Minneapolis-based Fire Combat is offering a new fire-fighting rig for permanent or mobile installation. FlameOut utilizes foam and dry chemical to extinguish fires and to help ensure they stay out. The rig is ideal for use in heliports, hangars and other aviation facilities, and it is particularly helpful where full-size fire engines are impractical or cost-prohibitive. Price: $3,000 to $6,000, varies with application Fire Combat 5500 Lincoln Dr. Minneapolis, Minn. 55436 Phone: (800) 285-3651; Fax: (612) 938-9617
For the first time since 1992, the FAA has received a clean financial audit from the DOT's inspector general. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey says the audit result is a ``tremendous step'' that means FAA finances now meet ``the standards of private industry for fiscal responsibility.'' The scope of the FAA's operations resembles some major industries, with more than 50,000 employees and $25.5 billion in assets.
Air Methods (Denver) -- Maurice L. ``Marty'' Martin has resigned to become a Church pastor. Replacing him as vice president of the company's Air Medical Services Division is Neil Hughes, who also will continue as director of operations.
Consumer-goods giant Procter&Gamble is initiating a corporate shuttle between its Cincinnati headquarters and Brussels, Belgium, with a leased Airbus A320. Ryan International Airlines will operate the four weekly roundtrips, which charter broker FlightTime.com says will save P&G ``a significant portion of its negotiated yearly travel budget,'' while offering travelers ``first-class service and amenities.'' FlightTime.com officials say they're also launching a Product Sharing program to allow companies to lease seats on shared charter aircraft.
Ground has been broken on a new Washington, D.C. area radar facility that will consolidate air traffic formerly managed by four separate Tracons. The new Potomac Tracon will handle traffic for Andrews Air Force Base and Baltimore-Washington International, Dulles and Washington-National airports. FAA officials say the consolidation will result in simplified air routings.
``Act as a reasonably prudent dispatcher, be knowledgeable, and have access to all relevant sources of information,'' aviation attorney Harry Riggs advised schedulers and dispatchers assembled in Las Vegas. One of the most popular sessions at the 2000 NBAA Schedulers&Dispatchers Conference was Riggs' presentation on scheduling and the law.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, will enshrine four new members at its annual gathering this summer. This year's inductees include Buzz Aldrin and Eugene Cernan -- the second and last astronauts, respectively, to walk on the moon; the late test pilot and combat veteran Lt. General Laurence C. Craigle; and Army Air Corps ace Thomas B. McGuire, who was killed in combat during World War II. The enshrinement is scheduled to take place July 15 at the Dayton Convention Center.
The FAA and France's DGAC have awarded Category III certification to Dassault Falcon 900EXs equipped with the Flight Dynamics HGS-2850 Head-up Guidance System. Dassault says three-quarters of 900EX operators have ordered the system, which originally was offered on the Falcon 2000. Dassault pilots and government officials flew more than 1,000 simulated and actual approaches to receive certification.
SimuFlite has introduced a two-hour seminar to help pilots understand the effects of high altitudes and recognize the symptoms and types of altitude sickness. The Aviation Physiology class is one of several in SimuFlite's Advanced Airmanship Program, all of which are free for pilots training at the company's DFW training center.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's undergraduate civil engineering program received Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation.
AirNet Systems (Columbus, Ohio) -- Founder, board chairman and CEO Gerald G. (Jerry) Mercer is relinquishing his CEO position. Current President and COO Joel E. (Joe) Biggerstaff will become CEO in addition to his other responsibili-ties. James Ernest ``Ernie'' Riddle has joined the company's board of directors, and Wynn Peterson has joined the courier operator as vice president of corporate development.
Jet Aviation Singapore is now a Honeywell-authorized TFE731 maintenance service center. Jet also says that its Private Fleet of charter aircraft based in Teterboro; Burbank, Calif.; and Zurich all have been equipped with DVD players, a DVD movie library and Sony noise-canceling headsets.
Now lissen up all you pilots and assorted other aviation types. You wanna know the best place to escape winter? Lemme tell you -- especially if you are considering schlepping off to Florida in January or February, unless 60 degrees is acceptable in Tampa or Fort Lauderdale.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Paul Richfield Hush-Kit Deal Collapses
The United States will proceed with a formal complaint against the European Union (EU) regarding Europe's ongoing efforts to ban the importation of ``hush-kitted'' Stage 2 aircraft. While it appeared that U.S. and EU negotiators had agreed to resolve the dispute, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce David Aaron said eleventh-hour talks with EU Transportation Commissioner Loyola De Palacio failed to reach an agreement.
Regardless of how well-appointed an aircraft is, lengthy or frequent flights can test the patience and physiology of passengers and crewmembers. JB Research says that its new Relaxor massage seating will make flights more comfortable and leave travelers more relaxed and less fatigued.
TAG Aviation (White Plains, N.Y.) -- Ron Silverman is the new director of client services. Leonard Dalton has been promoted to vice president of maintenance operations and standards.
Lufthansa Technik delivered an Airbus A319CJ to the Italian government. The company currently is completing a second A319CJ for delivery to the Italian government later this spring.
Signature Flight Support (Orlando) -- Dean Rush has been promoted to president of its Signature Combs Aircraft Sales division. Robert Gallop is named avionics manager at the company's Las Vegas maintenance center and Thomas Wyman is now avionics manager at Chicago Midway Airport. Paul Wallace is named technical services director at the Birmingham, Ala. maint nance center.
The FAA has submitted a rule for White House Office of Management and Budget review requiring terrain awareness and warnings systems (TAWS) on turbine aircraft with six or more seats. Aircraft operating under FAR Part 91 and Part 135 will be affected by the rule, which the NBAA and other groups opposed on the basis of cost and operational concerns.
