Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) was named the ranking Democrat on the House aviation subcommittee, filling the slot vacated by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who took the ranking position on the House highways, transit and pipelines subcommittee. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) remains chairman of the aviation panel.
Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) has scheduled a series of regional maintenance and operations seminars for Beechcraft and Hawker owners. The seminars will provide information on available services, including technical support, spares, warranty and technical publications. They also will provide Raytheon Aircraft an opportunity to listen and respond to customer concerns. The seminars are part of RAC's effort to significantly improve its customer support programs. The seminars include stops in Tarrytown, N.Y.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20223; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-193-AD] - proposes to require repetitive detailed inspections for surface bruising of the main landing gear (MLG) trailing arms and integrity of the MLG pivot axle sealant, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would provide for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a fractured axle of the trailing arm of the MLG due to corrosion of the axle.
Former Transportation Deputy Secretary Kirk Van Tine is returning to the Washington, D.C. law firm of Baker Botts to lead a new transportation and homeland security government relations practice. Van Tine spent 23 years with Baker Botts before joining the Bush Administration in 2001. He resigned his DOT post at the end of 2004.
GAMA BOARD SELECTS CAREER AIR FORCE OFFICER AS NEW PRESIDENT - The General Aviation Manufacturers Association board of directors selected Col. Peter Bunce, a career Air Force officer, as the association's next president and chief executive officer, effective April 1 (BA, Jan. 31/47). Bunce fills the role formerly held by Ed Bolen, who became president of the National Business Aviation Association in September (BA, Sept. 6/101). Ron Swanda, the senior vice president of operations for the association, has been serving as acting president in the interim.
Bombardier delivered a Special Edition Bombardier Learjet 60 business jet to the Government of Macedonia to provide transport for senior government personnel. The aircraft will be based in Skopje, the nation's capital.
The Greater Washington Business Aviation Association, which recently formed to provide a forum for the business aviation community in the greater Washington, D.C. area (BA, Jan. 17/30), will hold its first general membership meeting at noon Feb. 25 at the Signature Flight Support fixed-base operation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen will update attendees on aviation interests. GWBAA also will discuss formation of Membership, Operations, Communications and Events committees.
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to turn over operation of the nation's Flight Service Station network by October to a team headed by Lockheed Martin, a move the agency claims will save $2.2 billion over the next decade.
Chris Gress was named accessory service sales and customer service manager for Duncan Aviation. Gress has a 20-year career at Duncan Aviation, beginning in the propeller shop in 1984. He was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, including overseeing the U.S. Air Force/Duncan Aviation Repair Contract and becoming sales and marketing representative.
ATR posted a 31 percent increase in revenues to $543 million in 2004 as the market for its regional turboprop line appeared to recover, the company reported last week. ATR sold 11 ATR 72-500 turboprops and one ATR 42-500 aircraft last year, and delivered a total of 13 new aircraft. ATR CEO Filippo Bangato said the market was "progressively" increasing for new aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer also reported strong used activity, selling 51 used ATRs in 2004, compared with 43 in 2003.
National Business Aviation Association has been concerned about a congressional report that recommends expanding certain tax limitations involving personal use of business aircraft. Congress late last year limited deductions involving a senior employee's use of a company aircraft for entertainment or recreational purposes.
Stephen Penley was appointed chief financial officer for M7 Aerospace. Penley has 20 years of executive financial management experience with aerospace and automotive industry suppliers.
Peter Wendt was promoted to vice president of business development for Aircraft Services Group, the Teterboro-based charter and management company. Wendt joined Aircraft Services Group in 1998 as a chief pilot and was subsequently promoted to director of operations. He has more than 30 years of industry experience.
Clay Foushee joined Zuckert Scoutt and Rasenberger as a non-attorney partner and president of the firm's consulting affiliate Farragut International. Foushee also will serve as director of government affairs for the firm. Foushee most recently was a partner in the Unisys R2A Transportation Management consulting practice. He also held senior executive positions at Northwest Airlines and was chief scientific and technical advisor for human factors at the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Federal Aviation Administration last week finalized requirements for periodic inspections and record reviews for older aircraft used in scheduled operations, but dropped some of the more costly damage tolerance mandates for Part 135 operators. The rules, published in the Feb. 2 Federal Register, makes permanent an interim final rule that FAA released in December 2002 (BA, Dec. 16, 2002/275).
Precision Aerospace signed a contract to move into a new 18,000-square-foot complex in The Offshore Group's complex in Guaymas, Mexico. Precision currently occupies space in The Offshore Group's facilities in the neighboring community of Empalme. The move will provide Precision Aerospace the space necessary to expand its operations and add precision sheetmetal services to its capabilities.
Allen Pichon is joining SheltAir Aviation Services as regional vice president with oversight of the company's operations at Orlando Executive and Clearwater/St. Petersburg. He formerly was vice president of operations for Aircraft Services International and Signature Flight Support. Pichon also has been chief operating officer for Air Force One.
Raytheon Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20251; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-164-AD] - proposes to require inspecting to detect damage of certain wiring in the flight compartment, performing corrective actions if necessary, modifying certain wiring connections, and revising the airplane flight manual. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of miswiring in the power distribution system.
ADM. LOY ANTICIPATES RETURN OF NON-AIRLINE FLIGHTS TO DCA - Adm. James Loy believes that business jet charter operators will be the first non-airline operators to regain access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Meeting with a group of Aviation Week Group reporters at Department of Homeland Security headquarters Thursday afternoon, Loy told BA that "in the emotional wake of 9/11" it was understandable that the government would be "overly cautious" about letting flights back into DCA.
Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company, the joint venture of Bell Helicopter and Agusta, is relocating its headquarters from Fort Worth, Texas, to Reston, Va. The new Bell/Agusta plans to move into some 8,000 square feet of office space in mid-March. The company initially will staff 20-25 employees there. Company officials said the move "is consistent with our goal to enhance the company's visibility across the aviation industry and especially our global customer base, including the U.S.
Sullivan Higdon & Sink was selected to provide brand development services for Aerospace Products International Inc. (API), the parts distributor and logistics specialist based in Memphis, Tenn. An item in the Jan. 31 issue referred to API by its former brand, Aircraft Parts International.
The Outdoor Channel (TOC) this summer will debut a new aviation series, Wings to Adventure, which will take an in-depth look at general aviation. Cirrus Design Corp. has signed on as a sponsor for the new series, which will include profiles of airplanes, flying destinations, aviation personalities, industry history, tips and equipment reviews.
