Bombardier's Canadair Regional Jet 200 series (CRJ) received type certification from Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau. The Fair, Inc., a start-up regional, plans to inaugurate the country's first CRJ service this summer with two used aircraft and has ordered two aircraft for delivery in 2002. Japan Airlines subsidiary J-Air also has orders for two CRJ 200 series aircraft, with options for three additional aircraft. The aircraft are planned for domestic routes in Southern Japan.
Pilot union pressure has led the FAA to postpone plans to expand the use of Land and Hold Short (LAHSO) operations. Current LAHSO rules will remain in effect, the FAA says, until flight simulator modeling of aircraft performance under specific runway and weather conditions is complete. Six of the largest major airline pilot labor groups had urged their members to reject (LAHSO) clearances until the FAA addressed their safety concerns.
The first Galaxy business jet simulator is expected to be installed at FlightSafety International's new Dallas-Fort Worth training center in late July and FAA certified in October. Galaxy's Level D simulator will be the first at the new facility, which is designed to accommodate up to 16 simulators. FlightSafety is currently training Galaxy pilots in an aircraft supplied by the manufacturer. Galaxy Aerospace says that four Galaxies are in service and that it is delivering one new aircraft per month.
Louisville, Ky.'s Regional Airport Authority is slated to receive $5.8 million in FAA grants. The money will go towards runway and other improvements at Bowman Field and Louisville International's FAR Part 150 program.
Signature Flight Support has eliminated senior management and sales positions at its regional service center. John Rahilly, vice president of technical services, said the changes are designed to run the organization from the field instead of from the company headquarters. Rahilly also noted some of the personnel are being re-deployed to the regional maintenance facilities.
Jersey European Airways, the United Kingdom's third largest regional carrier, has changed its name to British European. According to company CEO Barry Perrot, the old name did not reflect the airline's true size and scope, and ``restricted our sales prospects.'' Repainting JEA's 27-aircraft fleet is slated for completion by March 2001.
All new Galaxy business jets will feature sound-absorbent material between the fuselage skin and interior cabin panels and other changes designed to reduce cabin noise levels. Developed in conjunction with Flight Environments, the modification includes changes to the aircraft's environmental control system, and will be offered at no additional cost.
High blood pressure is one of the greatest health and career threats. MD Systems' CardioGrip has shown promising results in reducing hypertension and it does so without drugs. The manufacturer says that, when used as directed, the unit can help lower blood pressure with just one 10-minute session per day. Previously, the CardioGrip was available only by prescription, but the FDA has ruled that the unit can now be purchased over-the-counter. At less than $500, it's inexpensive health and career insurance. Price: $499 MD Systems, Inc.
Cessna's Citation CJ2 mock-up has embarked on a 60-day 16-city European tour, culminating at the Farnborough Air Show later this month. The mock-up includes a fully functional cockpit as well as a full-size cabin. The tour is an advance of actual CJ2 demonstrators, which are expected to begin flying in the fall.
The McGraw-Hill Cos.' Aviation Week and The International Herald Tribune (IHT) have agreed to jointly produce news from the world's major air shows for the newspaper's worldwide readership. Under the terms of the agreement, Aviation Week's Show News reporters will compile air show news to be published in the IHT. Shows slated for coverage include this month's Farnborough International Air Show, future Paris and Singapore Air Shows and the annual NBAA convention.
The FAA has granted Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) authorization to Raytheon's Aircraft Charter and Management operation. The certification will allow Raytheon to offer FAR Part 135 charter service to points in Europe and beyond. The charter service operates 62 aircraft, including Hawkers, Beechjets, Learjets, a Citation and a Challenger. The fleet is based primarily in high-traffic areas along the U.S. east and west coasts, but also near Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta.
American Eagle plans to become an all-jet carrier at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport by November 2. This summer, the AMR affiliate will introduce regional jets in five markets that now have only turboprop service, and expand jet service in six markets now served by turboprops and regional jets. American Eagle operates two types of Embraer regional jets: the 50-seat ERJ-145 and the 37-seat ERJ-135.
The Explorer 500T -- a proposed single-engine, turbine-powered utility aircraft -- began flight testing in June. The aircraft is a re-engined version of the Australian-built Explorer 350R, which made its debut on the air show circuit in summer 1999. ``The aircraft exceeded our expectations,'' said Explorer Aircraft CEO Graham Swannell, noting that while the company's promotional literature promises a 175-knot cruise speed, cruise speeds during initial testing exceeded 180 knots.
The FAA has modified its Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR) to allow departures from satellite airports where weather reporting is not available. The agency says the action is an effort to reduce the number of ``unnecessary'' flight delays general aviation aircraft face, without compromising safety. Effective May 23, applicable flights may legally depart in conditions below basic VFR minimums, assuming SVFR minimums exist and other pilot training and aircraft equipment criteria are met.
Portable telephones generate transmissions that directly interfere with multiple aircraft systems, according to a recent study by Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Tests conducted in February aboard a British Airways Boeing 737-200 and a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-200 at London's Gatwick Airport revealed that cell phone signals can generate false cockpit warnings and noise in pilots' headphones, while distracting the crew and lessening their confidence in aircraft warning systems.
Alpha Flying of Nashua, N.H., plans to expand its PlaneSense fractional ownership business through a marketing pact with Epps Aviation, an Atlanta-based FBO and charter provider. Six Pilatus PC-12s now are part of the PlaneSense program, including N116AF, recently photographed at Martha's Vineyard airport in Massachusetts.
Business Aviation Services, located in Sioux Falls, S.D. (FSD), reduced fuel prices by $0.20 on 100LL avgas for all aircraft attending the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2000 in Oshkosh, Wis., this month. Located 400 miles from Oshkosh, Business Aviation Services offers repairs and maintenance on engines, airframes, radios and instruments.
Naples, Italy-based VulcanAir has re-launched the venerable Partenavia P68C piston twin, an effort that will see new-build aircraft touring the U.S. air show circuit this summer. VulcanAir intends to build both the standard P68C and the Observer 2 (Police Package) variant, and says it is moving forward with development of two entirely new designs.
Northop Grumman has sold its commercial aerostructures unit to the Carlyle Group, a global equity fund, for $1.2 billion. The division manufactures Gulfstream V wings and is the largest supplier of aircraft structures to Boeing. Northrop Grumman had announced plans to sell the division in April, saying it would allow it to concentrate on other core businesses and acquisitions. The new entity will retain its Dallas headquarters and will operate as Vought Aircraft Co. The Carlyle Group says no significant changes in the work force are anticipated.
