Thousands of airplanes will have to be modified to comply with new Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM) requirements being published by FAA in the Federal Register today (Oct. 27). CSSI, a Washington-based transportation and engineering company that supported FAA's RVSM economic analysis, said that roughly 44 percent of business jets and 35 percent of the total U.S. jet fleet is currently compliant with the new standards.
Cessna Aircraft engineers have experimented with winglets on the company's Mach .9 Citation X business jet in an effort to increase the aircraft's range, but have not been able to find a satisfactory configuration. Company officials note that aircraft on which winglets have provided the most significant range improvements generally travel at lower speeds - from Mach .75 to Mach .8 - than the Citation X.
Boeing claims it will dramatically reduce the time needed to move components for its planned 7E7 passenger aircraft by using air transportation as the primary method of parts delivery. The company said it expects savings of 20 to 40 percent compared with traditional shipping methods, with delivery times as short as one day, compared with up to 30 days for ground-based shipments. "Transporting large pieces by air will allow us to dramatically reduce flow time," said Mike Bair, senior vice president of the 7E7 program.
DAVID FORD was promoted to senior vice president, technical services, at Keystone Helicopter. He will manage the engine services division as well as Keytech Engineering and Materials. Ford joined Keystone in 1996 and was most recently vice president and general manager of the helicopter services division.
In the meantime, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) has perplexed nearly everyone with his proposal to transfer air traffic control services to the military, an idea that most believe has no chance of winning legislative approval. Mica has scheduled a hearing on the issue before his House aviation subcommittee on Nov. 6.
BUSH SELECTS LOY FOR NO. 2 JOB AT DHS - Former Coast Guard Admiral James Loy, who was named to head the Transportation Security Administration after the first head of the agency came under public and congressional fire for his inflexibility, last week was selected by the White House for the No. 2 job at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of TSA.
The City of Atlanta is seeking applications from companies interested in running a fixed-base operation at Hartsfield International Airport (ATL). The city began distributing packages to potential bidders this month, and has scheduled a pre-proposal conference and site tour Oct. 29. Bids are due Nov. 19. Mercury Air Center is the incumbent FBO on the airport. For more information, contact Toni Darden, contracting officer, at (404)330-6204 or e-mail [email protected] or Jessica Boston, administrative assistant, at [email protected].
Officials of Gulfstream Aerospace and FAA signed an agreement last week designed to foster communication between them on certification and manufacturing issues and ensure that the government uses a uniform regulatory approach in overseeing Gulfstream manufacturing and service facilities in a number of states and several FAA regions.
With the fate of the FAA reauthorization bill still in limbo, seven senators are urging Senate appropriators to ensure the distribution of the $100 million in general aviation relief included in the bill. Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined Sens. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), George Allen (R-Va.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) in sending a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on transportation, treasury and general government, Sens. Richard C.
Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) earned ISO 9001-2000 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100 certification, the worldwide quality standard in aeronautics. ATR was previously certified ISO 9001-1994. "This standard is a worldwide recognition for ATR that will enable us to cope better with a very strong competitive market which is constantly evolving," said Jean-Paul Rouget, quality vice president.
CAE SimuFlite added a Level D certified Citation X full-flight simulator at its facility in Dallas, Texas. The simulator, which will be available during the fall of 2004, will be equipped with a CAE Tropos visual system, and the training program will include the CAE Simfinity simulation-based ground school.
America Jet acquired the former Midway Aviation facilities at the Salina, Kan. Municipal Airport (SLN). The facility, which is a Phillips 66 jet and avgas dealer, is headed by Jerry Moore, who previously operated the FBO at SLN that pumps some two million gallons of fuel annually. In addition to fuel, America Jet offers maintenance facilities, GPU, catering, de-ice, lavatory service, air starts, air stairs and cabin cleaning.
National Air Transportation Association said Chevron Texaco decided to implement NATA's Safety 1st line-service training and testing program as its standard line-service training protocol. "When we were looking at developing a line-service safety training program, we realized we had to go no further than Safety 1st," said Tom Stephens, manager of airport compliance for ChevronTexaco. "NATA already had everything we were looking for in a first-rate training program; it will complement our 'product integrity' class," he added.
Shell Aviation is expanding its presence in the aviation fuel market with the Shell Aviation Business Jet card. The card will allow customers to buy Shell fuel, AeroShell lubricants and greases and other items at fixed-base operators. Cardholders also soon will be able to buy additional services such as route planning, weather information and hangar space. Shell signed a supplier agreement earlier this year with Eastern Aviation Fuels to offer Shell-branded fuel at 284 FBOs throughout the U.S.
Raytheon chose the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system as standard equipment for the King Air 350 and B200 aircraft. The package includes three liquid crystal displays, Collins FMS-3000 for flight planning and navigation and Collins GPS-4000A for non-precision approaches with satellite navigation. The Collins Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS-II) and the Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) will be among the future options available to add to the Pro Line 21 system.
National Air Transportation Association named Eric R. Byer director of government and industry affairs, effective immediately. He takes over most of the responsibilities previously held by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside, who had been vice president of legislative and industry affairs for the past two years, who left NATA this month. Byer, a five-year veteran of the trade association who has been manager of legislative affairs, previously served on the staff of former Rep. Bill Clinger (R-Pa.).
DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company introduced a new family of lightweight executive single- and double-passenger seats for super midsize and large corporate jets. Designed to be lighter with fewer parts, the seats come with a variety of pre-certified option packages that include rotation and travel limiters, a new leg rest, floor tracking, adjustable arm heights and three different headrest styles. The single-seat frames can be dressed up with up to 70 pounds of upholstery and options and the double-seat frames can be finished to a maximum weight of 225 pounds.
Executive Charter Services, a Boston, Mass.-based charter services provider and broker, reported flight volume jumped 77 percent in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 and new clients grew 75 percent compared with the same period last year. "We are thrilled with the third-quarter results and we know that the arrow is pointing up," said ECS President Kevin Godlewski.
AVCRAFT REFINANCES TO MOVE AHEAD WITH 328JET PROGRAM - AvCraft Aviation secured refinancing with Maple Commercial Finance Group to fund the restart of the 328JET production and continue the rejuvenation of the program.
NARA NAMES SUSAN SHEETS PRESIDENT - Susan L. Sheets, who has served as the principal headquarters employee for the National Aircraft Resale Association since the group's inception more than a decade ago, was elected president of the organization this month. Sheets joined NARA when it was founded in 1991, serving as executive director and most recently as executive vice president. NARA, which represents brokers and dealers of used corporate jets, has grown from five members in 1991 to 72. Sheets, who formerly worked for Aerospatiale, Inc.
