Strong Rolls-Royce sales helped lead Dallas-based aviation supplier Aviall to a 31 percent jump in net sales in 2000 despite a decline of its Inventory Locator Service income. Net sales in 2000 were $485.9 million, compared with 1999 net sales of $371.9 million. Earnings from continuing operations for the year were $10.6 million, or 58 cents per share, compared with $5.1 million, or 28 cents per share in 1999.
A NEW CABIN AIR filtration system designed to capture and kill biological contaminants is being developed by Donaldson High Purity Products and Environmental Defense Technologies, Inc. The new product, HEPA Plus Air Filtration System with Microban, combines a filter designed specifically for the aviation industry with an additive that inhibits the growth of microorganisms in the filter by penetrating and disrupting their cell walls.
HARVEY TICLO was promoted to eBusiness leader for Garrett Aviation Services. He has 16 years of sales and operations experience, most recently as business development program manager for aircraft and engines for Garrett in Tempe, Ariz. He also was a black belt quality leader for Garrett-Springfield.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION will hold its 26th Annual FAA Commercial Aviation Forecast Conference March 13-14 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. The forecast conference, co-sponsored by Airports Council International-North America, will include an FAA program update by Administrator Jane Garvey; an aviation forecast with John Rodgers, FAA director of aviation policy and plans, and discussions on demand, capacity, noise and pilot shortage issues, among others. For information, contact FAA at (202) 267-9943; fax, (202) 267-3324.
PRIMEDIA has joined the group of companies providing flight tracking software, releasing its AC-U-KWIK Flight Tracker web-based product that will allow fixed-base operators, charter companies and corporate flight departments to monitor inbound and outbound flights through any public airport in the continental U.S. or Canada. The program allows companies to access real-time flight information through the Internet using aircraft tail numbers. Primedia developed AC-U-KWIK Flight Tracker with G.C.R.
ALAN ARNETT was named vice president of Aerospace Products International's logistics and distribution facility in the Philippines. Arnett joined API 11 years ago and has 22 years of airline, international sales, distribution and aircraft maintenance experience.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE delivered the first of 12 new CRJ700 regional airliners Wednesday to Brit Air of Morlaix, France, the first commercial delivery of the new 70-seat aircraft. Bombardier launched the CRJ700 program four years ago with orders, options and memoranda of understanding for 67 aircraft from eight airlines. At the end of January, Bombardier had firm orders for 174 CRJ700s, plus conditional orders and options for another 317 of the 70-seaters from 14 customers on five continents.
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), the ranking T&I Democrat, jointly urged the Bush Administration to send a "strong signal" that transportation is an important part of the agenda with a budget that fully funds aviation and highway programs.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8176 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 145.47(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit VARIG to use the calibration standards of the Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalizacao e Qualidade Industrial (INMETRO) in lieu of the calibration standards of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to test its inspection and test equipment. Grant, Nov. 30, 2000, Exemption No. 6552B
President Clinton, in a recess appointment late last month, added former airport executive and Tampa attorney Arthenia Joyner and Airports Council International-North America President David Plavin to the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council (MAC). Clinton nominated both Plavin and Joyner to the MAC in July, but the Senate failed to confirm the nominations before it adjourned for the year. Neither of the nominations was considered controversial.
FAA Thursday warned the Naples Airport Authority that it "strongly recommends that the NAA refrain from implementing or enforcing the Stage 2 ban" at the Naples, Fla. Municipal Airport until a Part 161 study on the ban is successfully completed. The Stage 2 ban, which is to take effect today, was adopted Nov. 16 even though FAA had not approved NAA's Part 161 study, required by law to justify such action (BA, Nov. 20/231). FAA acknowledged that the authority provided additional information on its study, but said in a Dec.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK'S Hamburg, Germany facility delivered the world's first Boeing 777 equipped with an entirely customized cabin interior. The interior installation began in November 1999 after the aircraft was flown to Hamburg from Boeing's production facility in Seattle, Wash. and was completed last month.
ELLIOTT AVIATON won FAA supplemental type certification approval to install the Collins TCAS-4000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system in all King Air 200, 300 and 350 series turboprops. The Moline, Ill.-based fixed-base operator and aircraft modification firm said the TCAS-4000 is fully upgradable to future "free flight" configuration and is more reliable than first generation Collins TCAS-94 units. The new STC approval covers dual directional antennas, dual TDR-94D Mode S transponders, dual TVI-920 displays and an optional MFD-85C multifunction display.
The Aerospace Industries Association hopes to convince President-elect George W. Bush of the need for a White House-level National Aerospace Council to coordinate U.S. aerospace policy. AIA envisions a commission similar to the old National Space Council, but one that also would handle aeronautics. AIA notes that aerospace policymaking is "fragmented" among at least seven federal agencies and departments, as well as state regulators, airports, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
STAGE III TECHNOLOGIES hopes to begin FAA acoustic flight tests in March, with a supplemental type certificate following later this year, for its Gulfstream II and III Stage 3 hushkit ejector and associated hardware. "Our team of scientists and engineers are quite confident that we have solved the noise problem and that we will pass the Stage 3 noise test in March," said Chairman Todd Stimmel. The huskit would be the first Stage 3 assembly available for older model Gulfstreams.
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL is offering a new digital-to-analog interface adapter, the GAD 42, which will enable communications between Garmin's panel-mount avionics systems and older mechanical or analog systems. GAD 42, which has received technical standard order approval, will provide several interfaces, including: ARINC 407 for course, heading and bearing data; ARINC 561 for GPS-derived time, distance, speed and flight plan display; ARINC 545 for true airspeed; and, RS 422 for Collins compatibility.
SPAR AEROSPACE, which said it believes "that its common shares are undervalued at current market prices based on Spar's current earnings and future prospects," plans to begin repurchasing up to 752,000 shares of its common stock Jan. 2. The repurchase program is scheduled to continue throughout the year. Spar, with approximately 900 employees, specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of military and commercial aircraft.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman James E. Hall, who was reported to be eying a possible Cabinet appointment as Transportation Secretary if Vice President Al Gore had won his bid for president, submitted his resignation to President Clinton Dec. 18. Hall's decision to leave NTSB - effective Jan. 18 - came just five days after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that doomed Gore's chances to win a ballot recount in Florida.
TOWN OF ADDISON, TEXAS and Washington-Staubach Airport Joint Venture named Dave Pearce director and Darci Neuzil assistant director of Addison Airport (ADS). Pearce formerly managed McKinney Municipal Airport (TKI) and Neuzil most recently was responsible for real property planning and development for Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC. will host a Jan. 10 shareholder meeting to vote on its proposed merger into General Electric. Honeywell has agreed to pay GE a $1.35 billion termination fee if its board or shareholders vote down the merger when there is another valid public offer, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Honeywell also granted GE an option to purchase 19.9 percent of its outstanding shares.
Aviation Sales Company sold its Dixie Aerospace Bearings new parts operation to Wencor West, Inc. Dixie Aerospace, based in Atlanta, Ga., employs about three dozen workers and distributes multiple lines of aircraft bearings, carbon seals, sealants, adhesives, lubricants and epoxies. Aviation Sales said it received net aggregate consideration of $17.7 million in the deal inclusive of debt. The net cash proceeds totaled approximately $13.5 million, which was used to reduce outstanding senior debt.
Petitioner: EAA Warbirds of America Squadron 14, Inc. Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 61.63(d)(5) and Part 125 Description of Relief Sought: To permit Squadron 14 pilots to conduct nonstop sightseeing or demonstration flights for compensation or hire within 25 miles of the departure airport in Squadron 14's Douglas DC-3 airplane (Registration No. N2805J, Serial No. 20835) without those pilots having completed the practical test for a DC-3 type rating in actual or simulated instrument conditions.
WHILE DECLINES in some "new economy" enterprises are causing concerns, the CEO expressed hope that any overall economic downturn will be limited in scope. He noted expectations that the Federal Reserve may trim interest rates and plans by President-elect George W. Bush to push a tax cut through Congress, both of which should help stimulate economic activity.
