Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics announced formation of General Dynamics Aviation Services, a new aircraft service organization designed to meet the maintenance needs of a broad range of business jet operators.
DUNCAN AVIATION was awarded supplemental type certifications to install a Universal Avionics terrain avoidance warning system (TAWS) on a Learjet 35A and a Honeywell CAS-67 airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS II)/traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS II) on a Gulfstream IV. The TAWS installation, which displays on the Universal MFD-640, accepts GPS position information from the UNS-1C flight management display to prevent controlled flight into terrain.
Models PW306A and PW306B turbofan engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-51-AD; Amendment 39-12103; AD 2001-03-02) - requires removing compressor rotor 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stage drum assemblies and impellers from service before exceeding new, lower cyclic life limits. This amendment is prompted by the results of test analyses that indicate certain compressor rotor 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stage drum assemblies and impellers could fail before the published life limit.
Canadian manufacturer CAE reached agreement with BAE Systems-North America to buy that company's Flight Simulation and Training unit for $80 million (U.S.). BAE Flight Simulation and Training, based in Tampa, Fla., was formerly known as Reflectone. It manufactures transport and helicopter simulation equipment and provides training and support services for both commercial and military customers. The Tampa unit has nearly 800 employees and posted revenues of approximately $80 million for the year ended Dec. 31.
HONEYWELL was selected to supply its Mark XXII helicopter enhanced ground proximity warning system, Bendix/King KMD 850 multi-function displays and KTA 870 traffic advisory system for the Maryland State Police Aviation Division fleet of 12 Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters. Installation of the avionics equipment is expected to begin within 60 days.
KRIS ZIEGLER joined CitationShares as regional sales manager, based in Minneapolis. Ziegler previously held a technical sales position with Network Instruments and has five years of business aircraft sales experience.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT Charter&Management (RACM) added 32 aircraft to its fleet last year and currently has 77 aircraft on its charter certificate. RACM, a little more than a year old, added a 10-passenger Challenger 600 based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a 12-passenger Falcon 900 in Sacramento, Calif., to accommodate international trips and transcontinental missions. The fleet also includes Beechjets, Citations, Diamond Jets, Hawkers, King Airs and Learjets.
ERROL FARR was appointed account manager for military and government programs in BFGoodrich Company's Avionics and Lighting Systems Division. Farr spent seven years as an Army aviator flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter and also has fixed-wing and instrument ratings.
FAIRCHILD DORNIER said the orderbook for the 328JET stands at 232 orders and options following the finalization of an order from Atlantic Coast Holdings, Inc., parent company of Atlantic Coast Airlines and ACJet. That order includes 32 328JETs for the United Express operation of Atlantic Coast Airlines, 30 328JETs for Delta Connection carrier ACJet and 83 options that can be assigned to either carrier. ACJet currently operates 14 328JETs, with the remaining 16 to be delivered this year.
NATIONAL AIR TRASPORTATION ASSOCIATION asked FAA to clarify a proposal on life-limited parts to ensure that it does not cover routine removal and re-installation of parts. The request came as part of the association's comments on FAA's proposed new standards for marking, storing and securing life-limited parts. FAA issued the proposal at the behest of Congress, which sought to control the handling of parts that reached their mandatory life limits. NATA worries that the proposal was so vague that it could have a more far-reaching effect than intended.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION this week is launching a tour of its "100 Most Needed" airports. NATA President James Coyne will host town hall meetings beginning today at Naples, Daytona Beach and Vero Beach, Fla., as well as a stop for a round-table discussion in St. Petersburg. NATA devised its list to stress the importance of strengthening the nation's system of general aviation reliever airports (BA, Jan. 1/4).
JET AVIATION BASEL, which began outfitting Dassault Falcon business jets with VIP interiors in 1996, recently delivered the 25th Falcon to go through its facility for completion. The aircraft, a Falcon 900, was flown to Jet Aviation in May for completion. Jet Aviation began completing about five Falcons a year but has increased that number to 12.
Model 525 (CitationJet 1) airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-12099; AD 2001-02-13) - requires replacement of certain direct current (DC) power battery switches. This AD is the result of reports of the potential for a certain eight-pole battery switch to fail during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent this battery switch from failing while the airplane is in flight. This could result in the pilot's inability to select "EMER" power or the inability to disconnect an overheated main ship's battery.
CHRIS ADAMS was promoted to director of product marketing for FlightSafety International. Adams most recently was product marketing manager for FSI's center in Wilmington, Del. Adams will remain in Wilmington as he supports marketing efforts for all of FSI.
David Hurley, the veteran business aviation executive who co-founded Flight Services Group in 1984, was named chief executive of the aviation group of PrivatAir, the Swiss-based company that acquired FSG last year.
A Federal district judge in Los Angeles Tuesday denied a City of Los Angeles motion for dismissal and set a May 1 trial date for a lawsuit that a group of business aviation interests filed challenging a Stage 2 non-addition rule at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in California.
Model EMB-145 and EMB-135 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-16-AD; Amendment 39-12101; AD 2001-02-51) - publishes AD 2001-02-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of of the affected airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires revising the FAA-approved airplane flight manual and installing placards to alert the flight crew to the maximum speed for airplane retrimming after takeoff and during the climb phase. This action is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign airworthiness authority.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE received a follow-on order from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for a Global Express business jet for use as a special mission aircraft. JCAB ordered its first Global Express in November 1999 and that aircraft is undergoing final outfitting at Marshal Aerospace in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The JCAB will use the aircraft for flight inspection and airways calibration.
PPG INDUSTRIES received a contract from Embraer to supply cockpit windows for its ERJ 170 and 190 regional jets. PPG, a risk-sharing partner, is responsible for design of the main windshields and side cockpit windows and system integration into the fuselage. The contract also covers aftermarket support with year-round operational support, including AOG and spares distribution.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION scheduled its 11th Annual Fly-In and Open House June 2 at its headquarters at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland. The association's EXPO 2001 will be held Nov. 8-10 at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL received FAA Level D certification for its Learjet 60 simulator installed in the Atlanta learning center. The simulator is FSI's third Learjet 60 simulator and is part of the company's plan to establish Atlanta as a major Learjet training facility. The facility also houses a Learjet 45 simulator and is slated to receive a Learjet 31/31A model in the third quarter of the year. In addition to Atlanta, FSI provides Learjet training in Wichita, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., and West Palm Beach, Fla.
JOHN McCORMICK was named vice president of business development for Executive Jet Management, Inc. McCormick will oversee charter and management sales in the North Central U.S. He previously was director of client services for The Air Group and also has served with Priester Aviation Services.
