Corporate pilots face many challenges and complexities in today's aviation environment. Some of these are common to all flight crews: crowded airports and airspace, security threats, the runway incursion problem, etc. Others, such as operations at unfamiliar airports, frequent use of uncontrolled airfields, and unpredictable schedules, are more unique to corporate aviation. Among all of these concerns, however, I would suggest that none causes corporate aviators more consistent consternation than does the issue of crew ground transportation. ``Seriously?'' you ask.
While the recent GAC meeting with the TSA reflected the cordial and open relationship developed over the past year, new concerns arose in the minds of some of the general aviation representatives. First, they note that the TSA is no longer the ultimate government authority on civil aviation security matters, and second, they worry that general aviation is perceived as an intrinsic threat to security by many in government (although no longer by the TSA).
As aircraft braking systems become more sophisticated, so do the problems with which their control algorithms must contend. One such problem is landing gear dynamic instability, which can be induced by the aircraft's braking system. As braking pressure is modulated, the gear strut can actually move fore and aft, causing the wheel speed sensors' readings to fluctuate. If the controller reads these fluctuations as tire slipping, it might make further modulations in brake application to correct what appear to be slipping or skidding tires.
DuPont Aviation, Wilmington, Del., has hired Mark C. Weeks as a pilot. Prior to joining DuPont, Weeks worked for a charter firm on Long Island, N.Y. In his new position, he operates the company's Hawker 800 aircraft.
The NBAA says that the FAA began compliance evaluations of the seven NBAA members that have been issued TSA Access Certificates (TSAACs). All seven are based at Teterboro, N.J. Airport (TEB). Depending on the results of the evaluations, which began June 16, the program may be made available to FAR Part 91 operators nationwide.
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating countermeasures to protect airliners from shoulder-fired missiles. According to Penrose ``Parney'' Albright, DHS director of plans, programs and budgets in the Science and Technology Directorate, the department will issue two contracts directly and fund anti-missile research through the interagency Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), which evaluates anti-terror technology for the DHS and other departments.
Elliott Aviation announced that the FAA has presented its Moline and Omaha service facilities Diamond Awards of Excellence for aviation maintenance training. In addition, Moline's Steven Antes was given an individual Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award. The FAA awards program encourages maintenance technicians and their employers to participate in initial and recurrent maintenance training courses.
John W. (Jack) Olcott left the NBAA presidency at the end of June. He will work full time at General Aero Co., a business that he owns. General Aero is based at the Morristown, N.J., Airport. Olcott told The Weekly of Business Aviation he would be engaged in process management for companies interested in improving safety, security and management of their flight departments. He also said he would continue to serve on the FAA's FAR Part 135 review committee, saying that both FAA and NBAA officials asked that he remain engaged in the committee's work.
Ice, snow, slush and water aren't the only culprits when it comes to runway contamination. Surprisingly, the very runway markings on which we rely can cause us a good deal of grief in the wrong circumstances. It has long been known that if the skid-resistant properties of painted surfaces are not maintained, all it takes is a little rain to make them slick as ice. That lesson was relearned in summer 2001 at O'Hare Airport in Chicago when a Boeing 737 was instructed to ``keep the speed up'' and taxi off at the end of the runway.
Official graphical depictions of all TFRs are available on the FAA's Web site. Text descriptions of the TFRs are generally difficult to interpret and then must be plotted on a crew's own chart. The graphical depictions were officially only available for Flight Service Station personnel to use on pilot briefings, although Jeppesen and the AOPA, among others, have posted them on their Web sites for general use.
IN THE COURSE OF MY working life -- and that goes back to shagging balls as a kid -- I've had bosses of every stripe, ranging from full-speed entrepreneurs, to go-slow rake leaners, to corporate chess masters; they've included bullies, beauties, brainstormers and beanballers, clock-watchers, clock cleaners, powers and cowards. There were lessons to be learned from them all. Recent events have caused two to stand out from that long parade of characters. One, a woman, was smart, able and courageous. And still is.
Air France has designated four of its Concordes for donation to deserving aviation homes. The last Air France Concorde public performance was at the Paris Air Show. This aircraft was then handed over to the Musee de l'Air de l'Espace at Le Bourget Airport. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is acquiring a Concorde, while the remaining two are destined for the Technik Museum Speyer, Germany and the Airbus museum, which is currently being constructed at Toulouse, France.
Averitt Air, Nashville, has named Neal Ropp director of maintenance. Ropp was previously director of maintenance for Mercury Air Center in Jackson, Miss.
Forty-five years ago the first jetliners entered service, making possible 450-plus KTAS airport-to-airport travel speeds. In less than a decade, eight- to nine-hour transcontinental flights shrank to five hours or less. Nonstop jet service between hundreds of city pairs revolutionized the productivity of the world's business travelers. Fast-forward to 2003. Commercial jet travel efficiency has become something of an oxymoron.
TRY TO REACH SOMEONE during business hours and they're invariably heading for a meeting, actually in a meeting, or heading back from a meeting that ran longer than anticipated. Meetings -- be they conducted through computer networks, conference calls, or face-to-face aboard one of the business jets we shepherd across the sky -- are essential to the normal conduct of business. For a meeting to be effective, it must have structure, following a set agenda and time lines.
Piaggio Aero Industries presented its FY 2002 results to shareholders on June 20. Revenues increased by 7 percent, in excess of $231 million, and gross operating profit is came to $36 million, up 24 percent. The board said North America is the largest market for its P180 turboprop with 14 units delivered in 2002 compared to 13 in 2001 and six in 2000. The company has a current backlog of 18 units and forecasts delivering 22 units in 2003.
The government classifies human waste as hazardous material (HAZMAT), and failure to handle it properly can lead to expensive violations. Therefore, if you service your own waste systems, the government gives you the following advice: (1) Do not discharge lavatory waste to sanitary sewer connections other than at approved airport facilities. (2) Drain the aircraft connecting hose as completely as possible into the storage tanks after servicing an aircraft. Properly secure all hoses, valves and equipment when transporting waste to eliminate leakage and spills.
B/CA asked Universal Weather and Aviation for tips on how operators can work with their handling services to save money. Universal's Kevin Tipton responded with these points: -- Verify with your flight support services company or dedicated [i.e., local] handling agent at least one day in advance that they're advised of your most current schedule, and confirm they're coordinating with Eurocontrol to ensure all airway and airport slots are in place. This will help avoid any potential change or cancellation fees due to slot delays and reduce your overall operating costs.
Sporty's' new Air-Scan SP-125 AM/FM radio enables pilots and aviation buffs to listen to ballgames, talk-radio or music and never miss an exciting aviation transmission with the unit's exclusive ``Aviation Interrupt'' feature. The SP-125 scans up to five aviation channels, and when a signal is detected on any of them, the AM or FM program is interrupted for the aviation transmission.
FlightSafety International expects to break ground on a new eight-bay training facility -- dedicated to corporate aviation training -- at Farnborough Airport as soon as construction contracts are finalized. It is scheduled to be ready for training in 2004. This dovetails nicely with TAG Aviation's commitment to develop the former military airfield as ``London's business aviation airport,'' according to an FSI spokesman. The company is surveying customers now to determine what model aircraft simulators to install first, according to the spokesman.
Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is becoming quite an aviation activist. The Senate Commerce Committee's reauthorization legislation doesn't provide specific relief for general aviation businesses impacted by 9/11 and the subsequent security fallout, but Lott, chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, said that issue would be revisited as the bill makes its way through Congress. ``I think the House bill [see below] is obviously better at general aviation than our bill and we're going to be taking a look at that,'' Lott told Aviation Week editors.
Lloyd Executive Aviation Services started corporate handling operations at Britain's Manchester Airport in early May. Lloyd Executive will operate alongside Manchester's only dedicated FBO, Northern Executive Aviation, which also offers corporate aircraft handling, executive aircraft charter and maintenance. Company owner Simon Lloyd says he will offer a totally flexible and competitively priced operation. The company is offering a 24/365 dedicated executive ground handling service and will act as a supervision agent for larger corporate aircraft movements.
Consolidation was expected in the burgeoning online charter reservation industry, and true to form, it came as part of the fallout in the late 1990s dot-com collapse. ``Booking online is an alternative to fractional ownership, too, but the playing field has been cleared out since we got into it in the late 1990s,'' Nate McKelvey, CEO of CharterAuction.Com, observed. ``Few are left today: Skyjet still exists but is part of Bombardier, which also absorbed AirCharterOnline.
The Air Group has added five jets to its West Coast fleet: a Gulfstream V, a Global Express and a Challenger 601-3A based in Seattle; a Gulfstream IV-SP based in Santa Ana, Calif.; and a Gulfstream IV-SP based in Van Nuys, Calif. The Air Group fleet has grown by 15 aircraft in the past year. For more information, visit www.theairgroup.com.
Executive Jet Management, Cincinnati, has announced changes to its senior management team. Jeff Cropper, senior vice president of charter services, will assume client services responsibilities in addition to his current duties. Robert Garrymore, senior vice president of client services, will be responsible for client relations and sales staffs. Tristan Lewis is now serving in the newly created position of national vice president of client services. John McCormick assumes the position of national vice president of managed aircraft sales.
