Airlines that participate in the FAA's voluntary safety data collection program could be obligated to share such data if a new government proposal is written into law. As things now stand, the FAA maintains that data collected under its Flight Opera-tions Quality Assurance (FOQA) program will not be used for enforcement purposes, except in ``egregious cases.'' In the past, safety data gleaned from aircraft equipment were used only in the wake of accidents; a practice critics refer to as ``tombstone regulation.''
QuickTurn has added a new King Air C90B flight training device (FTD) at its Grapevine, Texas, training center. The FTD is equipped with a Collins EFIS 84 system, APS-65 autopilot control and KLN90B GPS. QuickTurn is a division of SimuFlite Training International.
Current TAG Aviation USA Chief Financial Officer David Weil takes on added responsibility as CFO and vice president, finance for Geneva-based parent company TAG Aviation Holding. Mark Dennen has been promoted to vice president, finance for TAG USA.
Floorpath lighting adds an extra safety margin to help passengers and crew in the event of an emergency evacuation. Now STG Aerospace is offering SafTGlo, a photoluminescent floorpath lighting system approved by the FAA and CAA. ``Photoluminescence'' means that no power supply is needed -- SafeTGlo emits a strong light after an initial ``charge'' in ambient light. The system will operate in complete darkness for more than 12 hours, requires minimal maintenance and already is in use on more than 1,500 aircraft worldwide. Price: Varies by aircraft
If bird-chasing border collies are out of your budget, the new Prowler Owl from Bird-X may be the solution to your bird problems. Poised in a hunting position, with 44-inch flapping wings, moving head and body, the Great Horned Owl lookalike should strike fear in the hearts of pigeons, starlings and geese, as well as other birds and rodents. The Prowler Owl sports a hard plastic seven-inch head, 28-inch body and can be mounted on a 0.5 inch diameter pole to keep your airport or heliport from looking like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Price: $59
Veteran FBO executive and consultant Randy D. Bisgard has been appointed vice president of the Denver office. The company provides aviation business valuation and consulting services.
Honeywell's new Bendix/King KGP 560 has received FAA TSO approval, making it the first Class B terrain avoidance and warning system (TAWS) to reach the marketplace. The Pilatus PC-12 will receive the initial STC for the $9,250 unit, and the installation will serve as a basis for follow-on STCs and Form 337 approvals for other aircraft types.
Edited By Paul RichfieldBy Perry Bradley, in Cincinnati
Executive Jet Management, the charter and management arm of NetJets parent company Executive Jet Aviation, is experiencing rapid growth as a result of the success of EJA's fractional ownership program. The Cincinnati-based charter and management arm of EJA is expanding its fleet at the rate of two aircraft per month, and expects to have some 68 aircraft in operation by the end of this year.
AvBase, a charter and management company, has installed automated external defibrillators on its fleet of six aircraft and at its Cleveland headquarters. All AvBase staff, including flight crews, are undergoing CPR and defibrillator training through an internal training program. The company said it also will outfit all future aircraft acquisitions with the Agilent Heartstream defibs. The defibrillators allow non-medical personnel to provide help in airborne cardiac emergencies and are being installed in a growing number of airports and aircraft.
Groen Brothers Aviation's Jet Hawk 4T, a turbine-powered gyroplane, took its first flight in July at the manufacturer's Phoenix-area operations facility. Powered by a 420-shp Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine, the Jet Hawk is touted as a low-cost alternative for airborne law enforcement, land management and other package delivery operators that traditionally use helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Groen Brothers is hoping to begin deliveries of what it calls ``the DC-3 of gyroplanes'' in 2001. The Jet Hawk 4T is a derivative of the piston-powered Hawk 4 Gyroplane.
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has approved a local ordinance that limits the number of Stage 2 aircraft allowed at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Southern California. Once adopted, the rule will prohibit the basing of any additional Stage 2 aircraft with noise levels above 77 dBA, with exceptions for flights conducted for maintenance purposes.
If you were around for the 1999 Salary Survey, you'll recall comments about the double-digit increases most aviation professionals were receiving. In this year's survey you're going to see some dramatically different results. The broad-stroke product of this year's review shows that while wages are rising in a few areas, the rate is certainly beginning to slow and is definitely showing a downward trend in terms of total compensation.
CHC Helicopter has completed the sale of Lufttransport A/S, a Norwegian fixed wing and helicopter air ambulance service, for $14.3 million CDN. The sale is part of the helicopter giant's previously announced plans to sell non-core assets and reduce the company's debt. CHC recently raised funds in a private offering, also to repay or refinance some of its outstanding loans. In June, CHC said it is considering a management buyout of its Canadian Helicopter Eastern and Western divisions. CHC operates more than 300 aircraft, focusing mainly on offshore oil and gas support.
Piedmont Hawthorne has acquired Associated Air Center, a Dallas-Love Field-based completion and maintenance center and FBO. Associated is a factory-designated Boeing Business Jet and Airbus A319 Corporate Jet completion center and also provides heavy maintenance service for commercial aircraft. Piedmont says it plans no operational changes at its new division, which will remain under the direction of current Associated President Roy Gilbreath. The completion business will retain its name while the FBO will be renamed Piedmont Hawthorne.
John McCain seems intent on being the aviation industry's hair shirt. Other than the Fourth of July (when the government always stages a heckuva pyrotechnic display near the Washington Monument), it's difficult to predict when the fireworks are liable to go off in official Washington. But while the timing is iffy, you can generally count on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to be at the scene of the loudest explosions.
GAMA President Ed Bolen recently testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee in favor of continued Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) funding. Bolen said WAAS would provide vertical guidance, decrease the number of accidents, improve the utility of aircraft, make air service more reliable to small communities and ensure that we use airspace in the most effective manner. The Subcommittee did focus on the cost overruns, but Bolen said recent tests have shown ``better than anticipated'' accuracy of the WAAS signal. (See page 34 for a related story.)
The FAA will alter its rules regarding Land and Hold Operations (LAHSO), after agreeing to incorporate changes recommended by pilot groups. As a result, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has rescinded its July 17 recommendation that pilots not accept LAHSO clearances, an action that threatened to slow operations at hub airports. Captain Paul McCarthy, ALPA's executive air safety chairman, said: ``Our members did the right thing for the right reasons, and now, we'll have the right conditions for using LAHSO.''
Ed Klonoski has been promoted to manager and Dave Davenport is now assistant manager of the company's new Atlanta training center. Veteran FlightSafety staffer John Sauers has been promoted to director of safety and compliance.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is hosting its ``Communication for Safety'' conference in Atlanta on September 15 and 16. Topics will include runway safety, deactivation of long-range primary radar, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) and open forum discussions. Panels and group interaction will work on presenting ideas for solving some of the issues faced by pilots and ATC. For more information visit NATCA's Web site at www.natca.org.
