Silverhawk Aviation at Lincoln (Neb.) Airport (LNK), joins Air BP's dealer network through Valley Oil Co. Silverhawk said it was the area's newest full-service FBO and charter operator. The FBO offers light jet, turboprop and piston aircraft maintenance as well as avionics sales and services.
After years of double-digit premium reductions, corporate aircraft insurance rates are rising and are expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future. ``We're undergoing a market correction,'' says Larry Colton, director of general aviation underwriting at Associated Aviation Underwriters (AAU), explaining that insurance companies are trying to reverse a 50- to 60-percent rate ``erosion'' since rate-cutting began more than five years ago.
With the ink still wet on the Bombardier-Skyjet deal, eJets.com has launched an online booking service. Offering real-time availability and pricing, eJets says it has agreements with more than 160 operators representing over 1,000 charter aircraft. Customers can book and pay for charters on-line, or via telephone with eJets' concierge service. Company founder and President Rick Robinson says charters booked through eJets will initially cost the same as booking direct, with eJets' profit coming from the spread between the wholesale and retail cost of the aircraft.
B/CA is at its best when the magazine helps you do your job better. Most often, our coverage tends to delve deeply into operational issues -- for example, information on threats to flight safety and methods for combating those threats. But the reality today is that the successful flight department manager must be more than an operations expert.
If you were around for the 1999 Salary Survey, you'll recall comments about the double-digit increases most aviation professionals were receiving. In this year's survey you're going to see some dramatically different results. The broad-stroke product of this year's review shows that while wages are rising in a few areas, the rate is certainly beginning to slow and is definitely showing a downward trend in terms of total compensation.
The FAA says a ground-based inerting system needs development, which would require pumping of nitrogen into aircraft fuel tanks, reducing oxygen from the vapor space. That recommendation, and 40 new Airworthiness Directives targeting ignition sources, arose from the crash of TWA Flight 800 in July 1996. The FAA said the system will cost $1.6 billion over 13 years to implement. The recommendations were based on a flammability model created by the FAA, with ground-based inerting showing the best results.
Avidyne's FlightMax family has introduced enhanced versions of the FlightMax 440 and 740 radar indicators. Now known as the FlightMax 450 and 750, both units offer terrain base maps, pilot selectable map overlay capability, the ability to display data from multiple sensors simultaneously and an optional interface to Honeywell's EGPWS. Avidyne says the new capabilities allow pilots to enjoy many of the same benefits of an integrated glass cockpit.
Lawrence H. Brinker joins as vice president and general counsel. Brinker formerly was vice president of administration and general counsel at AirTran Airways. Jorge L. Mont joins as vice president of marketing and sales from AAR Engine Sales and Leasing.
Since their inception, maintenance cost control programs have grown from basic engine parts insurance to full-blown maintenance department protection programs. Originally, coverage was limited to ``off the rack'' plans with few options. Today's operators can choose customized programs with cross protection between providers. If you want to protect it, someone probably will cover it for a price.
Garrett Aviation named David Miller as vice president and general manager of the Jet Center at Santa Barbara, Calif. In addition, Geoff Hunt was appointed as the general manager of ElectroSonics and Ava Sumpter is customer coordinator for the CJ610 and CF700 engine programs at the Houston facility. Garrett Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Co., and provides maintenance for corporate aircraft and support for Honeywell and GE engines.
Australia's airlines are experiencing heightened government oversight in the wake of a fatal air taxi crash and a safety audit by ICAO. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plans to hire 12 new inspectors, including four who will focus on foreign airlines serving Australia.
John Williams has resigned from his post at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., but will remain in charge of commercial development until September. John Edney is named acting managing director of Stewart while the search for a permanent director continues.
Five staff members have been named to serve as liaison between customers and the company's sales scheduling and training services department: Deborah Blackburn for Dassault and Westwind clients, Jennifer Jennings for Raytheon, Amy Lichtenberg for Cessna, Angela Miller for Gulfstream and Johnene Vardiman for Bombardier.
The FAA has rescinded an Airworthiness Directive requiring placement of fuel tank warning placards on numerous Beech piston-engine aircraft. Originally intended to prevent fuel starvation incidents caused by improper positioning of the fuel tank selector, the agency concluded that the issue was an operational one and not an unsafe condition as outlined in the FARs. The AOPA had vigorously opposed the AD, claiming that the overuse of placards to solve operational problems diminishes the value of placards used for actual unsafe conditions.
Cessna and Honeywell plan to launch on-line services -- Cessna's CPDXpress and Honeywell's Maintenance Programs and E-Engines -- late this summer and in early 2001, respectively. The programs were announced at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in New Orleans. CPDXpress is an online spares management and warrantee system that provides automatic e-mail re-sponse and real-time tracking on parts, orders and claims. System access is available to retail customers and authorized service stations with a login account and password.
Floorpath lighting adds an extra safety margin to help passengers and crew in the event of an emergency evacuation. Now STG Aerospace is offering SafTGlo, a photoluminescent floorpath lighting system approved by the FAA and CAA. ``Photoluminescence'' means that no power supply is needed -- SafeTGlo emits a strong light after an initial ``charge'' in ambient light. The system will operate in complete darkness for more than 12 hours, requires minimal maintenance and already is in use on more than 1,500 aircraft worldwide. Price: Varies by aircraft
David E. Newell received the Verne Lowe Award for outstanding contributions to aviation safety and product development. Newell is director of corporate aviation and travel for VF Corp. of Greensboro, N.C.
Continental Express dispatchers have ratified a new, four-year labor contract after seven months of negotiations between the Houston-based airline and the Transport Workers Union. John Weaver, ConEx's director of system control, said the pact provides the dispatchers with improved pay and benefits.
CHC Helicopter has completed the sale of Lufttransport A/S, a Norwegian fixed wing and helicopter air ambulance service, for $14.3 million CDN. The sale is part of the helicopter giant's previously announced plans to sell non-core assets and reduce the company's debt. CHC recently raised funds in a private offering, also to repay or refinance some of its outstanding loans. In June, CHC said it is considering a management buyout of its Canadian Helicopter Eastern and Western divisions. CHC operates more than 300 aircraft, focusing mainly on offshore oil and gas support.
Mercury Air Group is expanding again with the planned acquisition of the Raytheon Aircraft Services' (RAS) FBO in Birmingham, Ala. Mercury COO John Enticknap says the facility will continue as a Raytheon Authorized Service Center for Beech Bonanzas through King Airs and no management or staff changes are planned. The Birmingham facility is the sixth RAS FBO Mercury has acquired in the past four years. According to Enticknap, Mercury plans to continue acquiring FBOs that fit into the company's geographical and operational requirements.
Cessna's Citation CJ2 received FAA type certification and a production certificate in late June. Launched at the NBAA convention in 1998, the CJ2 is Cessna's third aircraft to receive type certification this year, following the Citation Encore in April and the CJ1 in February. The CJ2 features Collins' Pro Line 21 avionics suite, Williams FJ44-2C engines, 10-percent more wing area and a 35-inch fuselage plug. Three CJ2s will begin customer demos in the fall, and customer deliveries are slated to begin later this year.
Operators who face ``emergency'' revocation of their pilot and/or operating certificates may have the right to appeal to the NTSB if an interim rule is written into law. The change is an offshoot of the recently passed AIR-21 legislation, which redefines some aspects of the FAA/NTSB relationship. In the past, ``revocees'' retained the right to appeal for NTSB review of their cases, but not in instances of emergency revocation. The NTSB will accept comments on the issue until August 10.
The Clinton administration's goal of reducing the commercial aviation accident rate 80 percent by 2007 remains the FAA's top priority, though the new administration that takes power in January 2001 could send the agency in new directions. The cornerstone of the current initiative is the Safer Skies agenda, an effort to address the root causes of the majority of fatal aircraft accidents. At the top of the list are Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), approach and landing accidents, uncontained engine failures and runway incursions.
