Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

David A. Lombardo

<a name="OLE_LINK1" id="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2" id="OLE_LINK2">With </a>Magnastar system service set to be discontinued next month, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport-based Banyan Air Service is urging operators to plan their upgrades soon, warning that the number of qualified shops and available equipment is nearing capacity. There are approximately 1,100 Magnastar operators. 
“Neither the crew nor the maintenance personnel want the boss asking why the phone is not working,” said Brian Wilson, Banyan’s director of avionics. “The Magnastar phone has been a stable system on board these aircraft for more than 25 years, but like any technology the time has come to remove this voice-only system and upgrade to one that allows Internet and email as well as voice communication.” 
He added, “No one likes to down their aircraft to perform an installation, and we took the time to study how we can reduce the downtime to a minimum and make sure customers receive the best deal and largest savings available. Vendors are offering some sweet deals that allow you to save up to $20,000, but if you wait until after the end of the year these savings will be gone.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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