Avexus teamed with Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop a new inspection and overhaul workbench software package. Avexus will develop, market, sell and support the software based on a similar application originally developed by P&WC for its own in-house use. The software will be designed to streamline P&WC's range of gas turbine engine overhaul operations at repair facilities worldwide. The software also will aggregate engine configuration and service bulletin information that will be regularly updated by P&WC.
CAE is teaming with Airbus to offer training courses on the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) for the first time in North America starting in January 2004. ACJ operators now can receive training at 10 locations worldwide on 23 full-flight simulators with new locations in Denver, Colo., Miami, Fla. and Toronto, Canada.
Banyan Air Service, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is planning to break ground on a new 25,000-square-foot fixed-base operation terminal building early next year. The building will include a 2,800-square-foot customer lobby, a separate television lounge, a private pilot's lounge, a snooze room, shower facilities, a weather and flight planning room, two conference rooms, a business center, wireless Internet, public phone terminals, a large coffee and vending area, a baggage holding area, and 22 offices along with additional storage space.
Savannah Air Center won a supplemental type certificate to install the HSD-128 high-speed data system on Gulfstream V aircraft. The STC covers the installation of EMS Technologies' high-speed data terminal on Gulfstream Vs that are equipped with dual AMT-50 satcom antennas. The HSD-128 works at speeds of up to 128 kilobytes per second to allow users to check e-mail, browse the Internet and hold meetings via video conference.
The Fractional Aircraft Business Council, which represents major national and regional fractional aircraft providers, also is trying to keep U.S. transportation officials up to speed and supportive of fractional programs. Coyne said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has agreed to attend a meeting of the group late this month in Baltimore, Md.
GENE GARNES was named vice president of program management at Eclipse Aviation. He will institute a program structure at Eclipse to be used for current and future aircraft programs. Garnes also will work to ensure timely completion and delivery of the Eclipse 500. Most recently a senior manager at Bearing Point, Garnes led a team of consultants that advised Boeing and Honeywell on business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, e-business, procurement and operations improvement. He also has worked at Sikorsky, managing the S-76 helicopter program.
HONEYWELL SURVEY POINTS TO FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP AS INDUSTRY DRIVER - While growth in the fractional ownership aircraft market has slowed, a Honeywell industry survey finds that fractional ownership remains a critical driver of demand for new aircraft. "Although net share sales are down significantly this year, the fractional segment continues to grow by extending the benefits of business aviation to new customers," Honeywell said in its 12th annual Business Aviation Outlook released at this month's NBAA annual meeting and convention in Orlando.
Canadian manufacturer Bombardier, continuing efforts to cut costs wherever possible, plans to shut down the company's business jet completions facility in Tucson, Ariz., part of a larger plan that will see work transferred to other company facilities. The company announced Thursday it will "create integrated manufacturing centers" for its Learjet and Challenger business jet lines in Wichita, Kan. and Dorval, Quebec, respectively, a move that is expected to save $25 million (U.S.) annually starting with the first full year of operation in 2005.
Helicopter Association International has called for nominations for its "Salute to Excellence" awards, which recognize outstanding achievements by individuals and organizations in the civil helicopter industry. HAI presents 13 awards covering a range of industry achievements, from helicopter maintenance to mountain flying. The awards will be presented during the association's annual convention and exposition, HELI-EXPO, March 16, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nev. Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 20. Nominations may be submitted via the Internet.
Discussing the political furor that has delayed final passage of the FAA reauthorization bill - what's been done to that bill is "really shameless" - House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) reassured attendees at the opening session of the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Fla. last week that "we will eventually succeed" in achieving passage of the bill. While acknowledging there was work to be done, Mica told the audience, "I'm persistent as hell and we will get an FAA reauthorization bill."
No new clean-sheet aircraft models were introduced at the 2003 National Business Aviation Association convention last week in Orlando, Fla., but original equipment manufacturers demonstrated growing confidence in an impending economic recovery by introducing three new aircraft derivations: Bombardier Global Express XRS, Cessna Excel XLS and Gulfstream 450. Pricing for the aircraft will be especially competitive compared with each of the respective older models in an effort to add more value to new aircraft.
Mica also endorsed NBAA's position that business and general aviation aircraft should be permitted to resume flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which has been closed to essentially all non-airline, non-government flights since the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks. Mica told the NBAA audience that there's nothing more important than security, but said the U.S.
Air Security International teamed with Nationwide Intelligence to enhance the information that it includes about U.S. cities and airports in its ASI Travel Security Manager service. ASI said the partnership combines the strength of ASI's expertise in international security with Nationwide's experience with "environmental" intelligence, including information on airlines, airports and 50 of the busiest travel destinations in the U.S.
Thales ATM won a contract from the Slovak Republic to upgrade the existing Eurocat air traffic management system. The current Thales system provides en route control of the Slovakian airspace. The upgrade involves replacement of the hardware, rehosting the software and adding the ARTAS (ATM Surveillance Tracker And Server) data processing. The upgrade will allow Slovak air navigation services to increase capacity and improve efficiency and quality of services, Thales said.
Elliott Aviation has joined forces with Honeywell to offer reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM)-compliant equipment for the Beechjet 400 and Mitsubishi Diamond 1 and 1A jets. The RVSM system includes Honeywell's AZ-252 advanced air data computer, AM-250 barometric altimeter, BA-250 barometric altimeter display and AL/VN-800 altitude alert controller. Elliott will sell the RVSM modification separately or as part of a package that could include the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, traffic alert and collision avoidance system and cockpit display.
Innotech-Execaire was named an affiliate partner for Delta AirElite Business Jets. Under the agreement, Innotech-Execaire becomes the first Canadian partner to fly Delta AirElite Fleet Members and charter customers on point-to-point trips within Canada.
Jet Aviation Geneva was recognized as an authorized service facility for Bombardier Global Express aircraft. The authorization allows the company to perform line and base maintenance on Global Express airframes and engines and to perform warranty repairs and modifications. Jet Aviation Geneva also has received authorization to perform work on Boeing, Gulfstream and Raytheon aircraft as well as the Lockheed Jetstar.
