BILL WILHELMI was promoted to managing director-training services for SimuFlite Training International. Wilhelmi is responsible for regulatory compliance, pilot training programs and training support. He joined SimuFlite in 1990 and most recently served as director-marketing and business development.
WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SERVICES closed its fixed-based operation at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. Worldwide will continue to serve the airlines. Rifton Aviation remains the lone FBO on the airport.
BARNES AEROSPACE'S Advanced Fabrications Division added a Viper Machining Center that will automate most of the unit's trimming and sanding operations. "Automating these operations will reduce cycle-time, enhance quality and reduce manufacturing costs, making us faster, better and more cost effective for our customers," the company said. The three-axis Viper has a tilting rotary table to provide fourth- and fifth-axis capabilities. Barnes Aerospace produces machined and fabricated components and assemblies for aircraft engine and airframe manufacturers.
BFGOODRICH CO. completed its acquisition of IBP Aerospace Group, allowing it to offer the K-36/3.5A ejection seats, originally developed in Russia, for U.S. aircraft. Russia's Zvezda, which created the K-36, signed a deal with IBP Aerospace Group in late 1998 to make an "Americanized version" of the seats - the first Russian military technology produced in the U.S. BFGoodrich announced its intent to purchase IBP a year later. The K-36/3.5A has been tested at speeds above 700 knots and a Russian pilot safely ejected at about 200 feet from a MiG-29.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK signed an agreement with Malev Hungarian Airlines to form a new overhaul company in Budapest, Hungary. The new company, to be called Lufthansa Technik Budapest Kft., will be 85 percent owned by Lufthansa with Malev owning the remaining portion. The facility will operate in a hangar occupied by Malev unit Aeroplex of Central Europe. Operations are slated to begin in early 2001 and the company is expected to employ 350. The facility will specialize in narrowbody aircraft.
EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT added three Cessna Citation Excel aircraft to its charter fleet. Two of the Excels are based at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio with a third based at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. The aircraft will be operated to support both EJM's charter service and Executive Jet's NetJets fractional ownership program. EJM manages 50 aircraft in 27 locations in the U.S. and plans to add 25 aircraft to its management fleet this year.
DORNIER Model 328-100 and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-59-AD; Amdt. 39-11606; AD 2000-04-23) - requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the trailing edge of the rudder spring tab, and follow-on actions, if necessary. For certain airplanes, this action provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
EUROCOPTER Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-36-AD) - proposes to require replacing certain circuit breakers. This proposal is prompted by the discovery of the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of an installed circuit breaker. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical power to the emergency flotation gear or other optional installations and subsequent loss of the helicopter emergency flotation capability. FAA estimates that 150 helicopters on the U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration this month warned Atlantic City, N.J. officials that they have violated grant assurance agreements and issued an "emergency order of compliance" to clean up and repair Bader Field. The order cited 13 areas in need of attention and called on Atlantic City to take immediate corrective actions.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLO. AIRPORT is accepting proposals for the development of several parcels of land for aviation use (for lease only) and non-aviation use (for potential sale, joint venture or lease). The land includes some 35 acres of ground for aviation use at the southwest side of the airport and a number of parcels on the north side. Deadline for first phase of submission is March 30. The airport also expects shortly to have about 150 acres more for aviation development.
IRIDIUM late last week was unable to find a buyer, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York was expected to order the company to discontinue operations of the $5 billion system of 66 low-Earth satellites. The company is $800 million in debt and closed its corporate flight department - selling its Gulfstream IV - in the fall. The four G-IV pilots are available for other operations. For more information on the pilots, call (703) 834-6245.
Aircraft Electronics Association formed an alliance with FlightSafety International to enhance career development and training programs for AEA members. Under the agreement, AEA members will have opportunities to take a number of FlightSafety Courses, including Principles of Troubleshooting, Maintenance Resource Management, Fundamentals of Avionics, Basic Electricity, New Technology Aircraft Electronics, Composites and Service Excellence Training. AEA and FlightSafety also will combine efforts to develop a professional development program.
The House Wednesday adopted by 319 to 101 the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), clearing the comprehensive aviation package for President Clinton's signature and ending the nearly two years of uncertainty surrounding FAA reauthorization. Clinton is expected to sign the bill, likely in the first week of April, when he returns from a trip to India. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater Wednesday said the bill "embodies most of what the Administration proposed in our aviation bill."
SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT promoted Dean Rush to president of its Signature Combs Aircraft Sales organization. Rush, who has 30 years of aviation experience, most recently was senior vice president of the sales division. He also is active with a number of government and industry committees and organizations, serving as the current president of the National Aircraft Resale Association.
More than 400 employees in five different Federal Aviation Administration units this month voted for representation by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), continuing the trend that began nearly nine months ago after the agency developed a new compensation system. The most recent vote - with 442 in favor of joining, 77 against and 91 challenges - included members from Air Traffic Services, Airports Policy and Planning, Public Affairs, Regional and Center Operations and the Office of the Administrator.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. named a veteran employee to oversee customer programs. Mark Burns, who has been serving as director of information services for Gulfstream, was named vice president, customer program management. Burns will "lead a team of customer program managers, who are the single point of contact for new aircraft customers from contract signing, through manufacturing, completion and entry into service of their aircraft," the company said. Burns will report to Jim Holcombe, vice president of marketing and sales support.
ROBERT MILANCHUS was appointed vice president for development at the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Milanchus will coordinate financial support for the foundation's safety research and continuing pilot education programs. He has more than 30 years of management experience, formerly as director of development for the Washington County Health System.
WOOD GROUP TURBOPOWER, INC. expanded its PT6 engine support services at its San Monica, Calif. facility. The Fly-In Service Hangar provides power section repairs including lightning strike, sudden stoppage and metal contamination. In addition, the facility provides spare parts support, accessory exchange service, same-day fuel nozzle cleaning and 24-hour hot section inspection and repairs. Wood Group Turbopower specializes in PT6 engine service and repair with shops in Miami Lakes, Fla. as well as Santa Monica.
National Transportation Safety Board last week was investigating the March 12 accident in which a Learjet 60 operated by Bombardier's fractional ownership program FlexJet overran the runway during landing at Jackson Hole, Wyo. Airport. The aircraft, N240FX, slid about 35 yards beyond the end of Runway 36 about 0840 mountain standard time, sustaining "substantial damage," NTSB said. The nose wheel landing gear separated and punctured the pressure hull, the safety board reported. The aircraft was on a repositioning flight from Provo, Utah and operated under Part 91.
AVFUEL CORPORATION added DB Aviation at Waukegan Regional Airport in Waukegan, Ill. to its network of dealers. DB Aviation, 35 miles north of Chicago, is a 24-hour, full service fixed-base operator that is an authorized single-engine Cessna service center. Avfuel Corporation supplies aviation fuels to more than 700 Avfuel branded dealers and 2,500 other customers nationwide.
KYLE DRAKE was named quality leader/master black belt for SimuFlite Training International. Drake will oversee implementation of the company's Six Sigma quality initiatives and training programs. He joined the company in 1996 as an accounting manager and in 1998 joined the newly formed quality department.
GARRETT AVIATION SERVICES' The Jet Center in Van Nuys, Calif. has begun its first completion of a Global Express long-range aircraft. The Jet Center is scheduled to design, build and install interiors on four Global Express aircraft this year.
