Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures, Inc. (AASI) says its single-engine turboprop Jetcruzer 500 has successfully completed pressurization tests and that the aircraft is now certified to a 30,000-foot cruise altitude. Saying that pressurization was ``the one thing we had never done before,'' AASI Executive Vice President Gene Comfort proclaimed the project ``on-schedule'' for third quarter certification and initial customer deliveries by year-end.
The FAA has named 24-year agency veteran Steven B. Wallace, an attorney and licensed pilot, director of the Office of Accident Investigation. In his new position, Wallace is responsible for all FAA accident investigations and for all activities related to the NTSB. Wallace had been the FAA's senior representative at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, serving as the agency's contact with U.S. government officials, foreign government representatives and the aviation industry throughout Central Europe, the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East.
J.A. Air Center launched a new Web site and online store with secure online shopping. Customers can order new and reconditioned handheld and panel-mount GPS equipment, headsets, transceivers, audio panels, transponders and other avionics. For more information, visit its Web site at www.jaair.com.
Lufthansa Technik (Dallas) -- Lutz Weirschin is appointed Lufthansa Technik Component Services' (LTCS) customer service manager and Walter Kattwinkel was named LTCS's key accounts manager.
The FAA has made permanent a Mentor Protege program for ``socially and economically disadvantaged'' small businesses. FAA prime contractors and subcontractors are encouraged to prepare smaller companies to bid on future FAA contracts. The mentoring program was introduced in 1997 on a trial basis and is meant to ``extend the benefits of our vibrant economy to all Americans,'' according to Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. Additional information is available at www.faa.gov/sbo.
Gulfstream officials say European JAA certification of the G-V is ``a moving target,'' that ultimately could cost more than $20 million. When the G-V was first conceived, harmonization of FAA and JAA rules was on track, and the company opted to pursue FAA certification first and then follow with the JAA. However, a growing list of differences between the standards -- one of the biggest of which is loads testing -- now stands in the way of JAA certification.
Only nine of 42 delivered BBJs are in service due to completion delays. BBJ President Borge Boeskov said he expects 20 BBJs to be in service by the end of the year. Boeing has trimmed production of the aircraft from 29 in 1999 to a projected 18 this year, in part to ease pressure on completions facilities. Completions are running between seven and 12 months, Boeskov said. Boeing is exploring the possibility of a follow-on BBJ-3, which would combine a 757-200 fuselage with a 757-300 wing and landing gear to produce an aircraft with more than 7,000-nm range.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) recently took AOPA President Phil Boyer to task for opposing aviation user fees. The exchange took place at a confirmation hearing for Boyer's nomination to the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Committee (MAC). McCain is a long-time proponent of user fees for corporate operators, whom he referred to as ``fat-cat friends'' who ``pay nothing'' to use the air traffic system. Boyer repeated his assertion that non-airline users pay for using the system in the form of a federal fuel excise tax.
Signature Flight Support moves into its new executive terminal at Centennial Airport in Denver. The facility features 12 acres of ramp space, first-class customer services, telephone dataports, flight planning, conference room, pilot lounge and crew showers. Signature recently completed construction of a new executive terminal at Chicago's Midway Airport.
Aircraft Services Group says it will increase the price of Vision Safe's EVAS system from $9,195 to $10,950. The company also has added a new managed Falcon 2000 and hired three staffers to support the aircraft.
Christie's ProEase DataFX is a supplement to battery charger/analyzers for the servicing of large, vented nickel cadmium batteries. The DataFX monitors battery current, voltage and individual cell voltage. The new design allows for simplified battery servicing, documentation and unattended operation of chargers/analyzers. The DataFX includes a print button, larger display that shows up to 22 cells, self-calibration and enhanced software. Price: $1,995 Christie Electric 18120 S. Broadway Gardena, Calif. 90428
The Canadian government is seeking World Trade Organization (WTO) approval to block $4.9 billion in Brazilian imports over seven years if Brazil does not cease using ProEx, an export financing program Embraer has used to encourage regional jet sales. Canada's action stems from the WTO's May 9 finding that changes made to ProEx since the Geneva-based trade group first declared it illegal in August 1999 were inadequate, and the program remains in violation of international law.
Airport managers and aviation service providers will meet to discuss mutual concerns and business opportunities at a conference in Orlando from November 5-7. Sponsored by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the Airports and FBO Industry Symposium will address issues such as enhancing airport businesses, community relations, environmental regulation and the impact of pending federal legislation. Further information is available from Beth Van Emburgh at (703) 824-0500, ext.
CHC Helicopter subsidiary Lloyd Helicopter Services has been selected to provide helicopter transportation and air ambulance services to the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor. Lloyd will service the $13.5 million contract with two Eurocopter Super Pumas and one Bell 212.
Until recently, the entire U.S. Na-tional Airspace System (NAS) has been built upon ground-based navaids -- VORs, NDBs, ILSes, ATC primary and secondary radars, and dozens of other electronic devices that provide defining anchors for airways, intersections, instrument approach procedures, arrival and departure routes, and the boundaries of special use and restricted/prohibited airspace.
Southwest Jet Aviation named Chuck Harrington as the director of maintenance. Based out of Scottsdale Airport, Southwest offers charter service, fractional ownership, aircraft management, aircraft sales/acquisition and hangar leasing.
Continental Express converted 11 options for Embraer ERJ-145s into firm orders. The carrier now has 211 firm orders for Embraer regional jets and 64 options.
Airshow Inc. has introduced iSYS Intelligent Cabin Systems, an integrated information, entertainment and cabin control system for business jets. ``With iSYS, we can build systems that meet a wide variety of aircraft designs, specification and budgets,'' said Dennis Ferguson, president of Airshow. Products available on iSYS include news, stocks, sports and weather updates in text format; airborne satellite television; moving map display; e-mail; and onboard audio/visual systems utilizing CD changers and DVD players.
A new company called CharterX hopes to become the preferred charter quoting and computerized reservation system by providing an Internet-based tool that allows charter customers to get quotes and book reservations. Unlike online brokering sites, the program is designed as a ``behind the scenes'' system that provides a reservations window that will appear on charter operators' Web sites, allowing them to maintain the bond between operator and customer, according to CharterX President Walter Kraujalis.
Edited by Paul RichfieldPaul Richfield, in Washington, D.C.
Airlines are gradually warming to the benefits of collecting and analyzing flight data, though the noise surrounding the issue is getting louder as other interested parties consider their position.
Mouawad National Co., a multinational retail and jewelry manufacturing company headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has ordered a new Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ). The aircraft will be powered by twin V2500 engines from IAE -- a partnership of Pratt&Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Aero Engines Corp. of Japan and Germany's MTU Motoren- un Turbinen- Union Munchen GmbH. Mouawad expects the aircraft to enter service in the first half of 2001. Athens, Greece-based SAPO International SA also has ordered an ACJ for executive charter. SAPO's aircraft will be powered by IAE V2527s.
