Longmuir Proposes New Security Program

On Tuesday, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Shelley A. Longmuir (pictured below) urged that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) be reopened to security-qualified general aviation aircraft. In testimony before the House Aviation Subcommittee, Longmuir unveiled a program including "10 rings of security" called Secure Access, which would ensure the safe operation of general aviation aircraft at the airport while again generating millions of dollars a year in economic activity in the Washington region.

Helicopter To Receive Major Upgrade

HAI Expo 2004 was the perfect venue for Bell to unveil one of its major headlines of the week. Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh announced the company's intention to go forward with an IFR version of the 427. The 427IFR will have several new features and some elements of Bell's MAPL technology program. Some of the more important features include more cabin room, a new state-of-the-art glass cockpit and new rotor technology offering increased performance. Bell hopes these additions will make the 427IFR an attractive platform for the EMS and Homeland Security mission. The manufacturer also expects to expand the market for light twins in the offshore industry.

Enstrom Helicopter Corp., in cooperation with LifePort, Inc., has added medical evacuation capabilities as an affordable option to the Enstrom 480B helicopter. The Enstrom 480B can be used for air ambulance missions with the inclusion of the LifePort, Inc. pivoting MedDeck. This enhancement was announced at the HAI Expo held in Las Vegas (NV).

Aircraft to Be Used For Oil Exploration

During the HAI Expo 2004, Bell and Aeroservicios Especializados S.A. de C.V. ("ASESA") officials announced that they had reached an agreement on the sale of ten new Bell 412EP Helicopters. The first few of the 412s have already been delivered to ASESA and have already started operations. Deliveries will continue through August of 2004. These aircraft will be used to service three new five-year contracts awarded by "PEMEX", Mexico's national oil company, each contract requiring five helicopters. The missions will be carried out in the Bay of Campeche region in southeastern Mexico.

Biz Jets Outpace Commercial Air Ops

Silicon Valley businesses are slowly, cautiously, putting their executives and salespeople back into the air in order to meet with clients or woo new ones. However, many are turning from commercial airlines to private corporate jets -- their own and, increasingly, someone else's. While commercial business traffic is off about 20 percent at Mineta San Jose International Airport since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, corporate jet traffic has increased. Exact local numbers aren't available, but corporate jet traffic was up 25 percent nationwide in 2003 and locally accounted for nearly one in every three flights taking off or landing in San Jose. Plans are already underway to expand or build three new facilities for corporate jets and thei

Expands Air Medical Service Fleet

Air Methods Corporation announced Tuesday the placement of a major order for ten (10) Eurocopter EC135 twin-engine helicopters as part of the company's long-term fleet expansion and modernization program. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Air Methods throughout 2004. The company's Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals and its LifeNet Division is the largest community-based provider of air medical services.

Announces Two Upcoming Exam Dates

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced three individuals who have successfully passed the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Examination, administered February 26 in Anaheim, CA. As NBAA describes, the CAM Program "offers a way to identify and measure the aviation-specific knowledge and management skills of current and aspiring flight department managers." Through the certification process, NBAA seeks to raise the professionalism and quality of management within flight departments. The next CAM Exam will be administered on Thursday, May 20 in the New York City area. Location details will be announced shortly.

Promoted to GM At Signature Flight Support's SBA Facility

Suzanne Scharton has been promoted to the general manager position at Signature's Santa Barbara (CA) facility. Scharton, a 17-veteran of the aviation industry, leaves her position as Client Service Manager at Signature's Orlando headquarters. While there, she worked closely with the sales department to help de