Combining the near-instantaneous data retrieval of the Internet with extensive charter/management experience, a Boston-based company has come up with an intriguing alternative to fractional ownership.
The new DHS 150 XEL Heat-Spy from Wahl Instruments offers the ability to take handheld, non-contact temperatures from -26 to 932F, with the aid of laser-sighting. The IR thermometer offers improved accuracy and a dual temperature backlit display with a laser sighting system that produces a bright, easily visible pulsating dot on the target spot. An auto-off/auto-hold feature displays the last reading for six seconds after trigger release, then shuts the unit down automatically to extend battery life.
Embraer has tapped BFGoodrich Aerospace to supply emergency evacuation systems for the ERJ170 and 190 and to provide wheel and brake systems for the ERJ140. BFGoodrich supplies components for other Embraer aircraft.
Embraer has launched the Legacy -- a business jet variant of its 37-seat ERJ-135 regional jet -- with cabin volume as its major selling point. To obtain 3,200-nm range with eight passengers, the Brazilian manufacturer plans to use winglets, extend the ERJ-135's cargo hold to accommodate a 7,000-pound capacity fuel tank and upgrade to the ERJ-145's Rolls-Royce AE3007A1P engines.
Professional Aviation Associates (Atlanta) has named Michael Goggin and Steven Newman as sales representatives for the Atlanta office and Bob Neal as outside sales representative for the south central United States.
Industry veteran Jim Robinson has joined engine giant Pratt&Whitney (P&W) in the newly created position of president, aftermarket services. In his new role, Robinson will head P&W's bid to provide complete, ``nose to tail'' aircraft services and thus carve out a significant chunk of the lucrative maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market. Despite the change, P&W President Louis Chenevert said
Asserting that identifying and correcting mistakes can help reduce the overall accident rate, Flight Safety Foundation Chairman Stuart Matthews called on a congressional committee to protect aviation workers from prosecution when inadvertent errors lead to aircraft accidents. Matthews told members of the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S.
Atlantic Aviation expanded its flight services division with the addition of a Gulfstream III at the Morristown, N.J., facility and a Falcon 50 based in La Jolla, Calif.
Accident investigators are examining whether a lightning strike caused the crash of a Sabreliner 80 flying near Michigan's Upper Peninsula, killing two pilots and injuring two passengers. The aircraft, registered to Colonels Inc. of Tecumseh, Mich., was reportedly cruising at FL 330 when lightning caused the aircraft's electrical systems and engines to malfunction. The airplane crashed about 10 miles west of Ironwood, Mich., while attempting an emergency landing.
BFGoodrich Aerospace has launched a prototype avionics suite for general aviation aircraft, and expects FAA certification in 2002. Called SmartDeck, the suite is a self-contained primary instrument system, which fully integrates an aircraft's primary flight avionics and display equipment. SmartDeck was developed through a joint effort between BFGoodrich and recently acquired, Advanced Creations, Inc, (ACi) of Dayton, Ohio.
Three-four years back, a wealthy executive from the upscale community of Greenwich, Conn., was zitzing along on a United flight. Obviously, he had his snoot in the booze and the flight attendant refused to serve him any more sauce. He then arose from his seat, dropped his trousers and brookies and defecated on the serving cart in front of horrified passengers. Nacherly, on landing he was met at planeside by the fuzz and escorted to the slammer. His penalty for this egregious behavior? Fifty big ones plus paying all the passengers' fares. Fir him, chump change.
President Clinton has named attorney and former White House aide Francisco J. Sanchez as the assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs at the DOT. Until recently a special assistant to the president, Sanchez will be responsible for advising Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater on aviation and international transportation. His appointment is awaiting U.S. Senate hearings and approval. The DOT says it is ``greatly hindered in fulfilling its mission'' without an assistant secretary.
Cutter Aviation has begun limited FBO operations at California's Santa Monica Airport (SMO) and expects to complete new construction at its Phoenix, Deer Valley FBO by December 1. Joe Moss, general manager of Cutter SMO, said it is in the process of obtaining a repair station certificate and wants to acquire fuel services. Even though it is early in Cutter's ``build up'' process, Moss said it was approved for turboprop charter operations through the company's Phoenix headquarters certificate, and is venturing into fractional ownership.
Boeing is buying Jeppesen Sanderson for $1.5 billion from the Tribune Co. The Tribune Co. put the flight information services company on the block earlier this year after merging with Jeppesen parent Times Mirror, saying it wanted to focus on its core broadcasting, publishing and interactive businesses. No changes are planned in Jeppesen management, Boeing officials said, and the company will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the aircraft manufacturer. Jeppesen posted $235 million in revenues in 1999.
Northeast regional carrier Atlantic Coast Airlines has placed firm orders for three additional Bombardier CRJ200s and options for 27 additional CRJs. The carrier currently operates 30 of the aircraft and had 36 others already on order.
Fairchild Dornier (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany) appointed Wolf-Eckard Herholz as senior vice president of customer support, Jurgen Haacker as vice president of customer support and Douglas Nelms as director of editorial services.
Gulfstream is seeking an STC for a new electronic device that brings true ``paperless'' cockpits one step closer to reality. Northstar Technologies' CT-1000 flight deck organizer system combines an approach plate database with a bright moving map display, replacing bulky approach plate binders with just two CD-ROMs. Tom Horne, lead Gulfstream test pilot for the Northstar program, says that unlike other ``electronic flight bags,'' only the Northstar unit will be FAA certified and ``cockpit compliant.''
Signature Flight Services (Orlando) promoted Mary Bullock-Bagosy and James Glock to director of airline sales, reporting to Kevin Worley, president of airline sales.
Trego/Dugan Aviation says it has spent over $1 million on improvements to its FBO at North Platte Regional Airport in Nebraska. Improvements include a new fuel farm, an increase of hangar space to 30,000 square feet and a remodeled passenger terminal.
Mercury Air Group's Maytag Division has been tapped to provide ground support services at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio and the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania.
