Cessna Aircraft awarded Parker Aerospace Control Systems Division a contract to supply a hybrid fly-by-wire flight control system for the new Model 850 Citation Columbus aircraft. The Columbus will be the first member of the Citation line to be equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control system. Parker Aerospace will supply the primary and secondary flight controls, including roll, pitch and yaw axes; high lift; stabilizer trim; and speed brake controls.
Joined JetCorp Technical Services as regional sales manager, East. Schriber will be based in the Boston area. Formerly regional sales manager for Jet Aviation, Schriber also has held positions with Senior Aerospace, Dassault Falcon and CAMP Systems.
AVIATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP (ATG) last week said it is continuing to pursue short-term and long-term options to renew development of the Javelin. ATG suspended development in December and laid off most of its employees (BA, Dec. 3/251). "The efforts of the [ATG] Board are now focused on negotiations with interested parties pursuing a possible sale or a majority buyout of ATG," the company said, adding, "The general plan in this regard is to ask for best and final offer bids from prospective buyers to reach ATG within the next few weeks.
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL was selected to provide standard avionics for MD Helicopters production aircraft, including the MD 600N, MD 520N, MD 530F and MD 500E. The avionics will include Garmin's GMA 347 audio panel, GNS 430W GPS/NAV/COM, SL 40 NAV/COM transceiver, and GTX 328 Mode S Transponder. The panel will also include Garmin's GI 106 course deviation indicator (CDI).
SUNCOR ENERGY INC., a North American developer of oil sands, placed the first Challenger 890 corporate shuttle into service. The company will use the aircraft to transport employees between its headquarters in Calgary and Fort McMurray, Alberta. Suncor also operates a Challenger 850 shuttle. The 890 can seat up to 90 passengers, fly at speeds up to Mach 0.82 and has a 2,038-nautical-mile range with 52 passengers.
GUARDIAN MOBILITY CORPORATION was named a distributor for Flightcell avionics products, including the Flightcell DZM satellite tracking system, throughout North America. The panel-mounted DZM connects to satellite or cellular phones to provide voice communications to the cockpit and to passengers. The system integrates GPS tracking functions, transmitting aircraft positions.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is expected to announce two new business jet aircraft programs this year, with official word on at least one of those airplanes possible this week.
Macquarie Infrastructure Co. (MIC) reported a net loss of $52.1 million in 2007, despite big increases in revenue for the nation's largest owner of fixed-base operations.
Was named a turbine engine services technical representative at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Neb., where he will specialize in the Honeywell engine line. Heier began his career as a maintenance technician in the U.S. Air Force working on F-15 fighters. He joined Duncan in 2000 and was promoted to a team leader position within a year. "Shane brings a lot of knowledge and expertise to this position," said Joe Stokey, manager of turbine engine services for Duncan.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who ordered the dark-of-night destruction five years ago of Meigs Field - the city's lakefront general aviation airport (BA, April 7, 2003/153) - is now trying to privatize close-in Midway Airport. The city last month issued a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) from companies wanting to participate in the privatization program. The city's plan for Midway is part of an FAA pilot program that allows five airports in the U.S. to be leased to private operators.
PRESIDENT BUSH Thursday signed into law legislation that will extend FAA's authorization and the existing aviation excise taxes through June 30 (BA, Feb. 18/72). The legislation, H.R.5270, also renews FAA's airports contract spending authority, which expired at the end of 2007, freeing up Airport Improvement Program dollars. Bush's signature came one day before the agency's authorization was due to expire.
BOMBARDIER named Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek in Battle Creek, Mich., and Midcoast Aviation, in Cahokia, Ill. as authorized service facilities for the Challenger 300 business jet. The Canadian manufacturer has delivered more than 100 Challenger 300s to U.S. operators. Bombardier has a worldwide service network of 45 facilities that offer 24/7 aircraft-on-ground support, scheduled and unscheduled warranty and maintenance service.
FAA ESTIMATES that more than 100,000 aircraft currently listed on the agency's Aircraft Registry will not be eligible for registration under the provisions of proposed regulations published last week (BA, Feb. 25/81). In addition, owners of aircraft on the Registry would have to update their registrations every three years - even if there have been no changes in the information. See article on Page 96.
WILSON AIR CENTER signed an agreement for Tunica Air Group to offer a range of maintenance services to customers at Wilson Air Center's facility at Memphis International Airport. Tunica Air Group will operate in a 16,000-square-foot hangar at the Wilson facility and provide on-call as well as scheduled maintenance. A group of six FedEx mechanics formed Tunica Air Group in September 2006, and the operation since has grown to 16 employees. Tunica is based out of a 20,000-square-foot hangar in Tunica, Miss.
THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION said it sees few benefits of the ADS-B proposal, which would mandate certain equipment on all aircraft operating above 10,000-feet mean sea level or in Class A, B and C airspace. AOPA added that it has "identified several major concerns with the proposal," including the costs of the avionics. The comment period for the proposal ends today (March 3).
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0179; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-367-AD] - This proposed AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by Transport Canada Civil Aviation, would require revising the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
NATIONAIR AVIATION INSURANCE teamed with the Parade of Pistons series of regional aircraft expositions. The Parade of Pistons includes a tour featuring a variety of piston aircraft - ranging from high-performance models to light-sport aircraft - at various locations around the country. The expos also will include participation by aviation finance specialists, an aircraft brokerage firm, aviation tax advisors and NationAir aircraft insurance specialists.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION joined forces with the International Air Transport Association to address a growing global shortage of skilled aviation personnel. FSF will join IATA's Training and Qualification Initiative (ITQI) governing board and will participate in project management. The ITQI also will include the International Civil Aviation Organization and other industry stakeholders.
ALENIA AERONAUTICA, part of the ATR consortium, received a contract from the Italian Coast Guard to supply a third ATR 42MP Surveyor aircraft in basic configuration. A subsequent contract will cover integration and installation of special mission equipment systems. The installation will be carried out by Alenia Aeronautica's Alenia Aeronavali subsidiary. The aircraft will be delivered in 2010, joining a fleet of two other ATR 42MPs in service with the Coast Guard.
March 10-11 - Federal Aviation Administration, 33rd Annual Aviation Forecast Conference, Washington, D.C. Contact Linda Baranovics at (202) 267-5370; or e-mail [email protected] March 10-12 - Flight Safety Foundation 20th European Aviation Safety Seminar - EASS, Bucharest, Romania; Contact FSF at (703) 739-6700 March 13-15 - Aeronautical Repair Station Association, Annual Repair Symposium, Washington, D.C.; Contact ARSA at (703) 739-9543
Was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing at TIMCO in Greensboro, N.C. where he will have responsibility for both the TIMCO Aerosystems and Brice Manufacturing Co. brands. Before his promotion, Luedeke was director of sales and marketing for TIMCO Aerosystems. He previously worked at AIM Aviation where he was manager of business development.
EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0194; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-263-AD] - This proposed rule would require revising the "Airworthiness Limitations" section of the "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness" to incorporate new maintenance tasks that are intended to eliminate ignition sources in the fuel system. This proposed AD resulted from an MCAI originated by the aviation authority of Brazil. The FAA estimates that this proposal would affect 37 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S. operators a total of $2,960, or $80 per airplane.
Rejoined JDA Aviation Technology Solutions as chief operating officer. Rioux, who served as executive vice president of JDA from 1998 to 2000, most recently was president of IDEA, an e-commerce and data warehouse service provider. JDA is a Washington, D.C.-based aviation industry consultant specializing in certification and operations-related services and products for new entrant carriers.
