Briefings ...
aci-na — Airports Council Int’l-North America comes out in support of limits to runway and tarmac delays, with president Greg Principato saying the organization “supports airlines working with Congress and the Dept. of Transportation to determine specific deadlines,” and that “airlines should be held accountable for adhering to the predetermined deadlines.” ACI-NA has filed motions with DOT supporting enhanced protections for passengers, such as increased compensation for delayed or cancelled flights and lost baggage.
baa cleveland — developer of the AIRMALL at Cleveland Hopkins Int’l Airport (CLE), welcomes Hudson News, located in Concourse D; Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, located on Concourse C; and Travelex foreign exchange in Concourse C.
Boston logan int’l airport — reports the first-in-the-nation use of environmentally friendly asphalt to completely repave a runway using “warm mix” asphalt on Runway 9/27. The $12.5 million project, which received federal stimulus funding, is the first U.S. runway to be completely repaved with so-called “warm mix’’ asphalt which is heated to between 250 and 275 degrees, some 75 to 50 degrees less than traditional “hot mix” asphalt. The difference on this project will result in the reduction of nearly 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the savings of about 400,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and produce an energy savings of about 53 billion BTUs.
Branson airport llc — the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the U.S., announces the addition of scheduled public charter service, operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. from the Chicago Rockford Int’l Airport.
cessna aircraft co. — a Textron Inc. company based in Wichita, announces that Cessna Finance Corporation has initiated a new finance program with lower rates available for Cessna’s single-engine piston and Caravan aircraft purchased in 2009. The CFC program offers new rates for the entire Cessna line of propeller aircraft; www.cfcloan.com.
• Cessna also releases its new Cessna Sport/Private Pilot Course to its Cessna Pilot Center network.
daniel webster college — of Nashua, NH, announces its Master of Business Administration for Aviation Professionals. This program, delivered entirely in an online format, provides a broad understanding of business and management principles.
denver int’l airport — unveils an exhibition dedicated to Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes, featuring artwork by regional artists in “Art of the Dunes.” A collaboration between DIA and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the exhibition is a collection of artwork and photography of and inspired by the diverse landscape elements of the Dunes; www.flydenver.com/art.
faa — Federal Aviation Administration hosts a meeting in September near New York’s LaGuardia Airport to discuss proposed changes aimed at reducing ripple-effect delays caused by congestion in the Northeast, especially into and out of the New York Class B airspace.
faith group llc — a planning, programming, analysis, and design firm based in St. Louis, is selected by the Cleveland Airport System, which includes Cleveland Hopkins Int’l and Burke Lakefront Airports, to conduct its Information Technology Master Plan.
flairjet — London Oxford Airport’s new private jet charter operator, will be the first to put the Phenom 100 on the UK ‘G’ register.
flightline first — at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans is awarded its Part 135 certificate to begin providing on-demand charter service. The company also welcomes tenant Auric Avionics & Instruments and Innovative Turbine Aircraft Solutions, which offers sales, installation, and repair service.
flight safety foundation’s — European Advisory Committee (EAC) releases the Operator’s Guide to Human Factors in Aviation to bridge the gap between theory and practice to improve the safety and efficiency of commercial aviation. The guide consists of over 100 articles and supporting visual aids which present human factors issues in a manner tailored to aviation operators. A complete copy can be obtained at www.skybrary.aero.
forecast international — in its new analysis entitled “The Market for Light Aircraft Retrofit & Modernization,” estimates that nearly $1.7 billion will be spent on upgrades for fixed-wing aircraft weighing less than 70,000 pounds during the 2009-2018 period. As the electronics sector has stabilized after a spike fueled by FAA mandates, the market will be led by propulsion upgrades.
fsana — Flight School Assn. of North America based at Allentown, PA is formed as the first aviation association dedicated solely to the flight training industry. FSANA represents flight schools, firms that provide products or services to the flight training industry, and supporting partners; www.fsana.com.
george Bush intercontinental airport — celebrates the grand opening of its IAH Fresh Cargo Center. IAH partnered with Trammell Crow to develop the 61,484-sq. ft. facility, which opens Houston as a major gateway for temperature and time-sensitive air cargo.
honeywell international inc. — Honeywell International Inc. receives FAA approval for its SmartRunway and SmartLanding safety systems designed to prevent runway accidents at crowded airports. The systems alert pilots about runway and taxi locations, unstable approaches, and long landings when an aircraft lands too far down the runway to safely stop. The systems require one hour of aircraft downtime for installation and minimal pilot training.
jet edge — of Van Nuys, CA adds two large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft, a G-V and a privately managed G-550, to its charter fleet.
l-3 security & detection Systems — of Woburn, MA introduces the new ultra-compact, high-performance PX 5.3 X-ray inspection system for use where space is at a premium.
lee county port authority — announces Midwest Airlines will start nonstop service to Kansas City from Southwest Florida Int’l Airport (RSW) on Dec. 17, operating a 76-seat Embraer 170 aircraft.
los angeles — Board of Airport Commissioners approves environmental impact and compliance reports for the reconfiguration of the Tom Bradley Int’l Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles Int’l Airport. The Bradley West Project calls for new concourses to replace existing ones; the addition of nine gates to the west side of the terminal to supplement existing gates on the east side of the terminal; addition of secured concourses between Terminals 3 and 4; and relocation of existing Taxiways S and Q and a vehicle service road that connects the north and south runway complexes.
maryland aviation administration — executive director Timothy L. Campbell is retiring. His predecessor, Paul J. Wiedefeld, will replace him.
milwaukee county — is getting $6.3 million in federal stimulus funds to help install safety areas on two airport runways at General Mitchell Int’l Airport.
nata — National Air Transportation Assn. and the Aircraft Electronics Association oppose foreign repair station provisions in both the U.S. House and Senate versions of FAA reauthorization legislation. Each bill contains a provision requiring additional FAA oversight of foreign repair stations.
natca — National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. members vote to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with FAA, ending a union/FAA impasse held over from the Bush Administration.
nbaa — National Business Aviation Assn. and the General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. applaud a new study showing that, by a host of measurements, companies using business aviation outperform those without aircraft. The study, conducted by NEXA Advisors, examined how companies included in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 performed in revenue growth, profit growth, and asset efficiency from 2003 through 2008. Average annual earnings growth was 434 percent higher for users of business aircraft than for non-users; visit www.noplanenogain.org.
new orleans int’l airport — has its preliminary application to lease Louisiana’s largest commercial airport to a private operator approved by FAA under the agency’s privatization pilot program. Under the program, an airport may continue to receive FAA funds and grants and collect fees and charges. The city could use lease proceeds for non-aviation purposes after money is set aside for airport debt service. Congress is allowing up to five public airports to participate in the program, including a large hub airport and at least one general aviation airport that does not have scheduled airline service.
oag — reports that global airline capacity for September showed positive growth for the second consecutive month, with a rise of 1.4 percent over September 2008 levels; www.oagaviation.com.
ocracoke island emergency-use helipad — at the Ocracoke Island (NC) Airstrip opens; more than $400,000 in state and federal funds were provided for the project.
o’hare int’l airport — is charged with safety violations by FAA after federal inspectors find numerous violations that endanger airplanes at the most critical phases of flight, takeoffs and landings. The safety breaches range from debris on runways to excessive amounts of tall grass and weeds that create hazards for planes by attracting birds and other wildlife.
raa — Regional Airline Assn. announces at a U.S. House hearing that nearly all its member airlines, which carry 98 percent of regional airline passengers, have either established or committed to establishing both a Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program and an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). RAA also outlines to the House Aviation Subcommittee the elements of its own independent Strategic Safety Initiative, including study of human performance and fatigue issues and a more thorough review of pilot checkrides.
reveal imaging tech-nologies,inc. — a developer of threat detection solutions based at Bedford, MA, receives a $30 million order from the Transportation Security Administration for its CT-80 DR, a next generation explosives detection system (EDS). These systems, in addition to associated options, are scheduled for delivery over the next 12 months.
san antonio int’l airport — will upgrade its baggage handling system with explosives detection devices under a $14 million federal stimulus grant.
standardaero — completes its first aftermarket installation of Aviation Partners Inc. (API) state-of-the-art, high-mach blended winglets on a Falcon 2000 large-cabin business jet at its facility in Springfield, IL.
u.s. house and senate — pass legislation, H.R. 3607, to extend funding authority for the FAA through December 31, 2009. The short-term extension provides essential funding for the FAA to continue operations, extends excise taxes on aviation users, and provides $1 billion for the Airport Improvement Program. It is the ninth consecutive continuing resolution for system funding as Congress continues to consider long-term reauthorization.
vector aerospace — Helicopter Services-North America of Andalusia, AL receives Bell Helicopter approval for both its UH-1 airframe maintenance fixture as well as for the repair and overhaul for UH-1 dynamic components.
wichita mid-continent airport — receives a $6.9 million federal award for an in-line baggage screening system for the airport’s new terminal building.
In Memoriam: Bill DeCota
On September 11, William R. DeCota, 52, passed away. He had served as the director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 1999, having joined it in 1982 as a financial analyst. Following are some outtakes from a recent interview with AIRPORT BUSINESS ...
On system capacity ..
“It seems to be the same issue almost everywhere. We have been talking about a stimulus package, which is really code for: how do we get funds into our airport system, particularly when our economy is soft, in order to be able to build? Everybody needs runways, and terminal buildings, and cargo buildings; I think capacity looms as the biggest challenge we have.”
On international competition ...
“I think under the EU/ U.S. Open Skies agreement, it’s only inevitable that there has to be some relaxation of foreign ownership. There needs to be more ability for more carriers to come in.
“Lufhansa buying 19 percent of JetBlue is a great example. Lufthansa wants to do great things in this country; they are the head of the Star Alliance right now. Its CEO has great ideas about what he would like to do for interconnectivity between his carrier and JetBlue.”
On airline consolidation ...
“Deregulation has created lower fares, more people traveling, more choice; but it’s also led to this inability so far for the common carrier to figure out how to compete. Hopefully rationalization, consolidation, and merger and acquisition will lead to a better end result; it has to eventually.”
