Briefings ...

Airport Minority Advisory Council — selects Shelby Scales as its new executive director. Scales is the former Small Business Program Officer for Raleigh-Durham Int’l Airport.

Smiths Detection — launches a new wireless communication system to improve both situational awareness and early-warning response to chemical attacks or threats detected by its suite of chemical sensors. Sensa-LINX is designed for perimeter protection, surveillance and reconnaissance, event protection, and incident response; www.smithsdetection.com/sensa-linx.php

TAMPA INT’L AIRPORT — awards its Main Terminal Modernization contract to global design firm Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum. Once interior design plans are completed, the final design will be passed along to Hardin Construction Co., which was awarded the contract for the $30 million modernization plan in August.

Southwest Florida Int’l Airport — completes a sale of $174 million Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds on Aug. 4, resulting in some $9.37 million in savings.

Portland (ME) Int’l Jetport — nears completion of its $75 million passenger terminal, following completion of a pair of parking garage expansions totaling $60 million. Terminal will feature the largest geothermal system at a U.S. airport, and a deicing system to recapture as much as 70 percent of the deicing fluids.

Miami Int’l Airport — unveils its MIA Mover, a 1.25-mile-long automated people mover system between MIA and the Miami Rental Car Center that opened to the public on Sept. 9.

Threshold Technologies, Inc. — of Chino, CA reports it will provide a Gulfstream II to participate in NASA’s High Ice Water Content (HIWC) flight campaign. Threshold and sister company Aviation Maintenance Group will also provide maintenance and support for the aircraft.

ACC — Airport Consultants Council organizes the Security Manufacturers Coalition, which will focus on aviation and intermodal security issues, advocate for adequate government funding and transparency for security technology, and draw attention to the adoption of international standards and regulations.

Chicago Dept. of Aviation — releases its 2011 Sustainability Report, which highlights the CDA’s industry-leading sustainability accomplishments.

Magellan Jets — of Boston expands into the Chinese market. launching the Cultural Educational Charter Service, the only of its kind in the industry, which will transport Chinese students to the U.S. for higher education, and handle their needs upon arrival.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Int’l Airport — announces it will restart the airport’s international terminal concessions RFP, after required documents were missing from 41 of the 95 proposals submitted for available concessions package