Flight Safety Information October 4, 2013 - No. 205 In This Issue Nigeria plane crash death toll climbs to 16 - officials say Associated Airlines Says Aircraft Was 23 Years Old (Nigeria) Russian pilots sentenced to prison over fatal accident Engine problems force China Airlines plane to land in Australia's Cairns Airlines hire pilots as shortage looms Sikorsky Aircraft warns of local furloughs if shutdown continues Government Shutdown Halts Aircraft Sales Transactions Delta flight diverted to Memphis due to cracked window Airlines Ask European Governments to Block Air-Controllers Strike Next GFSC Meeting 06 November 2013, Abu Dhabi ISASI NERC Meeting (19OCT2013) Think ARGUS PROS Largest Airport Solar Power System Soon To Be At Indianapolis International Airport. People in Aviation: October 2013 Watch for: AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE Nigeria plane crash death toll climbs to 16 - officials say Rescue workers stand near the tail of a crashed plane near the Lagos international airport on Thursday. The death toll has climbed to 16 following a passenger plane crash near Nigeria's largest city Lagos, authorities said. The Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency said that the aircraft crashed Thursday after taking off from the city's airport. The Nigeria's Associated Airlines plane had been bound for the city of Akure, about 170 miles away. There were four survivors, according to officials. "The plane couldn't lift properly so it just came down," Aviation Ministry spokesman Joe Obi said. Witness Henrie Eduozor told NBC News he was on his way to the airport in Lagos when he saw smoke rising from a nearby field. He said people ran toward the scene screaming "There's been a crash!" Eduozo saw three bodies being removed from the wreckage. Airports Authority general manager Yakubu Dati told a news conference the Embraer 120 plane with 20 passengers on board, inclusive of crew, came down 9.32 a.m. local time (4:32 a.m. ET). The plane's flight recorder has been found and officials have started investigating what caused the crash. Several local radio stations and Channels TV reported that it was carrying a family and the body of former governor of Ondo state Olusegun Agagu to his funeral. Air crashes are relatively common in Nigeria, which despite having Africa's second-biggest economy has a poor safety record. Murtala Muhammed International Airport was the scene of a June 2012 crash that killed 163 people when a Dana Air plane crashed into a Lagos apartment block. It was the country's worst airline disaster in two decades. http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/03/20798532-nigeria-plane-crash-death-toll- climbs-to-16-officials-say Back to Top Associated Airlines Says Aircraft Was 23 Years Old (Nigeria) Associated Airlines' aircraft Crash Scene The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Associated Airlines, Taiwo Raji, confirmed in a briefing last night that the ill-fated flight Number 631, which crashed at the Lagos airport, actually had 20 passengers on board, of which seven survived while 13 were confirmed dead. He said that the last time the aircraft operated before yesterday's flight was August 30, 2013 and that the aircraft was insured locally by Sema Insurance, adding the last time it was taken for maintenance checks was on June 20, 2013. The aircraft, which was manufactured in 1990, was 23 years old and was one of the 10 aircraft in its fleet, six of which were serviceable. Raji also said that five of the victims of the crash who survived were receiving medical attention, one at the Nigeria Air Force Medical Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, and the other at Federal Medical Centre, Ebuta Metta, Lagos but may be moved to a medical centre in Badagry because of the extent of the burn sustained. The COO said it was difficult to contact some of the relatives of the crash victims but the company was making efforts to contact them. Agagu's Community Had Premonition of Tragedy A member of the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu's family, Chief Sehindemi Oguntoye, Thursday said the community actually got some premonition of a tragedy before the burial of the former governor, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Oguntoye, who is also the Ojomo of Osooroland, said in Iju-Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, that the community had organised a prayer session to avert the tragedy. "The community had been informed of an impending tragedy and the community had held a vigil, praying to avert it. The vigil even ended today (Thursday). "It was a big tragedy for Iju-Odo community. We had before the death of Dr. Olusegun Agagu lost our traditional ruler, and now a plane crash which involves our loved ones," Oguntoye said. He, however, urged the community to be fervent in prayers to prevent further tragedies. On hearing of the plane crash, residents of the community were in a pensive mood, with many of them gathering in front of their houses discussing the incident. Meanwhile, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Iju-Odo, had been painted and renovated for the burial service today, while major roads leading into the town had been rehabilitated. The grave located in the church cemetery had also been decorated to give the former governor a befitting burial. The reception ground located at Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-Odo, was also decorated with a big canopy erected in the compound. Conflicting Casualty Figures Yesterday proved to be nightmarish for most newsrooms as no one could get a handle on the actual number of survivors and those who died on the ill-fated Associated Airlines plane, which crashed two minutes after take-off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Obviously, the lack of coordination among government agencies in times of crisis shows there is something wrong. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/associated-airlines-says-aircraft-was-23-years- old/160664/ Back to Top Russian pilots sentenced to prison over fatal accident The An-24 crashed into trees on approach to Igarka A Russian court sentenced a former airline pilot to 4 ½ years in prison for his role in the accident of an Antonov 24 passenger plane that killed 12 people in 2010. On August 3, 2010, Katekavia flight 57 from Krasnoyarsk crashed while on final approach to Igarka Airport in night time and poor visibility conditions. It struck trees at a distance of 477 meters short of the runway and 234 meters to the right of extended centreline. It came to rest after sliding 140 meters through trees. A fire broke out, destroying the aircraft. All eleven passengers and one of the three crew members were killed in the accident. The Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) concluded that the weather conditions were below minima. The crew failed to take a timely decision for a missed approach when the plane descended below the minimum safe height (100m) in the absence of reliable visual contact with approach lights and runway lights. MAK stated that incorrect weather reports transmitted to the crew were a factor in the accident. The court in the city of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, ruled that the captain of the flight could have averted the accident by waiting for better weather conditions, but instead continued his landing approach in poor visibility. The captain blamed the air traffic control service and the airport's meteorologists, saying that they had misled the flight crew, but the judge rejected his arguments. The captain is going to appeal the verdict. http://news.aviation-safety.net/2013/10/02/russian-pilots-sentenced-to-prison-over-fatal- accident/ Back to Top Engine problems force China Airlines plane to land in Australia's Cairns BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- A China Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Cairns Airport in Australia's Queensland due to engine failure, local media reported Friday. The flight from Sydney to Taipei was diverted to Cairns after engine problems were detected over Cape York in Far North Queensland. The Airbus A330 landed safely shortly after 3:00 a.m. (local time) on Friday. It is believed only one engine was working when the plane landed. The largest airline in China's Taiwan said the 218 passengers of the flight are still in the airport and it was trying to make travel arrangements for the passengers with other carriers including Qantas, Jetstar and Cathay Pacific. China Airlines said investigation into the incident is underway. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-10/04/c_132772190.htm Back to Top Airlines hire pilots as shortage looms As airlines plan to hire hundreds of new pilots, industry officials warn that a shortage looms because of retirements, greater training requirements and longer rest periods between shifts. American Airlines, which is reorganizing in bankruptcy court while proposing to merge with US Airways to become the world's largest airline, announced plans this week to hire 1,500 pilots over five years. Capt. John Hale, American's vice president for flight, said the company is excited to build its team through hiring and recruitment, with greater opportunities expected after the proposed merger. A month ago, United Airlines announced it would recall nearly 600 pilots, the last to return from furloughs in 2008, to fill gaps from retirements and rest rules. But a pilot shortage is looming because of increased training of pilots, extended rest periods for pilots and a mandatory retirement age of 65, which was extended from 60 in 2007. The lure of foreign airlines in China or elsewhere could also reduce the domestic supply of pilots. Kent Lovelace, chairman of the aviation department at the University of North Dakota, studied pilot retirements, surveys of potential pilots and projected a shortfall of 35,000 pilots in the next 20 years. "I know regional airlines are having challenges right now," Lovelace said. That study didn't factor in a Federal Aviation Administration rule that took effect Aug. 1, requiring 1,500 hours of flight time for all co-pilots, to match the minimum requirement for captains. The rule grew out of the fatal Colgan Air crash in 2009 that killed 50 people and was partially blamed on pilot training. There are exceptions for military pilots and graduates of four-year colleges, but airlines are reluctant to hire pilots who aren't close to the requirement. Also, in December 2011, the FAA adopted an anti-fatigue rule that lengthened the rest period between shifts for commercial pilots flying passengers. Pilots are now supposed to get 10 hours off, including eight hours for uninterrupted rest, between shifts whose length varies depending on the time of day. Without criticizing the extra training, regional airlines worry that the cost and difficulty of obtaining the training could discourage people from becoming pilots. Regional airlines, where pilots build their experience, are key because they represent half of all flights as they feed larger hubs. "It remains a pressing concern. It should be a pressing concern not just for airlines, but for any community that isn't in the top 30," said Roger Cohen, president of the Regional Airline Association. "If they're not concerned about losing air service, they ought to be." Clair Tosino, who flies nearly every week as a consultant from her home outside Columbus, was heading home from Boston through Chicago on Aug. 23. But she said her American Eagle connection at O'Hare was canceled for what was announced as a lack of an "available" co-pilot. As an executive-platinum member, she was rebooked on another flight an hour later. "Nonetheless, I got home late with more or less a wasted evening at the airport," Tosino said. A spokesman for American Eagle said the problem was not caused by the new training rule and said the airline finished its new qualification program early. "American Eagle hasn't had any issues related to the 1,500-hour rule," Matt Miller said. The training requirement remains a concern generally for regional airlines. Cohen noted that reaching 1,500 hours would require flying three hours per day, five days a week - a significant and costly commitment for a student. "That's an enormous amount of time," Cohen said. "That's pretty daunting." A first officer for a regional carrier typically makes $18,000 to $20,000 a year. But flight school loans can reach $100,000. "Students want a defined path," said Lovelace, the professor. Academic programs and airlines are working to attract young pilots and expedite training. For example, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Cape Air, ExpressJet and JetBlue have a University Gateway Program to provide training and mentorship for students to become pilots. Participants have to maintain a B average and work as a flight instructor at the university. As they accumulate hours, participants can join Cape Air and eventually perhaps, JetBlue. Since launching in 2007, the program now has 150 pilots; 20 have reached Cape Air, and eight have reached JetBlue. "It's a definite path with clearly obtainable goals," said Capt. Krista Poppe, the program's manager at Cape Air. "They know how to get to JetBlue." http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2013/10/03/airline-pilots-shortage-american- jetblue-regional/2915363/ Back to Top Sikorsky Aircraft warns of local furloughs if shutdown continues WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Layoffs due to the federal government shutdown could have an even greater impact on Palm Beach County as early as Monday October 7th. United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft, the makers of the Black Hawk helicopter, have announced that it will furlough 2,000 workers in its West Palm Beach, Stratford Connecticut , and Troy Alabama facilities. The company says that if the shutdown continues through the end of next week the furloughs will double to 4,000 and could exceed 5,000 if it continues until next month. Sikorsky Aircraft issued the following statement about the shutdown: 'The production and delivery of Sikorsky helicopters for the Department of Defense cannot proceed without the help of our valued Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) partners who have been furloughed due to the government shutdown. DCMA personnel are a critical and required part of our U.S. Government aircraft and parts inspection, acceptance, and delivery processes.' Sikorsky says that it will update its website as conditions change. http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/government- shutdown-update-sikorsky-aircraft-warns-of-local-furloughs-if-shutdown- continues#ixzz2gkgZK7px Back to Top Government Shutdown Halts Aircraft Sales Transactions Business aviation is just one of the many industries being affected by the partial U.S. government shutdown, which was caused by a budget impasse in Congress. Notably, the aircraft registration office has been mothballed, putting sales transactions for both new and pre-owned aircraft on hold. Deliveries of some 123 new general aviation aircraft worth more than $1.38 billion could be at risk over the coming weeks if the situation drags on. The "partial" U.S. government shutdown that began on Tuesday as a result of a congressional budget impasse has had a more profound effect on business aviation than initially anticipated by industry watchers. What caught observers, including GAMA, off guard was the closure of the aircraft registration office in Oklahoma City, a move that has paralyzed both new and pre- owned aircraft sales transactions. "Even the FAA staff at the Oklahoma City office didn't know ahead of time that they were being shut down, so they were surprised, too," Charles "Bucky" Oliver, founder and chairman of aircraft sales brokerage firm Jetcraft, told AIN. "Essential services were supposed to be exempt from the shutdown, but the problem is the interpretation of 'essential.'" He noted that there is a push to get the FAA to recognize aircraft registrations as an essential service, especially since shuttering this function could in fact violate several ICAO treaties, an assertion also echoed to AIN by the National Aircraft Resale Association. But for the time being, without aircraft registration and title search services available, "There can be no aircraft purchases, sales, recording of liens and export/import of any aircraft in the U.S.," Oliver said. GAMA is especially concerned about the registration office closure because 35 percent of annual aircraft deliveries by manufacturers occur in the fourth quarter. So far, GAMA said 12 new aircraft deliveries have been put on hold due to the office's closure; over the next couple of weeks, 123 deliveries worth more than $1.38 billion are at risk if the situation drags on. GAMA is lobbying the FAA to label aircraft registration as an essential function. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2013-10-03/government-shutdown-halts- aircraft-sales-transactions Back to Top Delta flight diverted to Memphis due to cracked window MEMPHIS, TENN. (AP) - Delta Airlines says a flight was diverted to Memphis International Airport because of a crack in a window. In a statement, Delta says Flight 557 was going from Detroit to Mexico City on Wednesday when crew members reported a small crack in one of the aircraft's cockpit windows. The Airbus A319 carrying 104 passengers and six crew members landed safely. No injuries were reported. Delta says passengers were being placed on another flight. Back to Top Airlines Ask European Governments to Block Air-Controllers Strike Trade Associations Say Strike Will Cost Carriers About $190 Million Chiefs of the main global and European airline trade groups demanded Thursday that European transportation ministers head off a planned strike next week by air-traffic controllers. The two associations estimate a strike would cost carriers roughly €140 million ($190.7 million) and cut roughly twice that amount from the broader European Union economy. In a hopeful sign for passengers, union representatives in several countries said they might call off their action after EU officials agreed to meet them next week, a French union representative said Thursday. Last month, the umbrella organization for the European air-traffic controllers' labor unions announced an "action day" for Oct. 10 to protest the EU's plan to eliminate national borders in its skies and boost efficiency. The 28-country bloc is broken into a patchwork of airspace blocks that EU officials estimate add roughly €5 billion annually to the cost of European air travel because of convoluted routings and delays. Controllers argue the EU's plan, known as the Single European Sky, would undermine air safety. The umbrella group-Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination, or ATCEUC- has criticized the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, for taking a "purely economic approach where safety is taken for granted." EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas and other officials deny the charge and say the Single Sky program could boost safety. Proponents argue that greater automation of air-traffic management would reduce controllers' workloads and give them better information. The commission is pushing to adopt a new package of measures that would strengthen the Single Sky plan, which has advanced very slowly. ATCEUC says the commission's proposed measures would "undermine the existing safety chain and degrade service quality," and it has called on more than 14,000 members of its constituent organizations to strike. In response, Tony Tyler, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association, and Athar Husain Khan, secretary-general of the Association of European Airlines, wrote Thursday to transportation ministers across the EU, "seeking urgent intervention," according to a person familiar with the airlines' position. Oversight of air controllers is still handled at the national level, despite the EU's push for integration. The airlines want transport ministers to negotiate ways to prevent the strike or make backup plans that would prevent an interruption of service, according to the person familiar with the airlines' views. Union officials have been exerting similar pressure. "The European Commission accepts to meet us next week to put proposals on the table and listen to our point of view," said Roger Rousseau, the national secretary of the French controllers' SNCTA union. "If nothing concrete comes from the meeting, the possibility of a later strike is still open," he added, speaking from a meeting of air-traffic-control unions in Malta to discuss the strike. He said that representatives of the unions would most likely make a decision late Thursday. On June 13, French controllers staged a protest against the Single Sky plan that caused roughly 40% of flights in France to be canceled, according to industry officials. Hundreds of thousands of travelers would be affected by a one-day strike, airlines estimate. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304906704579113242939165128.html Back to Top Subject: NOTICE - Next GFSC Meeting 06 November 2013 To: "GFSC Membership" Dear GFSC Members, The GFSC Executive Committee is please to announce the details of the next Gulf Flight Safety Council meeting. The details are as follows: Date: Wednesday 06 November 2013 Venue: Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies, Al Bateen Airport, Abu Dhabi Time: 0830 - 1600 We would like to once again thank GCAS for their generous support in sponsoring the venue for this meeting. Thanks and kind regards, Mark Captain Mark Trotter Secretary - Gulf Flight Safety Council membership@gfsc.aero www.gfsc.aero Mobile: +971 50 120 9503 Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Largest Airport Solar Power System Soon To Be At Indianapolis International Airport A 12.5 MW solar PV farm - which will be the largest solar power system on airport real estate in North America - will soon be opening at the Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana. The impressive solar power system will feature more than 41,000 solar photovoltaic panels, each of which is capable of producing 280 W at peak production. The system as a whole will cover around 75 acres of otherwise unused land. The project was designed, and is being managed, via a partnership between Telamon and Johnson Melloh Solutions. Once completed, the system will be hooked up to 20 Solectria Renewables SGI 500XT inverters - these are currently scheduled to be deployed to the site sometime later this month. Also worth noting is that there's already a 15-year power purchase program agreement in place for the project, with the utility company IPL agreeing to connect the airport terminal to its substation just to the west of the airport. Solar Power World has further details: The renewable energy generated by the solar farm will prevent approximately 10,700 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment each year-the equivalent of removing approximately 2,000 cars from the roads. It is expected to generate more than 12.5 million kilowatt hours of electric energy annually, enough to power more than 1,200 average American homes annually. http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/04/indianapolis-international-airport-soon-home-continents- largest-airport-solar-pv-system/ Back to Top People in Aviation: October 2013 David Hess, president of Pratt & Whitney, announced he will retire at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Paul Adams, currently the engine manufacturer's COO. StandardAero has named Russell Ford as CEO. He joins the Arizona-based company from Precision Castparts, where he recently served as president of Carlton Forge Works and Dickson Test Group of the forged products division. The MRO provider has also promoted Marc McGowan from v-p of business development and strategy for business aviation to senior v-p of its business aviation sector. He succeeds Scott Taylor, who retired. William Quinn, founder of Portsmouth, N.H.-based aviation consulting and aircraft acquisitions firm Aviation Management Systems (AMS) will assume his former role of president and COO after Lee Rohde departed the company. Night-vision systems provider and installer Aviation Specialties Unlimited has hired Jim Winkel, formerly v-p of international business development with L-3 Warrior Systems, as its new president. Thierry Michal, chief technical director of France's National Office for Aerospace Research and Studies (Onera), has been named interim CEO after the death of former CEO Denis Maugars. Marco Borghesi has been named as COO at Italy-based aerospace safety equipment supplier Aero Sekur. Aircraft painting specialist Leading Edge Aviation Services has promoted Chris Harano from president to CEO. Company founder and former CEO Mike Manclark will remain with the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based company as non-executive chairman. Bell Helicopter has made several changes to its executive leadership team. Gunnar Kleveland, who most recently led the company's supply-chain optimization efforts, will assume the role of senior v-p of integrated operations. He succeeds Pete Riley, who has announced his retirement. The Textron subsidiary also promoted Dr. Cathy Ferrie from v-p of Xworx and research, development, test and evaluation to senior v-p of engineering, while Matt Hasik, most recently the program manager for the V-22 program, will take on the position of senior v-p of commercial programs. They will replace Jeff Lowinger, formerly executive v-p of engineering and commercial programs, who has left the company. In-flight catering provider Air Culinaire Worldwide has named John Detloff as v-p of flight attendant services. Previously he served as director of in-flight services/executive chef at Victory Aviation. Fernando Lombo, previously with Airbus Military, has been named v-p and CFO with American Eurocopter. Illinois-based BankFinancial has added Michael Cole, most recently an aviation insurance underwriter with Chartis Aerospace, as senior v-p of its national aviation lending division. Thomas Grunbeck has been named v-p of sales and marketing for South Carolina-based aviation services provider Stevens Aviation. Previously he held that same title with Safe Flight Instrument. Gulfstream has appointed William Gibson, most recently senior manager of customer operations for Honeywell's space and defense segment, to the newly created position of director of product support global distribution. Martin Fluegge was named director of maintenance for Tac Air's maintenance facility at Shreveport Regional Airport in Louisiana. Air medical transport provider EagleMed has named Chuck Welch, previously a critical care specialist for Aventis Pharmaceuticals, as national director of new business development. Florida-based aviation safety consultant CAPACG has hired John Gauch, previously Cirrus Aircraft's fleet sales director, as director of business development and sales. Donaldson Aerospace & Defense has promoted Mark Brandenhoff to the newly created position of global director of sales. Most recently he was sales director for the company's gas turbine systems unit. Bill Darbe, previously with Aircell, has joined Florida-based satellite voice and broadband data solutions provider Satcom Direct as director of dealer programs. Jet Aviation has promoted Vitaly Aleksikov from director of engineering to general director of its Moscow Vnukovo maintenance facility. Will Curtis, most recently CEO of Perfect Aviation, has been selected as managing director at London Biggin Hill Airport. He will succeed Jenny Munro, who has retired. Night vision compatible equipment, modifications and installations provider Rebtech has named Curtis Arnold, most recently manager of maintenance provider Arrow Aviation, as completions manager. Ben Humbert has joined Landmark Aviation as general manager of its Gerald R. Ford International Airport location in Michigan. Before taking on this role, he was a safety and training manager with Atlantic Aviation. Dallas Airmotive has named three new regional engine managers: Brad Huelsman, most recently with AV Consulting as the principal for business account and aviation technical services; Thomas Kennedy, previously Signature TechnicAir's director of maintenance and accountable manager; and Tim Neff, formerly a maintenance and modification sales representative as well as airframe and powerplant inspector and technician with Avmats. Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has named Jonathan Buff as general manager for its New Orleans Lakefront Airport FBO. Most recently he served as an FBO development strategic advisor for the 500 Group. Christina Byman, previously an estimator for MRO sales of avionics and cabin modifications with Jet Aviation, has joined West Star Aviation as technical sales manager for avionics at its East Alton, Ill. location, while Morris Smith, most recently Jet Aviation's business operations manager for Gulfstream programs, was named the location's Gulfstream/Bombardier technical sales manager. The MRO provider also appointed Craig Winterrowd as regional sales manager in California. He previously served as national product support sales manager for Gulfstream. Aviation services provider Professional Aircraft Accessories announced that Ian Franklin, most recently major accounts manager for Universal Asset Management, has returned to the company as manager of inside sales and business development. The Greenwich AeroGroup subsidiary also named Adam Francisco a regional landing-gear overhaul sales representative focusing on Embraer aircraft. He most recently served as a regional sales representative with Liebherr Aerospace. Rio de Janeiro-based Greenwich AeroGroup company Helivia Aero Taxi has hired Wilson da Silva Rocha, formerly a type-rating instructor at Líder Taxi Aereo, as its new chief pilot. Kim Aguirre has been promoted from COO to director of aviation for California's Mineta San José International Airport. He succeeds Bill Sherry, who retired. FlightSafety International has promoted Yannick Kerriou from director of training at its Paris-Le Bourget learning center to assistant manager of the facility. Kevin Hawley, previously v-p of business development for CAV Ice Protection, has joined Texas-based Blackhawk Modifications in the role of principal engineer. Duncan Aviation has promoted Joe LaCorte from Pratt & Whitney engine service sales to the position of regional manager for the southeast U.S. He succeeds Pete Alves, who has announced his retirement. Ohio-based Spirit Avionics has added sales professional Corey Schoo as the company's new sales representative. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has appointed Greg Bowles, previously director of engineering and manufacturing at the association's Washington headquarters, to a new position as director of European regulatory affairs and engineering. Teterboro, N.J.-based private aviation services provider Meridian Air Service has named Todd Schieck as aviation sales executive, heading the company's new Colorado charter sales office. Air Charter Service has appointed Peter Klotz as the new head of its commercial jets division in Germany. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2013-10-03/people- aviation-october-2013 Back to Top AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE Published weekly on Wednesday. Curt Lewis