Jet Charter Spain

Nine Maine airports are getting more than $4.5 million in federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA says Bangor International Airport will get the biggest chunk, $2.5 million, to make improvements to its cargo apron.

Other airports slated to get funds are located in Old Town, Trenton, Greenville, Owls Head, Jackman, Frenchville, Presque Isle and Waterville.

The money will go toward snow-removal equipment, construction, weather-reporting equipment and planning.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Students at Virginia Tech's Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose. Roughly six feet long and weighing 200 pounds, the re-engineered aircraft is designed to fly into American cities blasted by a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb.

The helicopter's main mission would be to assist military investigators in the unthinkable: Enter an American city after a nuclear attack in order to detect radiation levels, map and photograph damage.

"It's for a worst-case scenario," said project leader Kevin Kochersberger, a research associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Virginia Tech Unmanned Systems Laboratory. His team consists of several graduate and undergraduate students from the mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering departments.

Kochersberger and his team re-engineered a remote-controlled Yamaha-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle RMAX helicopter to fly in fully autonomous mode. They also created flight control software algorithms that will direct the helicopter to radioactive sources on its own accord. To carry out various missions, the researchers outfitted the helicopter with various "plug-and-play payloads" as the vehicle's weight capacity is limited. The payloads are easily loadable and unloadable boxes that fit snugly under the helicopter's main body, carrying devices that would detect radiation levels in the atmosphere and on the ground, and take video and still images of damage. Flight control software would allow the mission to be changed mid-flight. 

One payload is unique: A miniature tray-like robot on treads that can be launched via a tether wire from the helicopter to collect evidence. The helicopter would hover over the robot, and pull it back via the wire. A student team is building this robot, which will boast not only "chunk" sampling capability, but also a miniature vacuum which could suck up dust and dirt.

The robot is expected to easily maneuver any terrain, including expected bomb craters, as part of its investigation, said Michael Rose, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, from Gilroy, Calif. The team plans to make the robot water proof, in the event that it comes across water – busted water mains, lakes, rain puddles, etc. "The electronics must be protected from the harmful elements," Rose said.

The group also designed a downward-looking stereo camera system mounted to the helicopter, to image affected areas. The cameras would allow for computerized 3-D terrain mapping of affected areas, an absolute necessity to understand the characteristics of the blast. It is expected that the helicopter will have night vision capabilities, and enhanced imaging technologies that improve vision through smoke and fog as the project progresses, Kochersberger said.

The project, already funded at $735,000 with an additional $650,000 allocated for 2010, is overseen by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and spearheaded by the Department of Energy's Savannah River National Laboratory. Plans call for the helicopters to be mission-ready in three years. Department of Defense personnel already have visited Blacksburg to watch a demonstration as the craft zeroed in on a small, planted radioactive source at Kentland Farm, several miles from the Virginia Tech campus. More testing is underway, with another DoD demonstration planned for 2010 in Savannah, Georgia.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Charter Logic is continuing its expansion in the heart of central Florida with the addition of its first Vice President of Sales. This individual is responsible for the overall coordination, functional management and leadership of all of the passenger charter and cargo sales activities of the business. The position reports directly to the CEO. 

The Director of Sales is responsible for the establishment of both annual and monthly sales objectives in coordination with the company's business objectives. Additionally, this person is responsible for providing an annual sales plan and providing quarterly updates, revisions and modifications to the plan. The VP of Sales is responsible for coordinating the specific objectives of the sales team with all of the functional departments of the company and, most specifically with Finance and Marketing. This individual, in coordination with the CEO, establishes both market and target customer acquisition strategies for the company.

This position is responsible for the successful management of the needs of the company's customers in order to meet the objectives of the company's overall business plans and strategies. The VP of Sales manages all of the field and in house sales functions of the company's facilities. The position specifically is responsible for all field sales, outside sales, as well as all customer support functions of the business.

The VP of Sales defines and manages the monthly and annual sales objectives for all of the sales personnel and is expected to spend a significant portion of time mentoring staff and dealing directly with  accounts and co-traveling with sales personnel. The VP of sales, in coordination with the CEO, establishes compensation plans for all sales personnel including salary structures, commission plans, sales contests and bonus plans. The VP of Sales is expected to be knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors, and leading customer strategies. 

Skills:

• Has managed both in house and field sales personnel
• Has been a sales manager in the airline industry and preferably the Part 135 charter industry
• Has developed and executed tactical sales plans including quotas and account objectives
• Has managed phone sales
• Is highly organized and has very effective time management skills
• Is a demonstrated leader among employee
• Is highly computer literate and uses sales database tracking programs
• Strong negotiating skills and capacity
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Equally strong listening skills

Experience:

• Minimum 5-10 years aviation industry
• Minimum 10 years as a sales manager

Attributes:

• Highly customer focused
• Strong leadership qualities both with customers and employees
• Highly efficient
• Ability to set policies, but remain flexible when customer or staffing conditions require

Qualified applicants should reply to this posting with a resume and cover letter as soon as possible for immediate consideration. Interested parties can send this information to Jeremy@CharterLogic.com.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

PrivatAir SA plans to offer charter services from Bahrain by mid-summer. The Swiss operator, the launch company for BBJs, is equipped to compete for business at the top end of the market.

President and CEO Greg Thomas points out: "PrivatAir operates a fleet of five BBJs on behalf of its airline partners, as well as a vip-configured Boeing 757 that is available for private charter. Through its network of specialist partners, PrivatAir also provides private charter of almost any type of aircraft."

He adds: "We are extremely excited about our commitment to set up operations in Bahrain, which is a highly attractive and welcoming regulatory and business-oriented environment from which to operate in the Gulf region. PrivatAir will finally establish a physical presence in the region in response to demand from clients and potential clients."

The company, which is in its 33rd year of operations, furthered its launch plans at this year's inaugural Bahrain Airshow. "PrivatAir is spending significant time and effort in planning and organising for this launch," Thomas said.

The company, headquartered in Geneva, already has operating bases in Zurich, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Amsterdam. Its services include aircraft sales and management, ground services and training.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.

Magellan Jets, a world-class private jet service for executive travel, is currently seeking an experienced aviation professional for our Corporate Headquarters in Quincy, MA. The company first spread its wings in September 2008, and recently launched the Voyager Program, a world-class private jet charter membership service. Magellan Jets' enriching environment encourages people to achieve their best and make a lasting impact. It provides the flexibility to pursue your passions and shape your career. The culture is one of opportunity. Co-workers like working with each other, but also value work-life balance. They boast the development of deep, enduring relationships with each other and their clients, and promise to have fun along the way!

Magellan Jets currently has a need for an additional Flight Support Specialist to join the Magellan Team. The person will be responsible for every aspect of each trip booked including ground transportation arrangements, catering orders, itinerary changes, hotel accommodations, and any other special requests. The person will also be responsible for tracking scheduled fights and proactively informing clients of aircraft positions, weather related problems, or flight delays. Attention to details is a must, as the Flight Support Specialist will be responsible building very detailed customer profiles.

Requirements:

• 4 year college degree
• Minimum 2 years aviation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Detail oriented and able to perform in a fast paced, multitasking environment
• Knowledge of FAA and DOT regulations
• FAA Pilot’s License preferred
• On call availability

Interested candidates can please send cover letters and resumes to suzy@magellanjets.com.

E-mail your press releases, news tips and feedback to the CharterX News Editor at News@CharterX.com.