GENERAL AVIATION AWARDS LLC ANNOUNCED
The General Aviation Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the group has recently formed General Aviation Awards LLC. The seven member board of directors is made up volunteers who have agreed to take on the work of the awards program. Industry groups and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partner each year to recognize outstanding professionals in the fields of Flight Instruction (CFI), Aviation Maintenance (AMT), Avionics Technology (AVN), and representatives in the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) program.
JoAnn Hill, president of Master Instructors LLC (MI LLC), has agreed to remain as national chairman for another term. John Teipen, the 2005 National CFI of the Year as well as the 2008 National FAASTeam Representative of the Year will serve as vice-chairman. 2007 National CFI of the Year Mike Gaffney will serve as secretary while 2007 National AMT of the Year Paul New has assumed the treasurer's duties. Sandy Hill of MI LLC will serve on the board and chair the Communications/Marketing Committee. Advocates for Aviation Safety Foundation (AFASF) executive director Paul Burger has agreed to continue chairing the Fund Raising Committee. Kate Fraser, manager of operations for General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), will join the Fund Raising Committee. A seventh board seat is yet to be filled. Kevin Clover, AFS 850, will serve as the FAA liaison to the Board.
Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Passenger Numbers up 5.3%
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has released their 2011 year-end travel numbers. The number of people using Sky Harbor continued to show sustained growth as the airport served 40.6 million passengers in 2011, up 5.3% from 2010. The overall improvement is comparable to the pre-recession numbers when Sky Harbor served 41 million passengers in 2005. PHX saw a record 42 million passengers in 2007.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said they are encouraged by the continued growth in passenger numbers in 2011. Sky Harbor is a vital gateway to the Southwest and the increase in activity indicates that the economy is improving.
Events such as college bowl games, the Waste Management Open, Rock n’ Roll Marathon and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game are some of the big events bringing thousands through the airport. But business and leisure travel is coming back as well. Spring and summer were the busiest seasons in 2011 and the airport has seen continual growth for 16 months in a row. Sky Harbor holds its status as one of the top ten busiest airports in the country.
Aviation Director, Danny Murphy said the numbers are an excellent reminder that they must continue to provide the facilities and services worthy of the world-class airport that we have right here in Phoenix. To keep up with this demand, Murphy said they must be planning now to serve over 50 million passengers in 2030.
One of the critical services the airport will offer the growing number of passengers is the PHX Sky Train™. Beginning early 2013, it will transport passengers between the regional METRO light rail system at 44th Street and Washington, East Economy parking and Terminal 4. Soon after, it will connect the rest of the terminals and by late 2020, the Sky Train will travel to the Rental Car Center.
Guidance Aviation Donates Helicopter, Supports Flight Students
As part of a special event in January, Guidance Aviation presented the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) the newly painted Robinson R44 helicopter which Guidance Aviation donated to the YCSO in October, 2010. During the event, which was held at Guidance Aviation's facility on the south ramp of the Prescott Municipal Airport, Guidance CEO John Stonecipher took the opportunity to present a $15,000 check to the Yavapai College Foundation, as part of supporting flight students who are in financial need.
Guidance Aviation's facility at Prescott Airport. Site of the special presentation.
In 2011 Stonecipher and Guidance Aviation established the Guidance Aviation Scholarship fund which donates $1,000 for every flight student enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science, Professional Pilot, Helicopters, program.
John Morgan, left, Dean of Yavapai College's Chino Valley and CTEC campuses, accepts a check from John Stonecipher, CEO Guidance Aviation.
Attendees at the BBQ and special event included Yavapai County Sheriff, Scott Mascher, Sheriff Steven Waugh (retired), board members and deputies of YCSO. Guidance Aviation faculty, flight students and families were present as well. Helicopter and airplane rides were provided by Guidance in addition to food and beverages served.
Guidance Aviation is the first FAA Part 141 High Altitude Helicopter flight training facility in the U.S., specializing in helicopter and airplane flight training. For more information on Guidance visit their website at www.guidance.aero.
Zulu Caffe Opens at Scottsdale Airport
After two years without a restaurant, the new Zulu Caffe at Scottsdale Airport has opened its doors featuring an imaginative line of wood fired pizzas and flatbreads along with an expansive selection of distinctive southwest dishes, paninis, salads, appetizers and desserts.
Ribbon-cutting participants at the grand opening of the Zulu Caffe on January 16th. (Photo courtesy of Scott Schauer Photography.)
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 16th. Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane said he is very pleased that Zulu Caffe will be providing a first-rate restaurant and catering service at the airport.
Dee Dee Maza, co‐owner of Zulu Caffe said the dream of bringing their restaurant to the Scottsdale Airport was made possible through the cooperation of the City of Scottsdale and its civic leaders.
The new restaurant is located inside the airport terminal at 15000 N. Airport Drive. With great views of the airfield, guests can watch airplanes take off and land while they enjoy their food. Zulu Caffe is open six days per week, featuring breakfast, lunch and happy hour Tuesday – Friday, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.zulucaffe.com or call 480-636-1634 to make your reservation.
Sky Harbor’s North Runway Project Complete
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has announced the completion of the 21-day construction project on its longest runway. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said they not only finished the project, done in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline partners and contractors, on time and on budget, they put 250 people to work and pumped millions of dollars right back into the local economy.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
The FAA, Airport and airline staff prepared for more than six months on this project which included a number of enhancements such as: state-of-the-art lighting, pavement repairs and marking, and taxi-way improvements. More than 250 men and women worked around the clock to ensure that the $10.6 million North Runway Project was completed on time and in accordance with the FAA’s regulations and safety guidelines.
While there were some passenger delays during construction, the advance work with the airlines and the FAA to schedule flights accordingly, reduced that impact significantly.
Danny Murphy, Aviation Director for the City of Phoenix, said that there is never a convenient time to close a runway, but the coordination by all of their partners to maintain smooth airport operations demonstrated a strong commitment to teamwork and customer service.
The North Runway is the longest of Sky Harbor’s three runways at almost 11,500 feet. More than 1,200 aircraft arrive and depart daily from PHX, which serves 100,000 passengers each day.
USPA Reports Continued Growth in Sport of Skydiving
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) reported this week that the sport of skydiving continued to grow in 2011 and is poised to continue that growth into 2012.
USPA Executive Director, Ed Scott.
The association announced that skydiving, an FAA-recognized aeronautical activity, continues to increase business at general aviation airports across the country and boost local economies by bringing thousands of people to nearby businesses. In 2011, USPA’s 200-plus affiliated skydiving centers in the U.S. reported more than 3.1 million skydives and nearly 400,000 takeoffs and landings with no fatal aircraft accidents.
Last year, according to a USPA release, more than a half million people in the U.S. took the leap for the first time. Whether to cross an item off their bucket lists or to discover a new hobby and passion, these first-timers took the life-changing leap and experienced the thrill of a lifetime.
In addition to first-time jumpers, USPA also reports an upsurge in experienced skydivers of all ages. At year’s end, USPA boasted a membership of 33,515—its highest number since January 2002, shortly after the 9-11 terrorist attacks wreaked havoc on the aviation industry.
As the sport of skydiving is clearly on the rise, accident numbers continue to remain minimal, USPA says. In 2011, 25 people died in the U.S. while skydiving, or one out of every 125,000 jumps. Additionally, the five-year average of skydiving fatalities shows a steady decline, with an average of 22 per year over the last five years compared to 25 per year from 2002-2006 and 35 per year from 1997-2001.
Skydiving continues to improve its safety record due in large part to safer equipment and better training. Student accidents are extremely low; most injuries and fatalities involve experienced skydivers attempting advanced maneuvers. USPA continues to work toward making the sport safer by developing additional training programs and conducting its annual Safety Day—scheduled for March 10 this year—where drop zones across the country hold safety seminars and refresher training.
“We’re constantly striving to make skydiving as safe as possible, especially for students,” says USPA Executive Director Ed Scott. “The sport’s continued growth attests to this improved safety and the indescribable life-altering experience of jumping out of a plane. With Leap Year upon us, what better time to take that leap?”
For more information on skydiving and to find a USPA Group Member skydiving center near you, visit www.uspa.org.
AOPA Aviation Summit Commits to Palm Springs in 2012… and 2014
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has committed to hold their general aviation trade show and convention, AOPA Aviation Summit, at the Palm Springs Convention Center Oct. 11-13, 2012 and Oct. 9-11, 2014.
The AOPA Aviation Summit features dozens of aircraft on display at the Palm Springs Convention Center, more than 400 booths in the exhibit hall and an enhanced education series offered over the course of three days.
The organization has not been to Palm Springs since 2006. Since then, almost $200 million has been spent to build new hotels and upgrade existing facilities. The summit is expected to generate $12 million in economic impact.
INAUGURAL TRIBUTE TO RECOGNIZE FIRST INDUCTEES TO CAF AVIATION MUSEUM’S WALK OF HONOR
The Commemorative Air Force ("CAF") Arizona Wing Aviation Museum, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, announced today the inauguration of its Walk of Honor as a tribute recognizing the contributions by Arizonans to the field of military aviation. Inductees will be honored for their achievement with the installation of a special bronze plaque at the Museum.
The inauguration will be celebrated at a dinner recognizing the first inductees on Saturday evening, February 18, 2012 at the Phoenix Hilton East-Mesa Hotel, 1011 W. Holmes, Mesa, Arizona 85210. Cocktails will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Dinner and the induction ceremony will follow. Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB will be the keynote speaker.
The first six inductees into the Arizona Military Aviation Walk of Honor include: Lieutenant Frank Luke, Major Fred Ferguson, Rear Admiral W. L. Chatham, Mr. Sergei Sikorsky, Major Joseph Foss and Dr. Harry Robertson. Inductees are native, resident or former resident Arizonans, living or deceased, who made noteworthy contributions to the field of military aviation. They are selected based upon achievement in a variety of categories, including flying, engineering, manufacturing, operations, education or other commendable aviation-related achievements.
NASA Engineers at Yuma International Host Students to Discuss Orion
Engineers from NASA and Jacobs Engineering hosted students this week from Cibola, Yuma and San Luis High Schools for a tour of their hangar at Yuma International Airport, to discuss the space agency's Orion Program and the work they are conducting in Yuma. The tours occurred on Monday, January 23rd and Tuesday, January 24th. The students are involved in the University of Arizona - Yuma High School Engineering Program.
Students gather in front of the Jacobs/NASA facility at Yuma International Airport.
The University of Arizona began offering Engineering 102 in an effort to introduce high school students to college-level engineering and to give math-and-science savvy students hands-on experience before they commit to a university engineering program. The high school program is based on the Engineering 102 class that freshman engineering students take at the UofA.
Inside the NASA hangar.
NASA’s Capsule Parachute Assembly System team has been performing parachute drop tests at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Grounds since 2007 to support the design and development of the capsule descent and landing parachute system to support the Orion flight tests and first human flight.
While they’ve been testing in Yuma since 2007, NASA didn’t have a permanent home until the airport built the Pappy Boyington hangar in 2009. Since basing themselves in the hangar, the NASA and Jacobs Engineering team are ahead of schedule.
“Since the NASA and Jacobs engineers are here for six months out of the year, Yuma is like a second home for them and we’ve built an amazing relationship.” said Gen Grosse, airport spokesperson. “We also participate in a variety of educational programs within the community. When NASA expressed interest in sharing their knowledge and experience with our local students, we knew it would be an experience of a lifetime. It's exciting for the students to see what a wide variety of options lies in their future.”
Thomas A. Zlaket To Chair The Tucson Airport Authority
Thomas A. Zlaket has assumed the chairmanship of the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) at its annual meeting this week. In addition, the membership elected three new board members and six new TAA members.
Thomas A. Zlaket
A member of TAA since 2003, Zlaket was elected to the board of directors in 2007. He began practicing law in Tucson in 1965 and served in the Arizona Supreme Court from 1992 to 2002, moving from associate justice, to vice chief justice, to chief justice in 1997.
An attorney in private practice for the past 10 years, Zlaket is also an adjunct associate professor at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and is chief judge of the Tonto Apache Nation Tribal Court of Appeals.
Active in community affairs, Zlaket is a member of several professional organizations, including the DM50, an advocacy group for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and the Arizona chapter of The Nature Conservancy, for which he is a trustee.
The Authority’s newly elected members are Michael Duran of Tucson Medical Center, Michael Hammond of PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services, Rosemary Koberlein of The Long Companies, Tim Overton of Wells Fargo, Judith Patrick of SCF Arizona and Richard Underwood of AAA Landscape.
Continuing on the board this year are Lisa Israel, chairman-elect; Steven Fell, secretary; Steven Cole, treasurer; Chanda S. Budhabhatti, assistant secretary; Gregory A. Pivirotto, assistant treasurer; and Rubin Salter, immediate past chairman. Edwin Biggers, Michael Hannley and Tony Finley were newly elected to the board.
State Aviation Journal
- DOT selects SeaPort for 4-year EAS contract February 6, 2012
- GENERAL AVIATION AWARDS LLC ANNOUNCED February 5, 2012
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- GENERAL AVIATION AWARDS LLC ANNOUNCED
- Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Passenger Numbers up 5.3%
- Guidance Aviation Donates Helicopter, Supports Flight Students
- Zulu Caffe Opens at Scottsdale Airport
- Sky Harbor’s North Runway Project Complete
- USPA Reports Continued Growth in Sport of Skydiving
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