ANOTHER AIRLINE has acknowledged that business jets are claiming a bigger share of its high-yield, first-class passengers.Swiss International Air Lines, formed from the ashes of Swissair's post-9/11 demise, is logging 80 percent load factors on long-haul flights after just three months of operations. But officials say the numbers would be better if not for the reluctance of some former first-class passengers to fly on commercial carriers.
AIR METHODS TO BUY ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOLDINGS -- Finalizing a deal struck in April, Air Methods will buy Rocky Mountain Holdings of Provo, Utah, for $28 million to make the company the largest provider of air medical services in the United States, Air Methods said last week. Englewood, Colo.-based Air Methods, which provides medical transportation and performs aircraft modifications, previously announced it signed a non-binding letter of intent to purchase a major air medical service provider (BA, April 22/190).
AOPA also is combating the view that small aircraft pose a threat to nuclear power plants. It released a report that concludes that GA aircraft could not penetrate concrete containment vessels at nuclear plants and that even an "explosive-laden" GA aircraft would not likely cause the release of radiation. As AOPA released its report, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) was trying to generate support for a bill he introduced to require criminal background checks on all foreign applicants to U.S. flight schools, regardless of what size aircraft applicants would be flying.
BOEING is establishing a new service center in Wichita, Kan., to repair and overhaul aircraft nacelles and composite structures. The Boeing Wichita Service Center increases Boeing's worldwide network of service centers to nine. "Traditionally Boeing Wichita has designed and built aircraft assemblies and components," said Jeff Turner, Boeing Wichita vice president-general manager. "The establishment of this new service center, however, gives us an opportunity to expand into new business endeavors and utilize the expertise of our great workforce."
BEN CLAYDEN was appointed chief pilot at Woodland Aviation of Sacramento, Calif. He will supervise Woodland's flight department of 20 pilots, assist in ground and flight training for crewmembers and work with the director of operations. Clayden was most recently director of operations, senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief pilot at Monterey Airplane Company. He has more than 7,000 hours of Part 135 experience in business jets and turboprops, flying to Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Rim and Europe.
Hayes Named Aviation Panel Vice Chair -- Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) has been named vice chairman of the 46-member House aviation subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). Hayes has been a licensed pilot for more than 30 years and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. "Aviation impacts my top two priorities for this session of Congress -- economic security and national security," Hayes said. He replaces John Cooksey (R-La.), who resigned from the Transportation Committee.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT EXECUTIVES distributed a series of recommendations to the Transportation Security Administration that the association says are a "work in progress" to enhance security at general aviation airports. The association recommends that all GA airports prepare a comprehensive airport security plan that includes items such as installation of adequate outdoor lighting and security fencing and/or electronic monitoring.
BEN CLAYDEN was appointed chief pilot at Woodland Aviation of Sacramento, Calif. He will supervise Woodland's flight department of 20 pilots, assist in ground and flight training for crewmembers and work with the director of operations. Clayden was most recently director of operations, senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief pilot at Monterey Airplane Company. He has more than 7,000 hours of Part 135 experience in business jets and turboprops, flying to Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Rim and Europe.
BAE Systems Limited Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-151-AD; Amendment 39-12773; AD 2002-12-01) - requires a functional test of the shortening mechanism of the nose landing gear for free movement of the capsule in the upper and lower bearings, and corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent damage to the capsule, which could result in inability to extend the nose landing gear in normal or emergency situations, and consequent injury to passengers and flight crew. FAA estimates this AD will affect 59 Model 4101 airplanes on the U.S.
RAYNOR REAVIS, a veteran business jet marketing executive, is rejoining Gulfstream Aerospace this week after spending the past three and one-half years as national sales manager for the NetJets fractional ownership program. Reavis, who has worked closely in the past with Gulfstream President and COO Bill Boisture, is taking over as senior vice president of marketing and sales. He succeeds Joe Walker, who left the company a month ago to pursue other interests (BA, May 13/228).
NATIONAL AIRCRAFT RESALE ASSOCIATION added three companies to its membership: Aerospace Concepts, Universal Weather and Garrett Aviation Services. NARA represents 75 organizations involved in aircraft resale that abide by a 12-point Code of Ethics.
ELLIOTT AVIATION received an FAA supplemental type certificate for Universal Flat Panel Integrated Displays in the King Air 200/300/350 series aircraft. The certification will allow for the replacement of the standard King Air electromechanical or electronic flight information system ADI and HSI flight instruments with Universal EFI-550 five-inch flat panel integrated displays.
ELLIOTT AVIATION received an FAA supplemental type certificate for Universal Flat Panel Integrated Displays in the King Air 200/300/350 series aircraft. The certification will allow for the replacement of the standard King Air electromechanical or electronic flight information system ADI and HSI flight instruments with Universal EFI-550 five-inch flat panel integrated displays.
GENERAL DYNAMICS CANADA won a contract valued at $128 million (U.S.) from the Canadian Department of National Defense to provide and integrate a new data management system for the CP-140 Aurora, a long-range maritime patrol aircraft. GD will supply a new mission computer, integrate upgraded sensors, and provide ground facilities and logistics support. The data management system will support the Aurora's surface and undersea surveillance roles. GD will complete the work in Ottawa and Halifax.
NATIONAL AIRCRAFT RESALE ASSOCIATION added three companies to its membership: Aerospace Concepts, Universal Weather and Garrett Aviation Services. NARA represents 75 organizations involved in aircraft resale
Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) has been named vice chairman of the 46-member House aviation subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). Hayes has been a licensed pilot for more than 30 years and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. "Aviation impacts my top two priorities for this session of Congress -- economic security and national security," Hayes said. He replaces John Cooksey (R-La.), who resigned from the Transportation Committee.
THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION is seeking a full-time, permanent Director of General Aviation Security, who would be based in Washington, D.C. The job posting number is TSA-02-119. The estimated pay range is $104,800 to $150,000, but TSA said it wants responses by this Friday (June 20).
ACM AVIATION added a Gulfstream V to its charter fleet. ACM operates a fleet of nearly 30 corporate jets from its base at San Jose, Calif., International Airport and other airports in California, Grand Junction, Colo., and Reno, Nev.
STAN ALLMON was named director of avionics at the JetCorp fixed based operation, located at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport. He will oversee JetCorp's avionics department and manage sales and the maintenance and installation of avionics packages. Allmon has worked at JetCorp for the past 10 years in various positions including avionics repair manager, avionics supervisor and avionics technician.
MIDWEST EXPRESS will change its name in January to Midwest Airlines, an effort to recapture an estimated $10 million in lost booking annually because some passengers selected other carriers because they assumed Midwest Express was a regional airline and possibly a turboprop operator. Skyway, a feeder carrier for Midwest Express, also will change its name to Midwest Connect, to more closely link it to the larger carrier.
ISABEL VALIENTE was named vice president-supply management at Piaggio America. She will be responsible for ordering parts and components for the Piaggio Personal Touch Service program. Valiente was most recently procurement manager for Sino Swearingen and also has worked for McDonnell Douglas and Piper Aircraft.
TRANSCONTINENTAL AVIONICS CORPORATION will move its recently acquired Houston Gulf Avionics from Houston Gulf Airport in League City, Texas to Scholes International Airport in Galveston. TCA will build new facilities for Houston Gulf, south of the terminal at Scholes. The facilities, which will be a prototype for future TCA facilities, will include a hangar, avionics shop, office suites and a retail showroom. Houston Gulf will operate from temporary office and hangar spaces at the airport until the new hangar is finished in the first quarter of 2003.
THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE in Kentucky moved to its new offices at the newly renovated Delta Airlines terminal at Louisville International Airport. The customs service previously was located in downtown Louisville, and the relocation will allow customs inspectors to process international passengers and cargo flights more efficiently.
HONEYWELL and Stratos Aeronautical launched Mobile Connect, a new satellite telephone service "that provides each business jet traveler an unchanging, personal phone and fax number." Callers can use the same number to reach a traveler on any corporate jet. "The Mobile Connect service may be particularly attractive to fractional aircraft owners who fly on a number of different aircraft," said David Gilbert, OneLink business manager at Honeywell Aviation Information Services.
MOMENTUM appears to be growing for the National Business Aviation Association/European Business Aviation Association annual European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE). One major original equipment manufacturer chose to display at EBACE instead of the Farnborough Air Show in July, NBAA
