CAA: GA News, "General aviation aircraft shipments surge 22.1% in first quarter"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, May 12, 2000

General aviation aircraft shipments surge 22.1% in first quarter
Business Briefs
GA News


The General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s first-quarter report shows
613 U.S.-built light aircraft were shipped during the first three months of
the year. Total value was $2.1 billion. Shipments increased 22.1% over the
same period in 1999, and the dollar value was up 12.3%. The $2.1 billion is
a first-quarter record.

Piston-engine shipments, led by 59 Cessna 172S Skyhawks, totaled 399 units,
up 20.9% from the 330 units that were delivered during the first quarter of
1999. The 136 jets that were delivered in the first quarter of 2000 is a
15.3% increase over the 118 that were shipped during the same period in
1999. Turboprop shipments were up 44.4%, from 54 aircraft in 1999 to 78 this
year.

Cirrus Design shipped 15 SR20s, its new four-seat single-engine model.
Raytheon delivered 24 King Air B200s and 22 A36 Bonanzas. The Archer III,
with 25 deliveries, led The New Piper Aircraft line. The top-selling Mooney
was the M20R Ovation2. American Champion delivered 25 aircraft, including 10
Super Decathlons. Maule totaled 12 shipments, and Aviat Aircraft went
unreported.

In other industry news:

Robinson Helicopter Company has boosted production of its R44 to five per
week and is planning to produce six per week by June. Robinson expects to
produce nearly 250 R44s and 130 R22s this year. The company built 278
helicopters in 1999.

Comair Aviation, a subsidiary of Comair Delta Connection, has opened an FBO
on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The facility has a
flight-planning room and prep kitchen, sleeping quarters and lounge area, a
conference room, catering, fuel and aircraft-cleaning services. A few tenant
offices are for rent. Contact Wynn Poe at 859-767-3500 for information.

Lamar Technologies Corporation, manufacturer of starters, electrical
components and voltage controls for single- and twin-engine aircraft, has
achieved ISO 9001 certification by TUV Rheinland of North America.

The Aviation Safety Alliance, a new organization that’s dedicated to
educating journalists about aviation safety, has selected James McKenna as
executive director. McKenna is currently transport and safety editor at
Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.

Mountain High Equipment and Supply Company has moved to Oregon’s Redmond
Airport (RDM). The street address is 625 S.E. Salmon Ave., Ste. 2. Company
officials say the location and larger building allow them to carry more
inventory and make quicker deliveries. Orders are available by phone,
800-468-8185; fax, 801-561-2846; or E-mail, sales@mountainhighoxygen.com.
Corporate offices can be reached at 541-923-4100, or see
mountainhighoxygen.com.

Wisconsin Aviation has joined the LoPresti family as a dealer and
installation center. LoPresti Speed Merchants of Vero Beach, Florida,
specializes in speed modifications of piston-powered aircraft. Some of
LoPresti’s better-known mods include Zip Tips, Howl Cowls, Speed Splitters,
Synchro-Phase Props and Speed Spats. Wisconsin Aviation can be reached at
920-261-4567.

Mercury Air Group has purchased a pair of FBOs on Indiana’s Fort Wayne
International Airport (FWA). The company plans to combine them into one FBO
under the name Mercury Air Center, Fort Wayne. The new facility will offer
airline fueling and line service as well as aircraft maintenance. Mercury
Air Center operates 18 FBOs nationwide. For more information visit
mercuryaircenters.com.

Southwest Jet Aviation has hired Chuck Harrington as director of
maintenance. Harrington brings 35 years of aviation maintenance experience
to the organization. He previously worked as jet aircraft program manager
for Raytheon Aircraft Systems in Van Nuys, California. Also joining
Southwest Jet Aviation is A&P Todd Morrison, who has more than 20 years
experience in aviation maintenance.

Flight Options, which operates a fractional ownership program of previously
owned business jets, has picked up its 350th customer. The firm has doubled
its customer base in less than six months.

Dillon Flying Service, a full-service FBO on Beaver County Airport just
north of Dillon, Montana, has new owners: Dennis and Jean DeVivo.

There are some new faces and new titles at Superior Air Parts. Tisha
Stratford has joined the company as marketing coordinator. She previously
worked as assistant manager of outdoor advertising for Accor Economy
Lodging. Pat Begansky, a member of Superior’s sales team since 1987, has
been promoted to regional distribution supervisor for the Dallas sales
territory, which includes Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. Pete
Whitaker has been promoted to territory sales manager for North Texas. His
area includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and east and west Texas. Superior also
announced it’s adding Leavens Aviation of Mississauga, Ontario, as a
certified Millennium pre-owned engine-manufacturing facility.

Jim Koerner, president of Textron Lycoming, has taken on the role of
president of industrial components. He will oversee three Textron divisions:
Turbine Engine Components, Textron Marine and Land Systems, and Textron
Lycoming.

John King, cochairman of King Schools, has named Dave Jackson president of
King Schools. Jackson previously was King Schools’ vice president of video
production. Former King Schools president Brian Lewis is now executive vice
president of Internet strategy and information technology.

The New Kolb Aircraft Company has added E-commerce to its Web site at
tnkolbAircraft.com. In addition to accessing information, site visitors can
now purchase Kolb gear on the Internet.

J.A. Air Center is expanding its market outside the Midwest by venturing
into cyberspace. Customers can visit jaair.com and order headsets, GPS
equipment and other avionics. For more information visit the Web site or
call 630-584-3200.

Through May 30, AeroGenesis Aviation of Michigan is offering Chicago
businesses on-demand charter service from Chicago’s Meigs Field on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. The private charters are designed for six or seven
passengers. Departures are also available at Palwaukee Airport in Palatine
and Waukegan Airport in Lake County. For more information contact
AeroGenesis at 800-669-7305.

Frasca is providing a B58 Baron simulator to Amaury de la Grange Flying
School in Merville, France. The new device will be dual certified to JAA
standards by the French DGAC.

NationAir Insurance Agencies has named Rob Little branch manager of its
Atlanta office. Little, an air transport pilot and Air Force Reserve major,
was previously assistant vice president at Associated Aviation Underwriters.
He can be reached at 800-292-8805 or 678-376-9300.


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