Ordinarily we report on the what and how of business aviation. With this feature, however, we're taking a look at some of the where and when. The accompanying calendar includes a broad selection of events likely to attract business aircraft passengers. You'll find descriptions and particulars of some of the events, as well as suggestions for things you or your passengers can do at some of the places you're likely to visit.
Metrojet in Hong Kong has been awarded FAA Repair Station authorization. Metrojet is the exclusive maintenance provider at the Hong Kong Business Aviation Center with Hong Kong HKAR 145 Repair Station (Ref. A1/114/1100) certification. Metrojet specializes in the repair and maintenance of Gulfstream IV and V aircraft, and the Raytheon HS-125. Metrojet technicians are available 24/7 to support AOG aircraft throughout China and the Pacific Rim.
Gulfstream will close its Oklahoma City production facilities later this year, the manufacturer's second announced plant closing in less than a month. Some 350 employees will be affected by the closure. The OKC plant produces sheet metal components and G-IVSP vertical fin assemblies. Gulfstream acquired it in 1981. Gulfstream CEO Bill Boisture said in a prepared statement that ``work carried out at the 50-year-old facility'' could be performed more cost-effectively in our more modern facilities.''
Following 20 months of negotiations, Mesaba Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants have come to terms on a new contract for the regional carrier's 550 flight attendants. Terms of the deal were withheld pending a final vote of the union rank and file. Mesaba operates a mixed fleet of Avro RJ85s and Saab 340s under a code-share agreement with Northwest Airlines at its Minneapolis, Memphis and Detroit hubs.
In the early 1960s, turbojets were being used to power a growing number of military, commercial and business aircraft, but the primary business at Pratt&Whitney Canada (P&WC) was manufacturing and servicing the old Wasp piston radial engine. And that wasn't good.
HeliValue$ has released the latest edition of The Official Helicopter Blue Book. The loose-leaf and CD-ROM editions cover over 120 helicopter models, from the 1950s to the present. Each issue contains extensive financial and technical details on the different helicopter models, including year-by-year production history, price when new, and recent resale price ranges. The Official Helicopter Blue Book has been published continuously since 1979, and it is sold by subscription only (three issues per year). Price: $500 annually HeliValue$, Inc.
Bombardier is unhappy with the World Trade Organization ruling that its government-backed finance package to help land a 75-aircraft CRJ order from Air Wisconsin was improper. Bombardier contends that the government aid only matched that provided by the Brazilian government to Embraer in support of its sales efforts.
Claiming there exists ``several billion dollars in market share for regional and low-fare airlines over the next few years,'' the Raymond James Co. in late January issued ``strong buy'' recommendations for several regional airline companies, including SkyWest, Mesa Air Group and Atlantic Coast Holdings. The investment firm predicts that while air travel will ``largely recover'' by mid-year, the major carriers will not reach pre-September 11, 2001, service levels, creating the opening for the regionals and other small carriers.
Honeywell announced the KTA 970 TCAS I and the KMH 980 TCAS I/GA-EGPWS systems for general aviation aircraft. The new TCAS I and integrated TCAS I/EGPWS products are aimed at high-performance piston twins, turboprop and light-to-medium turbofan aircraft.
Teledyne Continental Motors offers excess genuine factory parts at up to 60 percent off the original list price on its Web site, www.tcmlink.com. At the site, click ``Flymarket Bargains'' to see what's available. ``The Flymarket can be a treasure trove for an aircraft owner,'' said TCM President Brian Lewis. ``You never know what you might find on the site, and the prices represent a tremendous value.'' The Flymarket consists of inventory overstock that changes from day-to-day and is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Avolar, UAL's fractional ownership subsidiary, claims to have begun flying its first owners using the company's core fleet of aircraft. Since receiving its FAR Part 135 certificate in October 2001, Avolar says, the operation has generated ``between $500,000 and $1 million'' in flight revenues. The core fleet comprises six aircraft, including two Falcon 50EXs, a Hawker 800, Beechjet 400A, Learjet 45 and a Learjet 60. Those aircraft also are operating sales demo flights.
Jane Garvey expects to step down this summer when her five-year term as FAA administrator expires. Garvey was sworn in on August 4, 1997, but there has been speculation, in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, and the ensuing dramatic changes in the national aviation system, that Bush administration officials might ask her to extend her service at the FAA.
Olympus says its IPLEX integrated video-borescope system features precision performance, enhanced versatility, portability and image storage capability. ``Setup is a snap,'' says Olympus spokesperson Leslie Boegel. ``All you need to do is adjust the monitor position, switch on the power, and pick up the remote control.'' The IPLEX comes with a 5.6-inch high-resolution LCD monitor that can be detached to give the user freedom in choosing a viewing position. The optional remote control cable allows users to inspect an extended area without moving the main unit.
C-MAP/Aviation is offering pilots its EKP-III C GPS ``kneeboard style'' moving map display. The EKP-III C combines a high-resolution, sunlight-viewable thin film transistor (TFT) flat-panel color display with AvMap's newest software technology and World Area Augmentation System (WAAS) compatibility. The Americas system incorporates C-MAP's land cartography, internal to the unit, with Jeppesen's NavData and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration obstruction data for North, Central and South America.
Precise Flight's Pulselite 3060 Starlight allows helicopter pilots to pulse two lamps at up to 500 watts each compared to the existing recognition systems at 250 watts per channel. The initial installation was accomplished at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Precise Flight said that the 3060 has demonstrated a mean time between failures of 18 years. In addition, the Pulselite comes with a patented TCAS/TCAD tie-in that automatically activates the light when traffic advisories are issued by the TCAS system. Price: $1,195 Precise Flight, Inc.
George Washington University's Aviation Institute is launching a new Airline Management Certificate Program for current and would-be airline employees, airport management, consultants, government officials and others interested in the inner workings of the airline business. The 18-credit program covers such areas as airline economics, hub-and-spoke operations, and customer service in an environment requiring ``better trained, smarter and more educated'' airline managers, says Aviation Institute Director Darryl Jenkins.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp. negotiated a 50-percent reduction for the in-motion hull insurance deductible on its Eurocopter SA341G Gazelle after it installed its Powerline Detection System on the aircraft. Energized power lines radiate an electromagnetic field detectable by the Safe Flight system. When a power line is sensed, the Powerline Detection System clicks like a Geiger counter on the aircraft's audio system and a red panel light illuminates. The audio warning increases in frequency as a helicopter gets closer to a live power line.
Woodland Aviation, Inc. has added a Cessna Citation S/II to its charter fleet. Based in Woodland, Calif., the company also charters a Hawker 800, a Citation II, a CJ1, two King Air 200s, a King Air F90, six King Air C90s, three Beech Barons and one Bonanza.
Avidyne's FlightMax family of displays has been upgraded to show curved path approach segments when it's interfaced with the ARINC 429/GAMA graphics output of Garmin 400- and 500-series GPS systems so it can now display DME arcs, procedure turns and holding patterns. The company also announced that Flight Max displays now interface with more traffic sensors such as the Bendix/King KTA-870 and KMH 880 and the Ryan TCAD 9900BX. New FlightMax 950, 850, 750, 650, 550 and 450 displays are currently shipping with all the upgrades. Current users can upgrade for around $500.
The FAA has proposed a $900,000 fine against American Eagle for transporting an oxygen generator aboard a passenger flight and for improperly labeling generators for transport as cargo on Federal Express on seven occasions. The eight alleged instances occurred during 2000. According to the agency's notice, the carrier also failed to properly train employees in the labeling of the generators, which are banned from passenger flights. American Eagle has 30 days from receipt of the proposed penalty in which to respond to the FAA.
Although the September 11, 2001, terror attacks caused ``extreme economic hardship'' for his membership, Helicopter Association International President Roy Resavage declared the helicopter industry ``down but not out'' as the group's annual Heli-Expo opened in Orlando in February.
Honeywell has been selected by Airservices Australia (AsA) to provide ADS-B demonstration air and ground equipment. The demonstration program will be conducted in the region near Bundaberg, Queensland. ADS-B aircraft broadcast their GPS-derived position and altitude information through a data link to ground stations, where the information is processed to allow precise, radar-like tracking information that allows air traffic control to provide positive separation and other services over areas without radar coverage.
The FAA has issued a letter to officials in Stratford and Bridgeport, Conn., warning them that the agency is ready to invoke condemnation authority to acquire land necessary to ensure airport safety at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR). The FAA wants to create a 1,000-foot and 800-foot buffer zone on Runway 6-24, a task that would include relocating a section of South Main Street in Stratford.
Rolls-Royce of North America has signed on to support an expansion of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational to include a second competition to coincide with the 2002 Dayton Air Show on July 20-21. The second competition will be in addition to the now-Western regional held to coincide with the Reno Air Races, which will take place September 12-15. The 2001 Reno competition was canceled due to the events of September 11. The competitions are held to recognize excellence in the preservation and restoration of vintage aircraft in airworthy condition.
