Pratt & Whitney opened its China Customer Training Center in Beijing. The new training center, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and the China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation, will provide maintenance and engineering management training to domestic and international carriers in the region that operate PW engines - large and small - including the PW4000, the PT6 and the PW100.
Mercury Air Centers appointed Kenn Ricci, chairman and CEO of Flight Options, and Dick Dodson, former president and CEO of BBA Aviation, to its board of directors. Mercury Air Group President and CEO Joseph Czyzyk said Mercury Air Centers would implement an aggressive business plan for growth. "That's why it is important to have guidance from a board that not only understands the financial aspects of our business, but also understands the dynamics of the current business aviation climate," Czyzyk said.
U.S. CUSTOMS SHELVES BORDER CROSSING PROPOSAL - The U.S. Customs Service last week shelved a proposal released one month before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that would have standardized and eased certain aircraft border crossings. The notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Aug. 3, 2001, Federal Register, would have standardized the Custom Service's Overflight program, which allows private aircraft owners/operators to apply for exemptions from special landing requirements in the south.
Energy & Engine Technology Corporation acquired the fixed-based operation at Stevens Field Airport in Pagosa Springs, Colo. and took over operations last week. The company financed $150,000 for Wind Dancer Aviation Services, which is projected to bring in about $920,000 in sales from FBO operations and about $1.2 million in sales from product development activities during 2003. Sales are expected to increase in 2004 and 2005, due in large part to an estimated $16 million capital improvement campaign at Stevens Field.
EMBRAER STARTS JOINT VENTURE IN CHINA - Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer signed a deal to build a production facility in China through a joint venture with Harbin Aircraft Industry and Hafei Aviation Industry, two companies owned by Chinese manufacturer AVIC-II.
Flightsafety Boeing, the training division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, will partner with Advanced Interactive Systems to provide safety and security training programs for airline crew members. The programs, which will be designed to meet the requirements of the newly enacted Homeland Security Act, will include firearms training for pilots.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-109-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the elevator stop bumpers of the horizontal stabilizer with new bumpers. This action is necessary to prevent damage to the elevator trailing edge due to a broken or missing elevator stop bumper, which could result in jamming of the spring tab and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 195 aircraft on the U.S.
Vought Aircraft Industries completed the 200th set of integrated wings for the Gulfstream V series aircraft. Vought has been working with Gulfstream since 1993, under a revenue-sharing agreement in which the company designed and produces the wings for the GV, including integration of the electrical, hydraulic and fuel systems. The first wing was delivered July 18, 1995.
Bombardier secured a firm order from Air Wisconsin for six CRJ200 regional jets. The deal, valued at $140 million, is the conversion of six of the 26 conditional orders held by the airline and raises Air Wisconsin's firm orders to 64 aircraft. Air Wisconsin still holds 20 conditional orders and 75 options on Bombardier CRJ aircraft. Bombardier has delivered 27 aircraft to date to Air Wisconsin, which serves United Airlines hubs at Denver, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles under the United Express banner and the AirTran Airways hub at Atlanta as AirTran Jet Connect.
Lockheed Martin deployed an expanded air traffic control system for the Argentine Air Force. The company's Expanded Ezeiza Area Control Center Skyline Air Traffic Control System became operational, increasing en route air traffic coverage, consolidating approach control functions and integrating radar and flight plan data into one system for controllers, Lockheed Martin said. The Argentine Air Force's Commando de Regiones Aereas, Division de Sensores Radar, is managing the new system.
FAIRCHILD DORNIER TO BE SOLD IN PIECES, CREDITORS AGREE - Bankrupt jet-maker Fairchild Dornier's creditors last week tentatively approved insolvency administrator Eberhard Braun's plan to sell off the company in pieces, but all major company programs - including the 728/928 regional jet - are expected to continue.
Six years after Gulfstream first won FAA certification for its long-range Gulfstream V business jet, the Savannah, Ga. plane-maker finally won validation from the Joint Aviation Authorities, Gulfstream executives said. Gulfstream had worked with JAA for years to get approval, but the European agency refused to validate until Gulfstream completed certain additional tests, including structural tests of the wing. Those tests resulted in minor modifications to the wing (BA, May 13/227).
Gulfstream Aerospace last week rolled out the 500th Tay-powered Gulfstream IV business jet, Serial Number 1499, in a ceremony that marked the end of production of the "GIV" and the launch of the company's newly designated family of Gulfstream business jets. Gulfstream in September announced plans to replace its GIV and GV with new models that are part of a family of business jets ranging from the $11.5 million mid-size Gulfstream G100 to the $45 million, long-range, large cabin G550 (BA, Sept. 16/126).
RAYTHEON AWARDED FOLLOW-ON JPATS CONTRACT - The U.S. Air Force ordered 35 additional T-6A Texan II trainer aircraft from Raytheon, exercising the first option in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System contract. The follow-on contract is valued at $169.9 million and is the first of four one-year options that the U.S. military holds. Raytheon will start delivery of the 35 aircraft in the first option in April of 2005.
Aviation Research Group/U.S. released a new addition to its online Charter Evaluation and Qualification (CHEQ) system, TripCHEQ, which is designed to provide background and safety information about charter operators. TripCHEQ tracks pilot certifications, type ratings, accidents, incidents, violations, enforcements, operator certificates and operational control of aircraft. The data is processed through the ARG/US CHEQ system. ARG/US has priced individual CHEQ reports and TripCHEQs at $249. A one-year subscription to the entire CHEQ database is $5,000.
Richard Bradeen was named interim vice president for corporate audit and risk assessment at Bombardier. He also is currently vice president, Defense Services, Belfast City Airport, Amphibious Aircraft and Structured Finance.
Renegade Venture's recently formed repair station Hamilton Aerospace Technologies continued to add to its client base with an open-ended contract from a U.S. cargo carrier based in Florida for maintenance work and checks on Boeing 727 aircraft. The latest contract, which Renegade estimated would generate $40,000 to $50,000 in monthly revenue, includes drop-in maintenance, emergency maintenance, A checks and B checks for the carrier's fleet of B727 aircraft.
Air Routing International opened a satellite office at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J. The office will provide marketing, promotion and client support for business aircraft operations based in the area. "Opening an office at Teterboro is part of our long-term growth strategy," said Gordon Berturelli, director of sales and marketing for Air Routing International.
FAIRCHILD SELLS FASTENER BUSINESS FOR $657 MILLION - In a move to strengthen its presence in the aerospace market, aluminum producer Alcoa completed a $657 million deal to acquire The Fairchild Corporation's fastener business.
Rockwell Collins won FAA technical standard order approval for a multi-mode receiver (MMR) with microwave landing system (MLS) capability that can be used in both commercial and military aircraft. The first unit with MLS functionality to receive FAA TSO approval, the MMR integrates VHF omnidirectional range, instrument landing system, marker beacon, global positioning system and MLS functions. Rockwell Collins completed flight tests of an MLS receiver that was fully integrated in an MMR.
LOY LOBBIES FOR MORE PERSONNEL - Transportation Security Administration Chief James Loy is working with Congress, including key critics such as House Appropriations Transportation subcommittee Chairman Harold Rogers, to demonstrate the need for more personnel even as it plans to achieve more tasks with fewer people.
Adam Aircraft completed 100 hours of flight testing on the A500, the company's 250-knot, pressurized, six-place, twin-piston-engine aircraft. The aircraft, powered by two Teledyne Continental TSIO 550E engines, has had 50 test flights, which account for about 30 percent of the tests that Adam Aircraft plans to perform on Serial No. 0001, said Glenn Maben, flight test pilot and lead powerplant engineer. The aircraft has reached an altitude of 25,000 feet and airspeed of 220 knots. The A500 is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2003.
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to ask Congress to pass a law that would allow the DOT Secretary to appoint a deputy administrator without Senate confirmation. The request is part of an FAA draft proposal for a comprehensive aviation bill that would give the agency more financing flexibility, target airport congestion and strengthen management. Congress this year is expected to take up an aviation package that would extend FAA's funding authority, which is due to expire at the end of fiscal 2003.
