Republic Airways signs landing gear maintenance contract

TAT Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of services and products to the commercial and military aerospace and ground defense industries, announced Sunday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Piedmont Aviation Component Services, has signed a seven year landing gear Maintenance Support Agreement with Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. covering their Embraer E - 175 fleet. The agreement covers the current fleet of 160 aircraft and the total value may exceed $45 million.

"This contract will position us as a world leading maintenance service provider for Embraer E - 170/190 landing gear as the fleet is just entering first wave of major overhaul requirements," said TAT's President and CEO Itsik Maaravi. "The new agreement reinforces TAT's leading position in the regional landing gear maintenance industry, adding new capabilities to our existing product lines, which currently includes ATR 42/72, CRJ 100/200 and Dash 8 aircraft."

Interjet now arriving in Houston

Mexican airline Interjet has formally announced the start of operations for its direct Monterrey - Houston - Monterrey service starting on Oct. 23, with two daily flights Monday through Friday, and one daily flight on Saturdays and Sundays. This new service strengthens the company's plan of expansion and growth, thus consolidating its presence in the American market.

Houston is the main tourist destination in Texas; it's the fourth largest city in the United States and has a substantial medical infrastructure. In addition, it is considered the energy capital of the world, as well as the world's number one city in aerospace development. With world-class museums, shopping centers, an ample hotel offering, Houston is one of the most economically dynamic cities in the country.

Monterrey, for its part, is one of Mexico's most industrially developed cities, and one of the country's main centers of business, with significant hotel infrastructure.

"The City of Monterrey is extremely important to the Houston region for both economic and cultural reasons and this new nonstop flight makes it easier for our residents to strengthen business ties and maintain close connections with family and friends," says Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

With the opening up of this destination, Interjet will be servicing five major cities in the United States, thus allowing it to consolidate commercial and tourist ties between this key U.S. region and Mexico.

Pilot in stable condition after plane crash off Miami Beach

The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities are responding to the report of a Cessna aircraft that crashed, Saturday, approximately 200 yards from Miami Beach, Fla.

The Coast Guard received a call from the Miami Beach Police Department at approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT, Saturday, reporting a down aircraft with one person aboard approximately 200 yards from 45th Street and Collins Ave in Miami Beach.

Responding assets are:

• Coast Guard Station 45-foot Response boat - Medium.
• Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew.
• Miami Beach Police Department.
• City of Miami Beach Ocean Rescue.

The pilot of the aircraft was rescued by Ocean Rescue crewmembers and transported to awaiting emergency medical services in stable condition.

The plane, a Cessna 305A (tail number N212KY), has been reported as fully submerged and Coast Guard crews are continuing to work all response efforts and mitigation of pollution.

Search begins for downed aircraft near Jamaica

The U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican officials are responding to a downed aircraft with three people reportedly aboard in the water approximately 14 miles north of Port Antonio, Jamaica.

On Friday, the Coast Guard 7th District command center in Miami received a call from U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) at 11 a.m. EDT reporting that a Socata TBM 700 single engine turbo prop aircraft (tail number N900KN) departed Rochester, N.Y. at 8:26 a.m. with three people aboard who were reportedly unresponsive to radio calls. The plane was scheduled to arrive in Naples, Fla., at noon.

A Coast Guard C-130 aircrew was launched from Clearwater, Fla., to help monitor the unresponsive aircraft. Two F-15 fighter jets under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command were launched to investigate. The Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, were also diverted to assist in the search.

The C-130 aircrew has arrived on scene along with Jamaican aircraft crews, but have been unable to locate the aircraft or a debris field. The search for the missing aircraft continues.

The Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation in close coordination with U.S. NORTHCOM and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “More information will be made available as it develops,” the Coast Guard said in a press statement.

The brand new 2014 plane is registered to New 51LG LLC of Rochester, N.Y., according to FAA records.

NASA sends apology for email 'spam'

“NASA GovDelivery Subscribers,

“We apologize for a number of emails that we're sent out in error last night. No one wants email 'spam,' and we certainly don't want to send it to you.

“Unfortunately, a technical glitch during a software update created a problem with our RSS feeds, which then generated the incorrect and unintentional email updates.

“We have corrected the problem and are working to prevent similar issues in the future. We hope to restore the service soon.

“Thanks for your patience and your continued interest in NASA,

“NASA Web Team”

Nevill appointed VP of Aircelle's Customer Services Division

Richard Nevill has been appointed the vice president of Aircelle's Customer Services Division.

Nevill comes to Aircelle from AgustaWestland Helicopters, where he was responsible for the rotorcraft producer's customer support and services activity since 2010.

Previously, from 2005, Nevill worked at Airbus, initially with its Airbus Americas operation in Washington, D.C., and then at the Toulouse, France headquarters as head of Customer Service Solutions - evolving the aircraft manufacturer's Flight Hour Services program as a key element in its after-market growth strategy.

His aerospace career was initiated at British Aerospace Regional Aircraft in the U.K., starting with the commercial team, then transferring into customer support, subsequently developing after-market services in civil and military environments for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing customers.

Nevill is an engineering graduate from the U.K.'s University of Bath.

Aircelle is the second largest nacelle systems provider worldwide, and the leader globally for nacelles on top-of-the-line business jets.

Management changes at Cirrus Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft announced five important executive appointments Wednesday that will strengthen the company's leadership team and further position the enterprise for global growth.

Customer

Todd Simmons has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Customer Officer. Simmons joined Cirrus in 2008 as Vice President of Marketing and now adds 360-degree customer responsibility to his most recent position of EVP Sales, Marketing and Support. Prior to Cirrus, Simmons was a principal at CubCrafters and previously held positions at both Delta and American Airlines. He holds an engineering degree from Georgia Tech, his master of business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is an active private pilot.

Financial

Don McIsaac joins Cirrus as EVP and Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for all financial, treasury and accounting functions at Cirrus. McIsaac has held senior leadership positions in both private and public companies in a variety of industries in Canada and the United States. McIsaac has a bachelor's degree in history from Trent University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Human Resources

Judi Eltgroth has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources. With Cirrus since 1996, Eltgroth now oversees human resources, organization development and regulatory compliance. She also serves as the company's national security director with reporting responsibility to the U.S. Department of Defense. With over 25 years experience in the field, Eltgroth has led human resources initiatives through multiple transitions, including mergers and acquisitions. A Hunt Academic Scholarship recipient, she holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota.

Strategic Planning

Additionally, Cirrus has appointed Carolyn Zhang to the new executive leadership position, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development. In this position, Zhang will focus on long-term strategy and growth plans, including expansion into emerging markets and new ownership and service offerings. Zhang was most recently at CargoTec headquartered in Helsinki. She holds her bachelor's degree in accounting and master's of business administration from the University of Missouri.

General Counsel

Finally, Curtis Landherr joins Cirrus as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. Prior to Cirrus, Curtis spent 15 years practicing as in-house corporate counsel, including seven years with Garmin where he provided primary legal support for Garmin's aviation division. Curtis is a 1995 graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In 2010, Curtis was named a "40 Under Forty" honoree by Ingram's Magazine, recognizing accomplished business and community leaders in the Kansas City region under age 40.