The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) have completed reviewing comments on a proposal (NPA 145-12) that requires all JAA operators to establish a ``maintenance human factors'' program. Final approval is expected by the end this year. ``The proposed changes to JAR 145 were based on industry best practices and it is our policy that an adequate maintenance human factors culture can only flourish if it is supported by an appropriate regulatory change,'' said Jean-Marc Cluzeau, chairman of the JAA human factors working group.
Saab has created a new business unit focusing solely on providing support for the manufacturer's regional aircraft customers. Saab Aviation Services will encompass Saab Aircraft Leasing, Saab Aircraft Customer Support, business jet operator Saab Air and maintenance provider Celsius Aviation Services. Celsius is likely to be sold later in the year. Saab Aviation Services will employ 1,500 people, and the venture is expected to generate annual revenues of $315 million.
The Air Group, Van Nuys, Calif., has named R. Eric Weimar as director of client services at its Denver office. In this position, Weimar is responsible for charter clientele for the Rocky Mountain region.
NOVA Advisory Group International, Manassas, Va., has appointed Douglas Kobayashi senior vice president of maintenance and engineering. Prior to NOVA, Kobayashi served as president and CEO of Dee Howard Aircraft Maintenance.
Airbus and Boeing will participate in Global Aviation Bar Code Forums ``to share their progress and vision for permanent bar code identification [PBCI]'' of aircraft parts and components, Boeing said. PBCI ``is the beginning of true traceability of parts in the industry,'' said Kenneth Porad, program manager of the bar code program at Boeing. The bar code forums will be held in conjunction with Frontline Solutions Expo events set for Amsterdam, The Netherlands in October and Chicago in November.
Sino Swearingen said a group of Taiwanese investors committed ``necessary funds to complete [FAA] certification'' of the SJ30-2 business jet. For additional information about the SJ30-2 program, see page 52.
Canada's CAE will build four regional airliner simulators. Schreiner Aviation Training of the Netherlands has ordered two Fairchild Dornier 328JET simulators. Continental Express also purchased two Embraer ERJ-145 simulators and a flight training device for its Houston training center. The new simulators will be built to conform with FAA and JAA Level D standards, and are expected to be delivered in 2002. Schreiner now has 20 CAE simulators on order.
In case you've been ``cast away'' for the last several years, regional jets (RJs) have come to dominate the regional airline business in the United States and to a lesser extent Europe. If huge orders for new jets characterized 1999, then 2000 saw the market gain clarity with hard choices by the biggest players and the elimination of a few smaller ones.
Bombardier's Global Express won reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) approval from the FAA, European Joint Aviation Authorities and Transport Canada. The approval permits the Global Express to operate in RVSM airspace, which currently is limited to certain tracks over the North Atlantic and Pacific but will eventually extend above the United States. Aircraft can maintain as little as 1,000-foot vertical separations in RVSM airspace, but must demonstrate that they meet stringent equipment and certification standards.
Continental Express and Kent State University have teamed up to create an ab initio pay-for-training program. Beginning in July, Kent State sophomores meeting certain academic and flight qualifications will be accepted into the program, which will prepare them for employment with Continental Express. The training includes a summer internship at the Houston-based carrier's training facility, and graduates are guaranteed an interview with Continental Express for available pilot positions.
The contract to run the United Kingdom's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) part privatization has been won by a consortium called ``The Airline Group,'' and the U.K. government is expected to benefit by about $1.2 billion from the sale. Contracts were signed with the U.K. government in early April and the deal is due to be closed on June 1, subject to European Union merger clearance, which is expected to be unopposed. An accelerated investment program of $1.45 billion is planned by the Group through 2007-2008.
Flight Options has contracted with Fleet Capital Leasing to provide financing for its fractional ownership program. Calling the deal ``an additional benefit for our clients,'' Flight Options' Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rich Heckman branded Fleet an ``innovator in the aircraft financing industry.'' Flight Options now claims more than 600 owners of shares in 85 used aircraft including Cessna Citation IIs, IIIs and Vs, Beechjet 400As, Hawker 800s, Falcon 50s, Challenger 601s and Gulfstream IVs, with Fairchild Dornier Envoy 7s on order.
NTSB investigators are continuing to examine the events that led to the fatal crash of a Gulfstream III one mile from Aspen, Colo., Airport (ASE) on March 29. The accident, which killed all 18 crewmembers and passengers aboard, is generating discussion of several issues, including the difficulty of flying into the popular ski resort in deteriorating weather conditions, and night curfew restrictions.
