While helicopter fleet growth had been expected to reach 2.5 percent, the downturn in the economy is expected to trim growth to approximately 1.5 percent. The first few signs of this change in helicopter consumer confidence came in reduced sales at the Helicopter Association International convention in Anaheim, Calif., in February, and in a cautionary report from the Transportation Research Board (TRB).
Graduates of Pan Am International Flight Academy's (PAIFA) Air Crew Education Program (ACE) will receive conditional employment offers from five regional carriers. Participating operators include AirNet Express, Chicago Express, Mesaba Airlines, Skyway Airlines and Trans States Airlines. PAIFA describes the program as a ``finishing school'' for pilots who meet the regionals' minimum experience requirements. To qualify for the ACE program, candidates must have 800 hours total time and 200 hours of multiengine experience.
While Executive Jet is adding airplanes to its fleet at the rate of six to eight a month, Executive Vice President Kevin Russell maintains the company has not had problems building its pilot base. The company hired 450 pilots in 2000, but had a pool of 8,000 applicants. Russell added that all were well-qualified applicants since the company requires a minimum of 2,500 hours flight time for consideration.
Fairchild Dornier delivered the 1,053rd and final aircraft in the Merlin/Metro series to Pennsylvania-based National Jet Aviation Services on March 28, ending the type's 35-year production run. The Metroliner is one of the more significant aircraft in U.S. regional airline history, at its peak serving with 84 operators in 46 countries. The Merlin was one of the first twin turboprops to gain wide acceptance as a business aircraft.
The FAA selected Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to lead a team of five universities that will create a ``center of excellence'' to research general aviation technology and safety issues. The team, which also includes Wichita State, the University of North Dakota, Florida A&M and the University of Alaska, will establish a cooperative agreement with the FAA to act as ``equal technical and fiscal partners'' to support research and development programs.
A Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) fitted to all 43 of Lufthansa CityLine's CRJ-100/200s has proven so popular that pilots say they want it fitted to the 20 CRJ-700s the airline has on order. The first -700 is due this month and should be in service by June.
A microcosm of the overall ``dot-com'' online business phenomenon, avia- tion e-commerce continues to evolve at light speed. Change is happening so fast, in fact, that you can't tell the players without a scorecard, or rather, a good search engine. A portent of the latest trend in aviation e-commerce, consolidation, was seen in summer 2000 when three-year-old Skyjet.com, one of the industry's self-styled ``pioneers'' was acquired by Bombardier Aerospace.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Washington, D.C., has released its report card for aviation and has given the nation's apparently overburdened infrastructure a grade of ``D.'' ``The nation's civil aviation system is showing signs of strain,'' the group said. ``While a tremendous amount of attention has been focused on the problem, not enough has been done to alleviate it.''
Virgin Atlantic officials won't confirm an Associated Press story claiming that the British carrier plans to offer a transatlantic air service using business jets. The plans for Virgin Jetset are reportedly in the very early stages of development, but Virgin hopes to fly on routes between London and New York as well as between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Virgin hopes to attract customers to the service who otherwise would fly the supersonic Concorde, which has been grounded since summer 2000.
Jet Aviation West Palm Beach completed two Sikorsky Black Hawk S-70A helicopters with VIP interiors for an unnamed government customer. The completion required removal of the rotors and 100 cowlings and fairings, hand sanding of 10,000 rivets and reshaping of the helicopter doors before the interior could be installed. The interior included double-club seating and a divan for four. Once completed, the helicopters went through a test inspection program that covered weight and balance, acoustics and water tightness. The exteriors sported a camouflage paint scheme.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) asked Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to review why the former Homestead Air Force Base in Florida is not available for civil aviation use and to determine what transportation leaders can do to ensure that other such facilities remain a viable option for expanding aviation capacity. The U.S. Air Force in January reversed a decision it made seven years ago to permit commercial aeronautical use at Homestead.
The $1.7 billion losses suffered by the Swissair Group are the worst in the 70-year history of the company. To help the tough fight back to profitability, the Group's Swissotel chain is to be sold, as are half of the real estate assets of Avireal. Former Chief Executive Philippe Bruggisser, who was fired in January, was held responsible for the failed strategy of buying into several second- and third-level airlines in an attempt to create a Swissair-centered alliance.
The worst year for corporate aviation (professionally flown) safety was 1986, with 11 fatalities in 20 accidents, or 0.53 accidents per 100,000 hours flown (Robert E. Breiling&Associates).
``I'm from the government. I'm here to help.'' Elizabeth Tritt, a U.S. Customs executive, assisting a presenter correct a PowerPoint glitch during the NBAA's International Ops meeting -- successfully and to loud applause ``I can think of no better way for Boeing management to assure the success of Airbus than to tell its own employees their hometown is a place not worth working in.'' Letters published in the Seattle Times reacting to the relocation of Boeing's headquarters
The evolution of the corporate jet into flying office and entertainment center continues, driven by the telecommunications revolution, new classes of extended-range aircraft, and the ongoing need for business to be more productive. Passengers are remaining on board for longer periods of time, and completion centers and cabin equipment manufacturers are responding by creating airborne environments to support both work and relaxation.
Infusion Design, Kansas City, Kan., is expanding its network of studios in Bonner Springs and Wichita in order to meet increased demand from its aviation, retail and product-design customers. The Bonner Springs facility is a 3,500-square-foot building featuring offices and a prototype shop, while the Wichita site features 1,200 square feet of offices. The company employs 10 designers for its industrial services, which support Galaxy Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Haggar Clothing and Adam Aircraft.
A AC -- Advisory Circular. ACARS -- Airline Communications Addressing and Reporting System. ACAS -- Aircraft Collision Avoidance System. ADC -- Air Data Computer. ADF -- Automatic Direction Finder. ADI -- Attitude Direction Indicator. ADS -- Air Data System. ADS-B -- Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. AES -- Aircraft Earth Station. AFCS -- Automatic Flight Control System.
Sweden's West Air has begun operations with three BAE Systems ATPs converted from passenger to freight configuration. Formerly operated in the U.S. by United Feeder Services, the aircraft join West Air's HS748 freighter fleet on several overnight cargo routes. A fourth ATP undergoing conversion work at West Air's Lidkoping facility is expected to enter service this month, and two additional ATPs are expected. Modification work to the twin turboprops includes installation of Universal's UNS-1K FMSes, JAA harmonization, and a gross weight increase.
Commercial air carrier and general aviation representatives, working with the FAA on parallel initiatives to significantly reduce the number of aviation accidents, believe their efforts already are bearing fruit and will ultimately permit them to achieve some aggressive safety goals.
Florida Air has inaugurated regional service within Florida. Also known as Flair, the carrier is operating nine-seat Cessna 208 Caravans linking Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahas-see, Fort Myers, Marathon and Fort Lauderdale. Plans call for service to Miami; service to other Florida cities is under consideration. Most destinations are served with two daily roundtrips; some legs require multiple stops. Harbor Air Caravans operate the service, and Flair hopes to add 19-seat Jetstream 31s as demand increases.
