After a long and hard fought battle by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), the FAA has decided to go to final rule on changes to FAR Part 145, which contains repair station regulations. The effective date of the change is April 2003 and guidance material from the FAA is expected to follow. The changes to the regulation include a requirement for an FAA-approved training program, but excludes a quality assurance program.
Of the $247 million spent on U.S. aerospace research and development in 1999, industry provided around $169 million; the federal government provided $65.8 million. Source: National Science Foundation
Cessna Aircraft was handed a stunning courtroom loss in August when a Florida jury ruled the Wichita manufacturer was responsible for a light-airplane crash that severely injured three people and awarded damages totaling $480 million. It is believed to be the highest verdict in aviation history. The awards, which concluded a three-week trial in Escambia County Circuit Court in Pensacola, comprised $80 million in compensatory and $400 million in punitive damages.
Operators of early model Hawkers may soon have an RVSM option available to them. U.K.-based Raytheon Aircraft Services Ltd. is flight-testing the package for Hawker 700 and ADC-80-equipped Hawker 800 model aircraft. RVSM is now required for certain flight levels across the North Atlantic and will extend to European airspace soon. Raytheon says 11 operators have already committed to the new RVSM solution for which CAA and FAA approvals are expected later this year.
Mexico City to Get New Airport A decision is expected this month on the location for a new airport to open in 2006 in Mexico City. According to a report issued by Pedro Cerisola, Mexico's secretary of communication and transportation, two locations are being considered: Texcoco (21 miles from Mexico City) and Tizayuca (53 miles from the city). Although the Mexican government has approved the construction of the airport, specific details still must be worked out. The next step is a full review of the airport plan by the Politica Aeronautica Nacional.
The FAA's recently issued Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regard-ing fractional ownership operations has generated more than a little discussion among flight departments and charter operators. Based on the comments received through the NBAA's Airmail system, the trade group has agreed to develop an ``issue list'' to help focus on areas of the proposal that could be modified or improved before the FAA issues its final rule, in spring 2002.
Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga., has made the following appointments: James McQueeney as vice president and general manager of the company's Oklahoma City and Mexicali, Mexico, facilities, Dan O'Malley as general manager of Mexicali facility and James Gallagher as entry into service program manager for all G-IV aircraft. Superior Air Parts, Dallas, has appointed Tim Archer as senior vice president, Brent Henman as vice president of strategic programs and Robert Williams as vice president of product distribution.
Photons needn't be X-rays. Most radiation -- such as light -- is non-penetrating and can't pass through matter. Whether it's the friendly glow of a firefly or fire, photons are responsible. In a light bulb, electrons in the hot filament shake off visible light photons; a radio transmitter jiggles electrons, shaking off photons in an electromagnetic wave that you pick up with your receiver.
Bombardier Aerospace flew its new Continental business jet for the first time on August 14 in Wichita. The aircraft reached an altitude of 17,500 feet and speeds of up to 200 knots during the two-hour flight, which was designed to investigate the Continental's handling qualities and systems functions. Jim Dwyer, manager of Learjet flight test programs and Continental Project test pilot, flew the aircraft with test pilot Ed Grabman.
European regulators have confirmed the go-ahead for the third and final phase of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) expansion across from the continent as of January 24, 2002. A key milestone in the RVSM program, the decision by the RVSM Provisional Council will expand the RVSM coverage area from FL 290 to FL 410, adding six additional RVSM flight levels.
Bombardier Aerospace continues its executive realignment with the appointment of James Hoblyn, previously vice president of marketing and programs at its business aircraft division, as managing director of FlexJet Europe. Hoblyn will oversee Bombardier's European fractional ownership program. ``James has been involved with FlexJet Europe dating back to its start-up in 1999. In addition, he brings to the organization a strong knowledge of the European market and proven expertise in business strategy,'' said Clifford Dickman, president of Bombardier's Business JetSolutions.
C.A.S. Handling, the ground service provider for Exxon Avitat at New York's Westchester County Airport (HPN), has agreed to manage and operate a new FBO at Stewart International Airport (SWF) in New Windsor, N.Y. Occupying space once held by Worldwide Flight Services, the renovation to the C.A.S. facilities, which include a new passenger and crew lounge, should be completed by early September.
Each day, many man-hours are wasted hand-scrubbing vehicles, machinery, walls and floors. Goodway's GPW-1000 electric powered high-pressure washer replaces inefficient cleaning methods with economical high-pressure washing. The unit saves labor, decreases downtime and reduces costs. Designed for easy handling, transport and storage, the GPW-1000 features stainless-steel construction, steel reinforced hose, stainless-steel wand, five quick-disconnect nozzles and a soap container.
Sikorsky's S-76 civil helicopter will soon benefit from new technologies developed for the company's S-92 and RAH-66 Comanche programs. The aircraft is to receive an uprated engine, a new digital cockpit, a quieter tail rotor and a more comfortable interior featuring active noise and vibration control. FAA certification of this latest round of S-76 improvements is slated for 2004.
Survival Flight, Ann Arbor, Mich., lead mechanic George Davis has received a Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE) designation from the Association of Air Medical Services.
Downturn? What downturn? Exec-Air at Hancock International Airport (SYR) in Syracuse, N.Y., has opened a $2.5 million 33,000-square-foot maintenance and avionics hangar, and is pushing hard to fill it. ``When we designed the facility we wanted to have the capability of bringing in an Airbus A319,'' said Mark Geremia, ExecAir president. ``We currently perform maintenance and fueling services for Delta, Continental and United, and have a variety of maintenance and flight services for corporate and single piston operators.''
Japan Aviation Services has advised that new flight-tracking procedures, primarily intended to contain aircraft noise, are now in effect at Narita. Corridors have been established along the approach and departure centerlines of Runway 16/34. The corridors are 4.5 km (2.4 nm) at their widest point and extend approximately 15 km (8.1 nm) from the airport. Source: Air Routing
We were three hours out of JFK when I started kicking myself for turning down an exhibitor's offer of an empty seat aboard their aircraft bound for the Paris Air Show. Not literally, of course -- I could hardly have managed it with my feet pinned under a pile of food and drink-splattered carryons and a fully reclined seatback three inches from my face.
Construction of the first FBO for newly named Liverpool John Lennon Airport started in late July and is due to be completed by early December. Ravenair unit Liverpool Aviation Services will run the new facility, which includes a VIP lounge, conference room, and operations and crew room facilities. Jeff Nuttall, Ravenair's managing director, said the FBO will have its own dedicated fuel supply for Jet-A and avgas. The company said it relocated from Manchester International Airport to Liverpool due to construction of Manchester's second runway.
The Aviation Employee Placement Service (AEPS), an online employment service, has scheduled two additional AirFair career fairs. The first, in the Chicago area, is scheduled for August 17 and 18 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. AEPS also plans an AirFair at the Phoenix Civic Plaza in Arizona on September 21 and 22. AirFairs feature recruiters from a variety of aviation employers, including manufacturers, fractional operators, and regional and major airlines.
JetServe PDK, a new independent FBO, has opened for business at DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) outside Atlanta and will exclusively serve transient corporate and private jet aircraft, their passengers and crews. The 5,000-square-foot terminal facility has a ``country-club style'' decor and a 10,000-square-foot hangar for use by visiting turbine aircraft. Future plans for the FBO include development of two adjacent acres for additional parking and hangar space.
Galaxy Aviation has broken ground on three 12,000-square-foot hangars at its Witham Field (SUA) headquarters in Stuart, Fla. Stuart's proximity to West Palm Beach and the area's brisk demand for corporate aviation facilities led to the need for expanded facilities, the FBO says. Each hangar also will have attached office space for lease to corporate operators.
