Chief executive officers at major corporations received a record-breaking $20 million in compensation last year, 531 times the average blue-collar worker's pay. Source: AFL-CIO
A federal judge has eliminated a key judicial barrier that had previously blocked efforts to ban the operations of Stage 2 jet aircraft at Florida's Naples Municipal Airport (APF). The August 8 ruling by Judge Gregory A. Presnell granted the city's request for summary judgment, while upholding the Naples Airport Authority's ``anti-aircraft'' position on nearly every issue.
A California company is introducing a regional fractional ownership program that promises no monthly management fees and prices far below the more-established fractionals. Calling itself ``the affordable fractional,'' Modesto, Calif.-based West Coast Jet Corp. is offering shares in used Raytheon King Air 200s and Learjet 55s for a $25,000 and $55,000 deposit, respectively.
Online auction site eBay has created an aviation section. A longtime source of aviation supplies, aircraft and memorabilia, eBay has now concentrated aviation-related items in one section, which covers everything from airline safety cards and barf bags to business jets. Tyler Jet and aircdraftdealer.com are sponsors of the new area. Recent listings included a 1975 King Air C90, various Cessna Citations, a Lockheed JetStar 731, and a Gulfstream II. Certain novelty aircraft also were for sale in the section, such as John F.
It's important to map out an approach to dealing with fatigue before it becomes an issue in the cockpit. As part of your plan for fighting fatigue, consider the following: Watch out -- Watch your captain or copilot for signs of fatigue, and take appropriate action when the symptoms become apparent. Typical symptoms include multiple eye blinks, extended eye blinks, yawning, drooping eyelids and head nodding.
In an effort to boost its TFE731 engine overhaul capabilities, Signature Flight Support parent BBA has completed its acquisition of the Barrett Turbine Engine Co. (BTEC). Headquartered in Augusta, Ga., Barrett specializes in services concerning the operation, maintenance and improvements to Honeywell TFE731 and TPE331 engines. BBA Aviation North America President and CEO Bruce Van Allen said BTEC founder/President Bill Barrett and Vice President Russell Cathey will remain in charge of the operation, and BTEC will retain its brand name.
The Legacy comes loaded with a Primus 1000 avionics package, featuring five large-format CRTs. The base system includes dual LASEREF IV, dual FMS with approach-certified GPS, dual Primus II C/N/S radio systems, dual DADCs, dual GPS-synched chronometers, CVR, FDR, TCAS and TAWS, Primus 880 Doppler turbulence detection weather radar, HF with SELCAL, single-channel CAT II autopilot and Smiths Industries Integrated Standby Instrument System.
Flight attendants who want to learn more about ionizing radiation and the efforts of the Airline Flight Attendant Association (AFA) to control their exposure to radiation should log on to www.afanet.org/cosmicradiation.htm. Click on AFA HOME and you'll find links, contacts numbers and chat rooms.
By David Collogan Senate Moves to Protect Meigs Field
The U.S. Senate has approved a measure designed to protect Chicago-area reliever airports, including embattled Meigs Field. The measure, introduced by Sens. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), was included as an amendment to the fiscal 2002 transportation appropriations bill, which passed by voice vote in early August after a week-long, contentious debate over Mexican trucking.
The Ultra-Hardtop P1 Plus is a one-drum containment unit with a convenient ``roll-top'' cover. The tall headspace above the drum permits the use of drum pumps or conical funnels. Constructed out of polyethylene, the locker will not rust or corrode. The unit is designed for forklift operations, and its 64-gallon capacity meets the Environmental Protection Agency's container storage regulations. An optional five-wheeled dolly is available. Price: Call for pricing UltraTech International 9454-9 Philips Hwy.
Production workers at the larger U.S. aircraft plants earned an average of $1,027 per week in 2001, compared with $656 per week in 1990. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Is it vital that you stay ahead of the ever-changing aircraft market? If so, a Forecast International Market Intelligence Service subscription may be right for you. The services are available in three formats: monthly binder service, quarterly CD-ROM and daily real-time service. Each report features market segment insights, long-range forecasts, statistical spreadsheets, contract information and worldwide distribution.
The U.S. Customs Service has proposed extending indefinitely the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) program, which allows U.S.- and Canadian-registered private aircraft to clear Customs by telephone. The proposal also would standardize and modify the agency's border overflight program, which exempts ``qualified'' general aviation aircraft from certain requirements mandated during the fight against drug smuggling.
Flight and duty time regulations are a point of contention between pilots, operators and the regulatory agencies. Pilots have long felt that the current regulations are inadequate to ensure sufficient rest. While the regulatory eight-hour rest period within the preceding 24 hours might sound sufficient at face value, in reality it comes up woefully short of providing the rest pilots need to function in a safe manner.
Four regional teams participating in NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program will pursue advances in flight control and systems automation, synthetic vision and improvements in air traffic procedures. NASA selected the four teams in July, toward the goal of combining ``smart'' airplanes and ``smart'' airports to make small aircraft easier and safer to fly, while allowing greater use of small airports.
Air Wisconsin reached a tentative agreement with its pilots in the early-morning hours of August 12 -- narrowly averting a strike. The pilots, who had been without a contract for two years, would have been free to strike that day -- the conclusion of a 30-day cooling-off period ordered by the National Mediation Board. The Board imposed the cooling-off period after the Air Line Pilots Association declined contract arbitration in July.
Landing and rollout maneuvers seem to present the most challenges to business- and corporate-turbine aircraft crews -- at least that's what the insurance and accident statistics show year after year.
The U.S. Senate is considering a fiscal 2002 transportation appropriations bill that provides more than full funding for FAA operations and calls on the agency to boost its inspector staff and promote general aviation safety initiatives. The Senate bill would give the FAA $13.26 billion in fiscal 2002, including $6.92 billion for operations, compared with the Bush administration request for $6.87 billion.
Delta Air Lines joined American Airlines in ruling out the possibility of entering the fractional aircraft market, but Delta Chairman Leo Mullin expressed a desire to slowly grow its business jet charter business, Comair Jet Express (CJE). Mullin told B/CA affiliate Aviation Daily that he has ``zero intention'' of seeking a niche in business aviation ``in the way United is pursuing'' the market.
The Legacy's A1P engines, rated at 7,426 pounds of thrust for normal takeoff (ISA+30C), have an 8,169-pound-thrust rating for one-engine-inoperative conditions (ISA+19C). For operators, that translates into full rated thrust up to 113F (45C) at sea level. The A1E engines' high-altitude thrust output is robust -- 2,053 pounds at 40,000 feet (ISA) uninstalled.
The good news for Legacy maintainers is that the ERJ-135LR is an MSG-3 (Maintenance Steering Group 3) airplane. And as with all aircraft manufactured under MSG-3 requirements, operator input and field response helped mold its design to accommodate economic and functional issues. By building on its engineering experience with the ERJ-135 and ERJ-145, Embraer can enhance the Legacy's reliability and maintainability, just as Boeing did when it developed the BBJ.
In an effort to improve aviation safety in developing countries, ICAO and the government of Singapore have created a joint aviation training program. The ICAO-Singapore Developing Country Training Programme includes coursework in flight safety, safety oversight, navigation systems and civil aviation management. The Singapore Aviation Academy is conducting the classes, which range from four days to three weeks in length, through mid-2003. Further information is available online at www.icao.org.
An industry working group has asked for more time to draft recommendations for a new rule governing extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) in U.S. airspace. A year ago, the FAA tasked the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee with developing an ETOPS proposal for both FAR Part 135 and Part 121 operations by June.
If you think the `big sky theory' is a viable option,'' Air Routing Inter-national Director of Training Services Dave Stohr said, ``think again -- you ain't the only one out there.''
Ibis Aerospace is creating a worldwide dealer network for its proposed Ae270 single-engine turboprop. Initial North American distributors include Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation; Elliott Aviation of Moline, Ill.; Stevens Aviation of Greenville, S.C.; and Ontario, Canada-based Field Aviation Sales. Ibis claims 51 orders for the Ae270, worth over $100 million.
