The FAA has selected a team headed by Lockheed Martin to provide services now offered by the agency’s Automated Flight Service Stations. The five-year contract, with an option for five more years, is estimated at $1.9 billion. FAA officials say turning AFSS duties over to Lockheed Martin will save $2.2 billion over the next 10 […]
Global Flyer launch still uncertain
Launch date for the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer’s world-record attempt remains uncertain. As of press time, the launch date had been set for sometime between Feb. 8 and 11, moved up from Feb. 6 because of weather and “other unfavorable takeoff conditions,” according to officials at the Salina Municipal Airport in Kansas, where Steve Fossett is […]
Ranger Jet rebuilding from Charlie
Ranger Jet Center, an FBO at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), is rapidly rebuilding facilities destroyed by Hurricane Charley. Despite the loss of more than 30,000 square feet of hangar space, Ranger is building back 42,000 square feet of new corporate aircraft storage space, which is scheduled for completion in mid-March. Ranger also is in […]
ATG working on first flight details
Meanwhile, another Englewood, Colo.-based company in the personal jet business, Aviation Technology Group, is working with the FAA to hammer out details for the first flight of the Javelin Executive Jet. In the last two months, engineers and mechanics have reached many milestones in building the Javelin. The fuel tank, ejection seats and landing gear […]
Adam A700 making progress
Adam Aircraft is making progress on its A700 AdamJet, according to officials at the Englewood, Colo.-based company. While the company’s focus has been on the development and certification of its twin piston A500, the AdamJet has had more than 200 hours of flight time in the last 18 months, reaching speeds of 300 Ktas and […]
Washington seaplane base closes
Despite last minute efforts of the Seaplane Pilots Association and the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division, the city of Lakewood, Washington, has closed American Lake Seaplane Base. According to city officials, the lease with the base’s operator expired in December 2004 and neither the operator nor the city expressed an interest in renewing […]
Sportplanes.com establishes 20 regional centers
Sportsplanes.com, which has established 20 Sport Aircraft Regional Centers (SARCs), plans to open a few more to attain national coverage. The Salt Lake City-based company is in the process of looking for qualified flight schools to train sport pilots. Each SARC Director has a goal of affiliating with a minimum of five Sport Pilot training […]
California’s Corona Airport set to reopen after floods
Mother Nature, in the form of drying winds, is helping with the cleanup at Corona Municipal Airport (AJO) in Southern California. The airport has been closed to the general public since the second week of January. Torrential rains turned the airport into a lake last month. Although most of the aircraft were moved to higher […]
Making time in a Citabria
I enjoyed “The Aviator.” It was a great aviation adventure. High-end special effects. Great acting. Big names. Big budget. Then I turned around and watched “Time Chasers,” a 1994 film about a Citabria that has been turned into a time machine. “The Aviator,” it was not. I knew what I was getting into because I […]