Briefings ...

Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority — reports in an update about  its recycling and environmentally sustainable efforts that last year Nashville Int’l Airport (BNA) recycled 170 tons (or 340,000 lbs.) of material, a 12 percent increase from 2009. In November, BNA will open its new consolidated rental car facility, which is expected to significantly reduce emissions.

LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS — releases a report that shows Los Angeles Int’l Airport’s $4.1 billion capital development program will generate some $6.89 billion in economic output, creating 39,900 jobs. There are 25 major construction projects underway at LAX, including the $1.5-billion Bradley West Project, $438-million Central Utility Plant replacement, $270-million for replacing all elevators and escalators, and $636-million renovations in Terminals 4, 5 and 6.

• LAWA also reaches a settlement with Alaska Airlines, regarding a 2007 Lawsuit Over Terminal Charges. Alaska will pay some $271-million toward the renovation of Terminal 6 at LAX.  Under the agreement, Alaska Airlines agrees to dismiss claims in the litigation and LAWA and Alaska enter into a ten-year lease agreement for Terminal 6.  

Standard Aero Business Aviation — of Tempe, AZ adds line services on the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300-series of engines to its list of maintenance capabilities at its Springfield IL service center. Airframe platforms powered by these engines include the Falcon 2000 DX/EX/LX, Falcon 7X, and the Hawker 4000.

Avocet Aviation Services, LLC — opens a 55,510-sq. ft. hangar at Orlando-Sanford Int’l Airport. Facility will be a full-service, commercial aircraft maintenance operation at the airport, capable of housing aircraft as large as the Boeing 767-300.

ACSF — Air Charter Safety reports that FAA has recognized the ACSF’s Industry Audit Standard (IAS) as meeting the ICAO safety management system (SMS) standards for general aviation (e.g., Part 91) operators. In the recently released FAA Information for Operators (InFO) bulletin, “FAA SMS Developments for General Aviation Operators,” the ACSF is listed as a source for validating a company’s SMS in order to fulfill the ICAO requirements for general aviation operators.

Duncan Aviation — adds several authorizations to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Repair Station Certificate in Lincoln, NE. New authorized airframes include the Falcon 900DX, 2000, and 7X models. Duncan is one of only three Falcon service centers in the world that have a Chinese certificate.

MIA — after setting a new record for annual passenger traffic in 2010, Miami Int’l Airport reports that in the first quarter of 2011 it handled the most passengers ever during that period— more than 9.3 million travelers, an increase of 6.1 percent.

The SunBorne Companies at Centennial InterPort™ — ?enters an office space lease agreement with Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum at One InterPort. Wings Over the Rockies is headquartered in Lowry, CO.

GAMA — General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. adds veteran Capitol Hill staffer Amanda Joyner as its new director of government affairs.  Joyner comes from the office of U.S. Rep. Howard Coble of North Carolina where she most recently served as senior legislative assistant. 

Gary/Chicago Int’l Airport Authority — approves a landmark agreement clearing the way for airport expansion via a final memorandum of understanding with three railroads encompassing rail projects needed to move tracks that block expansion of its main runway.

NATA — National Air Transportation Assn. establishes a fund to battle what it sees as threatening California legislation, passed in 2009, that impacts flight training providers. Legislation was designed to regulate traditional career schools and private colleges, but has spilled over to flight training providers, says NATA, which charges that the legislation would impose numerous burdensome requirements upon providers of flight training, including a $5,000 registration fee and an annual fee equal to 0.75 percent of gross revenue; www.nata.aero.

Broad and Cassel — an Orlando-based law firm, is  selected to conduct a study on “Procurement Standards for Airport Contracting” as part of  the Transportation Research Board Cooperative Research Program. Results will be published in the ACRP’s Legal Research Digests series; www.broadandcassel.com or www.trb.org.