DB Aviation has added a second new Cessna Citation Excel and a Citation 500 series to its charter fleet. The Waukegan, Ill., operator now has seven Citations in its fleet .
Commutair Chairman Andy Price has been elected chairman of the Regional Airline Association, succeeding SkyWest President and CEO Jerry Atkin. Other officers elected at the group's fall membership meeting include Atlantic Coast Airlines President Tom Moore to vice chairman, Atlantic Southeast Airlines' Skip Barnette to treasurer and Cape Air's Dan Wolfe, who was re-elected as secretary.
Two of the largest manufacturers of GPSes have added DME waypoints to their electronic databases. The change will enable pilots to use IFR-certified GPS in lieu of DME on all instrument approach procedures that require DME, including localizer, localizer back course and ILS approaches. The AOPA says it first petitioned for use of GPS in lieu of DME five years ago. Limited approval was granted in 1998, but ``some localizer-type approaches were excluded,'' the group says.
A U.S. Air Force (Lockheed) C-130H struck a mountain ridge during departure from Jackson Hole Airport (KJAC) in Jackson, Wy., on August 17, 1996 just before 2300 local time. The aircraft, carrying one of the U.S. Secret Service's presidential communications limos, was destroyed, and eight crewmembers and one Secret Service agent were killed. According to the U.S. Air Force Accident Investigation Board as reported by the Flight Safety Foundation, ``The crash of Havoc 58 [the call sign for the flight] was caused by crew error.
Showalter Flying Services has opened a new $1.8 million FBO facility at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) designed after the airport's original 1950s terminal and control tower structure. With more than 230,000 flights into ORL over the past 12 months, Showalter said it has fueled 86 percent of transient and 50 percent of the base customers for that period, and it expects a significant increase in customers with the opening of this facility. The company also has plans to increase base customers by adding 15,000- and 10,000-square-foot hangars in 12 to 15 months.
SimuFlite Training International is offering enhanced Internet services to its clients. Services include Personal Web Centers, where clients can make travel plans, review training records and register online for classes. The site also offers online technical publications, emergency procedures recall drills, and access to discounted merchandise and services through the GE Marketplace .
Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano is continuing to oppose a 5:59 a.m. Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) departure from New York's Westchester County Airport (HPN) that violates the airport's voluntary curfew. Although four other airlines also violate the ban, ASA's early-morning Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) departure to Atlanta is the first to have been added since Spano took office in 1998.
FlightSafety International has been granted Level D certification from the FAA for its Falcon 2000 and 900EX simulators. The simulators will be used at the new Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) learning center, which FlightSafety said will be one of its largest training centers with 16 simulators.
Florida-based Heico, one of the largest non-OEM suppliers of jet engine parts, has attacked General Electric and Pratt&Whitney, the two largest OEM suppliers, for advocating tougher federal regulation of non-OEM suppliers. The outcome of the dispute -- which has gone to the FAA for review -- could have a far-reaching impact on the relationship between the government, aircraft parts suppliers and their customers.
General Electric's proposed $45 billion acquisition of Honeywell is likely to give the combined company's products a tighter grip on both the business and regional aviation markets.
The Air Line Pilots Association has launched a study of ``scope rules,'' which define the relationship between its members and the airlines they work for. The hottest issues are likely to be regional jets and flow-through hiring agreements with regional subsidiaries.
Skyfish.com has proven that big-ticket items can be sold online. The aerospace supply-chain Web site recently sold a 1982 Piper Cheyenne in an online auction. Skyfish executives say that 35 qualified bidders registered for the auction, with five actually bidding on the Cheyenne. The final selling price as well as the identities of the buyer and seller were not disclosed. An unusual feature, Skyfish officials say, was an opportunity to inspect the aircraft logbooks online, allowing prospective buyers to see ``exactly what they're getting'' before bidding.
Raytheon says that the first Hawker Horizon prototype is continuing to take shape at the manufacturer's Wichita factory. In recent weeks the three carbon-composite fuselage sections were joined together, as was the aircraft's vertical stabilizer. First flight of the Horizon is planned for first quarter 2001.
FACTS Training International is set to introduce a new emergency procedures simulator this month, designed to prepare flight crews and passengers for emergencies in a variety of corporate jets. Features of the new simulator -- known as FACTS-VI -- include: a full cockpit; authentic aircraft interior; Boeing BBJ, Challenger, Falcon and Gulfstream window exits; and increased range of motion to realistically simulate turbulence, decompressions, ditching and other inflight events. FACTS-VI is headed to Dallas this month and will begin nationwide training in 2001.
Bombardier President and CEO Robert Brown says the company will launch a new aircraft in 2001, though he declined to say if the new design will be a business jet or regional airliner, or a ``core model'' developed for both roles. Toward this goal, the Montreal-based transportation giant is expected to devote new resources to research and development, though Brown declined to specify how much money would be spent.
FAR Part 91.21 restricts the use of portable electronic devices on any U.S-registered aircraft when operated under IFR, or by any aircraft operated by the holder of an operating certificate, including an airline operating certificate. An exception is made for specific portable electronic devices, as well as devices that the operator/pilot finds will not interfere with the aircraft's systems.
The FAA has named Denver's Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) its Northwest Mountain Regional Facility of the Year for 1999. Criteria for the award include a facility's operational accomplishments, communications, employee development, external relations, resource management and professionalism. According to the FAA, the Denver AFSS's nine flight assists factored into the decision. Activity at the facility ranked 11th of 61 AFSSes nationwide with about 698,000 services.
The Business Jet Center, at Dallas Love Field, has promoted Jason Pons to assistant FBO manager. Jose Sanchez will assume Pons' previous position as line service manager.
