NASA is continuing its push to educate legislators about the importance of its Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) initiative to increase the availability of small airports and more affordable general aviation aircraft. Administrator Dan Goldin explained NASA's vision for SATS to the House aviation subcommittee in May, but House appropriators denied the agency's request for $9 million in seed money to launch the five-year program.
DOUG CARR, who joined the National Business Aviation Association in spring 1998 as manager of domestic operations and later was named manager of safety and operations, was promoted to senior manager of government affairs. Carr, who will take on new legislative responsibilities in addition to working with government agencies, fills the slot that has been vacant since December when Joel Bacon left the association to join the American Association of Airport Executives (BA, Dec. 20/280).
Executive Aircraft Corp., the fixed-base operator, charter and aircraft broker based at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport, joined the growing list of fractional ownership providers, announcing its intention to sell shares of Raytheon King Air 350 and C90B aircraft. "Executive AirShare is a step forward in the growth of aircraft travel opportunities offered by Executive Aircraft Corporation," said Executive Aircraft Corp. Chairman Ben Ames.
JET AVIATION signed an agreement with Pratt&Whitney Engine Services under which Jet Aviation's U.S. facilities are the preferred engine repair and overhaul vendor for PT-6A and JT-15D series engines. The non-exclusive agreement covers Jet Aviation facilities in Bedford, Mass., Dallas, Texas, Teterboro, N.J. and West Palm Beach, Fla.
JIM FREEMAN joined Elliott Aviation as an aircraft sales manager in the Minneapolis, Minn. facility. Freeman formerly was a regional sales manager at Cessna Finance Corp., overseeing financing and leasing on both new and used aircraft.
Docket No.: 27609 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 91.9(a) and 91.531(A)(1) and (2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Shannon and certain operators of Cessna Model 500, 550, and S550 Citation airplanes to operate those airplanes without a pilot designated as second in command. Grant, May 12, 2000, Exemption No. 6480C
Docket No.: 29978 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 91.109(a) and (b)(3) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit certain flight instruction in Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, and Travel Air airplanes equipped with a functioning throwover wheel in place of functioning dual controls. Grant, June 14, 2000, Exemption No. 7245
Model SD3-60 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-12-AD; Amdt. 39-11818; AD 2000-14-09) - requires affixing a label containing revised engine limitations on the ditching hatch and revising the airplane flight manual to reflect the revised engine limitations. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the use of incorrect engine limitations, which could result in an overspeed of the propellers and potential for blade failure.
FAA traffic control modernization initiatives to BAE Systems Applied Technologies of Rockville, Md. The cost-plus-award fee contract, which has a 10-year maximum performance period, is valued at a minimum of $450 million. Under the contract, BAE Systems will support various FAA organizations associated with modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) architecture. The contract covers facilities and equipment; operations and maintenance; and research, engineering and development requirements.
Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
ROSCOE MUSSELWHITE was appointed executive vice president for AirLiance Materials. Musselwhite will direct sales, marketing, business development, programs and sourcing activities for the company. He most recently was vice president of marketing and sales for AirLiance. He also has served as vice president of marketing and engineering at Dexter Tool in West Palm Beach, Fla.
THAI GOVERNMENT approved plans for the Airport Authority of Thailand to create two companies, AAT Co. (AATC) and Regional Airport Co. (RAC) to prepare for airport privatization early next year. AATC will run and manage the new Bangkok International Airport while RAC will manage international airports of Phuket, Hatyai, Chiangmai and the domestic facility of Chiang Rai. A RAC strategic partner will be selected by March - five airport companies have expressed interest - and AATC's partner is expected to be selected by June.
Docket No.: 29854 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 25.562 and 25.785(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit supplemental type certification of a medical stretcher installation on Gulfstream G-V airplanes. Grant, May 2, 2000, Exemption No. 7189
MERCURY AIR GROUP'S Maytag Aircraft Corporation subsidiary in Colorado Springs, Colo. won a Defense Energy Support Center Contract valued at $5 million to provide alongside aircraft refueling and services at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. The contract begins Feb. 1, 2001 and runs through Jan. 31, 2005. Maytag will maintain and operate government fuel and cryogenic facilities and equipment at Meridian.
FAA'S AERONAUTICAL DATA LINK TEAM won the national 2000 Axiem Award for two video productions - Controller Pilot Data Link Communications: A Digital Solution to Radio Frequency Congestion and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications: New Technology of Business Aviation. The videos, produced in conjunction with industry, are part of a series aimed at promoting and educating interested parties on new data link technology. The business aviation video was produced in concert with NBAA and released at the association's annual meeting and convention in Atlanta last year.
Docket No.: 26006 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 47.69(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Raytheon to use its Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate outside the U.S. for demonstrating, testing, selling, and marketing any and all aircraft it manufactures. Grant, June 1, 2000, Exemption No. 7241
FAA and NASA released an educational CD-ROM, Gate to Gate, that provides a trip through the nation's air traffic control system. The software takes viewers on a "virtual flight," FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said. "From pre-flight planning to arrival, you will see how the air traffic control system handles your flight as you fly through it." Gate to Gate has separate learning modules on pre-flight, takeoff, departure, en route, descent, approach and landing. To obtain a copy of the CD-ROM, email [email protected].
Federal Aviation Administration last week proposed to extend for three more years a special regulation governing air tour operations in Hawaii. FAA established Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR 71) in September 1994 as an emergency final rule, citing an increase in the number of fatal air tour accidents in Hawaii. The agency subsequently extended the SFAR in 1997 for three years, and it is slated to expire Oct. 26. SFAR 71 contains additional operating procedures, such as minimum safe altitudes, minimum equipment requirements and operational limits.
EXECAIR, a division of Menzies Aviation Group that provides handling services for business aircraft, opened a base at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA). The facility, the first Execair base outside the United Kingdom, will include an operations room, passenger and crew lounges and telephone and fax facilities. Execair, which won the general aviation handling contract from BSCA, will offer fueling, towing, loading, weather information, flight planning, hotel accommodation management, crew transfers, catering and limousine hire.
Federal Aviation Administration last week extended the comment deadline to Nov. 3 for its proposal for smaller air carrier airports to meet upgraded certification standards, but that proposal already has generated concern from those airports. FAA in June issued the long-awaited proposal to create a four-tier certification system for airports and require small commercial airports to meet similar standards under Part 139 that large air carrier airports already meet (BA, June 26/297). FAA said it was extending the comment period from the original deadline of Sept.
A proposal to ban Stage 2 business jets at Naples, Fla. Municipal Airport is not legal and based on faulty cost/benefit analysis, the National Business Aviation Association told the City of Naples in comments on the proposal. Naples has undertaken a formal Part 161 study - required by law - to impose the ban, but NBAA said the study uses an excessive noise contour outside FAA's own limit.
EUROPEAN JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES next month will consider a recommendation of its operations committee to establish a 120-minute threshold for extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) for commercial business jets, but allow operators to fly those aircraft up to 180 minutes over water as long as they meet "best industry practices" (BA, May 8/213). The approval would mark a victory for U.S. industry officials, led by GAMA, who for years have argued against proposals for a standard 120-minute, and even 60-minute, threshold without exception.
Docket No.: 29961 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 121.434(c)(1)(ii) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Horizon to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying PIC who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in Sec. 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing. Grant, June 14, 2000, Exemption No. 7253
STEVE HIRSCHFELD was named manager of quality control for Million Air's chain of fixed-base operations. Hirschfeld has 16 years of industry experience with a background in quality control, operations and purchasing.
AAS AIRCRAFT SERVICES, a unit of the American Aircarriers Support, Inc., received a contract from Next Century Air to perform heavy maintenance on a Boeing 727 aircraft. The contract covers a heavy C check, a triple gear change and complete stripping and repainting. Next Century Air operates the aircraft for corporate VIP service.
