Sabreliner has introduced a new composite interior for Model 80 aircraft. The interior weighs about 100 pounds less and offers easier maintenance and inspection access than original interior components, says the company.
Jet Aviation has recognized Pratt&Whitney Engine Services as its preferred engine repair and overhaul vendor for Pratt&Whitney PT-6A and JT-15D series engines. The agreement covers Jet Aviation's service facilities in Bedford, Mass.; Dallas; and Teterboro; as well as its recently renovated facility in West Palm Beach Florida.
British International, a U.K.-based helicopter operator, has selected Russell Adams to supply computer maintenance software. The Russell Adams systems will provide inventory management, record-keeping, task-card generation and other functions at British International's five locations.
AOPA President Phil Boyer presented the group's Award of Excellence to Christopher Andrews for volunteer efforts promoting the interests of general aviation at Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
Safeair has agreed to license its safety cards to Airshow, allowing the inflight entertainment provider to produce digital safety briefings for Airshow 400 and Airshow network users. Dennis Ferguson, Airshow president, says the safety briefings ``add valuable content to Airshow's menu of services.'' The two companies plan to produce and market VHS safety information tapes. Airshow also has unveiled plans for iSYS -- a centralized system for managing cabin amenities including environmental controls, inflight entertainment and inflight e-mail.
AOPA Senior Vice President of Communications Drew Steketee is leaving the organization this month to become president and CEO of Be A Pilot. The AOPA, aircraft manufacturers and other industry groups helped form Be A Pilot -- originally known as GA Team 2000 -- in 1996 to encourage new pilot starts. Steketee, a nine-year AOPA veteran and 2,600-hour commercial pilot, also served in communication posts at Beech and GAMA.
Mercury Air Group was awarded a $5 million contract to provide refueling services at NAS Meridian. Commencing on February 1, 2001, Mercury will maintain and operate the government-owned fuel and cryogenic facilities.
Brookdale International Systems is now offering the EVAC-U8 Emergency Escape Smoke Hood. The device is designed to provide up to 20 minutes of breathable air in the event of smoke in the cabin. The EVAC-U8 uses a multi-stage, air purifying, chemical catalytic filter to remove carbon monoxide, and a protective hood made from Dupont's Kapton, an 800F heat-resistant material. Brookdale said the product protects the lungs, eyes and the entire head from the heat and toxic smoke that a fire can produce.
The Air Group has added three new aircraft to its charter fleet. The Van Nuys, Calif.-based aircraft include a Gulfstream III, Gulfstream IV and a Challenger 601.
The Irish Coast Guard has renewed its contract with CHC Helicopter division Scotia Helicopter Services to provide search and rescue-equipped helicopters based in Shannon and Dublin. Under the terms of the agreements, Scotia will provide four specially equipped Sikorsky S-61N helicopters through January 1, 2007.
Combining the near-instantaneous data retrieval of the Internet with extensive charter/management experience, a Boston-based company has come up with an intriguing alternative to fractional ownership.
Fairchild Dornier (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany) appointed Wolf-Eckard Herholz as senior vice president of customer support, Jurgen Haacker as vice president of customer support and Douglas Nelms as director of editorial services.
Motorola and airborne cellular provider AirCell are flight-testing new Bluetooth technology that may lead to the inflight use of personal cellular telephones. A consortium of telecommunications companies developed Bluetooth, which allows electronic devices to communicate with one another using short-range transceiver chips. The Federal Communications Commission banned inflight cell phone use because it may interfere with the ground-based cellular network. Violators are subject to a $10,000 fine.
The AOPA is claiming victory in a fight with the FAA over what constitutes a properly equipped training aircraft. Some FAA inspectors had interpreted sections of FAR Parts 91 and 61 to require all instructional and checkride aircraft to have dual controls -- including dual brakes. The problem with that interpretation, according to the AOPA, is that many aircraft -- including the Mooney M20, some Beech Barons and Piper Apaches -- don't have dual brakes. Now, the FAA has issued a flight standards bulletin stating that ``civil aircraft with a single set of brakes . . .
Southwest Jet Aviation has added a 1994 Beechjet 400A to its aircraft management program at Scottsdale, Ariz. The aircraft has a new Raytheon 2000 paint scheme and refurbished interior for six passengers. Southwest Jet Vice President Jeff Schlueter said the 400A is available for a retail rate of $1,750 per flight hour.
