The Ultra-Hardtop P1 Plus is a one-drum containment unit with a convenient ``roll-top'' cover. The tall headspace above the drum permits the use of drum pumps or conical funnels. Constructed out of polyethylene, the locker will not rust or corrode. The unit is designed for forklift operations, and its 64-gallon capacity meets the Environmental Protection Agency's container storage regulations. An optional five-wheeled dolly is available. Price: Call for pricing UltraTech International 9454-9 Philips Hwy.
Production workers at the larger U.S. aircraft plants earned an average of $1,027 per week in 2001, compared with $656 per week in 1990. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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The U.S. Customs Service has proposed extending indefinitely the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) program, which allows U.S.- and Canadian-registered private aircraft to clear Customs by telephone. The proposal also would standardize and modify the agency's border overflight program, which exempts ``qualified'' general aviation aircraft from certain requirements mandated during the fight against drug smuggling.
Flight and duty time regulations are a point of contention between pilots, operators and the regulatory agencies. Pilots have long felt that the current regulations are inadequate to ensure sufficient rest. While the regulatory eight-hour rest period within the preceding 24 hours might sound sufficient at face value, in reality it comes up woefully short of providing the rest pilots need to function in a safe manner.
Four regional teams participating in NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program will pursue advances in flight control and systems automation, synthetic vision and improvements in air traffic procedures. NASA selected the four teams in July, toward the goal of combining ``smart'' airplanes and ``smart'' airports to make small aircraft easier and safer to fly, while allowing greater use of small airports.
Air Wisconsin reached a tentative agreement with its pilots in the early-morning hours of August 12 -- narrowly averting a strike. The pilots, who had been without a contract for two years, would have been free to strike that day -- the conclusion of a 30-day cooling-off period ordered by the National Mediation Board. The Board imposed the cooling-off period after the Air Line Pilots Association declined contract arbitration in July.
Landing and rollout maneuvers seem to present the most challenges to business- and corporate-turbine aircraft crews -- at least that's what the insurance and accident statistics show year after year.
The U.S. Senate is considering a fiscal 2002 transportation appropriations bill that provides more than full funding for FAA operations and calls on the agency to boost its inspector staff and promote general aviation safety initiatives. The Senate bill would give the FAA $13.26 billion in fiscal 2002, including $6.92 billion for operations, compared with the Bush administration request for $6.87 billion.
Delta Air Lines joined American Airlines in ruling out the possibility of entering the fractional aircraft market, but Delta Chairman Leo Mullin expressed a desire to slowly grow its business jet charter business, Comair Jet Express (CJE). Mullin told B/CA affiliate Aviation Daily that he has ``zero intention'' of seeking a niche in business aviation ``in the way United is pursuing'' the market.
The Legacy's A1P engines, rated at 7,426 pounds of thrust for normal takeoff (ISA+30C), have an 8,169-pound-thrust rating for one-engine-inoperative conditions (ISA+19C). For operators, that translates into full rated thrust up to 113F (45C) at sea level. The A1E engines' high-altitude thrust output is robust -- 2,053 pounds at 40,000 feet (ISA) uninstalled.
The good news for Legacy maintainers is that the ERJ-135LR is an MSG-3 (Maintenance Steering Group 3) airplane. And as with all aircraft manufactured under MSG-3 requirements, operator input and field response helped mold its design to accommodate economic and functional issues. By building on its engineering experience with the ERJ-135 and ERJ-145, Embraer can enhance the Legacy's reliability and maintainability, just as Boeing did when it developed the BBJ.
In an effort to improve aviation safety in developing countries, ICAO and the government of Singapore have created a joint aviation training program. The ICAO-Singapore Developing Country Training Programme includes coursework in flight safety, safety oversight, navigation systems and civil aviation management. The Singapore Aviation Academy is conducting the classes, which range from four days to three weeks in length, through mid-2003. Further information is available online at www.icao.org.
An industry working group has asked for more time to draft recommendations for a new rule governing extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) in U.S. airspace. A year ago, the FAA tasked the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee with developing an ETOPS proposal for both FAR Part 135 and Part 121 operations by June.
If you think the `big sky theory' is a viable option,'' Air Routing Inter-national Director of Training Services Dave Stohr said, ``think again -- you ain't the only one out there.''
Ibis Aerospace is creating a worldwide dealer network for its proposed Ae270 single-engine turboprop. Initial North American distributors include Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation; Elliott Aviation of Moline, Ill.; Stevens Aviation of Greenville, S.C.; and Ontario, Canada-based Field Aviation Sales. Ibis claims 51 orders for the Ae270, worth over $100 million.
The Airport Authority at Lambert International Airport (STL) in St. Louis has broken ground on a new 9,000-foot runway. However, before construction could begin, the operator had to purchase 1,937 homes, 70 commercial properties, relocate several roads and move the Missouri Air National Guard.
Bombardier's Regional Aircraft Division has joined Regional Air Partners (RAP), the upstart trade association for the regional airline industry. Formed in April by Mesa Air Group CEO Jonathan Ornstein, RAP is comprised of airlines, manufacturers, airports and other organizations with a vested interest in the continuation of regional airline service in smaller communities. Ornstein canceled Mesa's Regional Airline Association membership in April, claiming the group was focused on larger regionals and the major airlines with whom they are associated.
It was a typical summer day around noontime when the call came to fly an afternoon charter. The pickup was scheduled for 3 p.m. with a roughly two-hour wait-and-return in upstate New York. The weather looked good, with clear skies until about midnight, when thunderstorms were expected over the Adirondack Mountains. Although fog was forecast for coastal areas north of Cape Cod, none was expected along the Connecticut shore.
Fractional jet provider Flight Options has opened its first private terminal and regional service centers at Denver's Centennial Airport (APA) and McClellan Airfield Airport (MCC) in Sacramento, Calif. The new terminals are equipped with a full complement of business amenities and are designed to ``provide the owners with a private setting for departure and arrivals,'' said Kenn Ricci, Flight Options CEO.
Atlantic Aviation, Newark, Del., has named the following as customer supervisors: Kim Burski at the company's Philadelphia FBO and Cathy Patruno-Statham at the Teterboro facility. Bombardier Aerospace, Montreal, Canada, has appointed James Hoblyn as managing director of Flexjet Europe Ltd. Piedmont Hawthorne, Winston-Salem, N.C., has named Keith Parish as customer service manager for corporate aviation.
Safire Aircraft is increasing the price of its proposed S-26 light twin jet and changing customer deposit policies this month. The new price is set at $919,000 -- a $50,000 increase from the original. The West Palm Beach, Fla.-based manufacturer also will require new and existing customers to convert formerly refundable $8,000 deposits into Non-Refundable Purchase Order and Escrow Agreements.
