Six professional engineering societies jointly presented the Elmer A. Sperry Award to the developers of the EMAS (engineered material arresting system), which helps prevent injury after runway overruns by stopping speeding aircraft in beds of specially engineered porous concrete. EMAS beds are typically used where normal runway safety areas are not available due to space constraints.
AINalerts » August 23, 2007
Instrument manufacturer Aerosonic of Clearwater, Fla., announced yesterday that it bought Op Technologies, a Beaverton, Ore. manufacturer of glass cockpit avionics suites primarily for the light sport and experimental aircraft market. “It fits perfectly,” said Aerosonic executive vice president Mark Perkins, “because we were headed down the path of developing our own glass display products.
Beginning with the 2008 model year, Cessna 172 buyers can pay $15,000 more for a 155-hp, two-liter turbocharged Thielert diesel engine-powered Skyhawk instead of the current avgas-burning 180-hp Lycoming version. Cessna dealers told AIN that the factory diesel Cessna 172 will retail for $298,500, including Garmin G1000 avionics and integrated GFC700 autopilot.
The emergency-planning division of charter operator and broker Air Partner International swung into action to rescue clients from Hurricane Dean’s destructive force. The London-based operation implemented evacuation plans that marshaled Gulfstream IVs, Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s and Saab 340s chartered at short notice to fly customers away from locations threatened by the huge storm.
In an unusual display of harmony, leaders of 18 aviation associations signed a letter to President Bush asking that he appoint a new FAA Administrator to the normal five-year term instead of a recess appointment that might not be approved by the Senate by the end of the next session. “Our nation cannot afford a recess appointee as we face the time-critical challenge of modernizing our nation’s aviation infrastructure,” the letter stated.