As the nation's largest airports busily install explosive detection equipment and accommodate scores of federal security officers, the TSA has turned its attention to the other airports -- the 5,400 public-use general aviation facilities. The TSA in late April tasked a group of industry representatives to explore possible ways to enhance security. The TSA stressed that its mission includes improving general aviation security ``as necessary,'' and explained to aviation groups why it's in the best interest of industry to develop recommendations to address the issue.
The Air Group added a Gulfstream III to its managed charter fleet. The Air Group, based in Norfolk, Va., has charter aircraft based around the world. More information is available at www.theairgroup.com.
June 6 -- A Beech 36 single-engine airplane plunged through two floors of a Los Angeles apartment building and into a parking garage on the ground floor, setting all three floors ablaze. All four people aboard the airplane were killed, as was one man who lived in the building, according to the latest reports. The NTSB is still determining what caused the airplane to plummet straight down into the building 10 minutes after taking off from the Santa Monica Municipal Airport apparently en route to Sun Valley, Idaho.
Thales has reorganized its Canada-based operations. The corporation's activities located in Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax will come together administratively under a single head office in Montreal, Thales Canada Inc., and be headed by President Jean-Pierre Mortreux. The new chairman of Thales Canada, Pierre J. Jeanniot, said the creation of the new entity will enable Thales to offer integrated systems for civil aviation, reinforce territorial protection with communications and optronics systems, and consolidate and strengthen R&D.
Air Methods' Product Division has received an STC for its Eurocopter EC130 B4 Emergency Medical Interior. Immediately after certification, the aircraft -- the first EC130 B4 in air ambulance service -- was delivered to the Oklahoma University Medical Center Medi Flight operation in Oklahoma City. Air Methods also offers EMS interiors for the BK117, AS350, AS355, EC135, BO105 and AS365.
The NTSB is recommending that the FAA modify its air traffic control radar data processing backup systems to provide conflict alert functionality to the greatest extent practicable. The board noted that conflict alert functionality is present in en route and approach control ATC facilities under primary system operation. However, when backup systems are in use, conflict alert may not be available, depending upon the facility's type of equipment and software.
The FAA's FAR Part 135/125 aviation rulemaking committee (ARC) kicked off its initial session in June after several months of planning (see May B/CA, Intelligence, page 24) at a conference center in suburban Virginia. The ARC's efforts are divided into project areas focused on the applicability of existing and future regulations, operational requirements, employee training, aircraft airworthiness, international operations and aeromedical considerations for crewmembers, plus the differences in operating rotorcraft and airships versus fixed-wing aircraft.
Striking a rare optimistic note, the Industry Trends committee of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) sees the ingredients for a recovery in pre-owned aircraft sales, based on factors ranging from the stabilization of aircraft values to opportunities created by the conversion of fractional shareholders to whole aircraft owners. Aircraft dealers and brokers are also reporting anecdotal evidence of an increase in sales activity, according to NARA. ``Inventory levels are high, resulting in almost unprecedented choice.
Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) in Oxford, Conn., is essentially closed for renovations and the ILS/DME is out of service until at least Sept. 17. Some landings and departures might be authorized 0700 to 1600 local upon receiving prior permission of the airport manager at (860) 264-8010. Bradley International (BDL) near Hartford, Bridgeport (BDR) and Danbury Municipal (DXR) are reasonable alternates, as are the less obvious White Plains, N.Y. (HPN) and Stewart International (SWF), Newburgh, N.Y.
The Embraer 175 made its first flight June 15 at the company's Sao Jose dos Campos facility in Brazil. The aircraft is the second of the new Embraer 170/175/190/195 family of airliners optimized for 70 to 110 passengers, configured with 2-by-2 seating. The model 170 is currently in certification testing.
Million Air Teterboro has been approved as a Honeywell engine and APU line service center. The approval covers the Honeywell TFE731-2 through -60 engines and GTCP36-6 and GTCP36-100/150. Visit its Web site at www.millionairteb.com.
A replica of the 1911 Wright Flyer crashed during a test flight in Midland, Va., injuring Ken Hyde, the pilot, and damaging the aircraft. The Wright Model B replica, built by the Wright Experience of Warrenton, Va., was ``substantially damaged'' in the May 19 crash, according to a preliminary NTSB report. The report said, ``While taxiing, the airplane suddenly became airborne, and the pilot was not sure if he could land the airplane in the space remaining.
On the international market, fuel prices can vary widely depending on the supplier and method of payment used. For example, on a particular day this spring, the posted price for Jet-A at Shannon, Ireland, was $1.37/gallon (in U.S.$) for spot purchased via cash or major credit card. But according to Nancy Schnetz, Jeppesen Flight Services international trip planning manager, quite a bit per gallon can be saved by working through a contract fuel supplier.
The FAA issued an STC for a WSI InFlight AV200 data link receiver system installation on a Piper Saratoga, the company announced on June 9. WSI and its manufacturing partner, Sandia Aerospace, have submitted an application for Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) for WSI InFlight, the final step in certifying the system.
In June, JetBlue Airways ordered 100 Embraer 190 airliners with deliveries starting in third quarter 2005. The airline also took options on 100 additional Embraer 190s. The total value of the firm contract at list price is $3 billion, with a potential value of more than $6 billion if all options are converted. With this order, JetBlue becomes the launch customer for this 100-seat model of the Embraer 170/190 family. JetBlue will outfit the aircraft with leather, four-abreast seating at a 32-inch pitch with its signature DirecTV satellite television in every seat.
StarPort Cambata Aviation International at Florida's Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) has been appointed a Cessna Caravan factory authorized service center. StarPort is a full-service FBO with a state-of-the-art facility. Its Web site is www.starportusa.com.
Boeing subsidiaries Jeppesen and Alteon have signed a joint marketing agreement to broaden the training options offered by Boeing Flight Services. Jeppesen offers aircrews and flight management personnel courses in human factors, basic and advanced flight operations management and international flight planning. Alteon offers pilots, technicians and cabin crews training for 100-plus seat aircraft through classroom training, computer-based programs and flight simulators.
Carter F. Dosso, chief pilot and aviation manager for Vallejo Investments, Inc. (San Francisco), died on April 2 at the age of 59. He entered corporate aviation in the mid-1970s with View Top Corp. at West-chester County Airport (HPN), later flying for Forbes magazine prior to working for Vallejo Investments, where he worked for the past 17 years, most recently operating a Boeing 727-100REW internationally.
John Pasciutti, chief pilot for Group Holdings, Inc. (Fort Worth), died on April 2. He was involved in corporate aviation for 16 years after retiring from the U.S. Air Force.
Fractional provider Flight Options announced that Raytheon Aircraft Services is now the company's preferred supplier for aircraft maintenance to the entire Flight Options fleet. Raytheon holds a significant portion of Flight Options.
A new tax seminar on air charter operations, co-sponsored by B/CA and Conklin & de Decker, will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3-4. The seminar will help attendees determine which taxes and fees apply, and how best to manage tax compliance and the tax impact on company cash flow. The seminar fee is $995 per person, with discounts available for National Air Transportation Association members and groups. For more information, contact Nel Sanders-Stubbs at (480) 922-8110, or at [email protected].
Concerned about losing your job to a fractional ownership provider? ChiefPilot.com has introduced a unique online subscription tool to help pilots understand and advocate the advantages of full aircraft ownership over fractional ownership programs. Designed to bridge the gap between pilots and company accountants, there is no need to learn complicated new software or to download future updates. This online tool analyzes the net present value of any four what-if scenarios, then illustrates the normalized equivalents in a graphic comparison.
FirstFlight Management, Horseheads, N.Y., has appointed Chalna Trawick director of charter sales -- Allentown, Pa. Her prior position was with East Coast Jets in Allentown.
Gwendolyn O. Mayo, founder and chairman of Mayo Aviation in Denver, received the William A. Ong Award, named in honor of the National Air Transportation Association's cofounder and first president, on May 13. Mayo was recognized for her contributions and service to the general aviation industry.
Bombardier has sold its Military Aviation Services (MAS) unit to Spar Aerospace, a subsidiary of New York-based L-3 Communications Corp., for $90 million. L-3 purchased Spar in 2001. MAS was earmarked for divestiture as part of Bombardier's recapitalization program announced on April 3. MAS employs approximately 950 people and provides maintenance, repair, overhaul and a full range of technical services for military aircraft, from systems engineering to aircraft modification, and generated revenues of approximately $91 million in fiscal year 2003.
