Rockwell Collins received two 10-year agreements from NetJets Services to provide avionics maintenance repair and technical support on the fractional aircraft ownership provider's fleets of Gulfstream G200 and Raytheon Hawker 400XP aircraft. Collins Aviation Services will provide forward exchange avionics support, including maintenance and component repairs, reliability upgrades, equipment removal and refit coverage.
CESSNA Models 208 and 208B airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-13772; AD 2004-17-01) - supersedes AD 2002-22-17 and AD 2003-21-04, which requires repetitive inspections of the flap bellcranks for cracks and eventual replacement of the bellcranks. The installation of a newly designed bellcrank to increase the life limits is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since FAA issued AD 2002-22-17 and AD 2003-21-04, Cessna designed a new flap bellcrank with a life limit of 40,000 landings instead of 7,000 landings.
NATA MOUNTS EFFORT TO SECURE GA RELIEF FUNDING - National Air Transportation Association members will make the rounds on Capitol Hill this week, appealing for funding to compensate general aviation businesses damaged in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The lobbying blitz comes as the Senate Appropriations Committee this week is expected to consider the fiscal 2005 transportation appropriations bill.
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) won a $1 billion contract to provide 12 new NH-90 troop lift helicopters to the Australian army. EADS was awarded the project over Sikorsky and its UH-60M Black Hawk variant.
Axis Jet, the Sacramento, Calif.-based aircraft sales and management company acquired six turbine-powered aircraft to form its managed fleet. The company now has a Citation II, a CitationJet, a King Air 200 and three King Air C90Bs. "We're very pleased with the early growth of Axis Jet," said co-owner Matt Bosco. "The momentum we've established bodes well for the future of the company and is a reflection of our clients' confidence and our experience - even as a new company." Axis Jet was formed in July.
FlightSafety International's Simulation Systems Division in Tulsa, Okla. is developing a new full flight simulator for the Embraer 170 airliner that will continue to expand FlightSafety's array of training services offered to Embraer customers. FlightSafety is the factory-authorized training provider for the EMB-145/135 program and operates 18 full-flight Level D simulators for the EMB-145. FlightSafety also is the factory-authorized provider of EMB-120 turboprop training. The new simulator will be delivered late next year.
Avemco Insurance Company said it is now able to insure pilots operating under FAA's new Sport Pilot rule flying standard certificated and experimental amateur-built aircraft that meet the definition of light sport aircraft.
An international industry group met in Europe last week to begin to shape policy recommendations for the treatment of private, fractional and charter operators in Europe. The industry group, formed at the behest of the European Civil Aviation Conference, is hoping to develop a cohesive set of recommendations endorsed by operators both in Europe and the U.S. The recommendations will focus more on economic regulation - such as whether fractional operators are commercial or private operations - but participants expect there will be some overlap with safety regulations.
National Air Transportation Association scheduled another series of Town Hall meetings this month. The Town Hall meetings will be held Sept. 16 in Coraopolis, Pa.; Sept. 17 in Bedford, Mass.; Sept. 20 in White Plains, N.Y.; Sept. 22 in Greenville, S.C.; and Sept. 24 in Sauget, Ill. NATA President James Coyne will discuss critical legislative and regulatory issues facing airports and aviation businesses. For more information, contact Beth Van Emburgh at (800) 808-6282 or e-mail [email protected].
EAA SAYS HOUSE BILL WOULD SEVERELY RESTRICT GA FLIGHTS - The Experimental Aircraft Association warned last week that a bill introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) would severely disrupt the ability of general aviation pilots to fly throughout the U.S. Weiner's bill, H.R.5035, was introduced Wednesday, but the official legislative language was not available late last week.
Guardian Jet Center broke ground on a new executive terminal at Ontario International Airport in Ontario, Calif. The new terminal will add 5,500 square feet of operating space to the 46,000 square feet of existing hangar and office space. The terminal will include an expanded passenger lounge, larger flight planning area with real-time computer weather service, a pilot and crew exercise center, crew sleeping quarters and a conference facility.
Avfuel Corp. added Ranger Jet Center of Kissimmee, Fla. to its network of branded fuel dealers. Ranger is a full-service fixed-base operation that provides line service, maintenance and avionics. The Ranger facilities include two hangars, offices, a flight-planning and weather room, executive conference room, pilots' lounge and shower.
Duncan Aviation said its facilities in Lincoln, Neb. and Battle Creek, Mich. were approved to provide service, sales and repairs for all KGS Electronics inverters and converters.
COLLINS PROVIDES UPBEAT FINANCIAL OUTLOOK - Avionics manufacturer Rockwell Collins reaffirmed its fiscal 2004 financial guidance and predicted that results next year will be even better. The company still expects to earn between $1.60 and $1.65 per share on revenues of about $2.9 billion this fiscal year. Cash provided from operating earnings for the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, is still projected to be in the range of $275 million to $325 million, after the company makes $125 million in voluntary contributions to its qualified pension plans.
TSA PROVIDES CARGO CARRIERS MORE ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AIRSPACE - The National Air Transportation Association was pleased that the Transportation Security Administration provided cargo carriers that have adopted the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) access to certain restricted airspace, including over New York during the Republican National Convention, and is hoping that the agency will provide a policy statement to FAA that will ensure continued access in the future.
Stevens Aviation, Greenville, S.C., named a former Cessna Aircraft executive to head its marketing and sales. Randy Znamenak was named vice president of sales and marketing, with primary responsibility for supervising technical service sales, aircraft sales and marketing. At Cessna he had been sales and marketing manager for Cessna's Citation Service Center division, a network of 10 factory owned locations. Before joining Cessna, Znamenak spent eight years with Bombardier Aerospace in a variety of marketing, sales and product management positions.
The Experimental Aircraft Association is sounding the alarm about a bill introduced by a New York congressman that would require the Department of Homeland Security to dramatically increase restrictions on general aviation flights. See article below.
September 19-21 - National Association of State Aviation Officials, 73rd Annual Convention and Trade Show, Radisson Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul, Minn., (301) 588-0587 October 10-11 - National Business Aviation Association 13th Annual Tax Conference, Las Vegas, Nev., (202) 783-9000 October 12-14 - National Business Aviation Association 57th Annual Meeting and Convention, Las Vegas, Nev., (202) 783-9000 October 21-23 - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Expo 2004, Long Beach, Calif., (301) 695-2000
NBAA FIGHTS TO ENSURE GA ACCESS INTO O'HARE - National Business Aviation Association is continuing its quest to ensure that a temporary arrangement limiting commercial flights at Chicago O'Hare does not become permanent and encourage government leaders instead to look at ways of increasing capacity. In concert with major airlines, FAA last month unveiled a temporary plan that limits the number of operations carriers can fly in and out of O'Hare in an attempt to grapple with the growing congestion problem there.
FAA SAYS NO TRUTH TO RUMOR THAT ATO CHIEF CHEW IS LEAVING - An internal newsletter distributed to FAA employees went to some pains last week to knock down a rumor that Russ Chew, who heads the agency's new Air Traffic Organization (ATO), is leaving the agency.
James R.O. (Jamie) McIntyre, the Montreal, Quebec-based communications executive, was named to the board of directors of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. McIntyre is president of Romeo Oscar, Inc., the aerospace marketing and advertising firm. McIntyre was introduced to the aviation industry as a child by his father, Robert, who spent more than 40 years as an engineer and marketing executive with de Havilland Aircraft of Canada, working on the Twin Otter, Dash 7 and Dash 8 programs, among others.
Rolls-Royce named Scott Crislip president of the company's Helicopter unit. Crislip, who began his career with General Electric Aircraft Engines, holds the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. As president of the Helicopters unit, he succeeds Stuart Mullan, who is leaving the engine manufacturer to pursue other professional interests. Crislip joined Rolls-Royce two and one-half years ago.
