J. RANDALL REINHARDT was elected chairman of the U.S. Aerobatic Foundation. Reinhardt, a trial lawyer based in Paris, Ky., has been on USAF's board of trustees since 1994 and in 1992 was team manager for the World Aerobatic Championships.
JET AND PROPJET 2001, a corporate aircraft directory that provides ownership information on thousands of business jets and business turboprops, was published this month by AvCom International. The latest volume of the annual paperback provides information on 23,000 aircraft operating in the U.S. and around the world, including more than 12,500 jets. The 400-plus page edition includes information on more than 200 aircraft models and derivatives built by more than 40 manufacturers The book also lists aircraft written off or otherwise withdrawn from service.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION alerted members that the U.S. Customs Service increased its fees to $43.50 for fingerprinting airport employees that access Federal Inspection Services (FIS) areas of an airport. The fingerprint identification is part of the criminal history background check required for aviation services employees who have unescorted access to the Customs FIS areas.
SevenBar, a Dallas-based aviation company, is launching a new fractional aircraft ownership program to serve customers in the Southwest. SevenBar's Ascend program will offer shares in used Beech King Air B200 turboprops initially, adding shares in Sino Swearingen SJ30-2 entry-level jets when those become available in 2002. The new venture will be based at SevenBar's Love Field headquarters. Cost of a one-eighth share (the minimum commitment) in a B200 is $287,500, with a monthly management fee of $6,000 and a fee of $850 per occupied hour.
FAA's efforts to make headway against the soaring incidence of runway incursions have been hampered by poor follow-through due to a lack of stable and consistent management, Transportation Inspector General Kenneth Mead testified last week. Runway incursions last year jumped nearly one-third to a record 429 from 322 in 1999.
Gulfstream Aerospace, which announced plans in October for a longer-range Gulfstream G-V business jet, has begun modifying a standard aircraft for use in the development and test program.
Aviation leaders last week were relieved that the Bush Administration appeared willing to craft a budget for the Federal Aviation Administration that includes full funding for capital expenses. The Office of Management and Budget indicated it would back off plans to recommend a fiscal 2002 FAA budget some $568 million shy of funding levels that Congress authorized in its comprehensive aviation legislation, AIR-21.
Model Galaxy airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-14-AD; Amendment 39-12102; AD 2001-03-01) - requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to advise of the proper operation of the main entry door. This action is necessary to prevent the main entry door from jamming, which could impede the safe evacuation of passengers and crew during an emergency. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. The rule is effective Feb. 20, but comments will be accepted until March 5.
THE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL, tasked with overseeing FAA's operations, will meet Thursday and Friday with several industry representatives to discuss FAA's cost/benefit analysis process for rulemakings. Industry groups have frequently criticized FAA cost/benefit analyses, saying that they consistently underestimate the true costs of rules. The MAC also is expected to look at some of the agency's oversight activities, such as advisory circulars.
President Bush announced his intention to nominate a former Transportation Department chief of staff as DOT's deputy secretary. The White House said Michael Jackson, currently a vice president and general manager for business development at Lockheed Martin IMS, will be nominated for the No. 2 post at DOT. If confirmed by the Senate, Jackson would be working for DOT Secretary Norman Mineta, the former California congressman who also worked at Lockheed Martin after leaving Congress in 1995.
Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics announced formation of General Dynamics Aviation Services, a new aircraft service organization designed to meet the maintenance needs of a broad range of business jet operators.
DUNCAN AVIATION was awarded supplemental type certifications to install a Universal Avionics terrain avoidance warning system (TAWS) on a Learjet 35A and a Honeywell CAS-67 airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS II)/traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS II) on a Gulfstream IV. The TAWS installation, which displays on the Universal MFD-640, accepts GPS position information from the UNS-1C flight management display to prevent controlled flight into terrain.
Models PW306A and PW306B turbofan engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-51-AD; Amendment 39-12103; AD 2001-03-02) - requires removing compressor rotor 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stage drum assemblies and impellers from service before exceeding new, lower cyclic life limits. This amendment is prompted by the results of test analyses that indicate certain compressor rotor 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stage drum assemblies and impellers could fail before the published life limit.
Canadian manufacturer CAE reached agreement with BAE Systems-North America to buy that company's Flight Simulation and Training unit for $80 million (U.S.). BAE Flight Simulation and Training, based in Tampa, Fla., was formerly known as Reflectone. It manufactures transport and helicopter simulation equipment and provides training and support services for both commercial and military customers. The Tampa unit has nearly 800 employees and posted revenues of approximately $80 million for the year ended Dec. 31.
HONEYWELL was selected to supply its Mark XXII helicopter enhanced ground proximity warning system, Bendix/King KMD 850 multi-function displays and KTA 870 traffic advisory system for the Maryland State Police Aviation Division fleet of 12 Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters. Installation of the avionics equipment is expected to begin within 60 days.
KRIS ZIEGLER joined CitationShares as regional sales manager, based in Minneapolis. Ziegler previously held a technical sales position with Network Instruments and has five years of business aircraft sales experience.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT Charter&Management (RACM) added 32 aircraft to its fleet last year and currently has 77 aircraft on its charter certificate. RACM, a little more than a year old, added a 10-passenger Challenger 600 based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a 12-passenger Falcon 900 in Sacramento, Calif., to accommodate international trips and transcontinental missions. The fleet also includes Beechjets, Citations, Diamond Jets, Hawkers, King Airs and Learjets.
ERROL FARR was appointed account manager for military and government programs in BFGoodrich Company's Avionics and Lighting Systems Division. Farr spent seven years as an Army aviator flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter and also has fixed-wing and instrument ratings.
FAIRCHILD DORNIER said the orderbook for the 328JET stands at 232 orders and options following the finalization of an order from Atlantic Coast Holdings, Inc., parent company of Atlantic Coast Airlines and ACJet. That order includes 32 328JETs for the United Express operation of Atlantic Coast Airlines, 30 328JETs for Delta Connection carrier ACJet and 83 options that can be assigned to either carrier. ACJet currently operates 14 328JETs, with the remaining 16 to be delivered this year.
NATIONAL AIR TRASPORTATION ASSOCIATION asked FAA to clarify a proposal on life-limited parts to ensure that it does not cover routine removal and re-installation of parts. The request came as part of the association's comments on FAA's proposed new standards for marking, storing and securing life-limited parts. FAA issued the proposal at the behest of Congress, which sought to control the handling of parts that reached their mandatory life limits. NATA worries that the proposal was so vague that it could have a more far-reaching effect than intended.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION this week is launching a tour of its "100 Most Needed" airports. NATA President James Coyne will host town hall meetings beginning today at Naples, Daytona Beach and Vero Beach, Fla., as well as a stop for a round-table discussion in St. Petersburg. NATA devised its list to stress the importance of strengthening the nation's system of general aviation reliever airports (BA, Jan. 1/4).
JET AVIATION BASEL, which began outfitting Dassault Falcon business jets with VIP interiors in 1996, recently delivered the 25th Falcon to go through its facility for completion. The aircraft, a Falcon 900, was flown to Jet Aviation in May for completion. Jet Aviation began completing about five Falcons a year but has increased that number to 12.
