Friday, January 24, 2014

No qualified flight inspector attached to Trans Guyana – Nascimento

In light of the recent call by Transport Minister Roberson Benn with respect to intensifying surveillance at the Ogle International Airport (OIA), Trans  Guyana Airways Public Relations Consultant Kit Nascimento disclosed that no qualified flight operation inspector (FOI) is attached to the airline.

He said Trans Guyana Airways has written to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Minister Benn for the past five years requesting that they engage the services of a flight operations inspector, but this was denied.

Surprise

Nascimento said it was quite a surprise to have heard the minister speaking about heightening surveillance at the facility and contending that it should have been done years ago.

Currently, the Trans Guyana consultant noted that there is no inspector to overlook the regulation at Trans Guyana Airways, which is critical to its operations. He reiterated the need for a Flight Operation Inspection Unit for the GCAA to regulate the operations, noting that without this post, errors will occur.

Guyana Times understands that every company has to contract their own FOI to police the operation to ensure that the company follows all procedures and regulations at the specific site.

These inspectors report directly to the GCAA. This publication learnt that the last FOI was not given the opportunity to operate in a manner desirous of the GCAA, and as such, he was literally forced out of Trans Guyana Airways. That official is now working in Jamaica.

In correcting the situation, the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) is overlooking operations for the specific airlines.

Concerns

 
During a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Benn said his ministry and the GCAA are concerned over the number of aircraft incidents and mishaps at OIA and interior locations.

Benn said his ministry has been discussing additional measures and oversights to improve the level of surveillance with respect to aircraft operations.

However, a team of investigators under the watch of Transport Canada has arrived at the crash site and once it removes the engine from the wreckage, it will be transported to Olive Creek by helicopter and then to OIA.  The ELT is also being extracted and will be examined shortly.

The autopsies performed on the bodies of pilot Blake Slater and cargo loader Dwayne Jacobs were completed on Wednesday. They both died as result of multiple injuries. Blake, according to a post-mortem examination would have received injuries to the head while Jacobs sustained injuries to the chest.

 Funeral on Monday

 
Jacobs’s brother Tobin Jacobs was not too sure about funeral arrangements, but according to information received, the pilot will be cremated in Guyana on Monday.

On Saturday last, the Cessna Caravan bearing registration number 8R-GHS crashed just after takeoff from Olive Creek, claiming the lives Slater, 25, and Jacobs, 28.

The aircraft was at the time on a shuttle operation between Olive Creek and Imbaimadai, transporting fuel. The “Mayday” emergency call was broadcast at approximately 10:56h on the day it went down; thus, an aerial search was immediately activated.

After 11 hours of search, the wreckage was located on Sunday in the Marikina Mountain by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Force officers.  They were then inserted at a location some 1.2 miles from the wreckage and trekked on foot to the crash site.

They were joined by another team on Monday and managed to find both Blake and Jacobs.

The bodies were recovered on Tuesday morning and flown to the city later that day.


Source:    http://www.guyanatimesgy.com
 


Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, 8R-GHS, Trans Guyana Airways

Missing Man Formation: North Carolina’s 4th Fighter Wing Salutes Risner in DC Flyover

 


Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC January 24, 2014 – Four F-15Es from the 336th Fighter Squadron conducted a missing man formation flyover during a funeral in honor of retired Brig. Gen. Robinson Risner, Jan. 23, at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Risner is a former member of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, currently known as the 336th FS.

According to Capt. Reid Thomas, a 336th FS pilot and flyover participant, Risner is an Air Force hero on many levels, having served courageously in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“All of his heroism and amazing self-sacrifice makes it an honor for our squadron to remember a true fighter pilot hero and one of the 336th’s own with a befitting missing man flyover,” said Thomas. “I personally can’t think of a better way to send a nine-foot-tall hero into the wild blue yonder.”

Risner’s list of achievements includes an assignment to the 336th FIS, 4th Fighter Wing, at Kimpo, Korea in May 1952. While with the 336th FIS, he flew more than 100 combat missions in the F-86 Sabre against Mig-15s over North Korea. He’s credited with eight enemy aircraft destroyed and became the 20th jet ace during the Korean War. While on temporary duty with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, he was shot down over North Vietnam in April 1965 and later rescued.

Risner returned to duty, then in September 1965 he was shot down again over North Vietnam and captured. While held prisoner in Hanoi, also known as the Hanoi Hilton, Risner served first as the senior ranking officer and later as vice commander of the 4th Allied Prisoner-of-War Wing.

Past Air show photos including 4th Fighter Wing SJAFB


Story, photos and video:    http://beachcarolina.com
 


Source: 
Public Affairs

4th Fighter Wing

Seymour Johnson AFB

4fw.pa@seymourjohnson.af.mil 

Belize: P.M. Barrow blames both Castro and Board of Airports Authority on distasteful checks

 

On Wednesday, the House meeting lasted more than five hours, and a lot came out of it. We brought you the meat of the day on Wednesday, but tonight we have the gravy. Swimming in that gravy is the statutory body turned personal piggy bank, which is now the subject of intense scrutiny. At the Special Sitting of the House, Prime Minister Dean Barrow seemed reluctant to say the ‘C’ word where the issuing of checks from the Belize Airports Authority to Edmond Castro et al was concerned. He called it distasteful, an error of judgment, a bad decision, wrong and even egregiously wrong…but he would not call it corrupt. In the House PUP leader Francis Fonseca revealed that he has more than sixty checks made out to Castro, his friends, family members and political causes. That’s a massively egregious wrong, but while his Minister of State has become known for those, shall we say…errors of judgment…Barrow gave equal measure of blame to the Board of the BAA, which authorized the withdrawal of pennies from the piggy bank. Anyway…the Prime Minister says that it will never happen again, especially where Castro is concerned.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I have spoken to the members of the airport authority, and I have told them that upon pain of being fired, not another check or form of assistance must be given to the minister. How they wah pay it back? it was legitimate in terms of the authority, of the jurisdiction of the airport authority to make contributions. That’s my point there is nothing illegal about it, there was nothing corrupt, but it is in terms of appearance very, very wrong. And indeed nobody in the public wants to know that a minister goes to a statutory body under his jurisdiction and gets money for A,B,C,D,E, F including for purpose of assistance for himself and for members of his family. The first thing that surfaced was that the minister got some money in assistance of his mother’s burial. Lord man, I mean again it don’t think it should have come from the airport authority but you can’t say that there is anything illegal bout that. So please let us be clear, don’t ask me in other words to fire the minster for being the recipient of funds that was given, with every authority to him by the B.A.A. The B.A.A. should never have done it. And if you ask me, in my due, he should never have asked them. And I think it is a serious error of judgment, but call it therefore what it is. But don’t, noh treat the puppy like a dog like Finnegan would like to say. What it is, is bad enough. Don’t make it worse. There is no corruption there. There is a terrible perception, the optics are bad. Man you must, look ya, better you shut up yo noh. You know that the judges of the court of appeal want a new building because of the horrible shoddy job that you did with the court of appeal. You weh take the property on Forest Drive, you weh hustle, talk about St. George’s Caye. So Mr. Speaker I say again, the leader of the opposition was perfectly correct in raising this issue. I think he went too far in describing it as not what it is and what it is, is bad enough. And I guarantee you that it stops from this moment on.”


Story, photos, video and comments/reaction:  http://edition.channel5belize.com


Pierre Air Service Unreliable Due To New Federal Aviation Administration Regulations

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO-AM) New federal regulations continue to make air service unreliable in South Dakota's capital city. Approximately one-fifth of all flights in and out of Pierre are being canceled due to a pilot shortage.

Last August the FAA started requiring co-pilots to log 1,500 flight hours compared to 250 hours previously required. Pilots must also pass the Air Transport exam before they can work for a commercial airline.

The new regulations have hurt Great Lakes Airlines, which provides Pierre with air service to Minneapolis and Denver. Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill says Great Lakes is working with the FAA to resolve the issue.


Source:   http://kelo.com

Norfolk International (KORF), Virginia: Driver crashes through airport fence


 

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A car crashed through a fence bordering Norfolk International Airport Friday evening.

Norfolk dispatchers confirm a a car went through the airport’s fence along Miller Store Road. The road was closed to traffic while crews cleared the scene.


Source:   http://wavy.com

Whereabouts of two former Direct Air partners named in bank lawsuit not known: Ellisons previously involved in similar Chapter 7 travel-related court case, records show

Two of Direct Air’s former partners are nowhere to be found. 

 Now a Utah-based bank that sued Direct Air and its former partners, saying it lost more than $25 million when the carrier folded, is turning to a local newspaper to notify the missing businesspersons.

Merrick Bank Corporation, which entered into a merchant application and agreement with Direct Air to process credit card transactions, claims former Direct Air partners Kay P. Ellison and Stanley Marshall Ellison have left South Carolina “to avoid the service of a summons,” according to recently filed federal court documents.

In an attempt to serve the Ellisons, attorneys for Merrick filed a motion seeking an order for publication of the summons and complaint in a local newspaper. A federal judge signed an order Jan. 16 approving the bank’s motion.

“Additional attempts to locate the Ellisons out of state were also unsuccessful,” the motion states. “Alternatively, the Ellisons, as residents of the State of South Carolina, have departed from this state ‘to avoid the service of a summons of keep [themselves] concealed therein with like intent.”

The Ellisons are listed individually as co-defendants in a federal lawsuit Merrick Bank filed against Direct Air’s former partners in September 2013.

The suit said Direct Air is liable for more than $25 million chargebacks that were processed shortly after Direct Air suspended all flights in March 2012.

Direct Air is now in Chapter 7 liquidation.

Also named in the suit are Robert Keilman, Judy Tull and Ed Warneck.

Keilman and Tull have filed responses, though Merrick filed a motion to strike Tull’s response and a request for entry of default on the basis that it was filed late, according court records filed Jan. 10.

“Tull filed a late answer on January 6, 2013, well outside of the time prescribed for her to answer,” Merrick states in court records. "Tull did not seek the consent of Plaintiff in filing this late answer, nor did she seek leave from the court.”

Tull’s attorney Reese Boyd declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. But Boyd did say a response to the Merrick motion is being prepared.

“My comment will be my response and we will respond,” Boyd said.

Warneck has not filed a response, prompting an attorney for Merrick to seek a request for entry of default against Warneck as well. Warneck couldn’t be reached.

In the earlier response Tull filed to the Merrick lawsuit, she denies executing and delivering a personal guarantee to the bank.

Tull admits that Merrick made demands for chargebacks, but denied its ability to do so on the basis that she’s “without sufficient information or belief” whether the bank had the right to make such demands, or whether the same demands were made of the other defendants.

Tull asks the court to dismiss the case. Her response also seeks a judgment in her favor and court costs.

In his response, Keilman admits Merrick Bank made demands for chargebacks, but “is without sufficient information and knowledge to form a belief as to whether it had the right to make such demands,” according to a Nov. 29 filing.

Keilman’s response also denies the defendants breached its contract and assertions that they are in default.

Ellisons faced similar suit

According to an affidavit filed by Merrick, the bank tried to serve the Ellisons with the suit at their last known address in Myrtle Beach and at another home in The Villages, Fla.

“At both addresses, the occupants reported that the Defendants Kay P. Ellison and Stanley Marshall Ellison no longer resided at the property,” the affidavit states.

Multiple attempts by the Carolina Forest Chronicle to reach the Ellisons by telephone have also been unsuccessful.

A telephone number registered to the Ellisons’ home on Waterford Drive in Myrtle Beach has been disconnected or is no longer in service, an automated message recording states.

The Ellisons were involved in similar Chapter 7 proceedings when they worked for Sovereign World Travel, a West Virginia corporation that functioned similarly to Direct Air’s business model.

In 2002, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a West Virginia judge’s ruling that ordered the Ellisons to repay $575,000 in losses to Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), which first filed adversarial proceedings in 1994, court records show.

Similarities between the two cases and their connections to the Ellisons were alluded to in an April 11 filing by David Haber, an attorney for Chemoil Corporation, a Florida-based fuel company and Direct Air’s largest creditor at more than $3.2 million.

“It is amazing how similar the two defalcations are to one another – both involve trust or escrow funds, both involve airline operations and both involve the Ellisons,” Haber said in the filing.

Merrick has requested a jury trial. Jury selection for the case is not scheduled until January 2015, according to court filings.

Merrick files second suit

In related matters, Merrick also sued Valley National Bank (VNB), which according to court papers, managed money market and demand deposit accounts for Direct Air.

It’s from these accounts money was supposed to be held in escrow to cover costs associated with any chargebacks from travelers seeking refunds, court records state.

The suit was filed Jan. 15 as part of the ongoing Direct Air bankruptcy proceedings. A response had not been filed as of press time.

Merrick said the accounts were supposed to hold about $30 million, but the balance had dwindled to about $1.02 million when Direct Air suspended flights.

The suit says about $3.7 million is tied to American Express transactions. The rest, Merrick says in court documents, represents the bank’s chargeback losses.

“The massive shortfall could not have occurred were it not for the systemic failure of [Valley National Bank] to follow the proper procedures with respect to the escrow,” the suit states.

According to the suit, VNB failed to segregate funds by charter group, flight or rotation. These funds were placed into an “unallocated” sub-account, which were then transferred to Direct Air upon request, the suit states.

“VNB never attempted to match up the receipts claimed by Direct air in its disbursement requests against the actual receipts into the depository account,” the suit states. “VNB never, even as a spot audit, sought to verify the receipts claimed by Direct Air.”

In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation fined VNB $125,000 for failing to properly oversee the escrow, the suit continues.

“In short, VNB allowed Direct Air to operate the depository account as, effectively, a checking or demand account, disbursing funds at times, and in amounts, completely as directed by Direct Air,” the suit said.


Source:  http://www.myhorrynews.com

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne, N395DR: Incident occurred January 24, 2014 in Lexington, Kentucky


http://registry.faa.gov/N395DR

A private plane made an emergency landing at the Bluegrass Airport shortly after noon Friday after an engine fail.

Officials say the pilot had full control of the plane and it landed without a problem. The pilot stopped for fuel in Richmond, but shortly after take-off, the engine failed.

The owner of the small plane was flying from Minnesota to Florida on a business trip.

There were seven people on board and no injuries were reported

The plane will stay in Lexington for repairs.

Cirrus SR22-G3, N434MM: Incident occurred January 24, 2014 in Sylvester, Georgia

AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD, NEAR SYLVESTER, GA 

Registration pending: http://registry.faa.gov/N434MM

http://www.automobilesupersite.com

Plane makes emergency landing in Worth County
      

 WORTH CO., GA (WALB) -

Officials say a plane had to make an emergency landing in a field along a road in Worth County Friday afternoon. Worth County Sheriff Jeff Hobby confirmed the emergency landing happened on Story Road.

According to authorities at the scene, the plane landed without incident and no one was injured.

The cause of the emergency landing is under investigation. 


Sources: 

http://www.mysouthwestga.com

http://www.walb.com









  



Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Oakfield 

The Worth County Sheriff’s Office reports a pilot of the Cirrus private plane pictured and his passenger are uninjured after making an emergency landing in an Oakfield, Worth County corn field. 

Worth emergency units were dispatched to the area around 3:45 P.M. Friday but fortunately the landing was smooth and passengers did not require any EMS treatment or transport.

Another view on situation at Tracy Municipal Airport (KTCY), California

Richard Ortenheim operates SkyView Aviation, which is the largest tenant at city-owned Tracy Municipal Airport. His firm has been in business here since 2007.
Sam Matthews/Tracy Press


Richard Ortenheim looked out the window of SkyView Aviation’s reception area in the main hangar at Tracy Municipal Airport, shook his head and said: “What we see out there is costing me money.” 

What he saw were the aviation-fuel pumps standing alone on the airport’s tarmac. There were no private aircraft being filled with fuel, and there hadn’t been any for most of the day.

“This is the way it is nearly all of the time; very few planes buy fuel here any more,” said the native of Sweden who is president of SkyView, the city of Tracy’s main tenant at the airport.

The reason, Ortenheim said, echoing comments by local pilots, is that aviation fuel at Tracy’s airport costs far more than at most airports in the region.

The diminished sales of fuel at the airport in the past two years is costing him in two ways, explained Ortenheim, who has been in business here since 2007.

“Firstly, I had a number of aircraft owners from the Bay Area who would fly here to have maintenance performed on their planes. And while they were here, they would fill up with fuel, which was cheaper than in the Bay Area,” he said. “Most of the customers no longer come here because of the high price for fuel has eliminated one of the incentives.”

And secondly, Ortenheim continued, the fuel situation is stopping him from making any long-range plans to expand his operation here and instead is forcing him to consider moving his company elsewhere.

“When I say this, I’m not trying to make any threats or play games, but this is just the way the situation is,” he said.

SkyView Aviation, which at one time had manufactured aerobatic planes here, now concentrates on selling and delivering aircraft to destinations around the world. The firm has contracts for deliveries with Beechcraft and Cirrus. Providing maintenance for private planes and operating a flight school for pilots are other phases of the business, which has 11 employees, including two inspectors.

“I’m probably the best customer at the fuel pumps, since local refueling planes used in our flight school is the only feasible option,” the SkyView president said. “But believe me, I don’t like paying a high price for fuel. Again, it’s costing me money.”

Ortenheim, who has 25 years of experience in aviation, said he was asked by the city to bid on a contract to provide fueling service at the airport, but he didn’t consider the city’s requirement to pay a $50,000 minimum annual upfront payment to the city to be reasonable — something he believes is not included in any standard agreement for a fixed-base operator that he knows.

The fact that Steve Stuhmer, owner of Turlock Air Center, which operates the fuel service at the airport, paid his 2013 fee with a $50,000 check from Surland Cos., which is developing a residential subdivision northwest of the airport, confirmed his decision not to make a bid, Otenheimer pointed out.

Stuhmer, who reported last week that the higher fuel costs at the airport reflect wholesale prices he must pay for fuel, is facing an April 1 deadline to pay this year’s fee under the terms of a revised contract that was approved by the City Council last June.

The revised contract is a long-term one, to say the least. It continues for 25 years, from Jan. 1, 2012, to Jan. 1, 2037, and has three 10-year renewal options, bringing the possible duration to 55 years — until 2066.

Why the city would want to enter into a contract of that duration is one of the puzzlements that I and other people have about the airport situation. Ortenheim just shakes his head, and I bet any number of people reading this would have the same reaction.

Story and comments/reaction:  http://www.tracypress.com


SkyView Aviation:  http://www.skyviewaviation.com

Read more: Tracy Press - High fuel prices a puzzlement at airport

 
Fuel price for 100 low lead aviation fuel is $6.57 a gallon at Tracy Municipal Airport, among the highest in the region. Customers are few and far between.

FAA reimburses city for airport expansion: Frederick Municipal (KFDK), Maryland

The Frederick Municipal Airport runway extension project will keep moving forward with further reimbursements from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The city of Frederick spent $13.65 million to buy properties near the planned expansion, with the understanding that the FAA would reimburse the costs. Airport manager Chris Lawler said the FAA has reimbursed everything apart from the Bowman Farm property.

“We received everything we have invoices for. We’re not getting any money back for Bowman Farm,” Lawler said.

While he did not have exact figures with him at an airport commission meeting Thursday to discuss the project and other items, he estimated that the city would be left on the hook for a few million dollars for the property.

Richard Griffin, director of economic development for the city, noted that the property could be developed for other purposes or sold.

“It’s not as though there’s no value to it,” he said.

Frederick plans to lengthen the runway so larger aircraft can use it, in the hopes that doing so will attract more businesses to the airport area.

It would also allow for aircraft to take off with full fuel tanks to travel farther, which officials have said could boost fuel sales.

The airport has also enlisted Delta as the project’s on-call engineering consultant to oversee construction.

Campbell and Paris held that job for about a decade, but Lawler said he thought Delta would be able to provide better service.

“Delta came in and looked to me like they were forward moving,” he said, noting that Campbell and Paris was one of the finalists on the bid.

The contract is still in negotiations, Lawler said, so it is not clear yet how much Delta will be awarded.

Demolition of obstructions on Bailes Lane will begin in earnest in fall 2015. The demolition is estimated to cost $8 million, according to Lawler, so it will take place in stages, to spread costs over time.

The airport usually receives $5 million annually from the FAA, so the sites will be demolished with several $2 million projects.


Source:    http://www.fredericknewspost.com

Cox Field (KPRX), Paris, Texas: New members join sub-committee for airport development

PARIS, TX-- The Paris Economic Development Corporation and the Airport Advisory Board have selected new members for a joint-sub committee.

Rebecca Clifford and Stephen Grubbs from the PEDC will join Chris Fitzgerald, Jack Ashmore and Gary Tolleson from the Airport Advisory Board, as well as Paris Engineering Director Shawn Napier.

They form a sub-committee that will look into developing the area around Cox Field Airport. The joint group will try to entice industries and businesses to open around the airport.

The committee is seeking a seventh member from the City Council at Monday's meeting.

The committee's first meeting is scheduled for February 6th.


Source:   http://www.kxii.com


Relatives of Russian hockey team perished in air crash demand $3 million

Yakovlev 42D, YAK Service, RA-42434: Accident occurred September 07, 2011 near Yaroslavl Airport - Russia

10:52 24/01/2014 

MOSCOW, January 24 (RAPSI) – Relatives of the Lokomotiv ice hockey team members who died in a airplane crash in 2011 filed a class action lawsuit demanding 104,8 million rubles ($3 million) in compensation, according to the notification posted on attorney Igor Trunov’s website.

According to the statement, Trunov represents relatives of six perished athletes.

The Yak-42 carrying the ice hockey team crashed 2.5 kilometers away from the Yaroslavl airport on September 7.  Of the 45 people on board, only one crew member survived. Among the killed in the disaster, blamed on pilot error, were Canadian head coach Brad McCrimmon and a host of former NHL stars and future draft prospects.

The statement names Yak Service, Etalon, Leksgarant, Sogaz insurance group and UralSib insurance group as defendants. The total amount of the claim was compiled of moral damagaes, insurance payments, burial expenses, property damage and the loss of provider compensation.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, founded in 1949 as the team of the Railways Ministry, is one of Russia's leading hockey teams and came runner up in the nascent KHL in 2008 and 2009. In 1997 it took the Russian Superleague title and won back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003


Source:   http://rapsinews.com

LITH Seeks Airport And Fueling Manager: Lake in the Hills Airport (3CK), Illinois

There are about two weeks left for applications to become Lake in the Hills' new Airport Manager.  The latest Village budget made the position a full-time one so LITH's Public Works Director doesn't have to wear two hats at the same time.  That's been the case since former Manager and Assistant Public Works Director Manny Gomez left for a spot in the private sector last Spring.

Besides the regular airport management duties of overseeing safe operations, timely maintenance, lease management and enforcement of the Airport Rules and Regulations,  LITH's new Airport Manager will operate the new (construction to start in March or April) self-service fuel operation at the airport and oversee full service fueling and maintenance technicians.

The position requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation or Airport Management, Public Administration or a related field or a minimum of four years of aviation management experience including personnel supervision.  Applications start here:  http://agency.governmentjobs.com/lakeinthehillsil/default.cfm  The deadline is February. 2. 


Article and comments/reaction:   http://www.firstelectricnewspaper.com

City Council rejects mayor's food concession plan for Pensacola International Airpor

The Pensacola City Council tonight rejected awarding a concessions contract for Pensacola International Airport to Missouri-based OHM Foods.

The contract — delayed for months by procedural and political wrangling — finally appeared on the council agenda tonight.

Collier Merrill along with fellow restaurateurs Robert De Varona and Rob Mackey — joined forces last year with Creative Food Group of New York to offer well-known Pensacola brands, including The Fish House, as dining options at the airport.

Their proposal was ranked second by a five-member selection committee — narrowly outscored by Missouri-based OHM Foods. Mayor Ashton Hayward’s administration supported the OHM Foods contract.

OHM has offered to invest $1.8 million into establishing nationally branded franchises in the airport: Chick-fil-A, Corona Beach House, Surf City Squeeze and two Einstein Bros. Bagels shops.

The company also has guaranteed the city a minimum annual fee of $397,460 — though it would pay $460,000 if its projected annual sales goals were met.

Creative has proposed paying Merrill for the rights to open and operate a Fish House restaurant.

After debate, the council voted 4-4 with Councilmember Brian Spencer abstaining. The tie vote dashed Hayward’s plan to bring OHM to the airport.
 

'The council next debated whether to extend the current airport concession contract with de Varona for a year. That motion failed.

The current airport concession contract expires in March.


Source:   http://www.pnj.com

Airport restaurant closing: Kacy J's will close by the end of the month, the operator says - Delaware County Regional (KMIE), Muncie, Indiana





MUNCIE — The restaurant at the Delaware County Airport is closing — again.

“We’ve decided to make Jan. 31 our last day,” said Jay Mealy, who opened Kacy J’s at the airport in late 2009.

Mealy and his son, Chris, a chef, had owned and operated Kacy J’s until recent months, Jay Mealy said, when the restaurant was sold to Robin Gulley, the former manager. Jay Mealy continued to help operate the restaurant and was reached there Thursday morning.

“We have really taken a hit because of the weather,” Mealy said. “We’re not wanting to put any more money into it. We’re going to close.”

Mealy urged anyone with Kacy J’s gift certificates to be sure to use them before the Jan. 31 closing.

Muncie Aviation Company owns the liquor license and has made an effort to keep an eatery at the airport in the past, but Mealy said he didn’t believe that was the case this time. According to members of the county airport authority board, as recently as December 2012 the airport had 1,500 monthly take-offs, landings and radio communications with planes passing through Delaware County airspace.

Kacy J’s opened at the end of 2009 and operated longer than some of its predecessors. Although Vince’s at the airport was in business for several years, a string of closings followed. Between 2006 and 2009, Vince’s, Kimbler’s Landing and Nick’s at the Airport closed.

“I know what that track record was,” Mealy said Thursday. “I didn’t want to make a big deal of this. But I didn’t want to close the doors and disappear.”

Mealy repeated the same sentiments voiced by previous owner/operators of the restaurant space at the airport: It’s tough to draw customers away from McGalliard Road and well-known restaurants.

“People don’t appreciate the treasure they have out here,” Mealy said. “It’s difficult to get people off McGalliard, not just for the restaurant but for appreciation of the airport.”

Elkhart Municipal Airport (KEKM), Indiana

Plane lands safely in Elkhart after landing gear concerns


A small aircraft made it safely to the ground in Elkhart after concerns that its landing gear was not working properly.

The Elkhart Police Department and several fire departments responded to the Elkhart Municipal Airport around 5 p.m.

The pilot contacted the control tower saying his landing gear would not deploy.

It took five passes, and about an hour, before air traffic controllers were able to confirm that the landing gear had come out and locked.

The pilot and his four passengers were not hurt.

Airport employees checked the runway for any parts that could have fallen off the Challenger aircraft, but none were found.


Source:   http://www.wndu.com

Yuma Air Show in need of volunteers

The 2014 Yuma Air Show is looking for a few good men and women to help in several areas throughout the daylong event.

Volunteers need to be available for a minimum of 8 hours.
Meyer Optical 19547 300 x 250 FREE Single Vision Bifocal or Progressive

The Yuma Air Show is scheduled for March 15. Areas where volunteers are needed include:

• Chalet Areas: Directing patrons and serving in chalet areas.

• Wristbands: Handing out wristbands to patrons who have purchased tickets to VIP and Chalet areas.

• Special Services: Assisting volunteer coordinator with volunteer registration and serving lunches.

• T-shirts: Selling T-shirts at tables and tents.

• Grandstands: Assisting grandstand seating and patron directing.

• Fun Zone: Monitoring bouncers and kids area.

To sign up, go to www.YumaAirShow.com and fill out the online application form in its entirety.

In addition to providing information such as their names, address, phone number and email on the online application, potential volunteers are also asked whether they are first-time or returning volunteers and their first and second preference as to which area they would like to be assigned to. Free parking and entry into the air show, lunch, beverages, and T-shirt will be provided to volunteers.
 

Source:   http://www.yumasun.com