AirShares ELITE launched a new program, CIRRUS2 (Cirrus Squared), which will enable current Cirrus owners to buy 25-hour annual shares in a Cirrus SR22 and get access to the AirShares Elite nationwide fleet of more than 50 aircraft. CIRRUS2 owners also will qualify for the AirShares Elite training program, which includes the FAA-approved FITS training syllabus, IS-BAO based Safety Management System and mission-specific training.
Nominated by President Bush to be the general counsel at the Department of Transportation. Gribbin currently is division director of Macquarie Holdings, Inc. Previously, he was chief counsel of the Federal Highway Adminstration, the modal administration formerly headed by Mary Peters, who recently took over as DOT Secretary. If Gribbin's nomination is approved by the Senate, he would replace Rosiland Knapp, acting general counsel at DOT.
Cessna Aircraft turned in some very good numbers for its parent Textron. The Wichita, Kan. aircraft manufacturer delivered 307 Citation business jets in 2006 and took orders for 496 Citations during the year, including a whopping 231 in just the fourth quarter, driving Cessna's backlog to $8.5 billion.
All the outstanding interest in The Tampa International Jet Center (TIJC) has been purchased by the David A. Straz Trust. The trust had been an original investor in TIJC, and recently bought out Michael Azzarelli's interest in the fixed-base operation. The company also announced that veteran aviation industry executive Philip C. Botana, who has led the company since its inception, was named president.
Hillsboro Aviation, based in Hillsboro, Ore., reported a record year for its aircraft sales division in 2006. The company sold 67 new and used aircraft, including $41 million worth of new Bell helicopters. Hillsboro said it has orders for 27 new Bell helicopters, including contracts for 13 Bell 417s. Hillsboro is the exclusive Bell Helicopter independent sales representative in 15 western states and a sales dealer for the Robinson Helicopter Company.
Promoted to chief pilot for Northern Jet Management of Grand Rapids, Mich. DeLanoy is rated in multiple jet aircraft and has logged approximately 7,000 hours of flight time.
Model Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, and 2B2 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-26138; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-38-AD; Amendment 39-14865; AD 2006-26-07] - Requires replacing the check-valve piston O-ring within the next 50 operating hours when the number of operating hours is greater than 300 hours for engines that operate or have operated with HTS-class oil, or 450 hours for engines operating with STD class-oil since their introduction into service.
Jet Stream Aviation Products opened a "Jet Stream Aviation Cosmetic Detailing University" at its Dallas, Texas Love Field headquarters. The new initiative will offer a three-day program for individuals who want to learn safe and proper procedures for detailing jet aircraft interiors and exteriors. The program is designed for both aircraft detailers and flight department professionals.
Keystone Helicopter was awarded a standard airworthiness certificate for the first Sikorsky S76C++ manufactured at Keystone's Coatesville, Pa., plant. Sikorsky acquired Keystone in 2005. "This is a very impressive achievement and an important milestone in accomplishing Sikorsky's plan to increase production capacity to meet the demands of our customers," said Marc Poland, recently appointed vice president of commercial programs for Sikorsky Aircraft. The Coatesville plant is part of a Heliplex, where Keystone maintains and completes helicopters.
Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 555 series turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-24825; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD; Amendment 39-14894; AD 2007-02-07] - Requires a dimensional inspection of the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) disk or an ultrasonic inspection of the seal arm contact between the high-pressure turbine (HPT) and the IPT disk seal arm and rework or replacement of the IPT disk if wear outside acceptable limits is found.
Shadin Avionics received European Aviation Safety Agency approval for an RVSM-capable ADC 6000 Airdata system on Cessna Citation Models 500,550, S550 and 560 business jets.
The fatal midair collision between a Gol Airlines 737 and an Embraer Legacy on its delivery flight to U.S. air taxi operator ExcelAire severely skews safety statistics for turbine aircraft operators in the U.S. last year, according to figures compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla.
House Transportation And Infrastructure Committee leaders, who have been skeptical about the Administration's claims of a potential aviation funding crisis, have scheduled a series of hearings to go over the White House's transportation budget. The full T&I Committee will meet Feb. 8 to look at the funding requests for the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency. The aviation subcommittee will meet Feb. 14 to focus solely on the FAA budget. The subcommittee will gather again the next day (Feb.
The Department of Transportation is considering whether to move forward with proposed regulations to require that certain information be given to Part 135 aircraft charter customers at the time of contract, including the name of the company with operational control, the name of the aircraft owner, any "doing business as" names, and the name of any broker involved. DOT Friday released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on possible new charter transparency regulations.
February 6-7 - NBAA: Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) 2007, Hong Kong. Contact Linda Peters at (202) 783-9000, email: [email protected], www.abace.aero. February 15-17 - Women in Aviation International Conference, Orlando, Fla. Contact Connie Lawrence, WAI, (937) 839-4647. March 1-3 - Helicopter Association International, Heli-Expo 2007 Conference & Exhibition, Orlando, Fla. Contact Marilyn McKinnis at (703) 683-4646, fax: (703) 683-0341.
Named senior vice president, strategy and business development, for AirCell. Based in Itasca, Ill., Salem will be responsible for strategic partnerships, alliance building and business strategy. He formerly was senior vice president of business development of Nomadix, Inc., a Wi-Fi access and Web-content service provider. He also has served as vice president of sales and marketing for CPDI, a telecom and wireless data services provider.
ATR opened a new spare parts distribution center in Auckland, New Zealand to serve operators in the Pacific area. DHL Solutions, a logistics company, is managing the spare parts center under a global contract signed with ATR. The center follows the opening of an ATR sales office in November. Thirty ATR aircraft are flown in the South Pacific by operators including Air Calédonie, Air Tahiti, Mount Cook Airlines, Airlink of Papua New Guinea, Air Vanuatu, Air Pacific and the government of French Polynesia. ATR expects next to open a distribution center in Delhi, India.
U.S.Army acquisition chief Claude Bolton said he hopes to relaunch the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) program by February 2008, when the fiscal 2009 budget will be submitted to Congress.
Alcoa plans to boost its production of aluminum products for aerospace by 50 percent at four locations while also expanding its footprint in China. Strong demand for aerospace products contributed to the company's record results in 2006, and aerospace demand is expected to remain strong through 2007 despite delays in the Airbus A380 program, according to Chuck McLane, vice president and chief financial officer. McLane and other Alcoa leaders spoke to financial analysts on Jan. 9.
NETJETS AVIATION is looking forward to smooth sailing with its labor unions after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents aircraft maintenance personnel, signed a new five-year agreement last Tuesday with the fractional operator. The new pact, amendable in January 2012, provides improved pay and benefits, increases the maintenance work force at NetJets' operational headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and "details a mutual commitment to a labor partnership that will support NetJets' service commitment to owners," the company said.
ASA HUTCHINSON, the former congressman from Arkansas who served as the first under secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the Department of Homeland Security, has rejoined the Washington law firm of Venable LLP.
Grand Prairie Accessory Services, LLC of Grand Prairie, Texas, which provides engine and airframe overhaul for a variety of powerplants, was acquired by Triumph Group. The Texas firm, which has 90 employees, will be renamed Triumph Accessory Services - Grand Prairie and will operate as part of the Triumph Aftermarket Services Group. Triumph, headquartered in Wayne, Pa., said it believes the acquisition will add about $7 million in revenue during the last three months of Triumph's fiscal year "with revenue growth in excess of 15 percent expected for fiscal 2008."
