Jeff Stahl was named regional sales manager, southeast region, covering Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for CAE SimuFlite. He was most recently senior account manager at Comark Technologies. Stahl, who holds an ATP license, will be based in Orlando, Fla.
MERCURY AIR GROUP POSTS FIRST-QUARTER LOSS - Mercury Air Group, Inc., the Los Angeles, Calif.-based fuel and cargo services provider, posted a first-quarter loss despite a modest increase in revenues.
FAA is expected to give industry 75 more days to comment on an advisory circular that provides guidance on new rules governing Part 145 repair stations. FAA released the AC covering repair station manuals earlier this month, but provided only a 15-day comment period. The limited comment period drew fire from industry groups, and the Aircraft Electronics Association formally petitioned for the extension (see article below).
Despite the shortened "lame duck" session, the Senate late last week still had hopes of passing aviation security legislation that would dramatically expand flight training background check requirements and bar DOT from issuing waivers to a prohibition on flights over sporting events. Senate passage, however, would be little more than a symbolic gesture, since the House is not expected to consider any additional legislation this year.
Models De Havilland DH.C1 Chipmunk 21, 22, and 22A airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-66-AD) - proposes to require checking the airplane logbook to determine whether certain modifications have been incorporated on the airplane and incorporation of the modifications that have not already been accomplished. This proposed AD is the result of the manufacturer performing a design study on the structural integrity of certain parts and reports of service failure of other parts installed on the affected airplanes.
Mercury Air Group, Inc., the Los Angeles, Calif.-based fuel and cargo services provider, posted a first-quarter loss despite a modest increase in revenues.
HOUSE AND SENATE MOVE ON 'CLEAN' HOMELAND SECURITY BILL - The House and Senate moved to transfer the Transportation Security Administration out of the Department of Transportation, arm airline pilots, extend airline war risk insurance protection and extend explosive detection system deadlines, but steered clear of other major aviation security initiatives in their compromise Homeland Security Act of 2002.
The pilot of a Piper PA-28 escaped injury this month despite a dramatic nighttime landing at Richard Arthur Field (M95) in Fayette, Ala. that had friends and family lined up to watch. The initial FAA report said the pilot found the pilot-controlled runway lighting system at the airport was not working when he was getting ready to land on the evening of Nov. 7. Unable to see the runway, FAA's preliminary report said the pilot "called family and friends on cell phone. Friends and city vehicles lined runway with vehicles for light.
Despite the shortened "lame duck" session, the Senate late last week still had hopes of passing aviation security legislation that would dramatically expand flight training background check requirements and bar DOT from issuing waivers to a prohibition on flights over sporting events. Senate passage, however, would be little more than a symbolic gesture, since the House is not expected to consider any additional legislation this year.
Harris Corporation and Lockheed Martin formed a strategic alliance to explore teaming possibilities for providing air traffic management automation, navigation, traffic flow management, communication and weather products. The companies, which announced their agreement this month during the 47th annual meeting of the Air Traffic Control Association in Washington, D.C., estimated a $5 billion worldwide market for domestic and international airspace management products.
National Aircraft Finance Association's annual meeting is scheduled for April 8-11, 2003 at the Westin Resort in Savannah, Ga. For more information, contact the organization at (301) 349-2070 or [email protected].
Bombardier Aerospace's recent Safety Standdown drew more than 200 pilots and crewmembers representing 94 different business aircraft operators. The event, held late last month in Wichita Kan., covered recurrent and update training with hands-on training simulations and presentations on fatigue countermeasures, aviation psychology, applied aerodynamics and professional airmanship.
FAA is expected to give industry 75 more days to comment on an advisory circular that provides guidance on new rules governing Part 145 repair stations. FAA released the AC covering repair station manuals earlier this month, but provided only a 15-day comment period. The limited comment period drew fire from industry groups, and the Aircraft Electronics Association formally petitioned for the extension (see article below).
Model PC-7 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-28-AD; Amendment 39-12927; AD 2002-22-03) - requires repetitive inspections of the main landing gear front attachment brackets for cracks, and, if cracks are found, installation of improved-design brackets. Installing the improved-design brackets terminates the required inspections. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.
TSA PROMISES '12-5' TRAINING TEMPLATE, BACKGROUND CHECK HELP - The Transportation Security Administration plans to help facilitate background checks and develop a training program template for operators who must comply with the security requirements in the "Twelve-Five Rule," the agency said as it delayed the compliance schedule for the rule. TSA this month moved the compliance deadline for the rule from Dec. 1 to Feb. 1, citing concerns that "a large number of affected operators will not be able to meet the Dec. 1, 2002 compliance date" (BA, Nov. 11/215).
National Business Aviation Association said its Nov. 14 business aviation forum and static display at Meacham Field in Ft. Worth, Texas drew some 1,500 attendees for a day of seminars and the opportunity to view 27 business aircraft on static display. Officials said they received "a lot of positive feedback" from registrants and representatives of more than 50 exhibiting companies about the one-day event. NBAA staged a similar event earlier this year in the Chicago area.
Linda Solomon was named marketing manager for Bii Bearing Inspection, Inc. She will be responsible for planning, market and sales analysis and customer relations. With more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience, Soloman was most recently marketing manager for Accuride International.
Airnet Systems appointed Bruce Parker, founder and president of IT Management Group LLC, to its board of directors. IT Management advises and manages information technology for companies based in the U.S. and Europe. He recently retired from Sapient Corporation, where he served as executive vice president. AirNet Systems, Inc. provides air transportation services to banks and small package shippers in more than 100 cities nationwide.
Comair Aviation Academy teamed with Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts to offer the academy's airline training curriculum to Bridgewater's Aviation Program students. Students who graduate from the program would have a guaranteed job interview with Delta Connection carrier Comair. "Comair's plans for 2003 call for the continued expansion of its fleet, flight operations and the hiring of additional pilots to support that growth," said Susan Burrell, President of Comair Aviation Academy.
Fastest-Growing aviation organization in the country is the new Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association, which held its first board meeting with a dozen members in mid-August, and now has more than 25 member airlines and more than a dozen vendors who have signed on as associate members (BA, Sept. 9/112).
Airnet Systems appointed Bruce Parker, founder and president of IT Management Group LLC, to its board of directors. IT Management advises and manages information technology for companies based in the U.S. and Europe. He recently retired from Sapient Corporation, where he served as executive vice president. AirNet Systems, Inc. provides air transportation services to banks and small package shippers in more than 100 cities nationwide.
The Transportation Security Administration plans to help facilitate background checks and develop a training program template for operators who must comply with the security requirements in the "Twelve-Five Rule," the agency said as it delayed the compliance schedule for the rule. TSA this month moved the compliance deadline for the rule from Dec. 1 to Feb. 1, citing concerns that "a large number of affected operators will not be able to meet the Dec. 1, 2002 compliance date" (BA, Nov. 11/215).
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association asked the Federal Aviation Administration last week to ease temporary flight restrictions imposed around the Washington, D.C. area.
BOMBARDIER WINS U.S. CERTIFICATION FOR CRJ900 - Canadian manufacturer Bombardier won FAA certification for its 86-seat CRJ900, the largest passenger airplane ever built by the company in decades of manufacturing aircraft for the commuter and regional markets. U.S. certification came about two months after Transport Canada granted type approval to the CRJ900. Bombardier expects the European Joint Aviation Authorities to sign off on the new model in the near future.
David Joyce, 45, was named vice president and general manager, Commercial Engines, at GE Aircraft Engines. Joyce, a 22-year veteran of the company, had most recently been general manager, Small Commercial Engine Operations.
