Earl Robinson, chief of new entrant manufacturer Alliance Aircraft, says his company is exploring production of a 35- to 50-seat regional jet. The aircraft will be of low wing configuration with two wing-mounted engines, he says, and a ``double-bubble'' fuselage allowing a below-floor baggage compartment. ``We're finding a second leg of that smaller RJ market beginning in 2004,'' he said.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Paul Richfield, in New York
Photograph: Cessna CEO Gary Hay Cessna, TAG Launch Fractional Cessna Aircraft and charter provider TAG Aviation are teaming on a new jet aircraft fractional ownership business that targets the lower end of the market. Called CitationShares, the new joint venture represents a $20 million investment by the two principals, and will offer a mix of Citation Bravos and CJ1 CitationJets to customers primarily east of the Mississippi River.
John McCain seems intent on being the aviation industry's hair shirt. Other than the Fourth of July (when the government always stages a heckuva pyrotechnic display near the Washington Monument), it's difficult to predict when the fireworks are liable to go off in official Washington. But while the timing is iffy, you can generally count on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to be at the scene of the loudest explosions.
Government regulators say the anticipated benefits of the FAA's planned Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) may no longer outweigh the program's mounting costs. In recent hearings, the House Subcommittee on Aviation said WAAS is now nearly three years behind its original schedule, and is still several years away from meeting its Phase I contract goals.
Roger Rose, president of International Pilot Services and an NBAA International Operations Committee region leader, advises pilots engaged in international operations to closely monitor the following global hot spots:
BAE Systems North America is planning to acquire Lockheed Martin's Aerospace Electronics Systems (AES) for $1.67 billion. AES, which manufactures space and defense electronics systems, comprises three units: New Hampshire-based Sanders, New York-based Fairchild, and Space Electronics and Communication of Virginia. BAE's bid reportedly bested Northrop Grumman's by $100 million. The deal is expected to face some opposition on Capitol Hill, since BAE North America's parent company is foreign-owned and AES's primary customers include the three branches of the U.S.
Inflight entertainment provider Airshow has signed NASCAR champion and general aviation pilot Rusty Wallace as a celebrity spokesman. Wallace, who owns a Beech King Air and Learjet 31A, will appear in advertising and make personal appearances at aviation events for Airshow. Both of Wallace's aircraft are equipped with Airshow entertainment and cabin information systems.
Ronson Aviation, Inc., located at Trenton-Mercer Airport in Trenton, N.J., has appointed Carl A. Barrows as service operations manager. The maintenance, parts and avionics departments are under his direct supervision. Ronson is an FBO offering aircraft sales, charters, hangar facilities, avionics and refueling.
Chevron is now the sole avgas and jet fuel supplier for Mercury Air Group's 18 FBOs under a new agreement the two companies signed in July. John L. Enticknap, Mercury Air Centers' chief operating officer, said the agreement gives Mercury ``a competitively priced fueling program'' with ``unified fuel standards and availability.'' The agreement also entitles Mercury to joint marketing with Chevron at trade shows and other events, plus additional airport fire protection (FAR Part 139) training for Mercury's technicians.
Perhaps Fletcher Aldredge, the Shawnee Mission, Kan., publisher of the VREF Market Leader newsletter, best summarized the feelings of most of those involved in buying and selling previously owned business airplanes: ``The used aircraft market is poised at a crossroads.''
AeroCaribe Flight 7831, a BAE Systems Jetstream 32, crashed in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas on July 8, killing all 19 people aboard. The cause of the crash is unknown, though Mexican authorities are said to be reviewing the aircraft's flight data recorders. Local news accounts say the crash occurred shortly after the pilots reported a route deviation due to bad weather. The twin turboprop reportedly was en route from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco state.
Honeywell's new Bendix/King KGP 560 has received FAA TSO approval, making it the first Class B terrain avoidance and warning system (TAWS) to reach the marketplace. The Pilatus PC-12 will receive the initial STC for the $9,250 unit, and the installation will serve as a basis for follow-on STCs and Form 337 approvals for other aircraft types.
No, B/CA is not turning into an office supply catalog, but the MONO Dry Highlighter is a welcome, inexpensive cockpit tool. What distinguishes this highlighter from most others is that it, as the names implies, applies dry and is easily erasable. So if you need to temporarily highlight charts, maps, clearances or other items -- and don't want the mess that comes with other products -- the MONO Dry Highlighter may be your solution. It's available at many stationery stores and major office supply stores such as Office Depot, Office Max and Staples.
Airlines and corporate operators that use a ``secret knock'' to tell pilots to open the cockpit door may want to consider another procedure, as irate passengers have broken the code.
Kolwave's Airmaster provides welcome relief to summer's high heat and humidity. With sizes ranging from 10,000 BTUH to 65,000 BTUH, the units provide instant cooling in cockpits, passenger cabins and hangars. Airmaster is self-contained, portable and economical -- more effective than closing your window shades and pulling a curtain across the entry door -- and allows operators to keep the APU turned off until flight time. Price: $4,000 to $12,000 Koldwave 260 N. Elm St. Westfield, Mass. 01085 Phone: (413) 564-5520
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is currently expanding its VIP center in Hamburg, requiring 120 new employees by the end of 2001. A total of five XXL class jets are scheduled for delivery this year, with six to eight more in 2001. LHT estimates sales for this year will approach 150 million-DM. The new employees needed are mechanics, avionics technicians and engineers.
The FAA is offering airmen an opportunity to remove their names from public databases. The agency had planned to discontinue access to the lists in 1999, much to the chagrin of aviation marketers. The passage of AIR-21, however, scuttled the FAA's plan to eliminate public disclosure of the database, although airmen's individual written requests for privacy will be honored.
GAMA President Ed Bolen recently testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee in favor of continued Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) funding. Bolen said WAAS would provide vertical guidance, decrease the number of accidents, improve the utility of aircraft, make air service more reliable to small communities and ensure that we use airspace in the most effective manner. The Subcommittee did focus on the cost overruns, but Bolen said recent tests have shown ``better than anticipated'' accuracy of the WAAS signal. (See page 34 for a related story.)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's annual Industry/Career Expo is scheduled for November 1 and 2 at the institution's Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, helps companies recruit for a variety of aerospace jobs, including flight crews, maintenance, management, engineering and computers. Planned exhibitors this year include Gulfstream, Boeing and Signature Flight Support, as well as numerous airlines and other airframe and component manufacturers.
The DOT in June ordered 20 business jet charter operators listed on the Skyjet.com flight reservation Web site to justify their authority to ``hold out to the public'' (i.e., ``fly for hire'' or otherwise act in the capacity of a commercial operator). Each of the operators received a letter from the DOT's assistant general counsel for aviation enforcement and proceedings, a copy of which was obtained by B/CA.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) selected Sandel's SN3308 electronic horizontal situation indicators (EHSI) as the primary navigation instrument for two of its new Eurocopter AS350-B2s. The Vista, Calif.-based avionics company has firm orders to equip six additional Eurocopters with the SN-3308. Using a three-inch display, the EHSI is designed to combine the functions of an HSI, remote magnetic indicator (RMI), moving map, marker beacon, and GPS.
Gulfstream Aerospace has introduced several initiatives to ``improve and enhance'' its interaction with customers. Announced at the manufacturer's annual operators workshop, the programs include assignment of a single point-of-contact at Gulfstream for each customer, an e-business initiative, improved reception and visit coordination, safety and security enhancements, and customized Web sites. Gulfstream President Bill Boisture says the new programs are helping to ``open the lines of communication and provide greater access to information.''
Worldwide Flight Services has begun providing ground service at Vancouver International Airport. First customer for the service provider is WestJet Airlines.
