B/CA first saw an AirCell airborne cellular phone at an NBAA show about five years ago and thought it was a great idea. Cellular telephones were starting to appear everywhere--why not in aircraft? The sales reps were pumped up about the possibilities of airborne cellular service. It offered an alternative to VHF airborne telephones and the potential of datalink applications. There was just one catch--the FCC had not yet approved the concept. ``When will the FCC sign off on this?'' we asked AirCell. ``We expect it any day now,'' they replied.
The Advanced Lighting System is a series of flashing landing lights for corporate aircraft (STCs pending). The manufacturer, Aviation Technologies Group, says cyclic illumination increases visibility to other inflight aircraft, tower controllers, and for ground operations in bad weather. Also, pulsed light usage extends bulb life ``by as much as 15 times.'' Price: $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the aircraft Aviation Technologies Group 3301 Mustang St., Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577 Phone: (803) 477-0350; Fax: (803) 477-0352
When a senior government or business leader brings disgrace upon his party or company in Japan, resignation is the minimum response expected. Sometimes a Japanese leader caught in a compromising position even ends his life, opting for ritual sui-cide in an effort to restore a bit of honor in his death that was missing from his life. In England, and other nations with a parliamentary system, the leader caught in conflicted circumstances must call for new elections, in effect giving the voters a referendum on his behavior.
Castle Harlan Inc., a New York merchant bank, has signed an agreement to acquire AMR Services, which performs a variety of ground support functions at more than 60 airports worldwide. The deal is expected to close during the first quarter. This is the second AMR subsidiary sold recently by Fort Worth-based AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines. Earlier, the AMR Combs chain of FBOs was sold to BBA Group, the parent company of Signature Flight Support, for $170 million.
Air Security International, one of the companies in the Houston-based Air Routing Group, has compiled a list of the most dangerous places for business travelers in 1998. The locations were listed for either their propensity for crime, kidnapping, war or political violence. Colombia was cited as suffering from all four forms of social unrest due to the drug trade, ongoing guerrilla warfare, and frequent assassinations and abductions. In fact, Air Security said Colombia remains the country with the most kidnappings.
American Airlines could become the first user of controller-pilot datalink communications in the United States if a plan announced in January by a joint FAA/industry team remains on schedule. The carrier is scheduled to outfit a 767 and 737 so that the aircraft can use VHF radios to exchange data with Miami Airport beginning in 2002. Eventually, effective operational datalink, a long-sought goal, could be used by a variety of operators across the country to eliminate many of the voice transmissions between controllers and pilots.
An NTSB recommendation that operators conduct inspections of aircraft load-bearing structures in which blind rivets have been installed could eventually require that thousands of aircraft be examined. The recommendation was made as a result of the Safety Board's investigation of the April 1997 fatal crash of a Colgate-Palmolive BK 117 in New York City. The accident occurred when a three-foot section of the helicopter's vertical fin, including the tail rotor, broke off the aircraft due to fatigue cracks.
Flight Services Group (Stratford, Conn.)--Terrance M. Hebbard is the new chief pilot at the charter operator's Norwich, N.Y., base at Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport.
Dassault expects to receive FAA certification of its new Falcon 900C this spring. The aircraft, essentially a Falcon 900B fitted with the avionics of the Falcon 900EX, first flew in December 1998. The 900C has a Honeywell Primus 2000 avionics system, dual Laseref IRS, EGPWS, turbulence detection radar, dual CAT II autopilots, dual FMS and Collins radios. During 1998, a record 99 Falcon jets were sold worldwide, including orders for 38 aircraft for EJA's NetJets fractional ownership program.
More than 8,000 helicopters worth over $19 billion will be delivered through 2007, but no large increase in rotorcraft production is anticipated during the next 10 years, according to a new market study from Forecast International/DMS, a Newtown, Conn.-based market research firm.
A series of inflight shutdowns of Allison 3007 engines in January resulted in the issuance of an emergency airworthiness directive. The AD required operators of approximately 120 Citation X and Embraer 145 aircraft to conduct preflight engine tests and inspections when the oil temperature was below freezing to determine if oil was leaking from the powerplant. Within several days, however, Allison developed a cap for the oil vent line near the engine starter, a fix that allowed operators to conduct inspections once a week.
Air carrier operations at Dallas' Love Field have been limited ever since nearby Dallas/Fort Worth Airport opened in the 1970s. However, a recent DOT ruling may pave the way for largely unrestricted commercial flights at Love Field as long as new air carriers operate aircraft with no more than 56 passenger seats. The Transportation Department intervened in an ongoing dispute that involved American, Continental and startup carrier Legend Airlines, as well as the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.
NBAA's 1999 convention committee has begun planning for the association's annual meeting, which will be held from October 12 through 14 in Atlanta. James Cannon, flight department manager of The Home Depot, is the chairman of the committee.
Franco/Italian ATR partners Aerospatiale and Alenia continue to pursue international partnerships for a new, large regional jet in the 50-plus-passenger to 110-passenger range. The manufacturers are in discussions with CASA of Spain, Embraer of Brazil and the U.S./German company Fairchild Aerospace. ATR seeks a 50-percent share in the consortium with Alenia possibly taking the lead in final production. A deal was expected by the end of 1998, but now could be forthcoming early this year.
Air London, the corporate aircraft charter broker, is operating under a new name: Air Partner. The company plans to complement its U.S. and U.K. operations by opening new offices worldwide.
FAA is examining proposed fractional-aircraft safety guidelines developed jointly by the NBAA, NATA and GAMA. In mid-January the associations submitted their recommendations, which include clarifying and redefining numerous operating standards, such as limits on flight and duty times. Regardless of whether or not the FAA adopts these recommendations, fractional aircraft operators that adhere to these guidelines can qualify to join the NBAA through a newly created class of membership.
Air Routing Group, a Houston-based international handling agent, warns that equipment and communications problems in eastern Russia may delay or limit access for corporate aircraft on certain Russian Far East routes. According to Air Routing, a U.S.-financed Earth Station has not been allowed to be placed in Anadyr, Russia, thus ``limiting communications between RFE ATC locations and Anchorage Center.''
By June the FAA plans to introduce a ``streamlined'' administrative action process that is designed to reduce paperwork and shorten the time needed to deal with violations that are not a serious threat to aviation safety. This revision of the agency's so-called ``ticket program'' was proposed in December after many aviation groups vehemently objected to the prospect of FAA inspectors issuing citations on the spot.
Signature Flight Support (Orlando)--Delvin Fogg has been appointed general manager of the FBO chain's Las Vegas facility. At the Minneapolis operation, Carl Coonce has been named technical services manager.
Aerospace Concepts (Newport Beach, Calif.)--Terry Habeck is the president of a new company specializing in the management of completions for ultra-long-range business jets. Karin Worthmann is director of completions management, and Derek Ellis is director of technical completions.
