|

FAA Announces $9.2 million in Recovery Act Projects for Atlanta

Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
August 13, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced more than $9 million in upgrades funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that will make flights at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport safer, more efficient and more reliable.

“These projects are just a few examples of the terrific work being done around the country thanks to the Recovery Act,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Construction workers and engineers are helping to modernize and repair our nation’s commercial and general aviation airports.”

On Friday, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt marked the beginning of a $5 million ARRA project to install a new approach lighting system for Runway 27L. The new lighting system will provide visual information to pilots as they approach the runway in bad weather. It will improve airport capacity, operational capability and safety.

“Landing is one of the most critical phases of flight. This approach lighting system will give pilots an extra layer of safety,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The Recovery Act is responsible for safety enhancements and upgrades at airports and FAA facilities nationwide.”

The Recovery Act also funded an additional $4.2 million in upgrades to aviation facilities around the Atlanta area.

More than $1.5 million in ARRA funds went to install a new engine generator system for the FAA’s airport traffic control tower. The tower now has two engine generator systems, which will ensure essential back-up power for air traffic control operations at the world’s busiest airport. The system will provide highly reliable on-site power if both commercial power sources feeding the air traffic control tower fail during severe weather in Atlanta. The tower can operate all air traffic equipment at full capacity and with high reliability on the engine generator.

ARRA also funded a $2.6 million power distribution system for the National Network Control Center (NNCC) in Hampton, Ga., which processes pilot flight plans. The new power system is comprised of two commercial power feeds, a standby generator, two uninterruptible power systems with battery back-ups and a power distribution system. Maintaining a fully-functioning NNCC is critical to efficient operation of the national airspace system.

Under ARRA, $1.3 billion has been made available nationwide for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment and airport projects. ARRA grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • | | | | | | | | |

    Mishaps of the day

    Some events that happened today:

    • December 16, 2013, on JetBlue Flight 836#N661JB, the Airbus A320 arrived at the gate at JFK airport, New York, and the left wing struck the jet bridge. There was only minor damage and no injuries reported.
    • In Farmington NY on December 17, 2013, a Piper PA28#N43080 engine caught fire when the plane started up. The fire was extinguished, with unknown damage.
    • December 16, 2013, a Lancair/235#N15TG landing at John’s Island Charleston SC, when the nose gear collapsed. Minor damage was reported.
    • December 16, 2013, a Cessna/172 #N421ER was taxiing when the wing struck a light pole. The accident occurred in Wickenburg Arizona. Minor damage was reported.
    • December 16, 2013, an experimental plane, a Zenith 601#N581SL crashed in Leakey Texas under unknown conditions.
      To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. Announces Strategic Partnership with Miami Aviation Specialists, Inc.

    HOUSTON, Jan. 27, 2011 — AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. (AvStar) (Pink Sheets: AAVG) today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Miami Aviation Specialists, Inc. (MAS) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. With this partnership MAS will market AvStar’s services in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

    MAS has been active in the aircraft parts and support market since 1997. The company provides parts and component repair services for the Shorts 3-60 and other commercial aircraft from their warehouse in Ft. Lauderdale. MAS’ customer base includes commercial operators, local shops and end-users throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

    “MAS’ principal, Juan Molina, has been a supporter of Twin Air Calypso for several years. Juan’s extensive travel in South and Central America as well as the Caribbean will provide AvStar and its affiliates valuable marketing exposure of a personal and on-going nature,” said Clayton Gamber, CEO of AvStar Aviation Group, Inc.

    Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this release issued by AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. (the “Company”) that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and because such statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations, estimates, or projections of the Company, its directors, or its officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates and are based on assumptions made by management. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the anticipated results will occur. When issued in this report, the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

    SINGAPORE—The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed a milestone Maintenance Agreement Guidance (MAG) yesterday with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The agreement allows for mutual surveillance conducted on certified repair stations located abroad for each of the agreement partners.

    It provides guidance for the implementation of the previously agreed-upon. In cases where there are sufficient certificated facilities in both partner countries, MIPs may reduce the number of surveillance activities, free up inspector resources for the authorities, and reduce the regulatory burden on industry. There are 58 FAA-approved repair stations located in Singapore.

    The MAG furthers the Maintenance Implementation Procedures (MIP) agreement signed by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and CAAS on February 16, 2016. That agreement was the first of its kind in Asia and reduces costs by allowing the reciprocal acceptance of Singapore and the United States’ surveillance of maintenance work.

    The MIP and MAG permits reliance on each other’s surveillance systems to the greatest extent possible while maintaining safety. Agreements such as the MIP allow for greater efficiency and ultimately save valuable industry and authority resources. The FAA and the CAAS have agreed to conduct surveillance on each other’s behalf to ensure compliance with the respective regulatory requirements for maintenance and the applicable Special Conditions. Both agreements build on the 2004 U.S-Singapore Bilateral Safety Agreement (BASA) which has benefitted both countries by saving time and reducing costs in aircraft design and manufacturing.

    FAA Assistant Administrator for NextGen James Eck and Executive Director for International Affairs Carey Fagan are participating in the World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum this week in Singapore as part of the agency’s continued collaboration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

    As part of the strong U.S.-Singapore bilateral relationship, the FAA and the CAAS also partner under Singapore’s Air Traffic Management Center of Excellence to expand understanding and build Air Traffic Management capacity in the region.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Press Release – FAA Dedicates Recovery Act Funded Fire Station at LAX

    For Immediate Release
    November 22, 2010

    LOS ANGELES, Calif.–The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today dedicated a new, state-of-the-art fire station at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) funded by nearly $11 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

    “This project is an example of how the Recovery Act has not only stimulated the economy but also funded a critical safety improvement at one of the world’s busiest airports,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “The new fire station will help ensure the safety of all passengers at LAX for years to come.”

    At 27,500 square feet, the new station is twice as big as the old facility, which was built in 1985. The new station better accommodates the size, volume and nature of today’s emergency response equipment. It has seven bays to house and maintain fire rescue vehicles and also provides living, training and administration areas for 14 firefighters.

    “As a former airline pilot, I know very well how important it is for airports to have the best possible emergency response,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said. “That’s exactly what this new station provides for LAX.”

    The new station is located on the airfield midway between the north and south runway complexes. Construction on the station began in the summer of 2009 and was completed in October 2010. Firefighters moved into the station this month.

    Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • U.S. Virgin Applauds DOT Decision

    Virgin America Cleared for Take-Off in 2010

    San Francisco – January 8, 2010 – Virgin America, a privately-held domestic airline, today applauded the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision confirming the carrier’s financial fitness and U.S. citizenship status. Earlier today, the DOT issued a ruling that the airline and its proposed new ownership structure will remain fully compliant with U.S. ownership laws. U.S. law requires that domestic airlines remain under the control of U.S. citizens, with no more than 25% of the voting stock being held by foreign citizens. As a matter of policy, the DOT reviews any proposed ownership changes of over 10 percent of the voting stock of any U.S.-domiciled airline.

    “Today is a great day for airline competition, for our traveling guests and for our teammates,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “We’re extremely pleased with the Department of Transportation’s announcement. With this behind us, we intend to focus on what we do best: injecting new competition into markets as we grow, creating new jobs and delivering an unrivalled guest experience.”

    The proposed new ownership structure will reflect a change among Virgin America’s U.S. investors and also allow the Company’s teammates to participate in the airline’s future via an Employee LLC. Under the new structure, the airline’s voting stock will remain in its previous configuration with 75 percent held by the U.S.-based VAI Partners, LLC and 25 percent held by Virgin Group. However, the U.S. investors comprising VAI Partners will change with the following entities now comprising the VAI stake:

    Cyrus Aviation Investor, LLC – 55.5 percent
    VAI MBO Investors, LLC—27.8 percent
    VX Employee Holdings, LLC—16.7 percent
    VAI Management, LLC—less than 1 percent
    Cyrus Aviation Investor, LLC is an entity related to long-time Virgin America investor, Cyrus Capital. Under the new structure it will substantially increase its investment to become the airline’s principal U.S. investor.

    VAI MBO Investors, LLC is comprised of five individual investors. Four of the investors, Don Carty, Sam Skinner, Cyrus Freidheim, and David Cush, are current Virgin America Board members, and a fifth, Robert Nickell, will assume a Board seat at the closing of this transaction.

    VX Employee Holdings, LLC is an entity established to hold the economic value of 16.7 percent of VAI for distribution to the employees of Virgin America at the time of a qualified liquidity event, such as an initial public offering.

    “Given that our success to date is due to the efforts of this entrepreneurial start-up team, we are pleased that our teammates will now have a stake in the financial success of our airline,” added Cush.

    As part of the proposed transaction, Virgin America will obtain an additional $68.4 million in unsecured debt from its shareholders. This facility will further improve the liquidity of the company, positioning it for additional growth in 2010 and beyond.

    The company will continue to have a U.S. controlled Board of Directors (with seven of nine seats held by U.S. citizens). Although a privately-held company, the airline is announcing these details given DOT’s public ruling earlier today.

    Since its August 2007 launch, the San Francisco-based Virgin America has created more than 1500 new jobs, swept all the major reader-based travel awards, and lowered fares and improved service in the new markets it has entered. The start-up airline’s most recently reported financial results included the announcement of its first quarterly operating profit, a year-over-year revenue increase of 38 percent, record load factors and improved unit costs for the third quarter of 2009.

    Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Orange County and Fort Lauderdale. Virgin America has flown over 6.2 million guests since its inaugural flights and now counts over 1.2 million Elevate loyalty program members. In just over two years flying, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including “Best Domestic Airline” in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards.

    # # #

    Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled, owned and operated airline. It is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Press Release – FAA Proposes $455,175 Civil Penalty Against Corporate Air

    For Immediate Release

    October 12, 2010

    SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $455,175 civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, Mont., for allegedly operating a Beech 1900C airliner when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    “Our aviation safety rules are designed to protect the flying public,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect airlines to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”

    The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft under the company’s general maintenance manual, which includes the Pratt & Whitney Canada maintenance manual for the aircraft’s turboprop engines.

    Specifically, the FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft on at least 80 flights in spite of continued evidence of excessive oil consumption by the right engine. The FAA-approved aircraft and engine manuals call for post-flight inspection and repair of an engine experiencing excessive oil consumption. Corporate Air did not correct the oil consumption problem despite repeated inspections in which oil had to be added.

    Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

    “The safety of the passengers and crew must be the top priority for any operator,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “All operators must comply with maintenance requirements.”

    Corporate Air has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.