Corrosion is the undesired removal of metal -- its destruction -- through chemical and electrochemical processes. It takes many forms, but the result is the same: loss of material and, therefore, loss of the original design aerodynamic and structural properties. The process is most colorfully defined in The Random House Dictionary as ``a gnawing away.'' Similarly, it defines corrode as ``to eat away gradually as if by gnawing, especially by chemical action.'' The electrolytic or galvanic action that occurs is similar to what takes place
The FAA has approved Stewart New York International Airport's (SWF) request to continue collecting a $3 passenger facility charge (PFC) through November 2003. Stewart's authority to collect the fees was set to expire on December 31, 1999. The PFC is expected to raise about $4.6 million, which will be applied to capital improvement projects at the airport, including rehabilitation of Runway 9/27, glycol collection and expansion of the north cargo ramp. Approximately 20 corporate aircraft are based at Stewart, which is located about 60 miles north of New York City.
Frustrated with waiting months for Avionics Displays Corp. (ADC) to deliver its flat-panel displays, Tucson-based Universal Avionics Systems Corp. (UASC) bought the company. Over the past two years, Norcross, Ga.-based ADC's development and production assets were stretched thin by long-term projects, delaying UASC's new family of LCD flat-panel displays for more than 12 months.
Nearly two years after its inception, the leasing venture between Gulfstream Aerospace and GATX Leasing has delivered its first aircraft, a new G-IVSP, into operational service with an unnamed U.S. corporation. In addition to the G-IVSP, the Gulfstream Lease program includes five G-Vs, with delivery of the first G-V planned for late this year. The program retains options on six more aircraft, with delivery dates between 2001 and 2004.
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has chosen Dallas as the site of its 2001 International Convention and Trade Show and Palm Springs, Calif., for its annual meeting in 2002. The Dallas show is scheduled for April 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency Reunion, while the Palm Springs show is set for April 24-26 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This year's AEA convention will take place in Reno, Nev., from May 7 to 11.
Sun Air Aviation at Southern California's Camarillo Airport (CMA) plans to operate newly acquired Camarillo Electronics as its avionics sales and service division. Camarillo Electronics was one of the largest avionics shops in the region; former owner James Straka will stay on with Sun Air as chief avionics engineer. ``We feel quite fortunate to have Jim Straka and his expertise in avionics involved in this new operation,'' says Harry Gantner, Sun Air's president.
Aviation and marine fuel dealer World Fuel Services is selling International Petroleum, the company's oil recycling business, to EarthCare Co. for $33 million in cash and stock. World Fuel serves small to midsize air carriers at over 1,000 locations worldwide and provides flight planning, ground handling and other services to business aviation through its Baseops subsidiary.
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings acquired Denton, Texas, aircraft interior manufacturer The Infinity Partners. Infinity supplies and installs components for Bombardier Challenger 604 and Global Express aircraft undergoing completion at the OEM's Tucson completion center.
The NTSB recommended that the FAA and other federal agencies review how certain medications affect flying performance and communicate that information to pilots. Citing the examples of two pilots incapacitated by permissible drugs -- one resulting in a fatality, the other not -- the agency said criteria should be established for the safe use of ``medically required substances not on the DOT's list of approved medications'' while flying.
The tables above show results of a fuel price survey of U.S. fuel suppliers performed in December 1999. This survey was conducted by Aviation Research Group/U.S. (ARG/US) and reflects prices reported from FBOs nationwide. Prices are full retail and include all taxes and fees. For additional information, contact ARG/US at (513) 247-1010 or on the internet at www.aviationresearch.com.
Fairchild Aerospace has sold its Merlin Express subsidiary to Corporate Air of Billings, Mont., and also is looking to divest Gen-Aero and AVSAT -- its two FBOs in San Antonio. Included in the acquisition are 12 Fairchild Metro IIIs and six new Metro 23s, while Corporate retains options on four additional Metro 23s. Some details have yet to be finalized, but the deal is expected to close this month.
Widespread fuel contamination has led Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ground thousands of piston-engine aircraft and a smaller number of turbine aircraft, pending further study. According to CASA, 100/130 avgas (green) produced at Mobil Australia's Altona, Victoria refinery contains a corrosion inhibitor that fouls aircraft fuel systems and could lead to engine failure.
The FAA has approved the Gulfstream V for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) operations. RVSM lowers vertical separation to 1,000 feet for aircraft flying between FL 310 and FL 390, allowing airliners and long-range business jets greater flexibility in flight planning. Separately, Gulfstream recently began construction of a 23,000-square-foot hangar, plus the lease of an additional 20,000-square-foot hangar at its completion center in Brunswick, Ga.
Transportation Safety Institute's 2000 Schedule Aircraft Accident Investigation (6 1/2 class days, $1,261 per person) February 16-25 March 14-22 April 11-19 May 16-24 June 6-14 July 18-26 July 27-August 4 August 6-16 September 13-21 Human Factors in Accident Investigation (3 1/2 class days, $735 per person) February 8-11 April 25-28 July 11-14 August 22-25
Regional start-up The Fair, Inc. plans to become Japan's first Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) operator later this year. The carrier intends to add four CRJs to its fleet: two from a European operator this year, with orders for two new aircraft, scheduled for delivery in 2002. All Nippon Airways (ANA) will provide operational and technical support to new entrant carrier The Fair, which plans to serve ``business-oriented routes'' with the new aircraft.
No greater impetus was given to the rise of business aircraft ownership than the perversities of rail and airline travel during World War II when business travel was a nightmarish experience. For that matter, all travel was a disaster. Troop movements within the USA took up all available railway passenger cars. I don't know who got all the good stuff, such as Pullman cars, but it was not the USMC squadron to which I was attached. A trip from the East Coast to West Coast in cars that previously transported cattle was our lot.
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) presented its annual ``Salute to Excellence'' awards at Heli-Expo 2000 in Las Vegas. Winners included: AMT Paul James McKenzie, repair specialist Morris V. Lynch, EMS pilot Mark L. Hohstadt, CFI Edward Lonell ``Lon'' Wimberley, and pilot Daniel Elwain Tyler. Other honorees included AgRotors pilots John ``Jay'' Allison, Gary B. Dahlen, Victor E. Gray, Daniel J. Riley, Bonnie Wilkens, the Turkish Armed Forces and RedStar Helicopter Association for humanitarian service; Liberty Helicopters and its president, Alvin S.
FlightSafety International (Flushing, N.Y.) -- Rudy Toering has been promoted to managing director, European sales based at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. June Spencer joins the European sales team as U.K. sales manager, from the training organization's Houston Learning Center. Lidia Rudd is named product marketing manager at the Paris center.
Production of the ubiquitous Fairchild Metroliner is coming to a close after three decades, more than 600 airframes delivered and countless ringing eardrums. Derisive nicknames like ``San Antonio sewer pipe'' and ``death dart'' aside, the Metro became one of the most popular and reliable twin turboprops ever to see service. Though no longer a top-billed star in the United States, Metros maintain a presence around the world, in both civil and military roles.
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) is conducting a six-month test of TransSecure, a new security system that uses ``iris-recognition'' to verify employees' identities. As part of the test, around 100 CLT employees will have a digital photo taken of their eyes, which will be crosschecked whenever they attempt to pass through security checkpoints. Contractor Spring Technologies of Falls Church, Va., says the system is more accurate than other ID verification methods, with widespread use in banking and retail, and at sporting events.
Nine people were killed in two separate crashes in December 1999 -- one of business aviation's safest years ever. On December 9, a Cessna CitationJet crashed into a hillside near Branson, Miss., in IMC, killing the two pilots and four passengers. Three days later, an IAI Westwind carrying two pilots and Seattle businessman Peter La Haye, Sr. crashed near Gouldsboro, Pa., while en route from Boeing Field in Seattle on a nonstop flight to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.
