CPI Aerostructures, Inc. reported a significant improvement in its finances for 2007, and officials described a rosy outlook for the future. Revenue for the Edgewood, N.Y. manufacturer was up 56 percent to just under $28 million, compared with $17.9 million during 2006. Net income totaled $1.9 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, a turnaround of more than $3 million compared to the net loss of $1.2 million, or 23 cents per share, recorded in 2006.
WEST STAR AVIATION’S facility in Grand Junction, Colo. recently completed a Hawker 800A modification for AirMed International. The modification included a new interior, air system, avionics package, satellite phone and paint. AirMed, an air ambulance service that flies more than 2,500 transport missions a year, plans to operate the aircraft to support the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. AirMed is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. and has bases in Honolulu, Hawaii, Rochester, Minn. and soon in Hong Kong. West Star, which also has locations in East Alton, Ill.
BOMBARDIER received an order from an undisclosed customer for six CRJ700 NextGen regional jets and options for 10 more. Bombardier valued the firm orders at $207 million (U.S.), and said the value could increase to $562 million if all options are exercised. The Canadian plane-maker also confirmed that a previously announced order for 10 Q400 turboprop aircraft and 10 options was placed by Air Berlin. The airline originally had requested to remain unidentified.
EMBRAER EMB-135BJ and EMB-145XR airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0292; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-286-AD] – This proposed AD would require removing the sealant used to protect the wiring conduits of the left- and right-hand clear-ice detectors at the holes through the wing spars and installing protective Teflon spiral around the wiring. This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI issued by the aviation authority for Brazil, is designed to prevent leaking fuel from accumulating inside the conduit.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY 208 and 208B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0331; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-009-AD] – This proposed AD would require inspection of the left and right wing wire bundles and repair or replacement of any damaged wires found, per the instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin CAB08-02 (dated Feb. 4, 2008). This proposal also would require inspecting the wire bundles to confirm correct attachment to the anchor points and correcting any improperly attached wires.
GERALD E. (JERRY) SCHLESINGER, 63, an aviation executive who specialized in finance and operations, died March 22. Schlesinger was the retired chief financial officer of NetJets, the former chief executive of Aerospace Products International, one of the founders of aviation training firm Simuflite and a former CFO of Butler Aviation. A pilot and intelligence specialist in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, Schlesinger was a graduate of Bryant College. He began his career as an accountant with PriceWaterhouse.
The U.S. Coast Guard is evaluating basing options for its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as collaborative flight tests with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) using a Predator B wrap up in March. The Coast Guard has a requirement for maritime surveillance, according to Capt. Matt Sisson, Coast Guard aviation acquisition chief. Within the requirement, “a shore-based or shipboard unmanned aerial system may provide that kind of economical surveillance for us,” he said.
AS THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA tries to scale back operations at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) with a ban on larger business jets, city officials are beginning to discuss the long-term future of the airport. A 1984 settlement between FAA and the city obligates Santa Monica to operate and maintain SMO as a general aviation facility until July 1, 2015. Last week City Council Member Ken Genser said that airport closure is a “very rich” discussion that needs to occur, adding, “I believe we don’t have obligations past 2015.” See article below.
The operator of an aircraft based at a small airport in Ohio who felt he was being discriminated against because the airport charged tenants but not transient users got his day in court – but not the decision he was seeking.
THALES was awarded a contract from the Finnish air traffic service provider FINAVIA to deliver, install and commission the Thales MAGS1 transponder multilateration system at Helsinki Vantaa Airport. The MAGS system will provide surveillance for all transponder-equipped aircraft operating in Helsinki-Vantaa’s movement and apron areas.
DONALD R. FOREST was named chief operating officer of the Aerospace Industries Association, a newly created position. He will report to AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of AIA and implementing the association’s strategic performance plan. Forest has an extensive background in trade issues, with a particular focus on Asia. From 1984 to 1999 he was with the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, serving as commerce director for China and Hong Kong for part of that time.
EMBRAER EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP and -145EP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0271; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-267-AD] – This proposal would require operators to revise the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Structural Inspection Requirements and Corrosion Prevention and Control Program” portion of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new structural-inspection requirements.
The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association painted a grim picture last week of a growing outflow of disgruntled, experienced controllers from the nation’s air traffic control facilities and increasing numbers of operational errors in the nation’s ATC system.
The U.S. Court of Appeals last week struck down a New York law setting airline passenger service standards, ruling that Congress intended that the national aviation system be regulated under a centralized federal aviation authority, preempting state regulation. The decision overturned a New York law that that required air carriers to provide basic provisions such as food and water to passengers aboard aircraft during extended delays.
DASSAULT Falcon 2000EX and 900EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0301; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-284-AD] – This proposed AD would mandate the replacement of the passenger oxygen mask boxes by newly designed boxes in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletins F900EX-257, Rev. 1 or F2000EX-61, Rev. 1 (both dated March 22, 2007).
DANIEL G. CLARE, senior vice president, finance and planning for Gulfstream Aerospace, was named to the additional post of vice president of General Dynamics, the aircraft manufacturer’s parent company.
ALAN CULLOP was promoted to executive vice president and chief information officer for NetJets. Cullop previously served as senior vice president and CIO for the fractional aircraft provider. Since joining NetJets in 2005, the company said Cullop implemented a business strategy that maximizes the company’s return on its IT investments.
The Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday took steps toward enforcement against the City of Santa Monica, Calif. after the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday agreed to an ordinance banning larger, heavier business jets from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO). FAA issued an “Order to Show Cause,” giving the city 10 days to provide information why FAA should not pursue enforcement under Part 16 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the section that deals with the responsibilities of airports and airport sponsors.
DAVE WATROUS, president of RTCA, Inc., is retiring this year after serving with the organization for 19 years. Under Watrous’s direction, RTCA has played an integral role in helping shape decisions for the future of the air navigation system. RTCA is a not-for-profit corporation that builds consensus and makes recommendations on communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management system issues.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT EXECUTIVES is teaming with a number of general aviation organizations to host a three-day conference to discuss key aviation issues including environmental initiatives, fuel prices, and aviation funding.
THE CREW of a CL-600 business jet made a safe landing March 24 at the Grand Junction, Colo. Airport after the aircraft’s main entry door separated from the airplane. The airplane, with two pilots on board, had departed the airport about 3:30 MDT, but shortly after takeoff the door separated. The crew contacted air traffic control and returned to the airport. The 1983 model aircraft, N213TS, is registered to WFP Investments, LLC of Snowmass Village, Colo.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0270; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-255-AD] – This proposal would require operators to perform a visual inspection of hydraulic-line clamping blocks for wear. Also, operators would need to inspect the associated hydraulic tubes to determine if any tube were loose or damaged. All worn clamping blocks would have to be replaced before further flight. If any hydraulic tube were loose or damaged, the entire length of he tube would need to be inspected for signs of chafing, damage and cracks.
STEPHEN B. PLUMMER was named executive vice president, government business, for Rolls-Royce North America. In his new role Plummer will be accountable for all aspects of the company’s relationships with the U.S. and Canadian governments. Plummer joined Rolls-Royce in 2003 as senior vice president, Defense Relations, where he was responsible for managing the company’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense. Before joining the engine manufacturer, Plummer spent 34 years in the U.S. Air Force, culminating as Lt.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT delivered a Citation Mustang to the University of North Dakota. The newly delivered aircraft is the first Cessna VLJ to be used by a flight school. In addition to being used for flight training for undergraduate and contract students, the Mustang will be used for executive travel. UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences averages more than 1,000 flight students at any given time. The flight school has more than 120 aircraft available for training, and exceeds 100,000 flight training hours each year.
