Veteran FBO executive and consultant Randy D. Bisgard has been appointed vice president of the Denver office. The company provides aviation business valuation and consulting services.
Honeywell's new Bendix/King KGP 560 has received FAA TSO approval, making it the first Class B terrain avoidance and warning system (TAWS) to reach the marketplace. The Pilatus PC-12 will receive the initial STC for the $9,250 unit, and the installation will serve as a basis for follow-on STCs and Form 337 approvals for other aircraft types.
Edited By Paul RichfieldBy Perry Bradley, in Cincinnati
Executive Jet Management, the charter and management arm of NetJets parent company Executive Jet Aviation, is experiencing rapid growth as a result of the success of EJA's fractional ownership program. The Cincinnati-based charter and management arm of EJA is expanding its fleet at the rate of two aircraft per month, and expects to have some 68 aircraft in operation by the end of this year.
AvBase, a charter and management company, has installed automated external defibrillators on its fleet of six aircraft and at its Cleveland headquarters. All AvBase staff, including flight crews, are undergoing CPR and defibrillator training through an internal training program. The company said it also will outfit all future aircraft acquisitions with the Agilent Heartstream defibs. The defibrillators allow non-medical personnel to provide help in airborne cardiac emergencies and are being installed in a growing number of airports and aircraft.
Groen Brothers Aviation's Jet Hawk 4T, a turbine-powered gyroplane, took its first flight in July at the manufacturer's Phoenix-area operations facility. Powered by a 420-shp Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine, the Jet Hawk is touted as a low-cost alternative for airborne law enforcement, land management and other package delivery operators that traditionally use helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Groen Brothers is hoping to begin deliveries of what it calls ``the DC-3 of gyroplanes'' in 2001. The Jet Hawk 4T is a derivative of the piston-powered Hawk 4 Gyroplane.
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has approved a local ordinance that limits the number of Stage 2 aircraft allowed at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Southern California. Once adopted, the rule will prohibit the basing of any additional Stage 2 aircraft with noise levels above 77 dBA, with exceptions for flights conducted for maintenance purposes.
If you were around for the 1999 Salary Survey, you'll recall comments about the double-digit increases most aviation professionals were receiving. In this year's survey you're going to see some dramatically different results. The broad-stroke product of this year's review shows that while wages are rising in a few areas, the rate is certainly beginning to slow and is definitely showing a downward trend in terms of total compensation.
CHC Helicopter has completed the sale of Lufttransport A/S, a Norwegian fixed wing and helicopter air ambulance service, for $14.3 million CDN. The sale is part of the helicopter giant's previously announced plans to sell non-core assets and reduce the company's debt. CHC recently raised funds in a private offering, also to repay or refinance some of its outstanding loans. In June, CHC said it is considering a management buyout of its Canadian Helicopter Eastern and Western divisions. CHC operates more than 300 aircraft, focusing mainly on offshore oil and gas support.
Piedmont Hawthorne has acquired Associated Air Center, a Dallas-Love Field-based completion and maintenance center and FBO. Associated is a factory-designated Boeing Business Jet and Airbus A319 Corporate Jet completion center and also provides heavy maintenance service for commercial aircraft. Piedmont says it plans no operational changes at its new division, which will remain under the direction of current Associated President Roy Gilbreath. The completion business will retain its name while the FBO will be renamed Piedmont Hawthorne.
John McCain seems intent on being the aviation industry's hair shirt. Other than the Fourth of July (when the government always stages a heckuva pyrotechnic display near the Washington Monument), it's difficult to predict when the fireworks are liable to go off in official Washington. But while the timing is iffy, you can generally count on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to be at the scene of the loudest explosions.
GAMA President Ed Bolen recently testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee in favor of continued Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) funding. Bolen said WAAS would provide vertical guidance, decrease the number of accidents, improve the utility of aircraft, make air service more reliable to small communities and ensure that we use airspace in the most effective manner. The Subcommittee did focus on the cost overruns, but Bolen said recent tests have shown ``better than anticipated'' accuracy of the WAAS signal. (See page 34 for a related story.)
The FAA will alter its rules regarding Land and Hold Operations (LAHSO), after agreeing to incorporate changes recommended by pilot groups. As a result, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has rescinded its July 17 recommendation that pilots not accept LAHSO clearances, an action that threatened to slow operations at hub airports. Captain Paul McCarthy, ALPA's executive air safety chairman, said: ``Our members did the right thing for the right reasons, and now, we'll have the right conditions for using LAHSO.''
Ed Klonoski has been promoted to manager and Dave Davenport is now assistant manager of the company's new Atlanta training center. Veteran FlightSafety staffer John Sauers has been promoted to director of safety and compliance.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is hosting its ``Communication for Safety'' conference in Atlanta on September 15 and 16. Topics will include runway safety, deactivation of long-range primary radar, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) and open forum discussions. Panels and group interaction will work on presenting ideas for solving some of the issues faced by pilots and ATC. For more information visit NATCA's Web site at www.natca.org.
The National Air Transportation Association has taken exception to the FAA's final rule entitled ``Type Certification Procedures for Changed Products.'' ``With this new rule, the FAA has ignored the reality of the aircraft and the industry the agency oversees,'' said Jim Coyne, president of NATA. The new rule requires all major type design changes (STCs) for aircraft modifications, upgrades and safety improvements to either comply with the latest version of the certificate standards or provide supporting data to justify an exception.
Agilent Technologies, a recent Hewlett Packard spinoff, is providing $1 million in equipment and technical support to The Flying Hospital, operator of a Lockheed L-1011-50 equipped with surgical suites, recovery rooms and classrooms. The aircraft, its largely volunteer crew and medical staff provide medical care and education in developing countries.
Australia's airlines are experiencing heightened government oversight in the wake of a fatal air taxi crash and a safety audit by ICAO. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plans to hire 12 new inspectors, including four who will focus on foreign airlines serving Australia.
Where would you turn for emergency cockpit lighting? Obviously flashlights are great -- as long as the light doesn't burn out and you remembered to change the batteries recently. Flite Lite is a small, inexpensive and reliable source of emergency lighting. Chemically activated, this compact, adhesive-backed light is bright enough to read charts and view instruments by, while keeping your hands free. Flite Lite is non-flammable and non-toxic and provides up to two hours of illumination.
James C. Walizer is now a member of the aircraft manufacturer's field service representative team. Walizer has extensive experience maintaining Falcon jets for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ronson Aviation, Inc., located at Trenton-Mercer Airport in Trenton, N.J., has appointed Carl A. Barrows as service operations manager. The maintenance, parts and avionics departments are under his direct supervision. Ronson is an FBO offering aircraft sales, charters, hangar facilities, avionics and refueling.
Worldwide Flight Services has begun providing ground service at Vancouver International Airport. First customer for the service provider is WestJet Airlines.
