Chicago Mayor Richard Daley reportedly is holding fast to plans to close Meigs Field in 2002. Daley reached a compromise with former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar in 1997 under which the mayor could close the lakefront airport on February 10, 2002 and turn the site into a park. The Chicago Tribune quoted Daley as saying ``we're willing to talk about any issue'' regarding regional airport capacity issues but Meigs is ``off the table.'' Daley added, ``It is a beautiful piece of property. . . . It shouldn't be used for . . . people flying in and out.''
A Beech 1900D operated by Great Lakes Aviation was heavily damaged February 10 during a gear-up landing on Runway 4R at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The FAR Part 121 flight, which originated in Springfield, Ill., was operating under an active instrument flight plan. Seven of the 15 passengers were evaluated and treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. The two pilots and the other eight passengers were not injured.
Business Aviation Services, Sioux Falls, S.D., has named Barry Dunmire as its director of flight operations. Dunmire previously served as the company's flight instructor and charter pilot.
Essential Air Group has released FltOps 210, which includes an optional interface with Microsoft Outlook. The interface enables the software to ``talk'' to Outlook and automatically post trips to an Outlook calendar. The calendar then can be configured to show flight schedules for the entire company, individual pilots or aircraft. The Outlook interface also enables the calendar to be shared with others via e-mail and automatically updates the individual's calendar.
Jet Source, Carlsbad, Calif., has named Pat Tierney as its avionics manager. Tierney, who has over 15 years of avionics experience, was the shop foreman and head of helicopter completions for Cinema Air prior to its acquisition by Jet Source.
Congress and the FAA seek to end new airport development gridlock by introducing legislation to streamline the approval process for new airports and runways and limit the time that can be spent debating such infrastructure improvements, but the FAA already is working the problem. A provision of AIR-21 requires the DOT to study federal environmental requirements related to planning and approving AIP projects to determine if the process can be streamlined. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told B/CA that project has been under way at the FAA for some time.
The NTSB added aircraft and human performance teams to its investigation of the October 16, 2000 Cessna 335 crash that killed Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, his son Roger and an aide, Chris Sifford. The Safety Board said initial analysis of the right engine vacuum system and pieces of the left engine have been inconclusive. The NTSB is continuing to examine the aircraft wiring, cables, hydraulics and cockpit instruments. The board plans to release its final report this summer.
Dalloz Safety has introduced Bilsom 202 NST disposable earplugs with super attenuating EarDown foam material. Available in two sizes, the Bilsom 202 earplugs feature uniform and moderate attenuation so the wearer can hear co-workers' voices, warning signals and other sounds. Constructed from a polyethylene film, the plugs contain no additives and are color coded for easy identification. The combination of increased comfort and uniform attenuation is designed to ensure predictable performance in all types of environments. Price: $0.12 to $0.24 per pair
Bombardier has delivered two de Havilland Dash 8-Q400 turboprops to Augsberg Airways. The 72-seat aircraft are the first of five ordered by the German regional airline, which expects to begin Q400 service in the next few weeks. Augsberg, a Team Lufthansa partner, has operated the Dash 8 since 1991, and with the most recent additions has 16 in its fleet. To date, Bombardier has delivered 21 Q400s to five airlines. Eight airlines have firm orders for 68 of the type, and options for 54 more.
National Air Transportation Association has launched a tour of its "100 Most Needed" airports. In February, NATA President James Coyne hosted town hall meetings at Naples, Daytona Beach and Vero Beach, Fla., as well as a stop for a roundtable discussion in St. Petersburg.
Raytheon Aircraft's Travel Air unit is adding the Bombardier Challenger 601 business jet to its fractional fleet to fill a niche for customers who need larger-cabin or longer-range aircraft. The Challengers will be the only used and the first non-Raytheon aircraft in the program. ``With the addition of the Challengers, Raytheon Travel Air will possess one of the broadest and most flexible programs in the fractional ownership industry,'' said Raytheon Travel Air President Gary Hart.
In January, I reported on a bizarre event involving US Airways Flight 107, a Boeing 757, carrying a 300-pound female pig in first class nonstop from Philadelphia to Seattle. The FAA was nonplused, having had zero experience in making a decision as to whether US Airways was in violation or not.
Aero Cosmetics is offering operators Wash Wax ALL, a universal cleaning and waxing product. The cleaner provides a non-stick, anti-static coating to aid in repelling dirt, moisture and the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. It also can be used on dry or wet surfaces and carries dirt away without scratching. Wash Wax ALL is water-based, petroleum-free and designed for use on surfaces such as paint, plastic, composites and rubber. Price: $8.95 per quart 411 Sandau RD#5 Aero Cosmetics San Antonio, Texas 78216-3648
Bombardier Aerospace has signed a Letter of Intent with Shandong Airlines Rainbow Jet Co. Ltd., of the People's Republic of China, for the purchase of four Challenger 604 corporate jets. The deal is worth $100 million and the aircraft will be used for the airline's new global charter business. The first aircraft is due for delivery in March 2002.
The value of real-time, global communication -- and the potential revenue for businesses providing the connections -- is generally recognized. In fact, hardly a day passes without reports of a new wireless communication proposal. A number of joint ventures have been established or are being formed to develop aviation services. They are an interesting mixture of established aviation companies, telecommunications companies, so-called content providers and a host of other hardware and software organizations.
I marvel at business aviation, at the variety of its equipment, the diversity of its missions, and its responsiveness. It's a well-worn Navajo rumbling across the Alleghenies at night with a load of vital manufacturing parts strapped down in back, and it's a gleaming Global Express touching down in Santiago with a cargo of Atlanta executives, eager to do a deal.
Lufthansa Technik is buying Composite International, the Tulsa-based aircraft component service company. Composite International has 107,000 square feet of shop space and employs 60. Lufthansa Technik also announced it is establishing a facility in Shenzhen, China to service aircraft components. The Shenzhen facility is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen and two Chinese companies. The operations are expected to begin this year. The company said its latest expansion effort ``is a further step toward . . .
PrivatAir Holdings, Geneva, Switzerland, has formed a new aviation group consisting of the PrivatAir executive VIP operation and Flight Services Group (FSG). With the integration of the two companies, FSG and PrivatAir said they plan to refurbish their Transair FBO facilities at Le Bourget Airport in France. The combined group will now offer charter, management and FBO services at 20 locations in Europe and North America.
Be a Pilot will begin an aggressive campaign to increase new pilot starts this year, according to President and CEO Drew Steketee. Among the initiatives: new incentives for flight schools to increase local marketing, hiring of an outside marketing and public relations firm and a commitment to provide leads generated by the group's advertising to local flight schools. The Be a Pilot board of directors elected new officers: Sporty's Pilot Shop founder Hal Shevers is now chairman of the group, succeeding Russ Meyer, who will remain chairman of the finance committee.
Two unions have asked the FAA to take its Capstone demonstration program off line in Alaska until the agency resolves software glitches that cropped up in January.
Cencal, a manufacturer of aviation flight bags, has a new line of technical tool bags. The Tech Bag can carry a computer, soldering and just about any tool you may need in the field. It has a detachable cellular telephone pouch that can be worn on a belt and it comes with one adjustable inside divider. Made from Dupont's Denier Cordura, the Tech Bag is soft sided and fully padded, so there is less chance of damage to the aircraft. The reinforced bottom gives additional support. Price: $135.99 Cencal Sales
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation, Frederick, Md., has awarded Elizabeth Copelin of Upton, Ky., its Koch Scholarship. After graduation from Eastern Kentucky University, Copelin plans to work as a flight instructor while she pursues a career as an airline pilot.
Concern over inadvertent autopilot engagement or mode changes during critical phases of flight has led the FAA to look at ``protecting'' or relocating autopilot switches now installed on the control wheels of turbine aircraft. The agency says its goal is not to create any ``binding norms'' or new regulations, but to refine the certification guidelines for all turbine-powered aircraft in the normal, utility, acrobatic and commuter categories.
