ARINC TO OFFER INTERNATIONAL TRAINING - ARINC added an international operations recurrent training program for corporate pilots to its services. The new program will be offered once a month through a partnership between ARINC Direct, ARINC's business aviation division, and Assessment Compliance Group, Inc. of Annapolis, Md.
Jeppesen reached an agreement under which it will offer Air Security International's security services to customers of Jeppesen's international trip planning services. The addition of ASI security information will allow Jeppesen to provide enhanced pre-trip security intelligence reports and arrange executive protection, transportation and aircraft security. Jeppesen also will offer ASI's mobile phone services, using satellite, GSM and cellular phones, to customers worldwide.
Cessna Aircraft made the first big business decision of the new year, selecting Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation's PW615F turbofan over the Williams International FJ33 to power Cessna's new Mustang personal business jet. The selection by Cessna is a major win for the Canadian engine builder, the first time an established aircraft manufacturer has selected a company other than Williams to provide the power for an entry-level business jet.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association reached an agreement with AIG Aviation under which it can offer qualified members a five percent discount on aircraft insurance. AOPA is offering the discounts through its AOPA Insurance Agency on policies issued after Jan. 1.
A former Sandel Avionics manager has joined forces with several partners to form Avionics Certification Services, LLC, of San Marcos, Calif. Greg Wilson, who had been director of certification programs and product marketing for Sandel, was named president of the new enterprise. ACS was formed to oversee complex certification programs for companies without adding to their overhead. Services include STC package development, review and approval of substantiating data in support of field approvals, PMA parts certification assistance and related programs.
Dave Daniels was named vice president, sales and marketing at EXTEX. He will be responsible for increasing sales and developing future strategic growth initiatives. Daniels was most recently director, technical services at Honeywell. EXTEX, of Mesa, Ariz., produces parts for Rolls-Royce 250 helicopter engines and Honeywell auxiliary power units.
Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW307 engine completed its first run late last year. Part of P&WC's family of PW300 engines, the PW307A was selected to power the Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. The first run was completed 15 months after engine launch. The Falcon 7X is scheduled to enter service in 2006. The PW307A incorporates new fan technology that lowers noise and emissions, P&WC said, noting it exceeds U.S. and international standards.
ARINC is offering complete support services to enable business jets to win certification for operation in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. ARINC Direct will assist with airframe modifications, flight monitoring and preparation of the RVSM approval packages. ARINC expanded its Colorado Springs, Colo. service facility and added staff in five other locations to accommodate increased demand for RVSM services.
Despite Its Desire to come to agreement with a new engine supplier before Christmas, Eclipse Aviation still is negotiating with possible powerplant providers, a spokeswoman told BA Friday. There apparently is no precise timeline for selecting an engine provider, although she indicated Eclipse officials want to make a decision as soon as possible.
INS RELEASES PASSENGER MANIFEST PROPOSAL, HOLDS OFF ON FINES - The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Friday released a proposal that would require air carriers and commercial vessels to submit passenger manifests electronically before arriving in or departing from the U.S. The proposal stems from the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, which requires operators to submit electronic manifests beginning on Jan. 1.
Sensis Corporation's Multistatic Dependent Surveillance (MDS) system was commissioned at London Heathrow Airport. United Kingdom air traffic control operator National Air Traffic Services Ltd. selected the system to help manage surface traffic at Heathrow.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, AOPA, NORTHWEST BATTLE OVER GA AIRPORTS - The search for cost-cutting measures at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport has raised concerns that airport officials could cut or reduce operations at the airport's six reliever general aviation airports to improve its finances.
Timco Aviation Services took over the airframe heavy maintenance base formerly operated by Aviation Management Systems (AMS) at the Goodyear, Ariz. Airport. AMS is currently engaged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. Details of the transaction, which was facilitated by the company's principal stockholder Lacy Harber, were not disclosed. The Goodyear facility includes nearly 370,000 square feet of hangar space and room on the tarmac to accommodate up to 150 aircraft. "Goodyear is our first maintenance facility in the western U.S.
Bombardier employees are bracing themselves for new leadership next week, and it could be a bumpy transition. Paul Tellier, a Bombardier board member and chief executive of Canadian National Railway, Inc., is slated to replace Robert Brown as CEO of Bombardier next Monday (Jan. 13). Tellier brings a reputation for hard-nosed management. He is given credit for turning around Canadian National since he took over there in 1992, but in the process he eliminated thousands of jobs and sold off a number of assets not considered part of the core business.
Flightsafety International's Savannah, Ga. center to date has trained 90 pilots in its enhanced vision system-equipped Gulfstream V full-flight simulator, which was FAA certified in April 2002. A full-flight simulator for the G-550 with EVS will be ready for training at the center in mid-2003. FlightSafety is Gulfstream's official factory-authorized training organization.
Mario Larose was named vice president, custom electronics at CMC Electronics of Montreal, Quebec. In the newly created position, Larose will oversee the design-to-spec operations involving display panels and hybrid microcircuits for aerospace and defense OEMs. Larose previously was vice president of marketing for EXFO Electro-Optic Engineering.
Regional Aviation Partners, the organization founded in April 2001 to represent rural and small community air service, added nine new members. The latest to join RAP are: The City of Goodland, Kan.; Ponca City, Okla. Municipal Airport; Gallup Regional Airport, N.M.; Renner Field/Goodland Municipal Airport, Kan.; Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Grand Island, Neb.; Alliance Airport Authority, Alliance, Neb.; Boone County Regional Airport, Harrison, Ark.; South Arkansas Regional Airport, El Dorado, Ark.; and El Dorado Arkansas Chamber of Commerce.
Aircraft Electronics Association founder Charles Peacock died last month after a long illness. He was 87. Peacock started the AEA in 1956 by bringing together several avionics shops to improve communications and cooperation between the shops and the manufacturers. The organization now represents more than 1,100 companies. A memorial service is planned for Jan. 10 in Denver, Colo.
Edward S. Pliner was named senior vice president and chief financial officer at Raytheon Company, Lexington, Mass. He was previously vice president and corporate controller for the company, a position he held since April 2000. Pliner replaces Frank Caine, who resigned.
AIR TRACTOR Models AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-400, AT-400A, AT-401, AT-401A, AT-402, AT-402A, AT-501, AT-502, and AT-502A airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-60-AD; Amendment 39-12985; AD 2002-25-09) - requires installation of an overturn skid plate in the cockpit area. This AD is the result of reports of foreign material entering the cabin area during an overturn skid of the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the possibility of dirt or mud penetrating the cockpit in case of an aircraft overturn.
Hamilton Aerospace signed a maintenance agreement to support charter operator Falcon Air Express's fleet of eight 727-200 and 737-300 aircraft next year. The agreement covers modification, maintenance service and repair, including B and C checks. The contract, which is expected to generate between $4.5 million and $6 million, follows earlier work that Hamilton conducted on Falcon's aircraft this year.
American Airlines will begin retiring its Fokker 100 fleet this month instead of the third quarter 2003 as originally planned, BA affiliate Aviation Daily learned. AA last summer announced that the F-100s would be completely retired by the third quarter of 2005. By starting earlier, the Fokkers will be gone by yearend 2004. The acceleration will not change the current capacity plan but will save millions of dollars in maintenance costs for the carrier.
Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) of Clinton, Mo. won FAA approval to add Enidine Seat Recline Actuators to its CRS Ratings List. The AvFab-developed repair process for Enidine units will cost $135 and provide the first alternative to a new replacement unit, which can cost more than $600, AvFab said. "We can now effectively service these units within 48 hours for a fraction of the cost of a new unit," AvFab said.
