General Aviation Manufacturers are trying to jumpstart business and move inventory, creating a buyers market for bargain hunters. Cessna last week announced it would extend zero percent financing for one year on about 30 Cessna Caravans scheduled for delivery before June 28, 2003. That announcement followed one by Raytheon Aircraft that its Raytheon Aircraft Parts Inventory&Distribution Company was discounting by up to 90 percent certain Beechcraft, Hawker and aftermarket spare parts until Dec. 31 (BA, Nov. 11/221).
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.
Industry Groups have been urging the Office of Management and Budget to conduct a quick review of a Department of Justice rule that outlines background check requirements for non-U.S. citizens seeking initial or, in some cases, upgrade training for aircraft that weigh 12,500 pounds or more. The rule was sent to OMB in mid-October and could stay there for up to 90 days.
National Business Aviation Association is enjoying a lot of success with its one-day business aviation forums and static displays. The initial event in the Chicago area was well attended and received, and this week's gathering in Ft. Worth appears on track to draw even larger crowds. Officials say they expect more than 1,000 attendees - more than 500 had pre-registered by the end of October - to view exhibits by more than 70 manufacturers and other vendors. Some 25 aircraft are expected to be on site in the static display.
Steven Weinert was named division maintenance manager at Keystone Helicopter. He will be responsible for maintenance, repair, refurbishment and overhaul for the 30 twin-engine air medical helicopters under the management of Keystone flight services division. Weinert was most recently president of Flite Tech Consulting Group in Vancouver, Wash.
Maytag Aircraft Corporation, a Mercury Air Group subsidiary, received a six-month extension on a contract from the U.S. government to provide air terminal and ground handling services at Al Mubarek Air Base at Kuwait City International Airport in Kuwait. The contract covers aircraft loading and unloading, cargo screening, passenger processing, baggage handling, security screening and handling of classified information. Maytag has provided the services since August 2000.
Raytheon Aircraft is offering steep discounts on some $80 million in excess parts inventory the company is trying to sell. Raytheon Aircraft Parts Inventory&Distribution Company (RAPID) is conducting the sale of Beechcraft, Hawker and aftermarket spare parts through Dec. 31 and offering discounts of up to 90 percent on some items. Customers can log onto the company's website, www.raytheonaircraftparts.com, to search through 46,000 part and kit numbers available for both current and out-of-production aircraft.
Calling the past 18 months a "downturn" in the commercial aviation industry is like calling the Grand Canyon a "hole in the ground," said Robert D. Johnson, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace, in a speech to the Society of Automotive Engineers World Aviation Congress last week in Phoenix, Ariz. Citing figures from the Aerospace Industries Association, Johnson told the SAE audience that U.S. aerospace company profits will be down about $6 billion in 2002 and another $7 billion in 2003.
Models Z-143L and Z-242L airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-12925; AD 2002-22-01) - requires modification of the engine secondary vent line. The AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech Republic. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the engine crankcase ventilation lines from freezing during flight in cold weather conditions, which could result in oil leaking from the engine. Such a condition could lead to engine failure.
Canadian Simulator Manufacturer CAE continued to expand its business base, announcing last week it formed a joint venture with China Southern Airlines to provide aviation training for a number of Asian carriers. The new joint venture is expected to generate initial annual revenues of $12 million (U.S.). The new enterprise, Zhubai Xiang Yi Aviation Technology Co. Ltd., will be 51 percent owned by China Southern and 49 percent by CAE. It will operate from the airline's existing training facility at its Zhuhai flight base in Guandong beginning in January.
All three people aboard an Aero Commander 500B twin-engine airline were killed Nov. 1 near Rayville, La. when the aircraft crashed after the pilot apparently lost control while demonstrating power-off stalls at low altitudes.
CSI Aviation Services, Albuquerque, N.M., recently took delivery of two additional MD82 aircraft on lease from AirFinance to support a CSI contract with the Department of Justice.
Mark Malkosky was named senior manager, technical training, at CAE SimuFlite. He will oversee maintenance training at the company. Malkosy was most recently manager, technical training at Bombardier Aerospace where he worked on the Learjet maintenance training programs.
Former National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Robert Francis anticipates changes at FAA under the leadership of its new administrator, Marion Blakey, judging from comments he made this month. "As administrator of an organization, she is going to be focusing on running FAA in a way it needs to be run," he said, and "in a way it hasn't been run in a while." Francis was speaking at a George Washington University aviation security seminar, where he called on government and industry officials to reassess their approach to security.
The Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry unanimously approved the commission's final report late last month, clearing the way for its release to the public next Monday (Nov. 18). Instead of being simply a compilation of the commission's interim report findings, the final report will be broader in scope and will include new material on government reform, as well as more detail on workforce and research and development issues, according to Chairman Robert Walker.
Sabreliner has developed a package that would bring Sabreliner Model 65 aircraft into compliance with equipment requirements for operation in RVSM airspace. The package, developed in cooperation with Rockwell Collins Avionics, includes an ADC-80K air data computer, ALI altimeter, ASI-80 airspace indicators and an upgrade of existing ADC-80K units. Sabreliner is pricing that package at $128,200 through December. It also has a package priced at $166,500 that includes two ADC-87 air data computers, an ALI-80 altimeter and ASI-80 airspeed indicators.
FAA last week released draft guidance on compliance with new repair station rules and gave industry 15 days to comment. Release of the draft advisory circular comes barely two weeks after four industry groups petitioned the agency to delay implementation of the rules because the industry had not had an opportunity to review and comment upon the guidance (BA, Oct. 28/198). The draft AC last week immediately raised concerns.
Piaggio's Avanti twin-engine pusher-prop received Transport Canada clearance to operate in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. "This opens the skies for Avanti operators in Canada and allows them to take full advantage of the aircraft's jet-like performance," said Jim Holcombe, Piaggio America executive vice president of sales and marketing. Piaggio is seeking similar approval from the FAA for U.S. RVSM operations.
HONEYWELL EXECUTIVE TOUTS VALUE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS - Warning that inefficiencies in the national air transportation system cost billions of dollars annually, a senior Honeywell executive called for continued infrastructure improvements and new thinking to make the aerospace industry more efficient.
November 14 - National Business Aviation Association, Business Aviation Forum and Static Display, Meacham International Airport, Ft. Worth, Texas. For more information, contact Benjamin Jones at (202) 783-9266. February 9-11, 2003 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2003, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646 April 23-27, 2003 - National Aircraft Resale Association Annual Meeting, Westin Regina Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Canadian Simulator Manufacturer CAE continued to expand its business base, announcing last week it formed a joint venture with China Southern Airlines to provide aviation training for a number of Asian carriers. The new joint venture is expected to generate initial annual revenues of $12 million (U.S.). The new enterprise, Zhubai Xiang Yi Aviation Technology Co. Ltd., will be 51 percent owned by China Southern and 49 percent by CAE. It will operate from the airline's existing training facility at its Zhuhai flight base in Guandong beginning in January.
TSA last week delayed until Feb. 1 the compliance deadline for operators of aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more to implement approved security programs. TSA in August released a notice calling for a Dec. 1 implementation deadline, but said in a notice published in Friday's Federal Register that many of the 850 operators subject to the mandate were having "a great deal of difficulty" complying with the fingerprint-based criminal history record check requirements. National Air Transportation Association said it was pleased with the extension.
Sabreliner has developed a package that would bring Sabreliner Model 65 aircraft into compliance with equipment requirements for operation in RVSM airspace. The package, developed in cooperation with Rockwell Collins Avionics, includes an ADC-80K air data computer, ALI altimeter, ASI-80 airspace indicators and an upgrade of existing ADC-80K units. Sabreliner is pricing that package at $128,200 through December. It also has a package priced at $166,500 that includes two ADC-87 air data computers, an ALI-80 altimeter and ASI-80 airspeed indicators.
Ken Sowa was named corporate aircraft sales representative at Piedmont Hawthorne. He will be working with the aircraft sales and management teams. Sowa, who has worked for Flight Services Group, Canadair and Learjet, was most recently northeast director of aircraft sales for Jack Prewitt and Associates.
