CAE plans to open a new training facility in Mesa, Ariz. as part of a 10-year training contract valued at about $50 million (Canadian) that the training provider won from Mesa Air Group. CAE will train Mesa pilots on Bombardier CRJ and Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. CAE will install CRJ200/700/900 and ERJ-145 full flight simulators at the new center. CAE also will operate a CRJ200/700/900 integrated procedure trainer at the new center. Mesa Air Group operates 126 aircraft to 147 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
IO-540, LTIO-540 and TIO-540 series reciprocating engines (Docket No. 2002-NE-03-AD; Amendment 39-12883; AD 2002-19-03) - supersedes emergency AD 2002-17-53 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Textron Lycoming LTIO-540 and TIO-540 series engines, rated at 300 horsepower or higher. That action requires, before further flight, replacing certain serial-numbered crankshafts that were hammer forged with crankshafts that were press forged (BA, Sept. 23/138).
ALTHOUGH INDUSTRY analysts believe the business jet market will weather the economic downturn, manufacturers continue to feel the impact. Canadian manufacturer Bombardier last week announced its latest cost-cutting initiatives, including layoffs and program stoppages. Swiss manufacturer Pilatus also has taken steps to reduce costs, sending 300 of its 1,300 employees into part-time work. The Pilatus cutback is expected to last until the spring. See article on Page 148.
ROLLS-ROYCE signed its 100th customer for its aeromanager.com portal. Launched in 2001, the site provides a range of aftermarket services, including interactive technical manuals, engine health monitoring, engine leasing, on-line parts ordering and other information on repair and overhaul. Nordam Europe became the 100th customer when it joined the service this month. Rolls-Royce said it is on target to meet its goal of 150 customers by the end of the year.
AVIATION GENERAL'S stock began trading on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the new ticker symbol AVGE.OB after the company recieved notification from Nasdaq that it would be de-listed from the SmallCap market.
ROLLS-ROYCE signed its 100th customer for its aeromanager.com portal. Launched in 2001, the site provides a range of aftermarket services, including interactive technical manuals, engine health monitoring, engine leasing, on-line parts ordering and other information on repair and overhaul. Nordam Europe became the 100th customer when it joined the service this month. Rolls-Royce said it is on target to meet its goal of 150 customers by the end of the year.
ALL WEATHER INC. (AWI) of Hunt Valley, Md., delivered its new integrated display system program to the Aeronautics Division of Tennessee's Department of Transportation. The new software/display program - StormFront - will be used by the state to provide pilots with real-time access to some 37 Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) throughout the state.
Hangar Space Available at Atlantic Aviation FBO's TEB/MDW/PHL/FRG/HOU/PNE/HFD/BDR Please call Steve Hirschfeld 972-447-4220 or email: [email protected]
FAA THIS MONTH released new field guidance to its inspectors aimed at helping to standardize the field approval process. A common complaint about field approvals is that the process can be different from one FAA Flight Standards District Office to another. Dave Cann, manager of FAA's aircraft maintenance division, said the guidance is the "first step" in several designed to improve the process, adding that inspector training and industry guidance should be coming next.
Docket No.: FAA-2002-11718 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.383(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Captain David Carpenter to act as a pilot in operations conducted under Part 121 after reaching his 60th birthday. Denial, May 16, 2002, Exemption No. 7774
Docket No.: FAA-2002-12039 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.167 Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Eastway Aviation Charter Management to operate between 50 and 162 nautical miles from shore without life rafts or pyrotechnic signaling devices provided the minimum enroute cruising altitude is FL250 or higher Denial, May 20, 2002, Exemption No. 7773
TSA ALSO RELEASED its proposed compliance program for charter operators of aircraft that weigh more than 95,000 pounds. That program could cause problems and force some operators, particularly those flying business jets like the Global Express, to seek alternative means of compliance, sources say. TSA apparently has not yet made a determination on whether it will raise the trigger weight for applicability to 100,000 pounds, which would get the Global Express below the new threshold for complying with the rule (BA, Aug. 19/79).
VOUGHT AIRCRAFT selected Resource Management International, Inc. (RMI) to provide engineers and designers on contract to support several programs. RMI, a subsidiary of Trans Global Services, will provide technical personnel to Vought Aircraft through its Arlington, Texas office.
FAA MAKES ANTI-ICING REQUIREMENTS PERMANENT - A decade after it releasing "interim" rules requiring commercial operators to follow certain anti-icing procedures, the Federal Aviation Administration made those requirements permanent. The agency published a final rule in the Aug. 27 Federal Register that permanently institutes the requirements of two interim rules - one published Sept. 29, 1992, and the other Dec. 30, 1993, outlining a series of anti-icing, deicing and training procedures for Part 121, 125 and 135 operators.
MIDCOAST AVIATION is trying to raise the profile of its Learjet program by adding new staff and technicians. The company hired Tony Koprivnik as Lear program manager and Dan Smith as Lear program chief inspector. Midcoast, setting a goal to be a "one-stop shop" for Lear operators, has completed 20 12,000-hour inspections on Lear 35s and has about 20 more scheduled for this year. "We want every Lear operator to know that we do Lear here," said Jack Vaughn, vice president of corporate aviation marketing for Midcoast's parent company Sabreliner Corp.
A decade after it releasing "interim" rules requiring commercial operators to follow certain anti-icing procedures, the Federal Aviation Administration made those requirements permanent. The agency published a final rule in the Aug. 27 Federal Register that permanently institutes the requirements of two interim rules - one published Sept. 29, 1992, and the other Dec. 30, 1993, outlining a series of anti-icing, deicing and training procedures for Part 121, 125 and 135 operators.
ANDY TOY, a former executive at Flight Options and Miller Aviation, is launching Andy Toy Aircraft Sales, Inc. The newly formed company, based in Mentor, Ohio, will focus on the sale of used corporate jet and turboprop aircraft and provide aircraft acquisition, consulting and pilot services. Drawing from more than 22 years of aircraft sales and acquisition experience, Toy's new company will specialize in selling Cessna Citation and Conquest aircraft.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9925 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 135.203(a)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit James I. Hamilton Jr., and Arctic Air Alaska to conduct operations less than 500 feet above the ground. Denial, June 13, 2002, Exemption No. 7809
GERALD MARTIN was named account executive at Aero Insurance. Formerly the vice president of Great American Insurance Company, Martin has 22 years of experience in insurance operations. He will be based in Addison, Texas.
Boeing to buy FlightSafety's stake in training joint venture - The Boeing Co. has signed an agreement with FlightSafety International (FSI) to buy all of FSI's interest in FlightSafety Boeing Training International (FSTBI), the joint venture the two companies formed in 1997. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. FSBTI has 800 employees in 21 locations, 70 full-flight simulators, and "numerous" fixed-base and maintenance training simulators, Boeing said Sept. 23.
Defense contractor Northrop Grumman, partnered with Raytheon Aircraft, unveiled a supersonic cruise aircraft design last week whose sonic boom could be seven times lower than Concorde's, despite flying at more than twice the speed of sound and at ranges of some 6,000 nautical miles.
SCOTT SPILLER was named vice president of new business development for the Western region at Aero Insurance. Spiller, who has more than 20 years of experience as a professional pilot and insurance broker, will be based in Carlsbad, Calif. He previously worked as a manager at Willis Global Aerospace.
