Omni Energy Services will begin transporting passengers to offshore locations in the Gulf of Mexico beginning in the fourth quarter with two Sikorsky S-76 helicopters the company is acquiring. The Carencro, La.-based helicopter services company recently won FAA approve to transport 10 or more passengers per helicopter. Omni will operate the S-76s from land bases in Texas and Louisiana. "The Sikorsky S-76s will substantially improve our ability to completely service our customers' needs while further improving our revenue base," said Omni CEO James Eckert.
PETE WEST STEPPING DOWN AS NBAA'S LEGISLATIVE LEADER - Pete West, the senior vice president of government and public affairs for the National Business Aviation Association, will leave the organization Nov. 1 following the organization's annual convention.
MIDCOAST WINS DAS AUTHORITY FROM FAA - Midcoast Aviation won approval from FAA to function as an FAA Designated Alteration Station (DAS). As a DAS, Midcoast is authorized to issue supplemental type certificates (STCs), issue special airworthiness certificates for aircraft that are altered under an STC and require flight tests, and amend standard airworthiness certificates for such aircraft.
Ed Bolen, who was wrapping up his tenure as president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association last week, told BA there is still a chance for passage of bonus depreciation legislation this year, but warned that it faces significant obstacles (BA, July 19/25). Timing is critical, because Congress will be in session for only a limited number of days before the November election. Another complicating factor is a $10 billion tobacco buyout provision that has House and Senate conferees on opposite sides.
ECKHARD BREUER was named a sales director for Bombardier Aerospace's business aircraft sales organization in Europe. Breuer, based in Bonn, Germany, will be responsible for sales in Germany and Austria. Breuer has nine years of aerospace marketing experience, most recently as head of sales and marketing at CAE Elektronik GmbH. He succeeds Peter Otto, who is retiring after serving with Bombardier for 18 years.
Transportation Security Administration is teaming with L-3 Communications on a two-month operational test and evaluation of explosives detection systems for "break-bulk" air cargo, which TSA described as small parcels, individual packages and lightweight manufactured components that can be consolidated in a container or on a pallet. The tests will be conducted at airports in Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami, with L-3's eXaminer 6000 EDS machines, which also are used to check baggage.
Flightsafety International's learning center in Long Beach, Calif., won FAA approval for Head-Up Display and Enhanced Vision System training on the Gulfstream IV Level D simulator. The Long Beach center serves as the training facility for Gulfstream pilots and maintenance technicians on the West Coast. FSI plans to add a GV simulator in early 2006. The Long Beach center also houses G II, G III and G IV simulators.
SBA QUESTIONS FAA COST ESTIMATES FOR DRUG-TESTING PROPOSAL - The Federal Aviation Administration's cost estimates for the latest drug- and alcohol-testing proposal are incomplete, and the agency needs to consider the myriad industries that potentially could be drawn into the new requirements before releasing a final rule, the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy told FAA.
AvFab earned a supplemental type certificate and parts manufacturer approval for side-facing divans for the Citation 650. AvFab offers divan kits for divans ranging from one to four places. The kits include installation parts and components, installation directions, diagrams and applicable weight and balance information. Based in Clinton, Mo., AvFab provides custom aircraft seating with STC approvals and serves as a corporate aircraft inspection, repair and overhaul facility.
FAA'S ATO SAFETY CHIEF QUITS TO RETURN TO AIRLINE - James Schear, the veteran airline pilot and naval officer who had been recruited just six months ago to serve as vice president of safety for FAA's new Air Traffic Organization, abruptly resigned Thursday to return to USAirways.
Hundreds of Florida-based aircraft were flown out of the state last week as forecasters continued to predict that Hurricane Frances would smash into the east side of the state sometime over the weekend.
Raytheon Aircraft Services in San Antonio, Texas and Indianapolis, Ind. were named authorized Hawker service centers. RAS said both centers passed an audit to ensure compliance with Raytheon's maintenance standards for Hawker business jets. Nine of the 10 U.S. RAS facilities have received recognition as authorized Hawker service centers along with Hawker Aircraft Services in Little Rock, Ark. and Chester, United Kingdom.
Airbus won a contract from the state carrier Azerbaijan Hava Yollari (AZAL) for three Airbus 319s and one Airbus Corporate Jet. The ACJ will be operated for the Republic of Azerbaijan. The ACJ, which will be outfitted to carry 55 passengers, will be delivered at the end of 2005. The A319s will seat between 114 and 122 passengers and operate on a network between Baku to European capitals and destinations in Asia and the Middle East.
Mercury Air Centers has moved its fixed-base operation to a new location on Los Angeles International Airport. The new site is on the south side of the airport, which is accessible from both the I-105 Freeway and Sepulveda Boulevard, the company said, making it much for convenient for customers driving to the airport.
Gulfstream Aerospace rolled out the 100th Gulfstream G200 business jet last month. Originally known as the Galaxy, the first of the mid-size business jet models was produced in 1997 and certificated in December 1998. Gulfstream purchased Galaxy Aerospace in May 2001. The deal included a firm order from fractional aircraft provider NetJets for 50 G200s and options for another 50. Gulfstream said it has made a number of significant modifications in the past two years, including a newly designed interior and an overall weight reduction of more than 450 pounds.
Stanford Aerospace received FAA approval to operate a repair station based in Antigua. The repair station, slated to open for business by yearend, initially will provide maintenance for Caribbean Star Airlines and Caribbean Sun Airlines, both affiliates of Stanford Financial Group. Stanford expects the facility eventually to provide service for airline, corporate aircraft and other maintenance providers.
ARINC is hoping to build on the success of its SKYLink satellite broadband for business solution with a Commercial SKYLink system for airlines. ARINC unveiled the Ku-band satellite broadband for business jets in 2003, offering an avionics and antenna package. The coverage provides business jet operators two-way broadband connectivity. ARINC has begun discussions with potential airline customers for the commercial service, saying the package will be "smaller, cheaper, lighter and more capable than currently available broadband systems."
FAA PILOT PROGRAM TARGETS TROUBLED AIRPORTS - The Federal Aviation Administration's new pilot program to buy development rights at certain troubled private airports has "substantial potential" since 22 percent of the public-use airports are privately owned, the agency said in a letter outlining the details of the project.
CARLYLE GROUP COMPLETES GARRETT AVIATION PURCHASE - The Carlyle Group completed its acquisition of Garrett Aviation Services from General Electric Company Aug. 27. Frank Klaus, a veteran GE executive who had headed Garrett, was named president and chief executive officer of the newly created joint company of Garrett Aviation Services, Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation and Associated Air Center (BA, July 26/36).
BAE SYSTEMS Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 2003-NM-92-AD; Amendment 39-13762; AD 2004-16-06) - requires replacing the existing digital flight guidance computer(s) (DFGC) with a new or modified DFGC(s). This action is necessary to prevent a premature flare from occurring on approach due to erroneous data being provided to the DFGC(s); and also to prevent uncertainty about autopilot engagement status, which could cause the pilot to apply unneeded force to the control column and possibly result in a runaway condition of the autotrim.
