Responding to what it calls a ``looming aviation crisis,'' Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) said it will begin offering a bachelor of science degree in air traffic management. School officials say they hope the school will become ``the preeminent source of new air traffic controllers.'' According to ERAU statistics, 80 percent of 14,000 current controllers face forced retirement in the next three years with insufficient new recruits to take their places, while the FAA projects a 64-percent increase in air passengers by 2005.
LOBO Systems is now offering freestanding or mobile-access Stairman platforms in the United States. By utilizing a patented LOBAND clamp, the product can be configured as a trestle system, a workbench, a personnel barrier or a raised floor. Options include wheels to mobilize the structure and OSHA/EC-approved handrails. The system packs away when not in use and can be hand carried. Price: $507 to $975 for kits Lobo Systems Ltd. 29 The Parker Centre Mansfield Road, Derby DE21 4SZ England Phone: +44-1332-299069
Over the past three decades, a variety of automated observation systems have been used to provide data for pilots. The two primary systems found in the present national air-space system are AWOS (Automated Weather Observations System) and ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System). While both were developed in the 1970s and 1980s and provide the same basic data, there are distinct differences.
Applications for Women in Aviation International's (WAI) annual training and educational scholarships are now available at the group's Web site. More than 30 awards will be presented at WAI's annual conference in Reno in March 2001, including CRJ, Learjet 45 and Challenger 604 type ratings, maintenance training scholarships, and other training scholarships and grants in business aviation, general aviation and the airlines. This year, the organization presented more than $460,000 in awards to 39 women.
ARINC has opened a newly expanded office near London's Gatwick Airport to help service its growing network of European clients. The communications system and technology developer is under contract to support Eurocontrol's RVSM program, provide data-link services to SAS and other European carriers, and support airport check-in and other ground-handling systems.
The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) is awarding its 2000 Environmental Achievement Awards to Halifax International Airport Authority and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) for environmental programs that go ``above and beyond regulations.'' ACI-NA selected Halifax for its on-site falconry program that helps reduce bird and wildlife hazards, while LAWA received recognition for its ``strong commitment to clean air in Los Angeles.'' Southwest Florida International Airport received a special award for its wildlife management program, which includes Jet, th
Formula One Grand Prix Racing team owner Eddie Jordan has ordered a new Raytheon Premier I and a Hawker Horizon to support the team's transportation needs. Jordan Grand Prix already operates a Hawker 700.
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings subsidiary Avtech is acquiring Coltech, a Phoenix-based manufacturer of selective calling systems (SELCAL) for airliners and corporate aircraft. According to DeCrane, the Coltech acquisition is a ``natural extension'' to the Avtech product line, which includes aircraft audio control systems, PA and cabin interphones, lighting systems and power conversion devices. Coltech manufacturing is expected to relocate to Avtech's Seattle facility by the end of the year.
Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter underwent extreme temperature testing at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle this summer. In the course of three and one-half weeks of tests, engineers subjected the medium-lift helicopter to temperatures ranging from -40F to +122F to examine engine and system reliability. The tests simulated such weather extremes as blizzards, spending a full day on the ramp in Saudi Arabia, and being left outside overnight in Alaska.
The FAA and avionics makers, trainers and operators have a collective responsibility to set a solid foundation for 21st century air navigation. And meeting that responsibility will require everyone's best thinking. Certainly, it is unrealistic to assume that the transition will be trouble-free or that it will come about overnight.
Safeair has agreed to license its safety cards to Airshow, allowing the inflight entertainment provider to produce digital safety briefings for Airshow 400 and Airshow network users. Dennis Ferguson, Airshow president, says the safety briefings ``add valuable content to Airshow's menu of services.'' The two companies plan to produce and market VHS safety information tapes. Airshow also has unveiled plans for iSYS -- a centralized system for managing cabin amenities including environmental controls, inflight entertainment and inflight e-mail.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge has appointed 18 members to the state's new Aviation Advisory Committee. The group includes representatives of various aviation interests, including airlines, airport management, FBOs, local planning experts and the general public. Regional Airline Association Vice President Scott Fosse is one of two airline industry representatives, Tech Aviation's Frank Paczewski and Jay Stout of Flying Tigers represent general aviation FBOs and Keystone Helicopters' Mike D'Aries is one of four airport representatives.
The FAA has declared its Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) available for VFR flight, recreational boating, surveying and other non-aviation applications. The action follows a 21-day ``stability test'' of the WAAS signal, which demonstrated that the system can safely augment GPS signals without interruption. Raytheon -- lead contractor on the WAAS program -- says measured accuracy during the test was one meter horizontally and two meters vertically, well within the 7.6-meter requirement the FAA had stipulated.
Wood Group Turbopower has named Falcon Crest Aviation Supply an authorized distributor for its PT6 programs. Falcon Crest holds Class I, II and III repair stations licenses and maintains facilities at its Houston headquarters and in San Antonio; Dallas; Lafayette, La.; Atlanta; and Irvine, Calif.
One of the most significant concerns facing aircraft maintenance technicians today is the threat of civil or criminal prosecution in the wake of an aircraft accident. Robert Warren, vice president of the Air Transport Association, said technicians have a reason to be concerned because society expects the judicial system to punish someone when an air accident occurs: ``This places substantial pressure on prosecutors to conduct criminal investigations, find a solution and punish the wrongdoers.''
