Tom Metzler, a 29-year veteran of American Airlines and AMR Corp. and president of AMR Services since 1989, has left the company "to pursue other opportunities," AMR said last week. Metzler joined American in 1967 and held numerous positions in staff and field operations. He was part of the original group that started the AMR Services subsidiary in 1984. That division performs a wide range of aviation services including ground handling for American and other carriers, telemarketing, reservations, logistics services, data entry and training.
PRECISION AIRMOTIVE produced an instructional video designed to make it easier for licensed A&P mechanics and inspectors to overhaul MSA carburetors. Precision is the exclusive source for new Marvel Schebler carburetors and manufactures a complete line of parts, tools and overhaul kits to support the carburetor line. List price for the video is $49.95. For more information, call Precision Airmotive in Everett, Wash., at (206) 353-8181.
AEROTECH WORLD TRADE CORP., Purchase, N.Y., was appointed exclusive sales representative and promotional consultant for Turbine Engine Services' overhaul and repair services in Indonesia and Singapore. In addition, Aerotech will represent Turbine Engine Services to Japan Airlines and J.A.S. in Japan.
The Federal Aviation Administration told Wilcox Electric the company's $475 million contract to develop the Wide Area Augmentation System is behind schedule, not meeting program goals and may be canceled. George Donohue, associate administrator for research and acquisition, said the Wilcox-Hughes-TRW team has until April 2 to correct "performance deficiencies."
LAWYER-PILOTS BAR ASSOCIATION will hold its annual meeting Aug. 14-18 at Tamarron in Durango, Colo. For more information, call (202) 863-1000 or fax (202) 484-1312.
EXHIBIT AREA for this year's National Air Transportation Association convention in Las Vegas, Nev. has been sold out for a couple of weeks, even though the meeting does not begin until April 21. More than 140 companies have contracted for 279 spaces. Connie James, manager of meetings and convention for NATA, said this year's show is attracting a number of first- time exhibitors, along with strong interest from companies who manufacture and lease refueling trucks for fixed-base operators, insurance companies and software providers.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE opened its 200,000-square-foot service center at the company's manufacturing facility in Savannah, Ga. The new facility can accommodate 16 to 20 Gulfstream business jets at one time, depending on model. The center measures 340 by 455 feet with 30-foot high doors that open on two 68,000-square-foot service bays. The service center also has 12 office suites for customer use.
ALLISON SYSTEMS, the Waukesha, Wis. provider of electronic security systems for airports, opened an office in Denver, Colo. S. Lynn Woodward will head the new office, which is located at 6050 East 58th Ave., Unit E, Commerce City, Colo. 80022; telephone: (303) 289-7020.
DORNIER received orders for three new Dornier 328 turboprops from operators in Thailand and Norway. Piya Birom Bhakdi, owner of Bangkok-based PB Air, ordered a VIP/corporate-configured Do 328 for delivery in the fall. PB Air will operate the aircraft for VIP and tourist flights within Thailand and to neighboring countries. Norwegian carrier Air Stord ordered two 32-seat Do 328s. The aircraft, to be delivered this spring, will replace a 19-seat Jetstream 31 and a 10-seat Beech King Air B200.
REPRESENTATIVES of a number of major electronics manufacturers formed the National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, Inc., "a consortium created to ensure the sustained growth and competitiveness of electronics manufacturing in the U.S." Robert J. Klaiber, executive director of NEMI, said the "true measure" of the organization's success "will be increased market share for U.S.
CLEVELAND NATIONAL AIR SHOW organizers are seeking female pilots who would like to participate in a limited re-enactment of the first Women's Air Derby, a transcontinental race from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland held in 1929. Organizers of the Labor Day weekend event said Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes, Louise Thaden and other women aviators of that era brought international attention to women in aviation through their participation in the race, which was held the same year that the "99s," the women's aviation organization, was formed in Cleveland.
AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES OF AUSTRALIA Nomad Models N22B, N22S and N24A airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-93-AD) - proposes to require inspection of the flap and aileron control rod fork ends for water accumulation and corrosion inside the internally drilled holes. The proposal would further require replacing the control rod fork ends if corrosion is visible, or sealing the hole if no corrosion is found. This proposal is prompted by reports of water entering the internal holes of the flap and aileron control rod fork ends, causing corrosion.
GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association are expected to announce formation of "GA Team 2000," an industry-wide effort to increase the number of student pilots, at this week's FAA General Aviation Forecast Conference in Tampa, Fla., (BA, Feb. 26/89).
Gulfstream Aerospace said the test program for the Gulfstream V long- range business jet is on schedule, with the two aircraft currently in flight test having logged 50 flights and more than 150 hours. The test planes have reached altitudes of 51,000 feet and top speeds of Mach 0.88. Plans call for test aircraft to ultimately reach maximum speeds of Mach 0.97 and a ceiling of 57,000 feet. Gulfstream said it plans to obtain both U.S. FAA and European JAA certification this year and deliver the first eight "green" aircraft.
The Senate last week approved a measure that would guarantee collective bargaining protections for FAA workers. The measure, included in a bill that would fund the federal government through fiscal 1996, also was approved by the House earlier this month.
JANAERO DEVICES B series combustion heaters, Models B1500, B2030, B3040 and B4050 (Docket No. 95-CE-83-AD) - proposes to supersede AD 82-07- 03, which requires repetitive pressure decay tests and overhaul of the heaters, if necessary. This action, which would retain the pressure decay tests and possible overhaul requirements, would add operational tests of the combustion air pressure switch, and replacement of the switch, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by two reports of failures of the heaters.
JAMES SWEENY was appointed vice president, business development for Smiths Industries Aerospace, Defense Systems North America. Sweeny, who will be based in Grand Rapids, Mich., will direct strategic planning and technology marketing.
NORDEN SYSTEMS, an operating unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Division, Baltimore, Md. was awarded a contract to supply enhanced airport surface detection equipment to Singapore Changi Airport. Norden Systems is a subcontractor to Phillips Singapore Pte. Ltd. The order, which includes displays, the incursion and display processing system and a Thomson CSF ASTRE-2000 radar sensor, is valued at more than $5 million.
CRAIG HUSTON was named vice president, sales and marketing, for UNC Accessory Services. Huston previously spent 11 years with AlliedSignal, Inc., most recently as director, quality and productivity in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
JEFFREY SLATTERY was promoted to director of the Hartzell Service Center. Slattery, who has served with Hartzell Propeller for 16 years, most recently was superintendent of composites manufacturing.
ALLIANCE ENGINES, Maryville, Tenn., said Gulfstream Aerospace had qualified it as a repair station for auxiliary power unit overhauls, hot section inspections and repairs for the GTCP36-100G APU installed on Gulfstream III and IV models.
RAISBECK ENGINEERING named Galvin Flying Service an authorized dealer for its line of performance improvement systems for the entire Beech King Air and Super King Air product lines. Galvin is Raisbeck's 70th domestic dealer. The company also has 24 dealers outside the U.S.
FAA Administrator David Hinson, noting that the passenger facility charge has proved a reliable source of income for large airports, last week said the agency wants to review the existing airport grant system to make it more equitable for small airports.
Despite plans by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to close Meigs Field, a major reliever airport offering easy access to downtown Chicago, FAA Administrator David Hinson indicated that he will not join industry attempts to keep the airport operating.
TWIN COMMANDER AIRCRAFT CORP. will host a University Course for Twin Commander Owners Sept. 12-14 in Snowmass, Colo. The event, which follows a two-day Service Center Symposium, will cover a range of topics including icing, turbulence, radar usage, flight planning maintenance and new products. Representatives from Twin Commander, AlliedSignal, FlightSafety International and other suppliers will be available during the course. For more information, contact Twin Commander at (360) 435-9797.
