Virtual Prototypes has released new versions of its FLSIM and HELISIM flight-simulator software products, which run on Silicon Graphics and Windows NT platforms
The number of aircraft stolen in 1998 was down by half, according to preliminary figures from the Aviation Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI). Burglaries also were down slightly. Twenty-one aircraft were reported stolen, the fewest since 1988. In addition, 111 aircraft were burglarized for their avionics and other equipment in 1998. ACPI believes one reason for the downturn in theft is that aircraft are better protected than ever.
AOPA reported 4,000 prospective new pilots were recruited in 1998 through its Project Pilot program, and celebrated its 2,000th new private pilot last year
In a market that many already consider crowded, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has announced that it will offer two new, large regional jets. The offerings are a 70-seat ERJ-170 and a 90-seat ERJ-190. In a ``pre-launch'' announcement in mid-February, Embraer said it is ``actively pursuing commitments from airlines, major suppliers and partners'' and will make a final go-ahead decision toward the end of the second quarter. The announcement would likely come at the Paris Air Show in June.
Edited By Robert A. SearlesArnold Lewis Arizona Town Buys Own Commuter Plane
Show Low, a resort community in the White Mountains of Northeastern Arizona, has acquired its own airplane to provide commuter service to and from Phoenix. The aircraft is a Beech King Air 200 that originally was the personal airplane of former Beech Aircraft President Olive Ann Beech. It has been modified by Commuter Air Technology (CATPASS) of Scottsdale, Ariz. It is operated and maintained by Phoenix-based Express Air Inc. as Sunrise Airlines, named for Show Low's Sunrise ski resort.
The first Falcon 2000 for the NetJets fractional aircraft ownership program was delivered to Executive Jet Aviation in late January. EJA purchased a total of 38 Falcon 2000s in 1997 and 1998, making the fractional ownership provider Dassault Falcon Jet's largest customer. The handover took place at Falcon Jet's new 10,000-square-foot hangar in Little Rock, which recently was completed as part of a three-year renovation program to prepare the facility for completing up to 60 Falcons per year beginning in 2000.
Version 5.5 of Aviation Supplies&Academics' (www.asa2fly. com/asa) On Top IFR proficiency simulator software ($395 new or $9.95 upgrade) features new out-the-window graphics that reveal photo-realistic runway environments, haze and weather modeling. On Top also includes U.S. airports, a completely redesigned manual, new setup screens and a map replay ``flight data recorder'' tool that shows aircraft configuration, rate of descent, marker passage, and rpm indicator and/or manifold pressure settings
Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y., reported a 10-percent decline in the number of operations by based business aircraft in 1998 versus 1997. Movements declined from 17,526 in 1997 to 15,690 in 1998. However, the number of transient business aircraft operations remained almost the same -- 25,036 in 1998, compared with 25,086 in 1997. HPN's air carrier operations declined from 10,802 in 1997 to 8,934 in 1998, a 17-percent drop. However, commuter operations at the New York area field almost doubled from 1997's total of 2,952 to 5,828 in 1998.
Atlantic Aviation will build an FBO on a new site on the east side of Philadelphia International Airport as part of a recently concluded deal with the city. Atlantic has signed a 20-year lease, with two additional five-year options, to operate FBOs at Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The new FBO is slated to open in time for the Republican National Convention, which is to be held in Philadelphia in July 2000. Atlantic also will spend $1 million to refurbish its Northeast Philadelphia FBO facility.
Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport has completed installation of an ILS for its 6,198-foot Runway 24R. The reliever airport has two full-service FBOs -- Million Air Cleveland and Business Aircraft Center -- and offers on-site Customs service and a 24-hour control tower.
The following are target dates for emerging turbine aircraft. These dates, supplied by the airframe manufacturers, are subject to change--and frequently do--as a result of design revisions, funding, testing delays or extensions, and/or the resolution of unforeseen problems. Each month, this table will endeavor to show the most-current schedule. *Indicates a change/addition since the previous issue. Manufacturer Model Milestone AASI Jetcruzer 500 Turboprop Certification
Underscoring its airborne satcom intentions, Iridium will purchase Claircom Communications Group, Inc. (Claircom) from AT&T and Rogers Cantel for $65 million in cash and debt. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approvals, will complement Iridium's portfolio of services tailored for the business-traveling professional by adding Claircom's inflight telephone services. Following completion of the deal, Claircom phones will carry the Iridium brand, and will be folded into Iridium's global wireless telephone and paging services.
At first glance, you might conclude that Cessna's newest Citation has an identity crisis. For example, if you were blindfolded, led inside and then shown the cabin, initially you might assume that you're seated in a midsize Citation VII. On closer examination you'd discover that this aircraft, however, has a continuous, dropped aisle, with no spar intruding through the rear floor of the cabin. This Citation actually has more seated head and shoulder room because its floor has been lowered.
The Smart-Link cabin management system from DPI Labs, of La Verne, Calif., was selected for a Boeing Business Jet being outfitted by Greenpoint Technologies of Kirkland, Wash.
A November 1998 Intelligence item (page 20) incorrectly stated that Universal Avionics Systems Corp. is the exclusive marketing agent for Thrane&Thrane's TT-5000 Aero-I satcom system. Universal has exclusive rights to market Thrane&Thrane satcoms to corporate and commercial aviation. Sea-Land Systems markets the equipment to military operators.
Dunned by protests from the AOPA and from pilots, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has postponed its earlier decision to stop printing World Aeronautical Charts. NOAA also delayed increasing the price of its remaining aeronautical products by six percent. In January, NOAA claimed a $5.2 million shortfall and announced plans to discontinue the charts now funded by the Department of Commerce. The AOPA argued, ``The charts are essential to aviation safety, and the department can and should find the money to continue this important safety program.''
Edited By Robert A. SearlesPerry Bradley in Miami Continental on Track for Spring Launch
Bombardier is moving closer to a formal launch of its Continental super-midsize jet, and is in the process of finalizing aerodynamic performance and securing vendor agreements for major aircraft systems. Rockwell Collins and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries joined the program in January.
Corporate Angel Network (White Plains, N.Y.)--Judith H. Haims is the new president of this organization that arranges free flights on corporate aircraft for cancer patients traveling to treatment centers.
A Safe Fuel Pollution Liability Program providing expanded liability and property insurance coverage for FBOs and corporate fuel farms now is available through the National Air Transportation Association. Companies insured under the program will be covered for pollution accidents not included under airport liability policies and standard casualty-insurance programs. The standard Safe Fuel program, developed by AIG Environmental, a major provider of environmental insurance, includes limits of $1 million with a minimum deductible of $5,000 and a minimum premium of $1,500.
Be a Pilot (Washington, D.C.)--Cynthia Otis Brown has been named executive director of the former GA Team 2000. Bridgette Mikula succeeded Jennifer Seaman as program manager.
Fourteen airlines from seven countries have joined the Bombardier BRJ-X Airline Advisory Council, meeting recently in Montreal. At 90 seats, the five-abreast airliner would be the largest of Bombardier Aerospace's airliner offering, for which the manufacturer sees a requirement of 2,500 aircraft over a 20-year period.
Teterboro Airport (TEB) officials expect a new ILS for Runway 19 to be operational at the northern New Jersey airfield in April. According to TEB officials, the new ILS, combined with the existing ILS on Runway 6, ``will greatly enhance the tower's ability to merge air traffic with Newark International'' and will ``help divert flights away from heavily populated residential areas.''
The new 2020 ProBalancer Analyzer from ACES Systems performs vibration analysis and propeller or rotor track and balance. The company says the unit features a spectral analysis display that pinpoints abnormalities by providing expandable views of the vibration spectrum, which allow a detailed analysis of vibration frequencies. Step-by-step on-screen instructions are given to users. Price: $1,795 ACES Systems/Tec Aviation Division 10737 Lexington Dr., Knoxville, Tenn. 37932 Phone: (423) 966-5856 Fax: (423) 675-1241
