The late Dr. Tetsuya ``Theodore'' Fujita's career in meteorology spanned over 50 years. He is best known for his discovery of the microburst after the crash of Eastern Airlines Flight 66 in 1975. In addition he completed extensive tornado research. He devised the ``F-scale'' which categorizes the tornado's wind speed and damage potential.
Jet Aviation has added a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-72 to its Basel, Switzerland-based charter fleet. CFM-56 engines installed in 1985 provide 12-hour endurance, allowing the former airliner to transport 36 people and their luggage for 6,200 nm. Jet has managed the aircraft for several years under Bermudan registration, though it now is on the Swiss register.
FlightSafety International, New York, has promoted Eugene Cromartie to assistant manager of the Houston center, named Gerry McRae as the new manager of Toronto's training center and promoted Chuck Gallagher to assistant manager at the San Antonio learning center.
Pennsylvania lawmakers have formed a bipartisan committee to study the merits of privatizing Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). State House Majority Leader John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) asked the state to consider privatization after hearing about Atlanta's effort to turn Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport into a revenue-generator.
The NBAA is close to a decision on a possible extension of its annual meeting and convention from three days to four days in 2001. The convention is scheduled to take place in New Orleans on September 18-20, although seminars and other events typically begin several days before the start of the show. According to an NBAA spokeswoman, the reasons behind a possible extension include the sheer size of the convention floor and a scheduling conflict with the Jewish high holy days, which prevented some members from attending this year.
Bombardier test pilot Eric Fiore, the sole survivor in the October crash of a Challenger 604, remains hospitalized in a Wichita hospital, recovering from burns over 80 percent of his body. The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the accident, which killed experimental test pilot Bryan Irelan and flight test engineer David Riggs. Fiore is said to be making slow progress in his recovery from the devastating injuries and remains in critical condition.
Flightserv.com, which operated public charters between Atlanta's Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (DKB) and Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey aboard corporate jets earlier this year is now planning public charters aboard DC-9s. The company was planning to launch Skysaver service between Norfolk, Va.; Orlando; and New York's La Guardia Airport as B/CA went to press. Skysaver will charter aircraft from Largo, Fla.-based Southeast Airlines.
General Electric's proposed $45 billion acquisition of Honeywell is likely to give the combined company's products a tighter grip on both the business and regional aviation markets.
Harmon Industries' flight department is closing after nearly 40 years of continuous operation. General Electric acquired the Blue Springs, Mo., company earlier this year. Harmon operated a single Mitsubishi Diamond. Companies seeking to hire an experienced Beechjet/Diamond captain are encouraged to contact Dave Forrer at [email protected].
J.A. Air Center, at Du Page Airport in West Chicago, has received STC approval for the installation of Honeywell's MKVI EGPWS on Raytheon King Air 300 series aircraft. The MKVI was certified in the Monsanto Flight Department's King Air 350.
Boeing says it has received ``a great deal of interest'' in an 86-seat version of its 106-seat 717 airliner, which began life as the McDonnell Douglas MD-95. Soft sales have left the 717's future in doubt, and the Seattle-based manufacturer has attempted to market the DC-9 variant as a regional jet. A recent marketing sweep in Europe is said to have generated interest from some 11 airlines, and the 717-100X concept is now under review.
Aviation Week and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) have created a new professional forum to help aviation professionals address operational and management challenges in their organizations. Dubbed Aircraft 2001, Technology, Integration and Operations Forum, the inaugural program is scheduled to take place in November at Aviation Week's Aerospace Expo 2001 in Los Angeles.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule mandating employers to create ergonomics programs to help prevent on-the-job musculoskeletal injuries to workers. Employer programs also must create remedies for such injuries.
Commutair Chairman Andy Price has been elected chairman of the Regional Airline Association, succeeding SkyWest President and CEO Jerry Atkin. Other officers elected at the group's fall membership meeting include Atlantic Coast Airlines President Tom Moore to vice chairman, Atlantic Southeast Airlines' Skip Barnette to treasurer and Cape Air's Dan Wolfe, who was re-elected as secretary.
Pratt&Whitney Canada's European service center affiliate will provide repair and overhaul services for Wideroes Flyveselkap's 24 P&WC-powered Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft under the terms of a new three-year agreement. The Norwegian carrier has been a P&WC customer since the 1950s .
CoreMax Aerospace has been tapped to supply 10 custom shower assemblies to Lufthansa Technik. The showers are destined for Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) in the NetJets program. CoreMax is now supplying components to five BBJ Completion centers .
