Raytheon Company named William H. Swanson president. He reports to Dan Burnham, chairman and CEO. In his new role, Swanson, 53, will lead Raytheon's government and defense businesses.
A new membership recruitment brochure being distributed by the National Air Transportation Association is ruffling the feathers of officials at some of the other aviation trade groups. In addition to touting its 2,000 member companies as "the backbone of business aviation" and detailing some of the organization's accomplishments and lobbying initiatives, the NATA pamphlet also provides pointed thumbnail descriptions of many of the other GA "alphabet" groups' constituencies and priorities.
GKN Aerospace Services will invest $30 million to expand the St. Louis, Mo. manufacturing plant that it acquired from Boeing 18 months ago. A key company objective at the time of acquisition was to use its strengths in the military aircraft business to expand work on commercial aircraft, said Kevin Smith, GKN managing director. "The improvements we initiate will help us to achieve that objective," Smith said. The company will enhance machine tools used in its metal business unit as well as the equipment for Resin Transfer Molding products.
General Electric Aircraft Engines of Evendale, Ohio was selected by NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland to develop a revolutionary turbine accelerator (RTA) technology demonstrator. A five-year cost-plus-incentive-fee task order valued at $55 million was issued under an existing Research Aerospace Engine Research (RASER) contract, awarded to GE in 2001, to start work on testing a demonstrator by 2006. The program is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of ultra-high-speed turbine engine technologies.
Air Security International launched a new airline rating program. The Airline Insider provides information to users based on analysis of an airline's fleet, type and age of aircraft, safety and security history, pilot training, maintenance and financial standing.
General Electric Aircraft Engines of Evendale, Ohio was selected by NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland to develop a revolutionary turbine accelerator (RTA) technology demonstrator. A five-year cost-plus-incentive-fee task order valued at $55 million was issued under an existing Research Aerospace Engine Research (RASER) contract, awarded to GE in 2001, to start work on testing a demonstrator by 2006. The program is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of ultra-high-speed turbine engine technologies.
Innotech-Execaire Aviation Group of Montreal ordered a Cessna Citation Sovereign business jet for delivery in July 2005. Innotech-Execaire is Canada's only Citation authorized sales representative. The Innotech order is the third Sovereign sold in the Canadian market.
AVIATION OFFICIALS PROPOSE FAA RESTRUCTURING TO CONGRESS - FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and other aviation officials at a House aviation subcommittee hearing last week recommended clarifying the role of FAA's chief operating officer for air traffic as one of several ways to restructure the agency.
TSA Under Secretary for Transportation Security John Magaw resigned under pressure Thursday. DOT Secretary Norman Mineta praised Magaw for his service, but did not explain the action. But Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) told BA affiliate Aviation Daily Magaw's departure was requested. "It was either resign" or be let go, Oberstar, ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, said.
Pricing pressure derived from new and pre-owned business jet inventory on the market shaped Gulfstream's flat second quarter earnings, parent company General Dynamics reported last week. "Pricing pressure, marginal losses in pre-owned aircraft sales and higher research and development costs are the primary reasons for the lower margins," said Michael Mancuso, chief financial officer for General Dynamics.
July 23-29 - Experimental Aircraft Association 50th Annual Gathering, AirVenture Oshkosh 2002, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 235-3007 August 31-September 2 - The Cleveland National Air Show, 1501 North Marginal Road, Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, Ohio. For more information call Kim Dell at (216) 781-0747 or visit www.clevelandairshow.com September 8 - National Aircraft Resale Association Fall Meeting, Peabody Hotel, Orlando, Fla.
Reoping Washington Reagan National Airport to business aviation flights remains a goal of the federal government, but it won't happen any time soon. That was the message top officials of leading aviation trade associations received Friday afternoon at a meeting hosted by Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael Jackson. Aviation leaders were told that because of security concerns at the highest levels of the government, officials will not be actively working on procedures for reopening DCA to business aviation.
Premier Turbines is offering a new repair service that guarantees the return of parts within 10 working days or less from the date of receipt. "The Bullet Shop," located at Premier Turbines near Neosho, Mo. will provide the quick-return service for component repairs and specialized processes including chrome and nickel plating, SermeTel and Nubelon coating, plasma spray, machining, balancing, air flow and welding.
Galaxy Aviation is opening a commercial airline refueling business at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The company appointed Bill Restituto to head the commercial airline fueling department. Restituto has 42 years of commercial airline operational experience in airline refueling, quality control, airport fuel distribution systems and ground handling operations.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton asked FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, a witness at the House aviation subcommittee hearing on FAA restructuring last week, pointed questions about why business aviation access still is not allowed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
GULFSTREAM EARNINGS FLAT FOR SECOND QUARTER - Pricing pressure derived from new and pre-owned business jet inventory on the market shaped Gulfstream's flat second quarter earnings, parent company General Dynamics reported last week. "Pricing pressure, marginal losses in pre-owned aircraft sales and higher research and development costs are the primary reasons for the lower margins," said Michael Mancuso, chief financial officer for General Dynamics.
REOPENING Washington Reagan National Airport to business aviation flights remains a goal of the federal government, but it won't happen any time soon.That was the message top officials of leading aviation trade associations received Friday afternoon at a meeting hosted by Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael Jackson. Aviation leaders were told that because of security concerns at the highest levels of the government, officials will not be actively working on procedures for reopening DCA to business aviation.
Signature Flight Support, which has been busily swapping fixed-base operator locations with other chains and acquiring other bases outright, added its 44th FBO in the continental U.S. with the purchase of AirKaman's facility at the Jacksonville, Fla. International Airport (JAX). AirKaman was the only FBO on the field, so JAX becomes another airport where Signature is the only fuel provider (BA, July 15/22).
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association filed a petition last week with FAA to allow pilots, who limit themselves to recreational pilot privileges, to use a driver's license as a medical certificate. The petition is a follow-up to AOPA comments on FAA's proposed sport pilot rule.
Nicolas Chabbert was named executive vice president of sales and marketing at Mooney Aerospace Group. He will develop Mooney's three sales centers in Long Beach, Calif., southern Florida and Kerrville, Tex. and build a team of regional sales representatives. Chabbert worked for more than 10 years in general aviation marketing at Socata Aircraft and was most recently the company's senior vice president, sales and marketing.
PILATUS AIRCRAFT Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-44-AD; Amendment 39-12822; AD 2002-14-22) - requires inspection of the left and right main landing gear assemblies for bolts with a serial number beginning with the letters "AT" and numbers 299 or lower and replacement of each bolt with a bolt that does not have a S/N with both the letters "AT" and a number of 299 or lower. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.
