Steve Fossett, who has set records piloting airplanes, gliders, balloons and yachts, is preparing to attempt a solo flight around the world in a unique aircraft built by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites, Inc.
JOHNSON CONTROLS won a $2.6 million contract to provide an integrated security system and network upgrades at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich. The contract includes installation and integration of a card access control system for some 2,200 employees and an advanced closed-circuit television system with digital video recording.
HONEYWELL named Roger Fradin president and chief executive of its Automation and Controls Solutions business. Fradin, who reports directly to Honeywell Chairman and Chief Executive Dave Cote, succeeds Kevin Gilligan, who left the company. Fradin most recently was president of Honeywell Automation and Control Products (ACP), which includes Sensing and Control, Security, Fire and Environmental and Combustion Controls. He also has been president of Honeywell's Security and Fire Solutions.
Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) has asked the Transportation Department Inspector General to conduct an investigation into the use of non-certificated foreign repair stations by U.S. carriers. Oberstar said he had heard of "disturbing reports in the media about how some U.S. airlines are relying on aircraft repair stations that have not been 'certificated' or licensed by the FAA."
ARINC opened an office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to support its aviation and airport clients in the Middle East and Africa as well as build on plans to expand in the region. The offices are based in the newly developed West Wing of the Dubai Airport Free Zone. ARINC has offices or representation in eight European and Middle East cities.
BOMBARDIER appointed Ocean Air Aero Taxi its exclusive business jet sales representative in Brazil. Ocean Air, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will work with Bombardier's South American sales team to sell Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft.
VAIL VALLEY JET CENTER said U.S. Customs, Immigration and Agriculture inspections became available Jan. 1 at the Eagle County, Colo. Regional Airport (EGE). "We serve as the gateway to Vail and Beaver Creek, two of the most luxurious resort destinations in the world," said Bryan Burns, president of the Vail Valley fixed-base operation. "Our guests expect the highest level of service, convenience and accommodation," Burns said, adding that the addition of the inspection services was a direct result of customer requests.
SPORTY'S PILOT SHOP is offering a new DVD, How They Flew the Concorde, that details the experience of flying the Concorde supersonic airliner. The 75-minute DVD provides a "pilots-eye-view" of a flight from New York to London. The DVD can be ordered at sportys.com or by calling (800) SPORTYS/(800) 776-7897.
GAMA is jointly hosting an industry gathering with the executive director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, Patrick Goudou. The meeting, also hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association, will be held Feb. 11, the same date as GAMA's Annual Industry Review and Outlook Briefing.
Aviation veteran Stan Mackiewicz returned to Washington, D.C. in his new role as government and industry affairs representative for the National Air Transportation Association. Mackiewicz will serve as the primary liaison between the association and the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, he will steer insurance issues and oversee NATA's Flight Training Committee and Airline Services Council.
FRANK JACKMAN, veteran aviation reporter and editor, has been named editorial director of three publications, Overhaul & Maintenance, the World Aviation Directory & Aerospace Database, and the Homeland Security Directory published by McGraw-Hill's Aviation Week Group. Jackman previously served as editor-in-chief of those publications. Jackman began his aviation writing career in October 1987 when he joined Aviation Daily after working at the Tampa Tribune.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE named James McQueeney vice president-material at the Savannah, Ga. business jet manufacturer. McQueeney will manage the company's procurement supply chain and execute procurement development plans. A 12-year employee of the company, McQueeney formerly served as director of production before serving as vice president and general manager of Gulfstream's Oklahoma City, Okla. and Mexicali, Mexico facilities. He also served as manufacturing manager during development of the Gulfstream V.
Federal Aviation Administration released two proposals that would set standards for certain next-generation communications and navigations equipment. FAA has developed a draft technical standard order (TSO) for VDL Mode 3 datalink communications equipment that would operate within the frequency range of 117.975 to 137.000 MHz.
AERO COMMANDER 690A crashed during approach to the Cortez, Colo. Airport Jan. 3. FAA said the accident occurred under unknown circumstances. The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft, N700SR, was destroyed.
MAY's concern about the government's oil buying program is exacerbated by the possibility that the target for total reserves may increase. Currently, the upper limit for the SPR is 700 million barrels, he said, and the government has 639 million barrels in storage. However, the energy bill pending before Congress has a provision to boost the SPR to 1 billion barrels, which would keep upward pricing pressures in place for the foreseeable future.
The number and severity of accidents involving the U.S. business jet and turboprop fleet increased in 2003, according to data compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla.
LOCKHEED MARTIN won a $5.9 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to install the first eight Avionics Modernization Program kits into C-5B transports. The U.S. Air Force also awarded Lockheed Martin $42.8 million to buy the next 18 kits. Installation of the kits is slated to begin in June. The program will cover up to 112 C-5Bs with installation expected to continue through 2007. The Avionics Modernization Program will replace the analog cockpit instruments with digital displays and equipment.
BUSINESS AVIATION groups were disappointed that FAA late last month refused to extend the Jan. 1 deadline for installation of emergency locator transmitters on turbojet aircraft. Congress mandated that all turbojet operators install ELTs after an aircraft crashed in New Hampshire in 1996 and was not found for three years. Congress permitted FAA to extend the deadline for installation by two years - to Jan. 1, 2004. But in a meeting with business aviation groups late last month, the agency maintained that it did not have the authority to provide a further extension.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION issued a call for nominations for a Customer Service Excellence Award that will recognize an FAA field office for demonstrating a high level of customer service to aviation businesses. The award will be presented during the association's annual convention May 18-20 in Las Vegas. Previous winners include the Flight Standards District Offices in Farmingdale, N.Y., San Diego, Calif., Fargo, N.D. and Washington, D.C. NATA members must submit nominations by Feb. 6.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Harry B. Combs, a pilot and aviation businessman who helped develop the modern concept of fixed-base operations to appeal to corporate pilots and their passengers, and who oversaw the turnaround of Gates Learjet Co. in the 1970s, died Dec. 23 at his home in Wickenberg, Ariz.
DON PHILLIPS, the veteran transportation writer for The Washington Post, ended his tenure at the newspaper Dec. 31. Phillips, who is widely respected in aviation circles for his knowledge of the industry and reporting ability, is one of a number of top-level Post reporters who accepted yearend buyout packages from the newspaper.
General aviation manufacturers are hoping to capitalize on the election year to secure quick passage of an extension of the accelerated depreciation schedule that went into effect last spring. Congress first adopted a 30 percent "bonus depreciation" for the purchase of qualified property in the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-116-AD) -- proposes to require replacement of the swinging lever spacers in the left and right leg assemblies of the main landing gear with new, improved spacers. This action is necessary to prevent propagation of fatigue cracking, which could result in failure of the spacer base and could affect the symmetrical functioning of the braking system. Asymmetrical braking could result in the airplane overrunning the runway during takeoff or landing.
