Air Chart Systems' Aviation Topographic Atlas is a spiral-bound book of current VFR charts, in color, including all World Aeronautical Charts for 48 states, plus the Bahamas and Baja California. The 11-by11-inch atlas opens flat to any page. To keep the charts updated and legal for in-cockpit use, the company has a NOTAM update service that is published on the FAA's 28-day cycle. Subscription price: $89 Air Chart Systems 12061 Jefferson Blvd., Ste. A Culver City, Calif. 90230
IHS Transport Data Solutions has signed an agreement to become the exclusive electronic republisher of ICAO documents, which can be found in IHS's AV-DATA database, on CD-ROM or via the Internet.
The process of developing a new helicopter non-precision GPS approach began about 10 miles outside of Beaver Dam, Wis. Dan Norman, a principal in Satellite Technologies Implementation (STI), guides his rented Chevy Blazer up State Highway 151, as he and Allen Judkiewicz scan for towers and other obstacles just as pilots scan for traffic.
Aviation safety is the No. 1 item on the DOT Inspector General's Top 10 management issues for 1999. In fact, aviation issues dominate the DOT's priorities this year. Air traffic control modernization is No. 4 on the list, FAA financing is No. 5 and airport infrastructure needs (combined with those of surface and marine transportation) is No. 6. Another issue that affects aviation is the Y2K problem, which DOT has identified as its No. 3 priority.
Dassault Falcon Jet (South Hackensack, N.J.)--In a realignment of management at the company's completions facility in Little Rock, Ark., Jean-Claude Perie has been appointed senior vice president and general manager. He succeeds Roy Pickens, who is now senior vice president of business strategies. Also, William Bauer rejoined the company as its new field service representative for Texas and New Mexico.
Corporate Aircraft Leasing Ltd. (CALL), a new, London-based company, has begun writing operating leases for business aircraft, adopting a practice that has been common among commercial aircraft operators. CALL is a joint venture of Capital Bank (a division of the Bank of Scotland that formerly was known as NWS Bank) and Exxtor, a privately owned aviation company headquartered in the Channel Islands. The leasing company is offering off-balance-sheet transactions with low deposits and flexible terms as an alternative to aircraft ownership.
A reconfiguration of AlliedSignal's aerospace business is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter. The goal is to make the operations simpler and more customer-responsive and cost-effective, saving the company a projected $30 million to $50 million annually.
The NTSB wants FAA controllers to provide traffic advisories to VFR aircraft outside the boundaries of some Class B airspace, and to ensure that VFR departure routes and IFR arrival routes (STARs) do not conflict.
J&H Marsh&McLellan has developed a comprehensive general aviation insurance program that includes advice and services from a leading aviation law firm at little or no cost. The company claims the package is suitable for corporate aircraft operators, as well as FBOs, handlers, refuelers and other aircraft support companies.
FlightSafety International (La Guardia Airport, N.Y.)--Amparo Calatayud has been promoted to manager of the aviation training organization's Learning Center in San Antonio.
Boundary Layer Research (BLR) Inc.--an Everett, Wash., maker of performance-enhancing modifications for airplanes--is marketing a NASA-patented, low-speed, anti-torque system for single-main-rotor helicopters. The so-called ``helicopter strake,'' which was developed by NASA and U.S. Army researchers and has been licensed to Boundary Layer Research by the agency, was expected to be initially STCed on a Bell 205 in January. Similar approvals for Bell JetRangers and LongRangers and Sikorsky S-76s are to follow in the coming months.
Raytheon's entry-level, composite-fuselage business jet made its first flight on December 22, 1998 (see page 26). Certification and initial deliveries of the $4.15 million (1995 dollars) six-passenger aircraft are expected by year-end. The Premier is to be certificated in accordance with special conditions related to protection of the EFIS system from high-intensity radiated fields.
Rockwell Collins has published its 1999 customer service directory for operators of systems used in business and regional aviation. To order, call (319) 295-4085. The company's Atlanta service center has moved to 5159 Southridge Pkwy., Atlanta, Ga. 30349. Phone: (770) 991-7200.
Operational flexibility has long been the strong suit of business aircraft. They have some of the broadest speed and highest altitude operating envelopes of any civil aircraft. A typical business aircraft, for example, must be able to depart from a 4,000- to 5,000-foot-long runway at maximum takeoff weight, climb directly to the low- to mid-40s, and then cruise at 400 to 460 knots to a destination 1,000 or more miles away. These diverse requirements challenge aircraft designers, especially as optimum performance must be balanced against affordable price.
In recent months, the Motion Picture Licensing Corp. (MPLC), a copyright licensing service that represents movie studios, has approached many business aircraft operators, suggesting that they need to obtain licenses to show videocassettes on company airplanes. The NBAA has been advised by its attorneys that FAR Part 91 operators that show videos in flight typically do not require a license. However, according to both the NBAA and B/CA's legal consultant, the situation regarding Part 135 operators is not clear.
The AOPA believes it has a simple but effective solution to reduce the backlog of medical certification applications. Currently, some 20,000 medical applications are awaiting review, says the organization. The FAA is updating the basic medical certificate application questionnaire (Form 8500-8, and the association is using this opportunity to formally suggest several changes. In a letter to Federal Air Surgeon Jon L. Jordan, the AOPA offered the following:
The December 1998 issue of Forbes magazine featured a paid ad with no printed sponsor save a phrase at the foot of the ad reading, ``No Plane No Gain.'' This, of course, is a gossamer thin disguise of the NBAA, which has been touting this phrase for the last couple of years. The ad points out that more than 10,000 companies have discovered that professionally flown turbine-powered business aircraft actually can change the way that employees (sic) think and act.
A new 12-page document published by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation provides practical advice on how to deal with aircraft icing. Aircraft Icing describes where ice is most likely to be found and how to minimize exposure. The pamphlet recommends that pilots use various proven tactics during preflight, taxi, takeoff, while en route and during approach and landing, the phase of flight when most icing accidents occur. To order a copy of the pamphlet, send $1 to AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Md. 21701.
Regional-aircraft manufacturers, led by Bombardier, scored big just before the end of 1998. The Canadian manufacturer logged 38 CRJ orders in December alone. Horizon Air placed its first CRJ order for 25 Series 700 70-seaters. Deliveries in the $580 million deal are to begin in mid-2002 to replace that carrier's aging fleet of Fokker F28 regional jets. Horizon was an early de Havilland Dash 8 customer, placing an initial order for 10 37-seat Series 100 aircraft in 1985.
Congress' 1998 decision to authorize the Airport Improvement Program for only six months instead of a year has left many U.S. airports scrambling to file AIP grant applications before a March 1 deadline. Although congressional supporters began efforts in January to quickly draft legislation that would extend the program, AIP funding was scheduled to expire in April.
Wayfarer Aviation has added nine new aircraft to its fleet, several of which are expected to be available for charter from the company's White Plains, N.Y.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Bedford, Mass. bases.
