Vancouver, B.C.-based Mercury Scheduling Systems, Inc. has developed a new entry-level crew planning package for Windows 95 and NT. The new NOVA-Lite builds on Mercury's DOS predecessor, Northstar. The new package features multiple Windows user interface and online help. NOVA-Lite is designed to meet the needs of smaller airlines with 250 flightcrews or less. It provides crew planners with tools to maintain flight plans, construct pairings and publish rosters.

Professional Flight Management (PFM) and Pensacola, Fla.'s Advanced Aviation Services International, Inc. (AASII) have teamed up to cross-promote and market each others' products and services. Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based PFM has selected AASII's maintenance management software to interface with PFM's flight operations programs. Both organizations will maintain their own identities, and will be exhibiting together at the NBAA convention in October.

The economy is doing fine and flight hours are up significantly. Therefore, business aircraft operators that are planning on major maintenance, interior and paint work should schedule their appointments now for work to be performed three to five months from now. That's the word from shops we contacted.