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The Complete Guide to Holding an Airport Open House
AOPA has just released "The Complete Guide to Holding an Airport Open House," a comprehensive "how-to" booklet for airport and pilot groups interested in showcasing their general aviation airport and demonstrating how it benefits the local community.
 The fact-packed 22-page booklet provides detailed step-by-step guidance to open house organizers on everything from establishing objectives to the writing of post-event thank-you notes.
The self-help guide is part of AOPA's ongoing efforts to save and promote airports, and is available free online at www.aopa.org/asn/open_house.pdf. Printed copies are available to organized airport and pilot groups by calling 800-USA-AOPA (800-872-2672).
"An open house is one of the best things that pilots and sponsors can do to involve the community in their airport," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president for regional affairs. "As pilots we know the value of the airport, but unless the community becomes involved they are not going to understand what we're talking about. An airport open house doesn't have to be expensive or complicated, but it needs to happen!"
Needles Outpost Reopens
The airstrip at Needles Outpost, bordering beautiful Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah, has reopened. The airstrip, and adjacent general store and campground, were all but eradicated by a hailstorm last spring. The storm destroyed the outpost’s photovoltaic system, smashed-in the roof of the store, washed-out the campground, and eroded six-foot deep gullies across the dirt runway.
Following months of effort, the owners have rebuilt Needles Outpost better than before. The runway is repaired and back in operation, and a new solar system is running the big commercial coolers. By President’s Day weekend the store will be stocked, the auto fuel pumps open, and the grill will be flipping burgers and sizzling fajitas once again.
Aerial Adventure Company Takes Business to a New Altitude
After four successful seasons, and flying over 2000 customers, Air Combat Canada, Inc. is taking business to a new level. The Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario based company is opening a second office, to be located in Phoenix, Arizona. Effective at the end of November, operations will be moving to Arizona for the winter, with the new office scheduled to open in January 2001.
Call 1-866-FLY-HARD or visit them online at www.fightercombat.com for more information.
The Air Race Silver Classic
The annual Air Race Classic (ACR), designated this year as The Silver Classic to commemorate its 25th anniversary, will take place June 26 - 29, 2001. An all women’s air race, the route this year will cover 2225 statue miles through ten states. The race began with 27 planes in 1977 after the Powder Puff Derby ended, where the race started in California and ended in Ohio, as this year. Today, racers include women who have raced all twenty-five ARCs, professional as well as new pilots. In recent races, more than 90 women have participated.
For a race kit and more information, please contact AIR RACE CLASSIC, LTD., International Airport, 318 Glasson Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78406-1801; phone: (361) 289-1101; FAX (361) 289-6034. The deadline for entries is April 25, 2001.
PZL Aircraft Are Back in the U.S.
The first KOLIBER 160A aircraft have now arrived in the USA at the PZL Dealer, Adventure Aviation. The 160A is fitted with the Textron Lycoming 0-320-D2A 4 cylinder carburated engine rated at 160hp and has an increased MTO of 2,095lbs; 220lbs increase on the 150A version. The KOLIBER 160A is expected to have US type certification by Jan 2001. Adventure Aviation is expecting delivery of their first WILGA 2000 by February of this year.
FAA Certification of the WILGA 2000 is currently in progress and completion is expected by March or April this year. PZL has confirmed that they are intending to launch their new addition to their current production line at the German air show AERO Friedrichshafen in April. The new addition to come from the PZL stables is the stunning looking PZL-112 “JUNIOR” 2-place semi aerobatic trainer.
The aircraft is all metal construction and will be offered initially with a 120hp Textron Lycoming engine, the aircraft is currently undergoing flight test and Polish certification. PZL International expects the aircraft to be available for sale in Europe later this year and is looking to introduce the “JUNIOR” as a serious contender to the flight training market.
For more information, contact PZL dealer, Adventure Aviation at 505-525-0500 or 877-525-0500.
Pilatus PC-12 Deliveries Increase 25.5% in CY2000
Angelo Fiataruolo, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft, announced that worldwide deliveries of the Pilatus PC-12 single engine propjet increase by by 25.5 percent in CY2000. Worldwide deliveries swelled to 69 for 2000 as compared to 55 units in 1999. Deliveries to the North American market grew from 45 to 56 units, while deliveries in the remainder of the world increased from 9 to 13 units.
Since FAA certification was received in 1994, over 250 of the highly versatile aircraft have been delivered worldwide. Approximately 200 of these have been to North American owners. Among the prestigious worldwide operators of multiple PC-12s are the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP), Royal Flying Doctors Association, Native American Air Ambulance and several regional airlines. These organizations all use the PC-12 extensively in rough and short field operations in multiple mission roles.
For further information, contact Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. 800-745-2887.
Robinson Named One of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies
Robinson Helicopter Company, manufacturer of the two-seat R22 and four-seat R44 helicopters, has been placed on the Los Angeles Business Journal list of The 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies. This is the first time Robinson has been so recognized. “I am pleased and honored to be included. We’ve experienced steady and consistent growth during the past five years and it's a pleasant surprise to have our company on the Business Journal’s list,” President and CEO Frank Robinson said. “This year has been our best year ever. We are now the world's leading producer of civilian helicopters, and we expect continued growth next year.”
Contact Robinson Helicopters at (310) 539-0508 or visit www.robinsonheli.com.
Western Skyways Relocated, Thanks to Land Donation
Customers will soon be able to taxi right up to Western Skyways’ door, when the company completes a new manufacturing facility at Montrose (Colorado) Regional Airport, thanks to a generous land donation from the Montrose Economic Development Council. At a ceremony on Friday, December 8, officials from the Montrose Economic Development Council donated 4.8 acres of land in the Aerospace Research Park to Western Skyways. The land is located airside, between the airport’s two runways, and Western Skyways’ closest neighbor will be cutting edge composites company Scaled Technology Works.
Western Skyways plans to build a new 30,000 square foot facility and employ 100 people over the next five years, doubling the size of the company. The annual economic impact of Western Skyways’ expansion will be $2.75 million the first year and grow to over $6.6 million in five years. Pilots from around the world recognize Western Skyways for its precision built Gold Seal© Continental and Lycoming engines and the Millennium Engine© it produces for Superior Air Parts. The company produces about 400 Gold Seal engines per year and was the first engine facility in the world certified to manufacture the Millennium Engine for Superior.
For more information about Western Skyways, call 800-575-9929 or visit their website, www.westernskyways.com.
Aviat Aircraft Adds Kansas City Turbine to List of Husky Dealers
Aviat Aircraft has contracted with Kansas City Turbine, in Overland Park, Kansas, to sell and service the popular Husky A-1B. The FBO has already taken delivery on its first two copies of the two-seat Husky and expects to begin taking in used Huskys for resale.
For more information on Kansas City Turbine and their Husky program visit their web site at www.heartofamericahusky.com. They can also be reached by phone at (913) 897-5625, or visit Aviat Aircraft at www.AviatAircraft.com.
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