Advantext's new, CD-ROM-based maintenance tracking and invoicing system is aimed at FBOs and maintenance facilities. The Electronic Billing and Information System (EBis) initiates and tracks work orders, labor hours by employee, parts inventory, billing and customer management, and can produce complete estimates and final billing as soon as the work is completed. EBis was created by Aero-West Specialties and is marketed directly through Advantext. Price: $2,995, single user Advantext 340 Morgantown Rd. Reading, Pa. 19611
Securaplane's airborne video camera systems are designed for inflight entertainment, safety and security. The lightweight systems, which can interface directly with existing Securaplane security systems, provide aerodynamic 360-degree views, and do not require remote boxes. Cameras are available in high-resolution color and monochrome types. Securaplane says the system is designed to fit any airframe. Price: Starts at $8,700 Securaplane 10800 N. Mavinee Dr. Tucson, Ariz. 85737 Phone: (520) 297-0844
For the business aviation community the year 2000 was memorable for its economic solidity and expanding constituency. Aircraft manufacturers are reporting multibillion-dollar backlogs. Fractionals are growing at dizzying rates. Utilization is up across the board. Business aircraft operators are showing excellent returns. All in all, it's been a good year.
Bell/Agusta Aerospace (BAAC) says it will build a commercial tiltrotor training center adjacent to its Alliance Airport headquarters in Fort Worth. The proposed 82,000-square-foot facility will contain two full-motion flight simulators, procedures trainers and classrooms for BA609 customers. BAAC expects as many as 300 student pilots to begin training in 2001. Construction of four prototypes is underway in Texas, with the first flight planned for next August and certification anticipated in 2003. Bell/Agusta claims 80 orders for the BA609.
Photograph: An Air Vegas Beech 99 over the Grand Canyon Air Vegas Determined resistance from air tour operators has led a federal appeals court to postpone by one month the implementation of new Grand Canyon air tour routes the FAA has had in the works for several years. An FAA team was dispatched to Arizona in mid-November to review the new routes, which aim to lessen the noise impact of commercial sightseeing operations, mainly in the canyon's busy eastern gorge. Due to go in effect on December 1, the changes were deferred until the end of that month.
Remember, when you were a little kid, that sense of excitement that percolated through you as Christmas approached? And remember how time seemed to almost stand still for a couple of weeks beginning in mid-December? How it was almost unbearable to wait for the Big Day to arrive, particularly those years when there was one big special present -- a bicycle, or a new baseball glove or maybe even a remote-controlled airplane -- that you really really wanted, but didn't know whether you'd receive?
Sporty's is now offering the Cross-Country Checklist, a booklet that pro- vides step-by-step checklists starting with a preflight weather briefing through flight-plan filing. The booklet includes six multi-page checklists, one for each trip. Sporty's said even though the checklist was designed for the VFR pilot, it also is useful for IFR flight. Price: $9.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop Clermont County Airport Batavia, Ohio 45103-9747 Phone: (800) LIFTOFF Fax: (513) 735-9200 www.sportys.com
Skyfish.com has proven that big-ticket items can be sold online. The aerospace supply-chain Web site recently sold a 1982 Piper Cheyenne in an online auction. Skyfish executives say that 35 qualified bidders registered for the auction, with five actually bidding on the Cheyenne. The final selling price as well as the identities of the buyer and seller were not disclosed. An unusual feature, Skyfish officials say, was an opportunity to inspect the aircraft logbooks online, allowing prospective buyers to see ``exactly what they're getting'' before bidding.
Controllers at the Shanwick Oceanic Area Control Centre have warned jet operators against abusing an apparent loophole in the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) approval process. A ``great number'' of aircraft routinely file for RVSM flight levels with non-RVSM-approved aircraft, the controllers allege, by claiming their flights are ``mercy or humanitarian'' missions exempt from Europe's new RVSM requirements.
Sikorsky has sold two S-70A Firehawk helicopters to Los Angeles County. Due for delivery in early 2001, the helicopters will be equipped for fire fighting and paramedic uses .
Olympus Industrial Products' Eye-Trek system enables remote inspection display in an eyeglass format. Eye-Trek is compatible with Olympus portable inspection systems and allows the user to perform inspections regardless of light conditions. The glasses incorporate a ``free-shaped prism'' that allows an optically eccentric surface to be produced within the face-mounted display. Eye-Trek glasses weigh 3.9 ounces and require a 200- to 240-VAC, 50/60 Hz adapter. Price: $990 Olympus Industrial Products Group 2 Corporate Center Dr.
Ranger Jet Center, Kissimmee, Fla., has named Judy Bennett to the position of flight support operations manager. Judy started her career in 1971 as a flight attendant for American Airlines and has eight years of experience in ground transportation services.
Adam Aircraft was scheduled to move into a new 50,000-square-foot research and development and manufacturing facility for the proposed M-309 twin-turboprop on December 1. The Englewood, Colo., manufacturer says the M-309's proof-of-concept aircraft is still flying and will be relocated to the new facility while development of the aircraft progresses.
Windsor Airmotive Asia has received approval by Pratt&Whitney to repair PW4000 high-pressure compressor inner rear cases. The Windsor Airmotive division, a business unit of Barnes Aerospace, performs non-destructive testing and welded repairs for turbine engines.
Showalter Flying Services has opened a new $1.8 million FBO facility at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) designed after the airport's original 1950s terminal and control tower structure. With more than 230,000 flights into ORL over the past 12 months, Showalter said it has fueled 86 percent of transient and 50 percent of the base customers for that period, and it expects a significant increase in customers with the opening of this facility. The company also has plans to increase base customers by adding 15,000- and 10,000-square-foot hangars in 12 to 15 months.
FAR Part 91.21 restricts the use of portable electronic devices on any U.S-registered aircraft when operated under IFR, or by any aircraft operated by the holder of an operating certificate, including an airline operating certificate. An exception is made for specific portable electronic devices, as well as devices that the operator/pilot finds will not interfere with the aircraft's systems.
Bombardier Aerospace will partner with Execujet Aviation Group to open a 28,000-square-foot maintenance facility in summer 2001 in Dubai. The joint venture expands on Execujet's existing relationship with the manufacturer; Execujet provides operational support for Flexjets' European operations and is a Bombardier distributor in Southern Africa. Bombardier's Robin Gillespie says the Dubai location will help provide a better infrastructure for business jet operators in the Middle East and improve the service turnaround for Middle East business jet operators.
SAS Commuter temporarily grounded its fleet of Dash 8 Q400s in late October after mechanical problems led to several emergency landings; the aircraft are now back in service. Sources say a false cargo compartment smoke alarm led to one incident; a clogged drainage hole with resulting pitot-tube failure allegedly caused another. The Q400 is the new, 70-seat version of the Dash 8 -- SAS Commuter has received nine of the 25 it has ordered.
American Eagle, the regional subsidiary of American Airlines, began offering all-jet service from its Chicago O'Hare hub in November. All O'Hare flights are now operated using Embraer ERJ-135 and 145 aircraft, which passengers now board through covered jetbridges. The carrier formerly operated a mixed fleet of turboprops and jets in Chicago. American Eagle still operates extensive Saab 340, ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop service at its Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Juan, Puerto Rico hubs.
ExxonMobil will consolidate its lubricant business in Europe but will continue to market both the Esso and Mobil brands. The integration follows the recent regulatory approvals to dissolve the Mobil-BP joint venture. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., the new global aviation lubricants team is managed by Margaret Parnell.
Galaxy Aero-space has selected Wellington, Fla.-based B/E Aerospace to design and manufacture seats for the Galaxy business jet. Delivery of the 16-g seats is slated to begin this month .
President Clinton has signed into a law a bill that gives the NTSB a major funding increase, prohibits the disclosure of cockpit voice or video recordings, and allows the Safety Board to more easily volunteer its services to foreign governments. The law also creates the position of chief financial officer at the NTSB, with oversight for waste, fraud and abuse by the DOT's inspector general. Additionally, the NTSB now is free to create an overtime pay schedule independent of the rest of the government.
