BAE SYSTEMS Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20078; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-210-AD] - proposes to require an inspection of the Thales Avionics distance bearing indicator (DBI) to determine part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), and replacement of the affected DBI with a new or modified DBI. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of defective electrical insulators in DBIs.
FAA Friday granted a request to extend the comment period for draft guidance on training repair station employees under the new Part 145 regulations. National Air Transportation Association and Aircraft Electronics Association requested the delay, citing several instances where the draft advisory circular did not match the requirements of Part 145 (BA, Jan. 10/17). FAA pushed back the comment deadline, originally set for Jan. 21, until March 22.
Dick Grant was promoted to assistant manager of FlightSafety International's learning center in Savannah, Ga. Grant, who joined FSI in 1996, most recently served as director of standards for the Savannah center. He also has served as G-IV program manager.
Kim Montgomery was promoted to regional vice president of charter sales for the Southeast for Executive Jet Management. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Montgomery will oversee sales in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Montgomery has been with EJM for eight years.
HONEYWELL Primus II RNZ-850/-851 integrated navigation units [Docket No. FAA-2005-20080; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-193-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting to determine whether Mod L has been done on the Honeywell Primus II NV850 Navigation Receiver Module (NRM), which is part of the INU. In lieu of this inspection, or for aircraft with an NRM having Mod L, the existing AD requires revising the Aircraft Flight Manual to include new limitations for instrument landing system approaches.
World Fuel Services Corp. announced approval by its board of directors of a two-for-one split of the company's common stock. Record date for the stock split is Feb. 1. Distribution of the new shares is scheduled to begin Feb. 15. "The stock split provides an opportunity to broaden our base of investors and improve the liquidity of our stock, both of which we believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders," said Paul H. Stebbins, chairman and chief executive officer.
TRAFFIC INCREASES, BUT RAMP SPACE OK AT DULLES - Expansive airspace restrictions during the inauguration funneled a significant number of aircraft into Washington Dulles International (IAD), but airport officials said that they were able to find ramp space to accommodate the spike in general aviation traffic. Some 325 general aviation aircraft were parked at IAD during the inauguration and more came and went on Jan. 20, a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokeswoman said.
European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) organizers issued a call for nominations for the 2005 European Business Aviation Awards. The European Business Aviation Award will be presented to one or more individuals during EBACE 2005, scheduled May 18-20. Nominations should include a letter of introduction, a biography and any supporting documents. Nominations are due March 15. Send nominations to EBACE European Office, Attn.: Darcy Christiansen, 2 Brusselsesteenweg, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium; telephone: +322-766-0076; or e-mail: [email protected].
John W. (Jack) Olcott was accorded two honors recently. He received the William F. Shea Award for Distinguished Contributions to Aviation from the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Aviation Institute. He also was named president of the New Jersey Aviation Association's board of directors. At NJAA, Olcott replaces Tom Carver, who was named New Jersey Labor Commissioner by acting Gov. Richard Codey. Olcott is the former president of the National Business Aviation Association and previously served as editor and publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine.
GULFSTREAM, IAI ROLL OUT FIRST G150 IN ISRAEL - Israel Aircraft Industries and Gulfstream Aerospace officials rolled out the first Gulfstream G150 business jet Tuesday in Israel, a larger-cabin version of the former Astra SPX/G100 aircraft. The rollout was staged at IAI's manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv. IAI has built the Westwind/1125/Astra line of business jets for decades. IAI also builds the G200 (the former Galaxy 200).
Muncie Aviation Company employees used an employee stock ownership plan to purchase the company. Based at Delaware County Airport in Muncie, Ind., Muncie Aviation provides a range of fixed-base operation services and is a Piper distributor. The company employs 60 workers. Muncie co-founder Frank Ball serves as director and chairman emeritus under the new ownership regime. Other top company executives include Otto Arrington, chairman, president and chief executive, and Martin Ingram, director, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Cirrus Design Corp. opened a sales center in Russia. Cirrus Russia is located in Moscow and is intended to boost the Duluth, Minn. aircraft manufacturer's sales in Russia and Ukraine. Alexey Khimichev, who Cirrus said has an extensive background in general aviation, was named director of the new office. "We look forward to working with Alexey and his Cirrus-trained team as we expand Cirrus' presence in the region," said John M. Bingham, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Cirrus.
LOY WILL SERVE AS ACTING DHS CHIEF IF CHERTOFF TRANSITION IS DELAYED - James Loy, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) No. 2 executive, says he will head the agency temporarily if DHS Secretary Tom Ridge leaves before the Senate confirms Ridge's replacement, Michael Chertoff.
Wyle Laboratories entered into a definitive agreement last month to acquire the Aeronautics Services business of General Dynamics, a leading provider of aeronautical research, development, test and evaluation services for mission-critical aviation applications.
HELICOPTER MARKET SHOWS FEW SIGNS OF GROWTH, FORECAST SAYS - The civil helicopter market offers little hope for overall growth despite a number of new models ready to enter service over the next several years, aerospace market analysis specialist Forecast International said last week. Forecast International, which completed its 10-year World Commercial Rotorcraft Market outlook, predicted a market for about 10,500 commercial rotary-wing aircraft valued at $20.25 billion between 2005 and 2014.
Richard Mondillo was named regional vice president of charter sales for the West for Executive Jet Management. Mondillo formerly was associate director of the Corporate Executive Board and has held sales positions in the information technology and medical industries. In his new role, he will be based in Newport Beach, Calif. and be responsible for charter sales in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums over domestic airspace were implemented Jan. 20 without major complications, but not before industry groups worked to iron out a few last-minute concerns. See article below.
February 6-8 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2005, Anaheim, Calif., (703) 683-4646 February 12-16 - 16th Annual National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Reno, Nev., (202) 783-9000 March 8-10 - National Air Transportation Association/Professional Aviation Maintenance Association GSE Aviation Services and Suppliers AS3 Supershow, Sands Expos & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev., (703) 845-9000
Deliveries of used business jets to retail customers jumped 13.2 percent last year, according to information compiled by AvData, Inc. The number of used jets changing hands last year totaled 1,412, compared with 1,247 in 2003, and continued a four-year trend. See charts below.
Hartzell Propeller Inc. was named a Designated Alteration Station (DAS) by FAA. The DAS status will permit the Piqua, Ohio manufacturer to issue its own Supplemental Type Certificates for propeller installations on Part 23 airplanes including single- and multi-engine piston and turbine-powered aircraft. Hartzell said the new authority will permit it to obtain STC approvals faster for OEM aircraft as well as for the company's Top Prop retrofit program.
RVSM BEGINS WITHOUT GLITCHES DESPITE LAST MINUTE CONCERNS - Federal Aviation Administration smoothly ushered in new reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) last week after spending years working with the industry to prepare for the dramatic change in airspace operations at high altitudes. Industry advocates reported no major hiccups following the Jan. 20 implementation of the new 1,000-foot vertical separation standard between Flight Levels 290 and 410 within domestic airspace. Along with U.S.
AVDATA, JETNET CONSOLIDATE HEADQUARTERS IN UTICA - Two veteran aircraft data and research firms have consolidated most of their operations in Utica, N.Y. JETNET LLC purchased Wichita, Kan.-based Aviation Data Services, Inc. (AvData), last fall, about a year after the death of AvData founder John Zimmerman (BA, Sept. 8, 2003/100).
