GUARDIAN MOBILITY CORPORATION was named a distributor for Flightcell avionics products, including the Flightcell DZM satellite tracking system, throughout North America. The panel-mounted DZM connects to satellite or cellular phones to provide voice communications to the cockpit and to passengers. The system integrates GPS tracking functions, transmitting aircraft positions.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is expected to announce two new business jet aircraft programs this year, with official word on at least one of those airplanes possible this week.
Macquarie Infrastructure Co. (MIC) reported a net loss of $52.1 million in 2007, despite big increases in revenue for the nation's largest owner of fixed-base operations.
Was named a turbine engine services technical representative at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Neb., where he will specialize in the Honeywell engine line. Heier began his career as a maintenance technician in the U.S. Air Force working on F-15 fighters. He joined Duncan in 2000 and was promoted to a team leader position within a year. "Shane brings a lot of knowledge and expertise to this position," said Joe Stokey, manager of turbine engine services for Duncan.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who ordered the dark-of-night destruction five years ago of Meigs Field - the city's lakefront general aviation airport (BA, April 7, 2003/153) - is now trying to privatize close-in Midway Airport. The city last month issued a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) from companies wanting to participate in the privatization program. The city's plan for Midway is part of an FAA pilot program that allows five airports in the U.S. to be leased to private operators.
PRESIDENT BUSH Thursday signed into law legislation that will extend FAA's authorization and the existing aviation excise taxes through June 30 (BA, Feb. 18/72). The legislation, H.R.5270, also renews FAA's airports contract spending authority, which expired at the end of 2007, freeing up Airport Improvement Program dollars. Bush's signature came one day before the agency's authorization was due to expire.
BOMBARDIER named Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek in Battle Creek, Mich., and Midcoast Aviation, in Cahokia, Ill. as authorized service facilities for the Challenger 300 business jet. The Canadian manufacturer has delivered more than 100 Challenger 300s to U.S. operators. Bombardier has a worldwide service network of 45 facilities that offer 24/7 aircraft-on-ground support, scheduled and unscheduled warranty and maintenance service.
FAA ESTIMATES that more than 100,000 aircraft currently listed on the agency's Aircraft Registry will not be eligible for registration under the provisions of proposed regulations published last week (BA, Feb. 25/81). In addition, owners of aircraft on the Registry would have to update their registrations every three years - even if there have been no changes in the information. See article on Page 96.
WILSON AIR CENTER signed an agreement for Tunica Air Group to offer a range of maintenance services to customers at Wilson Air Center's facility at Memphis International Airport. Tunica Air Group will operate in a 16,000-square-foot hangar at the Wilson facility and provide on-call as well as scheduled maintenance. A group of six FedEx mechanics formed Tunica Air Group in September 2006, and the operation since has grown to 16 employees. Tunica is based out of a 20,000-square-foot hangar in Tunica, Miss.
THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION said it sees few benefits of the ADS-B proposal, which would mandate certain equipment on all aircraft operating above 10,000-feet mean sea level or in Class A, B and C airspace. AOPA added that it has "identified several major concerns with the proposal," including the costs of the avionics. The comment period for the proposal ends today (March 3).
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0179; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-367-AD] - This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada Civil Aviation, would require revising the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
NATIONAIR AVIATION INSURANCE teamed with the Parade of Pistons series of regional aircraft expositions. The Parade of Pistons includes a tour featuring a variety of piston aircraft - ranging from high-performance models to light-sport aircraft - at various locations around the country. The expos also will include participation by aviation finance specialists, an aircraft brokerage firm, aviation tax advisors and NationAir aircraft insurance specialists.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION joined forces with the International Air Transport Association to address a growing global shortage of skilled aviation personnel. FSF will join IATA's Training and Qualification Initiative (ITQI) governing board and will participate in project management. The ITQI also will include the International Civil Aviation Organization and other industry stakeholders.
ALENIA AERONAUTICA, part of the ATR consortium, received a contract from the Italian Coast Guard to supply a third ATR 42MP Surveyor aircraft in basic configuration. A subsequent contract will cover integration and installation of special mission equipment systems. The installation will be carried out by Alenia Aeronautica's Alenia Aeronavali subsidiary. The aircraft will be delivered in 2010, joining a fleet of two other ATR 42MPs in service with the Coast Guard.
March 10-11 - Federal Aviation Administration, 33rd Annual Aviation Forecast Conference, Washington, D.C. Contact Linda Baranovics at (202) 267-5370; or e-mail [email protected] March 10-12 - Flight Safety Foundation 20th European Aviation Safety Seminar - EASS, Bucharest, Romania; Contact FSF at (703) 739-6700 March 13-15 - Aeronautical Repair Station Association, Annual Repair Symposium, Washington, D.C.; Contact ARSA at (703) 739-9543
Was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing at TIMCO in Greensboro, N.C. where he will have responsibility for both the TIMCO Aerosystems and Brice Manufacturing Co. brands. Before his promotion, Luedeke was director of sales and marketing for TIMCO Aerosystems. He previously worked at AIM Aviation where he was manager of business development.
EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0194; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-263-AD] - This proposed rule would require revising the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new maintenance tasks that are intended to eliminate ignition sources in the fuel system. This proposed AD resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil. The FAA estimates that this proposal would affect 37 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators a total of $2,960, or $80 per airplane.
Rejoined JDA Aviation Technology Solutions as chief operating officer. Rioux, who served as executive vice president of JDA from 1998 to 2000, most recently was president of IDEA, an e-commerce and data warehouse service provider. JDA is a Washington, D.C.-based aviation industry consultant specializing in certification and operations-related services and products for new entrant carriers.
Was appointed turboprop sales manager for the PT6A, PW100 and TPE331 engines for Landmark Aviation/Standard Aero. Woodward's territory will cover all of Canada. Woodward has been with Standard Aero since 1980. Since 1994 he was with the PT6 business unit in various capacities including customer service manager and fleet program manager. He transitioned to sales in 2005, covering the U.S. Midwest and some Canadian fleet customers.
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-0335; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-292-AD; Amendment 39-15380; AD 2008-04-08] - Requires replacements of certain fuel tube couplings with redesigned couplings. This AD is designed to address insufficient electrical bonding between fuel tubes or insufficient current capability of fuel tube couplings. This condition, if left uncorrected, could result in arcing and be a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank during lightning strikes.
CENTENNIAL AIRPORT'S NOISE-EXPOSURE MAPS are in compliance with FAR Part 150, according to the FAA, which has begun a review of the proposed noise-compatibility program for the airfield that is located in the Denver suburb of Englewood, Colo. Centennial's proposed noise program is to be approved or disapproved by Aug. 12. Comments on the plan are due April 22. For more information or to submit comments, contact Linda Bruce in the FAA's Denver Airports District Office, 26805 E. 68th Ave., Suite 224, Denver, Colo. 80249, phone: (303) 342-1264, e-mail: [email protected].
DAYJET CORPORATION, the per-seat, on-demand air taxi service based in Florida, is continuing its rapid expansion, adding "DayPort" locations in Macon, Ga., Montgomery, Ala. and North Miami/Opa-Locka, Fla. The additional locations expand the Eclipse 500 fleet operator's number of DayPorts to 10 and total destinations to more than 50 locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina.
THE IDAHO BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION will discuss the requirements and future of the Wide Area Augmentation System at its meeting March 13 at the Boise Air Terminal in Boise, Idaho. Sponsored by Universal Avionics Systems, the meeting will include presentations from FAA's Tom Salat and Universal Chief Operating Officer Paul DeHerrera on FAA's plans to transition to a performance-based navigation system and the benefits of WAAS. Idaho has 12 LPV approach procedures using WAAS technology and 10 more are under development.
EC135 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0165; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-58-AD; Amendment 39-15377; AD 2008-04-05] - Requires inspecting certain wiring harnesses for chafing and wear per the instructions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-53A-017, Revision 1 (dated June 22, 2007). If chafing or wear is found -- before further flight -- replace the wiring harness with an airworthy one. If no chafing or wear is found, modify the co-pilot collective lever cover following the instructions of the service bulletin.
Fan Jet Falcon, Falcon 10, 50, 200, 900, 900EX, 2000 and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28941; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-276-AD; Amendment 39-15386; AD 2008-04-14] -This new AD expands the applicability of an existing directive (AD 2000-12-15) and extends that rule's repetitive test and inspection intervals to detect discrepancies in the overwing emergency exit.
