March Briefings...

Environmental Tectonics Corp. — of Southampton, PA announces open grant opportunities to assist emergency response organizations in obtaining the Advanced Disaster Management Simulator, either by purchase or through ADMS Training Services. ADMS is an interactive virtual reality-based team training system for emergency responders.

Executive Jet Management — of Cincinnati adds a Falcon 2000 based at Palm Beach Int’l Airport to its charter fleet, and a Falcon 50 based at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

Expressjet, Inc. — a new regional airline, will begin non-stop service from San Diego to nine cities in the U.S. — a 20 percent increase in destinations served from San Diego Int’l Airport by non-stop flights.

FAA — seeks new regulations to increase the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 60 to 65.

Frontier Airlines — will begin service from DFW Int’l to Mazatlán, Mexico on June 7, flying three days a week with rates as low as $178 using an A319 aircraft.

GAMA — General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. reports that manufacturers billed a record $18.8 billion worth of new aircraft in 2006, a 24 percent increase over 2005, delivering 4,042 units — a 12.9 percent increase. Piston units delivered were up 11.6 percent, at 2,750 units; turboprops were up 11.5 percent, at 407 units; and, turbine-powered aircraft were 18 percent higher, at 885 units.

General Dynamics — names Joseph Lombardo to replace Bryan Moss as president of Gulfstream Aerospace.

Griffin Aviation — of Geneva leases 1.5 acres at Orlando Sanford Int’l Airport to build a 10,000-sq. ft. hangar.

ITT Radar Systems-Gilfillan — introduces two new air traffic control systems — Expeditionary Airfield Ground Landing Equipment (EAGLE), a fully integrated, field-proven tactical air traffic control system featuring an Airport Surveillance Radar and a Precision Approach Radar subsystem and operations subsystem; and, a Radar Assisted Instrument Landing System (RAILS): developed to enhance its Precision Approach, Ground Controlled Approach, MPN-14K, and MPN-25/26 radars, allowing these systems to be upgraded with an ICAO-compliant Category 1 Instrument Landing System (ILS) capability; www.itt.com.

Jacksonville (FL) Aviation Authority — pursues development of an aircraft coating facility at Cecil Field in partnership with the Florida Community College of Jacksonville. JAA will put up $10 million toward the construction of the new facility and FCCJ will apply to the state of Florida for $10 million in matching funds. If FCCJ is unable to secure the $10 million from the state, the JAA gets its $10 million back. JAA will lease eight acres to FCCJ for 40 years at no cost. FCCJ will build the facility; JAA will manage and operate it.

• JAA board also approves a general ground lease of 2.2 acres at Jacksonville International Airport to Jax Lodging Inc. to build and operate a 78-room Microtel Hotel Inn and Suite.

Jetdirect Aviation LLC — acquires Presidential Aviation, a charter/management and maintenance firm with bases in Ft. Lauderdale, New York, and Los Angeles.

Little Rock (AR) National Airport-Adams Field — contracts with Mead & Hunt of Madison, WI to help expand commercial air service.

Mercury Air Group, Inc. — announces an agreement with Kuwait’s United Projects Company to manage a new world-class private terminal fixed base operation at Kuwait Int’l Airport. The agreement is a letter of intent (LOI) between Mercury and United Projects Company, a member of Kuwait Projects Group, an investment firm. Terminal opens in the last quarter of 2007.

Onesky Jets — of Manchester, NH, acquires Charter Jet Broker, LLC of Ft. Lauderdale.

Orlando Sanford Int’l Airport — will open its first airport hotel in 2008 — a five-story Best Western.

 • Orlando Sanford Int’l also starts construction of an expansion of the existing international terminal apron; and, leases 22,000 square feet of hangar space to Aeronautical Restoration and Maintenance Facility, LLC. 

Ottawa (ONT.) Int’l Airport — adds :10 Minute Manicure, a chain of express nail salons for airports offering services ranging from a $4 nail repair to a $50 manicure/pedicure. 

Piper Aircraft — of Vero Beach, FL reports it has orders for some 180 of its new single-engine PiperJet aircraft, introduced at last fall’s NBAA convention.