One of America's newest airlines has gone decidedly European. Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines Friday confirmed it's ordering 35 aircraft from Airbus, with an option on another 60. The aircraft will bolster the fleet, replacing the current lineup of 32 MD-80s.

The idea sounded like a good one back in the 1980s. That's when Ocean City (MD) and the FAA teamed up to buy a golf course and turn it into an airport. Much of the purchase price came in the form of FAA grants. Now, almost 20 years later, golfers are still teeing up at the Eagle's Landing Municipal Golf Course and the FAA figures it's time for the city to make good on its promises.

Company Announces 4Q'03; Full Year Results

While 2003 was not particularly a booming year for any major aircraft manufacturer; Embraer seemed to have weathered the economic storm better than its competitors. Embraer, the leading Brazilian commercial aircraft manufacturer, registered in 2003 net sales of US$2,143.5 million and net income of US$136.0 million, equivalent to diluted earnings per ADS of US$0.7807. The order backlog as of December 31, 2003 totaled US$28.1 billion, US$ 10.6 billion in firm orders and US$17.5 billion in options.

WestJet isn't happy at all with the outcome of a court decision locking it out of the new Terminal One at Pearson Airport in Toronto. Under the decision, WestJet won't be allowed to appeal a decision by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to deny WestJet access to Terminal One.

"Based on the information available, it is the FAA's determination that the Town of Ocean City has not adhered to the interim agreement." Source: FAA Airports Division Manager William Flanagan, in a letter to the town of Ocean City (MD). At issue is a golf course bought by the city with FAA grant money. Since the land for that golf course was purchased almost two decades ago, the town has agreed to put 10% of its operating revenues into a fund for the local airport and direct all airport growth toward the course. That hasn't happened. Now, if Ocean City doesn't pay $13.3 million into the airport fund and provide a strict accounting of golf course revenues for the past six years, the FAA says it will not only send the matter to the DOT Inspector General, but will c

Developing The Second Century Of Flight

The Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) will hold its 48th Annual Symposium and Banquet in Los Angeles this autumn. To be held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on September 15 though 18, 2004, the SETP Symposium is an annual professional gathering of military and civil flight test pilots, engineers and aerospace manufacturers. The event organizers advise the dinners and social gatherings of aerospace friends -- both old and new -- will punctuate several days of presentations on topics of interest to the flight test community. The emphasis on the presentations is in support of the SETP's vision, which is to be the recognized world leader in promoting safety, communication and education in the design & flight test of aerospace ve

Company to Promote Shanghai Symposium

GCW Consulting announced that Boeing will be a major sponsor of the Inaugural Shanghai International Aviation Symposium, to be held April 28-30, 2004 in Shanghai. The symposium will be held at The Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai. Under its sponsorship agreement with the symposium, Boeing will showcase the 717 program's operational successes to symposium attendees, who will include some of the aviation industry's best-known executives.

TFR Issued Due to Fire-Fighting Efforts NOTAM: 4/2288 Issued: 03/19/2004 22:05 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: AZ Facility: ZAB - ALBUQUERQUE (ARTCC),NM. Type: HAZARDS Description: PLEASANT VALLEY, AZ.

TFR Issued Due to Planned Stadium Demolition NOTAM: 4/2184 Issued: 03/18/2004 01:20 Effective: 03/21/2004 11:45 - 03/21/2004 12:15 State: PA Facility: ZNY - NEW YORK (ARTCC),NY. Type: HAZARDS Description: PHILADELPHIA, PA.

NOTAM:  4/2252  Issued:  03/19/2004 18:32  Effective:  03/20/2004 16:00 - 03/20/2004 18:45  State:  FL  Facility:  ZJX - JACKSONVILLE (ARTCC),FL.  Type:  VIP  Description:  ORLANDO, FLORIDA MARCH 20, 2004 LOCAL.