CSI Aviation Services, Inc. (aka Charter Services), Albuquerque, has hired retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ralph E. ``Chip'' Parker as executive vice president.
Former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey officially joined APCO Worldwide as executive vice president and chair of the firm's transportation practice on Jan. 9. Founded in 1984, Washington, D.C.-based APCO is an international public affairs and communications company. Garvey will provide ``senior strategic counsel to APCO clients,'' covering areas from government relations to policy and communications advice.
Two years ago, the AOPA requested that the FAA provide GPS-equipped pilots with the capability to fly charted GPS routes through Class B airspace and to fly at lower altitudes along airways where ground-based navigation equipment limits minimum altitudes. A current proposed rule change would effectively give the FAA the authority to begin publishing such routes. They would be available to pilots using GPS flying IFR or VFR with appropriate clearances when necessary.
The TSA received more than 100 comments on the ``95K'' rule, many expressing concerns about its applicability as well as the practicality of meeting the requirements. While aimed at large airliner aircraft, the rule also captured Global Express business jets, many of which weigh more than 95,000 pounds. ``The rule unjustly singles out the Global Express and its operators while other manufacturers' aircraft are not affected due to slightly lower than 95,000 pounds maximum takeoff weight [MTOW],'' commented one Global Express operator.
Boeing, which has amassed a treasure trove of aviation photography, has teamed with Getty Images to launch a Web site where you can view and purchase high-quality contemporary and historical aviation and aerospace-related photographic prints.
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) founder Charles ``Chuck'' Peacock died on Dec. 17, 2002, after a lengthy illness. He started the AEA in 1956 to improve communication and cooperation between avionics shops and manufacturers. The AEA currently represents more than 1,100 companies worldwide.
The U.S. House in January adopted a rules package for the 108th Congress that sets up a select committee to oversee the new Homeland Security Department. It was not clear at press time what jurisdiction, if any, the new committee would take from the Transportation Committee, which has, up until now, had oversight responsibility for the TSA. Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), chairman of Rules, said the intent was to ``maintain jurisdiction'' and do ``everything possible to keep the expertise that is out there'' on Transportation. Rep.
Goodrich Corp. has reorganized into three business segments: Airframe Systems, Engine Systems and Electronic Systems. Goodrich said the structure is designed to enhance the company's alignment and communications with its global customer base and to streamline the organization.
CMC Electronics Inc., Montreal, Canada, has appointed Mario Larose to the newly created position of vice president of the company's custom electronics business unit. In addition, Larose oversees the design-to-spec operations, which primarily involve display panels and hybrid microcircuits for aerospace and defense OEM customers.
After only five years in business, Britain's Eastern Airways is about to become a major regional airline player. This is a result of British Airways CitiExpress pulling out of 21 routes and the cessation of its operations at Cardiff (Wales) and Leeds Bradford Airport in the north of England. Eastern is due to double in size by March as it takes over six CitiExpress routes. CitiExpress, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, plans to operate regional jets exclusively by 2005.
The FAA is expanding the implementation of public RNAV departure procedure (DP) and standard terminal arrival (STAR). These procedures demand strict pilot awareness and adherence to the RNAV procedure course centerline in order to provide increased safety and efficiency. If unable to comply with the requirements of an RNAV DP or STAR, pilots shall advise air traffic control as soon as possible. See 14 CFR 91.187 and the Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-3-3, regarding malfunction reports.
The new Houston Area Chapter of Women in Aviation held its first organizational meeting at the West Houston Airport (IWS) on Jan. 11. All members of the aviation community are welcome in the organization. For meeting or membership information, contact Laura Jolley at (281) 488-2167 or at [email protected].
Like their larger desktop and laptop counterparts, PDAs include some sort of storage memory; more memory (measured in megabytes) means that there is more room for programs, data, contacts and appointments. Most entry-level models come with eight MB memories, but many PDAs provide expansion slots for added utility. To add external memory as well as hardware (such as a modem) at the same time, you may need a unit with two expansion slots, so be sure to ask.
Million Air in Salt Lake City added 30,000 square feet of new heated, executive-class hangar space at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Completed on Dec. 24, 2002, the new hangars provide tenants and transient customers with a total heated hangar space of 170,000 square feet -- more than any other FBO in the Rocky Mountains. According to Jeff Packer, business development manager, ``Heated hangar space is important in the Rockies. Our business is growing; and this new construction is a part of our ongoing effort to stay ahead of the demand.''
Partners in Aviation and Communications Technology (PACTEC) is an independent non-government organization (NGO) that provides aviation and communication services to numerous organizations serving the world's poor and needy. PACTEC began serving in Afghanistan in 1998 with air services out of Peshawar, Pakistan. PACTEC's purpose in Afghanistan is to provide safe and reliable air transport for the foreign aid community providing assistance to Afghanistan, thereby allowing those organizations to function more effectively.
Jeppesen announced it will offer Air Security International's security services to customers of Jeppesen's international trip planning services. The addition of ASI security information will allow Jeppesen to provide enhanced pre-trip security intelligence reports and arrange executive protection, transportation and aircraft security. Jeppesen also will offer ASI's mobile phone services, using satellite, GSM and cellular phones, to customers worldwide.
For those who want to develop their own PDA applications, a visit to PalmSource's (the company behind the Palm Operating System) Palm Emulator page at www.hewgill.com/pilot/copilot could be worthwhile. There, you'll find software that emulates the hardware of various models of Palm-powered hand-helds. The site is a valuable resource for writing, testing and debugging applications and ``virtual'' hand-helds by running the Emulator on Windows, Mac OS or Unix computers.
Dear B/CA Staff: Fran and I are about to leave for Kabul, Afghanistan, for a few weeks helping with a King Air program, which provides flight services to the many aid organizations currently working in Afghanistan. While this is all fresh in my mind I thought you might enjoy hearing about business and commercial aviation in a different dimension. More letters will follow. Some History Our first trip to Kabul was in February and March of 2000 during the Taliban regime.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Alexandria, Va., has named Bryan Fitch as its new technical services manager. Fitch comes to NATA from Gemini Air Cargo, where he served as a flight engineer.
As if there aren't enough absolutely essential electronic devices in our lives, computer developers have created a whole new subspecies of electronic gadgetry that combines a range of powerful features into a single, compact unit. Known as hand-helds or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), these gizmos are far more versatile -- and lighter -- than the paper or electronic organizers you may already have in your flight case, and ultimately may even replace the need to carry a laptop.
ARINC Direct is offering complete certification support services to enable business jets to operate in RVSM airspace. ARINC Direct will assist with airframe modifications, flight monitoring and preparation of the RVSM approval packages. ARINC expanded its Colorado Springs, Colo., service facility and added staff in five other locations to accommodate increased demand for RVSM services. ``Expanding our RVSM services is part of ARINC's new focus on the business aviation community,'' said David Poltorak, ARINC vice president of business aviation services.
The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said they have tentatively agreed on a two-year contract extension, although critical aspects of the agreement, such as staffing increases, must still be resolved. NATCA President John Carr told Aviation Daily that while the agreement in principle is a ``very positive first step,'' he is ``not opening the champagne yet.'' NATCA is seeking assurance that controller staffing limits will be increased, labeling this the main issue that must still be addressed before a final agreement is reached.
Garmin has introduced its iQue 3600, the first PDA to include integrated GPS technology. The PDA is powered by Palm OS 5 and uses Garmin's GPS and mapping software. The unit is also equipped with a speaker for voice-guidance commands, an MP3 player and message playback. Optional accessories include an automotive navigation kit, car voltage adapter and other MapSource software. (See related feature ``One the Go Gizmos,'' page 66) Price: $589 Garmin 1200 E. 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062 Phone: (913) 397-8200 Fax: (913) 397-8282 www.garmin.com
