EMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Formation, Inc., a provider of airborne wireless network products that enable in-flight passenger communications with terrestrial and satellite networks. The acquisition agreement “signals EMS’s continued investment in its aero-connectivity strategy to become a more comprehensive solutions provider,” said EMS President and CEO Paul Domorski.
THALES received a contract from the Georgian air navigation provider SAKAERNAVIGATSIA to replace both primary and secondary radar systems for Georgia’s Tbilisi Airport. Thales, which has worked with the Georgian air navigation service provider since 2004, already provides a number of air traffic control systems in the country. The new radar is scheduled for installation in the spring. The system will increase airspace security around Tbilisi, Thales said.
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION Model 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1312; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-065-AD] – This proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the left and right main landing gear actuators for leaking or cracks, per the instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB32-3870 (dated April 2008). If a leaking or cracked actuator were found, it would need to be replaced.
January 11-15, 2009 – American Association of Airport Executives: 23rd Annual Aviation Issues Conference, Kona, Hi. For more information contact AAAE at (703) 824-0500 or go to www.aaae.org/products/allmeetings.html January 20 – NATA Environmental Compliance Seminar, Sheraton North Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas. For more information call (703) 845-9000
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At the request of the general aviation community, the Transportation Security Administration scheduled five public hearings early next year to discuss the agency’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). TSA agreed to extend the comment period and schedule the public hearings after several general aviation groups expressed concern that the LASP proposal was so sweeping that they needed time to delve into all of the issues involved (BA, Oct. 27/191).
The FAA has issued a supplemental type certificate to Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Clifford Development for its re-engining of the Cessna Citation 550 and S550 with Williams International FJ44-3A engines. In addition to the engine modification, Clifford Development certified 35 improvements as part of this STC, including an Ametek digital engine display, heavy-duty BFGoodrich brakes, and a dual full-authority digital engine control system. With this modification, the typical Citation 550’s empty weight is reduced by 250 pounds.
The selection of Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) as President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Transportation Secretary drew widespread praise from all segments of the transportation industry last week, both for his background on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and for his ability to work with members of both parties to get legislation enacted.
THE WHITE HOUSE is resurrecting restrictions on automaker ownership or lease of business jets as part of its financial aid package for the auto manufacturers (BA, Dec. 15/269). The restrictions, which were originally included in the auto industry bailout bill that died in the Senate earlier this month, would have banned automakers accepting government financial aid from owning or leasing aircraft. President Bush Friday announced that the Treasury Department would tap into loans from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to assist the auto industry.
SHELLEY HESSION joined the Washington office of Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott LLC as an associate in the Business Division’s Aviation Group. She will advise clients in aviation and other transportation modes about regulatory and operational issues before the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Department. She also will handle corporate and administrative law issues. Hession has more than 16 years experience in the business jet industry and formerly was vice president of modifications marketing for Duncan Aviation.
Grob Aerospace could resume operations as soon as next month, with two companies still in the running to buy and restart the business that was disrupted when the German aircraft maker filed for insolvency in August and ceased most operations in November (BA, Nov. 3/207).
SALINA AIRPORT AUTHORITY (SAA) applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce for Foreign Trade Zone status, a move designed to make businesses at the airport and airport industrial center more competitive. SAA expects to receive a response on the application in approximately nine months. The application was the result of a private/public coordinated effort with signatories on the application including Kansas Gov.
ROLLS-ROYCE marked 50 years of providing engines for Gulfstream business jets by establishing a 50th Anniversary Partnership Scholarship Program for eligible children of Gulfstream Aerospace employees. The engine maker will provide an annual stipend of $1,500 for each of the winners’ four years of college. The scholarship program is offered through the National Merit Scholarship Program, an annual academic competition open to all U.S. high school students who meet published requirements.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 and 702) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1007; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-135-AD; Amendment 39-15761; AD 2008-25-03] – Following the instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-011, Rev. C (dated Nov. 28, 2005), install conduit and add spacers to protect fuel tank wiring to minimize the possibility of an ignition source occurring inside the fuel tank.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s release of the controversial final rule to make airspace restrictions around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area permanent came as no surprise, but was a disappointment for the industry groups that fought hard to kill the rulemaking. FAA released the rule last week codifying the boundaries of an Air Defense Identification Zone encompassing a large swath of airspace over the Washington area, despite opposition expressed in nearly 22,000 comments to the docket (BA, Dec. 15/269).
CMC ELECTRONICS, Montreal, Quebec, said its IntegriFlight CMA-5024 aviation Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver was certified recently by FAA and Transport Canada to TSO-C145b Beta-3 and TSO-146 Delta-4 standards.
Honeywell International officials reaffirmed their 2008 financial guidance and suggested last week that the company will perform nearly as well in 2009, despite a deteriorating economic environment. “Great companies perform well even in tough economic times, and we are well positioned to continue to do that again in 2009,” said Dave Cote, chairman and chief executive officer of the diversified technology and manufacturing company.
ROCKWELL COLLINS secured FAA certification for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) functionality using its upgraded Flight Management System and GPS-4000S global positioning system WAAS receiver. The certification involved a Bombardier Challenger 604 equipped with the Rockwell Collins avionics. FAA’s Air Traffic Organization Technical Operations unit jointly funded the work as part of its effort to move toward the Next Generation Air Traffic System.
Brazilian plane-maker Embraer Friday achieved U.S. Federal Aviation Administration type certification approval for the Phenom 100, just three days after securing Brazilian certification for the company’s Very Light Jet. Embraer said first deliveries will begin this week.
BUSINESS AVIATION INTERESTS had distinctly mixed feelings last week as they watched efforts to provide bailout financing for the Big 3 U.S. automakers fail in the Senate because of Republican opposition. On one hand, aviation industry officials were relieved that toxic anti-business jet language in the auto bailout bill was not enacted. But there was deepening concern that possible bankruptcy filings by the automakers will seriously exacerbate the nation’s economic outlook.
ERICKSON AIR-CRANE S-64F helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-1243; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-03-AD] – This proposal would require operators to look for cracking or working rivets in each transition fitting, bulkhead assembly, strap and the attaching rotary rudder boom and pylon structure. Any cracked or damaged part found would need to be repaired or replaced with an airworthy part.
THE AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION has canceled its first-ever Aviation Leadership Forum, originally scheduled for March 4-6 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. “Given the extremely fragile state of the U.S.
