Robinson R44 operators can increase their helicopters' utility with a new agricultural spray system from Apollo Helicopter Systems, a division of Airwolf Filter. Derived from an earlier system for Robinson R22s, the DTM-4 can cover 300 acres per hour in a lightweight system that's both fast to fill and easy to install. With an installation and removal time of only 15 minutes and tank refilling time of under 30 seconds, Apollo says the system offers greater productivity than other spraying platforms. Price: $16,000 Apollo Helicopter Systems
The FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) for operators of Socata TBM 700, Mitsubishi MU2B, Twin Commander 600 series, GAF Nomad and Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante aircraft equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. The AD, which affects approximately 1,500 aircraft, directs flight crews to activate deicing boots at the first sign of ice or upon alert from the aircraft's ice detection system. This action is a follow-on to previous ADs resulting from the fatal 1997 crash of a Comair Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia near Monroe, Mich.
Mesa Air Group has placed a firm order for 36 new Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets, plus 64 options convertible into the smaller (37-seat) ERJ-135. At least 28 of the new aircraft will fly under US Airways Express colors, under an expanded code-share agreement signed in late 1999. Mesa also is expected to fly some of the 50-seat jets under its America West Express code-share. ERJ-145 deliveries are slated to begin over the next several months and continue through late 2002.
The runway at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is closing temporarily for construction. Taxiway A will operate as the airport's temporary runway from April 17 to May 27 during daylight hours only. The airport will be closed during the evening and its ILS system will be unavailable at all times during the closure. Non-precision approaches will be limited to Category A and B circling minimums only.
Litton Industries is selling its Weather Services International (WSI) subsidiary to privately held Landmark Communications for $120 million. WSI, which supplies aviation weather briefings under a service known as PILOTBrief, as well as weather forecasting for other industries, will remain in suburban Boston under current President Mark Gildersleeve. Landmark owns the Weather Channel, two television stations and other media interests, and is a WSI customer.
Saying it's a ``serious and continuing problem,'' Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), chairman of the House Appropriations transportation subcommittee, has called for the FAA and NTSB to convene a National Summit Conference on Runway Incursions.
Swiss regional Crossair sold its sole Saab 340 simulator to Pan Am International Flight Academy to make room for a new Embraer ERJ-145 simulator. Crossair is replacing its Saab 340 fleet with the Embraer RJs over the next two years and says it will use the simulator at the SAS Academy in Stockholm for training, as needed. The carrier also is expanding its Basel, Switzerland training center to accommodate as many as four flight simulators.
Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport (BWG) in Bowling Green, Ky., plans to unveil its new airport terminal building and newly expanded ramp area this month. The 10,000-square-foot terminal will have 120 parking spaces and up to 60 aircraft tiedowns, compared with the 80 parking spaces and 21 tiedowns offered now. According to airport President and CEO Cornelius Martin, the construction was funded through the public and private sectors.
Socata rolled out the first TB20 Trinidad Generation Two (GT) at its plant in Tarbes, France on February 2, to coincide with French certification of the four/five-seat piston single. The GT package includes a larger one-piece canopy, flush-mounted windows, a new fin strake, upturned wingtips, a larger baggage door, rear seat headrests and a new fuel tank door.
Mercury Air Center plans to dedicate its new FBO facility at Burbank Airport (BUR) in California on March 10. The culmination of several years of planning and construction, the design incorporates a new terminal, a new hangar and more than one-half million square feet of ramp space.
In an effort to correct alleged ``deficiencies'' in the training of corporate operators on the use of software-based aircraft systems, the Flight Safety Foundation's (FSF) corporate advisory committee has recommended new standards for operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Thunder Aviation NA acquired Ozark Aircraft Radio. Both are to be based at Thunder's facilities at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) in Chesterfield, Mo.
United Technologies Corp., Honeywell and software company I@ Technologies are teaming up to create Myaircraft.com, an e-commerce site to sell aircraft products and services on the Web. The partners say services planned for the new site include supply chain management, auction capabilities, and access to technical experts and online technical publications. The initial phase of Myaircraft.com is expected to launch this spring. New York-based Supplyview.com also says it is entering the Web-based aviation parts business.
Western Airways, a Houston-based charter operator, is consolidating its operations at Sugar Land Municipal Airport (SGR). The move will see more than 20 aircraft relocated to SGR from other Houston-area airports and the construction of a 27,000-square-foot hangar and office complex on the east side of the field. Phillip W. Savko, SGR's aviation director, said Western Airways' $1.2 million project is ``consistent with other large operations on the airfield, and follows the airport's business plan adopted last year.''
The recommendations of the Fractional Ownership Advisory Rulemaking Committee were undergoing final revisions as B/CA went to press, and the committee's product -- said to run some 30,000 words -- was expected to be delivered to the FAA by February 25, according to FOARC Chairman Jim Christiansen. The committee has asked the FAA to give the suggested regulatory changes contained in its recommendations high priority, and Christiansen said he hopes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be published by the end of this month.
Pontiac, Mich.-based Aerodynamics, Inc. (ADI) has added 17,000 square feet to its aircraft interior shop. Now totaling 44,000 square feet, the facility can accommodate up to five Gulfstream-class aircraft at once. ADI, which has been in business for more than 40 years, performs interior modifications on Gulfstreams, Hawkers and Falcons, and has been a Raytheon service center for more than three decades.
Valley Oil Co. of Salem, Ore., is promoting an array of FBO services as VASI (Value Added Service Innovations). VASI includes marketing and advertising support, discounted legal services, line service training, regional seminars and quality assurance programs. For more information, contact Robin Hilliker at (888) 633-4334.
BFGoodrich's Skywatch Traffic Advisory System has received STC for installation on the Bell 206B JetRanger. Skywatch, which is designed for general aviation aircraft, tracks up to 30 nearby transponder-equipped aircraft using ``TCAS-like symbology,'' according to the manufacturer. Installation requires a single antenna with a standard top-mount or optional bottom-mount.
GAMA reported that 1999 was the fifth consecutive year of increases in new aircraft deliveries and predicted continued growth this year. Turbofan deliveries grew 23.9 percent, followed by a 14.3-percent increase in multiengine pistons and a nearly 14-percent rise in single-engine pistons. Turboprop deliveries were down 2.6 percent -- the only segment to experience a decrease. In all, more than 2,500 new aircraft were delivered in 1999.
The FAA plans to award Cessna Aircraft a contract to develop ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) as an alternative to 100LL aviation fuel. The Cessna program would augment the FAA's long-term unleaded avgas development program, which aims to have a ``new specification'' for high-octane unleaded aviation gasoline by 2003.
Responding to a petition from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the FAA agreed to exempt certain local sightseeing flights from drug and alcohol testing requirements. The exemption applies to flights operated by NATA members for charity and community events operated in day VFR conditions no farther than 25 sm from the point of origination. Pilots must have a minimum of 200 hours, cannot fly in more than four such events per year and must submit to an alcohol and drug briefing from the event sponsor.
Developer Sheltair Orlando has agreed to lease nearly nine acres of land at the Orlando Airport, to be used as the site of the new Avstar Completion Center. Located in the Tradeport area next to the existing AirTran hangar, the center will include a 67,000-square-foot hangar facility, a 26,000-square-foot office and warehouse space. Completion of the hangar is planned for late summer.
