the industry's efforts to enhance security.
Published by Alatyr Productions, ``Home of the Brave'' is a 15-month calendar (Jan. 2004-Mar. 2005) that takes a photographic journey with the U.S. armed forces. Each month features an introspective view of the daily life of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen on the job in places foreign and domestic. In addition, each photo is accompanied by a historical quote, giving insight to what those in uniform experience in their jobs. Ten percent of the proceeds from calendar sales is donated to the USO and the Armed Services YMCA.
AAR Corp., Wood Dale, Ill., named Michael Cohen vice president of operations and engineering. Cohen has more than 29 years of experience in the commercial aviation and aerospace industry.
David Stone was designated acting administrator of the TSA to replace the position vacated by Adm. James Loy. Stone retired from the U.S. Navy in 2002 as a rear admiral. He commanded the Nimitz Battlegroup and after retirement served as federal security director at the Los Angeles International Airport, and most recently as deputy chief of staff at the TSA.
European Database for Aeronautical Services (EAD), the world's largest aeronautical information provider, was launched by Eurocontrol in November 2003. Incorporating existing Spanish and German traffic data management entities, EAD is intended to remove data duplication, remedy current deficiencies and standardize the collection and access to aeronautical information for operators. Most European states, including Turkey, are already supplying aeronautical data; the remainder have until 2006 to comply.
It wasn't long ago when it seemed that APUs were found only on larger jets. For smaller corporate aircraft, which could rely on batteries or ground units for starting and main engines for cooling, APUs were an option that many operators simply didn't need. Besides, operating to and from airports with full-service FBOs meant that a GPU would always be available if needed. But times have changed.
Air BP dealers near Houston are gearing up for Super Bowl XXXVIII, which will take place in the city on Feb. 1. Wing Aviation, an FBO at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), is planning a Super Bowl Golf Tournament on game day with the proceeds going to the Wing Aviation Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Brian Wing or Frank Zimmerman at (936) 441-9555.
At North Palm Beach County Airport (F45) in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the county department of airports has increased the authorized gross landing weight limit on Runway 13/31 from 12,500 to 30,000 pounds. ``This will open the F45 airport to additional corporate jet traffic looking to avoid all the hassle of flying into PBI,'' said Bill Thrift, senior vice president of FBO Services at Piedmont Hawthorne, which operates a facility at the airport.
