UNIVERSAL AVIONICS UniLink air-to-ground two-way datalink system received certification on Cessna Citation Ultra aircraft. The system interfaces with Universal's UNS-1Csp flight management system, providing VHF and telephone data transmissions. The transmissions include flight planning, pre-departure clearances, SIGMET advisories, messaging, automatic position reporting, D-ATIS, weather information in both text and graphic formats and more.
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY selected George Ebbs as president, succeeding Steven Sliwa, who last month announced his resignation to pursue other business interests (BA, July 13/17). Ebbs formerly was president of aerospace management consultant The Canaan Group Ltd., which was acquired by AlliedSignal this month (BA, Aug. 24/84). AlliedSignal named Joe Guillion to replace Ebbs. Guillon formerly was vice president, global sales for AlliedSignal's Aerospace Marketing, Sales&Service business.
DUNCAN AVIATION recently received certification for and installed AlliedSignal's enhanced ground proximity warning system on an Astra SPX. The certification follows similar approval for installation of the system on Canadair Challengers this spring. Duncan since has completed three EGPWS installations on Challengers with more scheduled. In addition, Duncan said its Van Nuys, Calif., satellite avionics shop installed Honeywell AZ-800 Digital Air Data Computers on a Gulfstream III in preparation for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) certification.
UNC AIRWORK'S specialization in Pratt&Whitney engine repair and overhaul played a role in GE's decision to spin off the unit, according to a spokesman, who added that it was not "the dominant factor" in the sale. He conceded, however, that GE was not able to obtain a "favorable licensing agreement" from Pratt&Whitney, and that made Airwork "less attractive." See article below.
AUSTIN JET INTERNATIONAL, based at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas since 1982, moved its headquarters to a larger facility at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The company plans to maintain a satellite operation at Robert Mueller until the airport closes in the spring of 1999. Austin is building a new airport at the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base.
HONG KONG BUSINESS AVIATION CENTER, which began operations in early July in a temporary executive terminal facility, this month released designs for the new fixed-base operation that is slated for completion by the end of the year. The plan includes an executive terminal, hangar facilities to accommodate the largest business jets and a variety of aviation services. Planners expect the facilities eventually to be able to accommodate up to 6,000 flights annually.
NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION last week ratified the 1998 contract with the Federal Aviation Administration after members Thursday voted 8,219 to 747 in favor of the agreement. The contract covers a five-year pay package and a new 10-tier reclassification agreement. "This is certainly a step in the right direction toward improving our relationship with the agency. I am pleased to see Administrator Jane Garvey recognizing the needs of air traffic controllers," NATCA President Mike McNally said.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION issued special conditions for type certification of the Beech Model 3000, the trainer based on the Pilatus PC- 9 developed from the U.S. Navy/Air Force Joint Primary Aircraft Training System. The special conditions include additional standards to protect electronic displays from the effects of high-intensity (electromagnetic) radiated fields.
BANYAN AIR SERVICE opened an instrument shop at its full service fixed-base operation at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Executive Airport. The shop, which complements Banyan's 16,000-square-foot avionics shop, is approved to overhaul and certify most remote directional and vertical gyros, including Collins, King, Honeywell and Sperry Instruments.
Federal Aviation Administration's proposal last week to cover at least 12,300 turbine aircraft operated under Parts 91 and 135 in its mandate for terrain awareness and warning systems - otherwise called enhanced ground proximity warning systems (EGPWS) - came as no surprise to industry leaders, but initial reaction was that it is too expansive and too expensive with too short a deadline. FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Aug.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION last week drew praise for a decision to withhold grant money from Denver's Centennial Airport after the local authorities barred scheduled service. National Business Aviation Association President Jack Olcott said the association "applauds FAA's actions regarding its opposition to local restrictions.
CHARLES FRANKLIN was named manager of corporate public relations for the Society of Automotive Engineers. He previously was a senior public affairs consultant for the U.S. State Department, where he was the senior public affairs adviser to the U.S. ambassador in charge of a security assistance program in Bosnia. He also served as a U.S. Navy public affairs officer for more than 15 years.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer reported a profit of $40.7 million on revenues of $563.1 million in the first half of 1998, continuing its financial turnaround with four consecutive profitable quarters. The company reported an $80.3 million loss in the first half of 1997 on revenues of $248.2 million, but a $51.8 million profit on revenues of $471.7 million in the last six months of 1997.
TEXTRON agreed to sell its Avco Financial Services unit to Associates First Capital Corp. of Dallas for $3.9 billion. Net after-tax proceeds will be about $2.9 billion, which will be used for acquisitions and share buyback programs. AFS accounted for $1.9 billion in revenues in 1997, 18 percent of Textron's total.
CTT SYSTEMS received a contract from Jet Aviation to install its Zonal Drying System on a Boeing Business Jet. The CTT system will be installed in the first quarter of 1999. Jet Aviation will design and complete the Boeing Business Jet interior. The CTT system will help protect against water condensation problems associated with aircraft humidification.
MERCURY AIR GROUP'S board of directors and senior lenders approved the repurchase of an additional $3 million of the company's common stock in the open market. Mercury has repurchased more than 850,000 shares of its common stock for about $6 million since the first quarter of fiscal 1998. Mercury provides fuel, cargo and aviation services for general aviation, commercial and government aircraft operators.
Miller Aviation, the Binghamton, N.Y. fixed-base operation that become known throughout the industry for its FBO-specific management software, agreed to merge with Corporate Wings of Cleveland, Ohio in a transaction valued at $12.5 million, the companies announced Friday. The new venture will operate under the Corporate Wings name, employing 500 people in seven locations and booking combined annual sales exceeding $100 million. Miller founders James Miller, Nicholas Cerretani and Ralph Cerretani will continue in senior roles at the new company.
GARRETT AVIATION SERVICES appointed K. Steven Pack as vice president and general manager of the Springfield, Ill. facility; Wayne Burk as aircraft systems and equipment program manager; and, Brian Watkins as chief engineer. Pack has more than 20 years of aviation experience, most recently as vice president and general manager of Pratt&Whitney PSD. Burk, who will be based in Phoenix, will be responsible for aircraft systems and equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul marketing programs for Garrett's nationwide network.
ADVANCED AERODYNAMICS&STRUCTURES, INC. appointed Michael Lai vice president of engineering. Lai will be responsible for all engineering operations for the Jetcruzer 500 single turboprop and Stratocruzer twin jet. He formerly held director, manager of engineering, quality control and other management positions for Lockheed Aircraft Service International in Ontario, Calif. He also has served as a logistics engineer for the development of Space Shuttle structural components at Rockwell International and as a field service representative for Cessna Aircraft.
GE Aircraft Engines unit UNC Monday struck a deal after nearly a year of negotiations to sell UNC Airwork Corporation to BBA Group's Dallas Airmotive for $52 million in cash, BBA and Dallas Airmotive announced last week. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, would include Airwork's major turbine centers in Millville, N.J. and Miami, Fla. and four regional turbine shops. Officials hope to conclude the transaction this fall.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION'S newly formed Safety Committee will hold its first conference concurrently with the Corporate Aviation Management Conference Jan. 12-14 in Orlando, Fla. The Safety Committee, led by Chair John Lauber of Airbus Industrie, North America and Vice Chair Pat Andrews of Mobile Business Resources Corp, will focus on "Organizing for Safety Management" during its Jan. 12 session. For more information, contact Sandy Wirtz, NBAA senior manager-seminars, at (202) 783-9366.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-167-AD) - proposes to require modification of the attach points of the uplock system of the nose landing gear. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent wear of the attach points of the uplock system of the nose landing gear.
WESTERN AIRCRAFT was named a Raytheon Aircraft authorized service center for the Beech King Air, Baron and Bonanza. Western, also an authorized service center for Hawker aircraft, has performed maintenance and modifications on King Airs for more than 20 years. Western said it plans to invest in additional tooling and training to support Raytheon products as well as carry more spare parts. It also will perform warranty services.
