The Air Transportation Stabilization Board last week denied Medjet International's federal loan guarantee application, citing serious doubts that the airline would be able to repay the loan. Medjet applied for a $7.7 million federal guarantee on an $8.8 million loan. Birmingham, Ala.-based Medjet currently operates Learjet 35As and 36As configured to accommodate up to two patients and four medical personnel.
Kevin Colson was named director of operations for Thunder Air Charter. He most recently worked at Part 135 operator Southern Aviation and Marine in Florida, where he was responsible for flight operations. Colson, a pilot with more than 15,000 hours, has more than 17 years of experience in aviation.
Bombardier Aerospace signed a five-year contract with Air Wisconsin to provide heavy maintenance on the airline's fleet of Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets. The maintenance will include "C" checks every 4,000 flight hours and also structural inspections every two years. Air Wisconsin's fleet is expected to grow to 58 aircraft during the next five years. The maintenance will be performed at Bombardier's West Virginia Air Center in Bridgeport, W.Va. The contract could be extended to eight years if options are exercised.
BLAKEY AIDE, A FORMER UAL PILOT, TO BE FAA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR - Robert A. Sturgell, a former military and airline pilot, a lawyer and a top aide to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, will be nominated as deputy administrator of FAA, the White House announced.
ROBERT E. RUST Models DeHavilland DH.C1 Chipmunk 21, 22, and 22A airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-63-AD) - proposes to require inspecting the fuselage to determine if a steel fuselage center-section tie bar fitted with bushings in the end lug bolt holes is installed. If this bushed steel fuselage center-section tie bar is installed, this proposed AD would decrease the safe life limit.
The Commission on the Future of the Aerospace Industry issued an "urgent call for action to the public and lawmakers" last week with the release of its final report, in which the panel recommended sweeping changes to the nation's aerospace system.
In a mostly symbolic gesture, the Senate last week approved S.2949, the Aviation Security Improvement Act, which would effectively prohibit banner towing operations over major sporting events. The legislation also includes measures to expand flight training background check requirements for foreign students. Passage of S.2949 has little practical effect because the House adjourned without approving similar legislation. But it serves notice to aviation interests that the Senate could pick up the measures once it reconvenes in the 108th Congress in January.
Aviation groups last week began to gear up for the latest chapter in aviation security requirements as the House Friday gave its final seal of approval to create a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The House approval followed Senate passage by a 90-9 vote on Tuesday. The new department will comprise all the nation's homeland security efforts under the DHS banner, including agencies such as the year-old Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and Immigration and Naturalization Service.
BAE SYSTEMS BUYS VIRGINIA INFORMATION PROTECTION FIRM - BAE Systems North America completed its acquisition of Corbett Technologies, Inc., a $15 million dollar transaction. Corbett, based in Alexandria, Va., employs more than 100 people and specializes in safeguarding information systems by providing full-service information assurance solutions. The company was formed in 1994 and ranked in the top 15 fastest growing public and private technology companies in the Washington, D.C. area in 2002.
Kaiserair opened a NiCad battery service shop at its location at Oakland North Airport in California. The shop can service as many as 12 batteries at one time and is equipped with an Aviall analyzer load bank and Aviall Data Acquisition System (ADAS) to provide customers with an analysis and guaranteed performance check. Two technicians, qualified by Aviall, will work in the shop, one of two in California with the capability to service jet aircraft NiCad batteries.
Earl Robinson, the former Fairchild Dornier executive who departed the manufacturer a few years ago to form Alliance Aircraft, is in serious negotiations with German officials about acquiring the assets of the now bankrupt Fairchild Dornier. Robinson, who worked for the company until 1998, claims to have found sufficient financing to buy the manufacturer and complete development of the 728 regional jet. The German manufacturer's creditors committee plans to meet early next month to make a final decision on bids for the company.
Charlie Geiger was named vice president of flight operations at Million Air Charter in Teterboro, N.J. He will be responsible for the company's charter operation and fleet. Geiger most recently worked as manager of scheduling and dispatch for a travel services company.
AEROSPACE AND AVIATION EMPLOYMENT AND WAGE RANKINGS AEROSPACE AND AVIATION AEROSPACE AND AVIATION EMPLOYMENT, 2001 WAGES, 2000 Rank State Employment Rank State Wages ---- ----- ------ ---- ----- ----- United States 4,587 United States $47,673 1 California 3,701 1 District of Columbia $64,588
40. AEROSPACE AND AVIATION PAYROLL AND ESTABLISHMENTS RANKINGS RM300 AEROSPACE AND AVIATION AEROSPACE AND AVIATION PAYROLL, 2000 ESTABLISHMENTS, 2000 RANK STATE PAYROLL RANK STATE ESTABLISHMENTS United States $ 98,094,643,859 United States 21,852 1 California 16,071,517,609 1 California 2,843
Historical aircraft - including the B-29 "Enola Gay" and a Mach 3+ SR-71 - will begin moving into the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport in March, about nine months before the new facility is scheduled to open to the public.
Patricia McConnell was named charter manager at Aerodynamics, Inc. She is an FAA-certified dispatcher and worked for the last 11 years at DaimlerChrysler in crew scheduling, dispatch and operations management. McConnell also has worked as a flight coordinator and charter manager at Aviation Group.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said a new pilot facility at First Flight Airport in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., is slated for completion next month. AOPA and its members donated the facility, which will be the only structure that will remain permanently after the first-powered-flight centennial celebrations end in December 2003. The facility will include a pilot work area with computerized weather stations and telephones for contacting the local flight service station, and full restrooms replacing the portable toilets now available to pilots.
Regional Airline Association's board of directors elected Skip Barnette, Atlantic Southeast Airlines president, as chairman of the association. Barnette succeeds Atlantic Coast Airlines President Tom Moore, who was the 2002 chairman.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) signed a $94.9 million deal Nov. 20 to lease a fleet of seven Raytheon Super King Air 350 turboprop aircraft for the next 10 years. The new aircraft will replace an aging mix of HS748 and King Air B200 aircraft currently used to support navigator training for the RAAF's 32 Squadron and the School of Air Navigation at RAAF Base East Sale.
ALPINE AIR LAUNCHES CARGO OWNERSHIP PROGRAM - Regional cargo carrier Alpine Air Express launched a program designed to help companies either expand or start up cargo operations under Alpine's Part 135 certificate. Under the program, Alpine Air would work with Raytheon Aircraft to sell used Beech 1900s or 99s to prospective owners. The aircraft would operate under Alpine Air's Part 135 certificate, and Alpine Air would provide operational assistance, training, and maintenance programs for the new owners.
FAA last week kicked off the first meeting of a new industry-based committee that will take a close look at the accuracy of the agency's cost-benefit analyses. The Aviation Rulemaking Cost Committee will identify whether variables FAA uses in its cost-benefit analyses are sound, said one industry participant. The committee, chartered for a year, comprises a cross-section of industry officials, but primarily includes participants with a background in cost analysis.
Jet Aviation Basel upgraded its completions equipment with the addition of computer numerically controlled (CNC) wood-milling, laser-cutting and sheet-metal bending machines for the cabinetry and sheet-metal shops. The CNC machines cut and bend honeycomb, plywood and sheet metal. Jet Aviation officials said the machines reduce the number of steps in the processes and ensure consistency and quality.
PIEDMONT HAWTHORNE REORGANIZES, SELLS AIRLINER DIVISION - Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation completed the sale of its airliner maintenance and overhaul division to the newly formed Piedmont Aviation Component Services. The division handles auxiliary power units, landing gear, propellers and parts sales and procurement and distribution.
Model 407 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-53-AD) - revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required preflight checking and repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms that have not been redesigned and replacing the tailboom if a crack is found. That proposal was prompted by cracking discovered in other areas of certain tailbooms and introduction of a redesigned tailboom with a chemically milled skin, which does not require the current inspections.
Andrew Rushton was named sales representative for FlightSafetyBoeing. Based in London-Luton, U.K., Rushton will be responsible for sales in northern Europe, Africa and the CIS. He has more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry and most recently worked for BAE Systems as sales manager for the airline total support business unit.
