The Air Traffic Control Association urged the Senate not to block the FAA's efforts to outsource flight service stations, as Senate lawmakers began to mark up their versions of Transportation Appropriations legislation. The House included a provision in its version of the bill that would give the FAA no money for the outsourcing contract. The Senate, however, has so far included no such provision in its bill. The differences will eventually have to be resolved in conference committee.
VH-71A is the official designation for the new Lockheed Martin presidential helicopter the military announced on July 12. The VH-71A is derived from the AgustaWestland EH101 multimission helicopter. The first four presidential replacement helicopters put into service will be manufactured at AgustaWestland's plant in Yeovil, England, before production is transferred to the Bell Helicopter facility in Amarillo, Texas. A ``popular'' name for the VH-71A still is under consideration by the U.S. Air Force, which has naming and designating duty for military aerospace vehicles.
A group of Commander owners has purchased Commander Aircraft Corp. from the company's bankruptcy trustee. The bankruptcy court approved the sale to Commander Premier Aircraft Corp. (CPAC), comprising more than 50 owners of Commander models. The acquisition includes the FAA type certificates for the Commander line as well as all jigs, tooling and other manufacturing assets. Under the approved acquisition, CPAC must move the assets, but it has not yet decided where to locate the company. CPAC hopes to begin production in early 2006.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's top-to-bottom review of the agency has been completed and as we go to press, the general aviation organizations are analyzing the available details on the changes that could result. Chertoff, who ordered the review shortly after taking over the DHS from Tom Ridge, has said one likely change would include mandatory standards to upgrade security measures at chemical plants, a decision that would require approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The National Air Transportation Association unveiled a new air charter Safety Management System (SMS) to representatives of approximately 50 aviation businesses at a town hall meeting in Teterboro, N.J., July 11. NATA President James K. Coyne said the system involves five steps to make safety a systematic part of business operations: -- Senior management commitment -- Creation of a comprehensive safety manual customized to each participating business -- Web-based continuing education -- Independent third-party audits
CJ Systems Aviation Group purchased a Learjet 35 to fly medical and executive missions from its Allegheny County Airport facility near Pittsburgh. For air medical missions, the aircraft is fully equipped and includes a LifePort interior and satellite capabilities for ease of communications. If required, a medical team provides specialized care during the flight. With seating for up to eight passengers, the aircraft is also appropriate for organ procurement teams. In addition to flying medical missions, the Learjet can be configured for business travel.
While I appreciate the symbolism of DCA, the fact is that entirely too much time, energy, and attention has been given to the reopening of Reagan Washington National to business aircraft.
Rockwell Collins certified Blue Sky Network's Iridium Satellite phone system as a qualified data channel for its Airshow 4000 moving map and inflight information system. The Blue Sky Network system is also certified for the current fleet of Airshow Network (Genesys) customers. The Blue Sky Network's C-1000A Iridium Satellite phone system enables the delivery of customized news, financial, sports and weather data from Rockwell Collins' Member Service Center to the aircraft.
The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association exchanged opening shots, as the two sides prepared to begin formal contract negotiations. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said the current contract -- signed in 1998 by her predecessor Jane Garvey -- was ``a bad deal'' that cost far too much and restricted the agency's flexibility to adjust overtime and scheduling. But NATCA President John Carr noted that the current contract is Blakey's too, since in 2003 she agreed to extend it for another two years. Formal negotiations were expected to begin July 19.
Business jet operators were involved in 12 accidents during the first half of 2005, including one fatal accident that claimed the lives of eight people; by comparison in the first half of 2004 there were eight accidents, none of which were fatal. Turboprop operators were involved in 21 accidents, eight of which killed 28 passengers and crew. In the first six months of 2004, there were 24 accidents, nine of which claimed 16 lives.
The FAA is seeking about $3 million in civil penalties from Platinum Jet Management of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and from Michael F. Brassington, Platinum's CEO, for alleged violations of FARs during a series of flights in three different Bombardier Challengers. The agency proposed the civil penalties as a result of an investigation that ensued when one of the Challengers was involved in a runway overrun accident at the Teterboro, N.J., Airport (TEB) in February.
General Electric consolidated 11 businesses into six, effective July 5, with the GE Transportation and Aircraft Engines chief moving up to vice chairman. GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt named vice chairmen for three of the newly formed businesses: Dave Calhoun for Infrastructure, Michael Neal for Commercial Financial Services and John Rice for Industrial. Calhoun, 48, was president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines and two years ago, he was tapped to also lead GE Transportation, which combined engines with the rail unit.
BACK Aviation Solutions, East Windsor, N.J. (a Commonwealth Business Media, Inc. company), added Marty Graham and Nicole Rieder to the expanding aviation consulting practice based out of the Washington, D.C., office. As manager of consulting services, Graham brings extensive air cargo expertise to the team, while Rieder, a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will provide analytical support.
The NBAA announced that David W. Almy, senior vice president, marketing and communications, is resigning his post. He will remain associated with the NBAA for a period of time to assist in the transition. ``David has been a significant contributor to NBAA and the business aviation community in his 12 years with the Association,'' NBAA President Ed Bolen said. ``We wish him well in his new endeavors.'' Dan Hubbard, vice president, communications, will assume management of the NBAA's communications programs.
Micro-Surface Finishing Products, Inc., of Wilton, Iowa, introduces Micro-Gloss, all-in-one cleaner and polish for use on bare acrylic and bare or coated polycarbonate. The product complies with ASTM F791 and to U.S. Air Force specification 16K002F (addendum 2) at stress levels of 2,000 and 3,000 psi in both dry and humid conditions. The polish is approved for use on the outside and inside surfaces of F-16 fighter aircraft. Micro-Gloss removes fine scratches, swirls, haze and milkiness from interior and exterior windows. It can be applied by hand or machine.
Thirty-six people were killed in accidents involving U.S. non-airline jet and turboprop operators in the first half of this year -- more than twice the 16 who died in the first six months of 2004, according to data compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. The total number of accidents in the equivalent time periods was roughly the same.
FAA funding has been on top of everyone's minds these days in the Washington aviation realm. NBAA President Ed Bolen calls it ``the everywhere-all-the-time issue.''
Blackhawk Modifications of Waco, Texas, has received Brazilian certification of its Blackhawk XP reengining package for Beech C90, C90A, C90B and E90 King Airs. The modification consists of replacing the twin turboprop's original engines with 750-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135 powerplants. The higher-powered engines allow the aircraft to fly 35 to 55 knots faster and improve takeoff and climb performance, especially from hot-and-high airports.
IRS Notice 2005-45 was intended to provide interim guidance for a tax provision in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 that curbed deductions related to senior-level executive travel for entertainment on company aircraft. The tax provision, which overturned the Sutherland Lumber Appeals Court ruling, was considered a revenue-raiser to pay for other items in the act. But business aviation officials label the IRS interpretation of the notice so overreaching that it may chase away potential new aircraft buyers.
The Aviation Maintenance Technician: Powerplant textbook, now in its second edition, has been updated to reflect current operating procedures and regulations for A&P students and educators. The book meets FAA Part 147 requirements for the powerplant curriculum, and covers reciprocating engines, turbine engines, powerplant auxiliary systems and propellers. The new edition includes full color charts, tables and illustrations throughout, along with an extensive glossary and index. A study guide with answer keys is printed at the end of each chapter.
Bombardier has announced a 100,000-square-foot expansion plan for its service center at Love Field (DAL) in Dallas. Construction will begin this fall and should be completed in about a year. The expansion will include a 52,500-square-foot hangar to accommodate Challenger and Global Express aircraft, and another 45,000 square feet of back shops, support and office space. The new buildings will house about 125 full-time employees, a number that could grow to nearly 200 over the next five years.
The Securaplane DVR-01 is an airborne qualified digital video recorder designed for integration with Securaplane's Aircraft Electronic Security Systems and/or as a stand-alone DVR for airborne video recording applications such as flight test or cabin security. The DVR-01 is equipped with a wavelet compression engine that allows up to six hours of high-resolution NTSC video to be digitally stored. Users can configure compression and frame rate parameters.
Raytheon Aircraft Services (RAS), Wichita, appointed Tony Marlow general manager of its Van Nuys, Calif., facility. Marlow will assume responsibility for overall management and operations for the FBO including fuel, maintenance, avionics, refurbishment and modifications. Most recently, he served in the areas of marketing and operations for Raytheon Travel Air and Flight Options.
For anyone associated with Business & Commercial Aviation, 81 Boulevard Gouvion Saint-Cyr was a good place to be on the evening of Sunday, June 12. That's the address of Le Meridien Etoile hotel in Paris and it was there on that evening that the winners of the Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards were announced. The awards are based on the quality of research and investigation, originality and style of the entries.
