Which manufacturer hopes to fill the single-engine turboprop marketplace gap between the larger Pilatus PC-12 and the smaller Socata TBM-700? The manufacturer is Ibis Aerospace with its Ae 270--an up to nine-passenger, all-metal, pressurized retractable powered by a derated 850-shp P&WC PT6A-42A turning a three-blade, reversible-pitch propeller.
Insurance companies and brokers differ over whether workers' compensation insurance (to insure flight department employees in case of injury on the job) should be rolled into the company headquarters' policy, or whether the coverage should be written by an aviation insurance company. In the comp world, pilots are considered ``high severity, low frequency'' risks.
Implementation of an expanded no-fly zone for the Grand Canyon has been postponed from January 31, 1999 to January 31, 2000 to allow time for the FAA to establish new aerial sightseeing routes for the park. These and other new rules are designed to reduce alleged aircraft noise problems at the scenic park (February 1998, page 30).
Mesa Air Group has settled all claims with the aircraft and equipment lessors of its WestAir subsidiary for approximately $15 million. With the exception of $150,000 paid in October 1998, the entire amount was paid in September. WestAir ceased operation on May 31 after losing its West Coast United Express franchise to SkyWest.
NTSB has asked the DOT to collect data from air taxi operators similar to that reported by the scheduled airlines due to its concern about inaccurate estimates of FAR Part 135 on-demand activity included now as part of the FAA's annual survey of general aviation activity. The data requested would include a quarterly report on revenue hours and revenue miles.
Edward D. Mendenhall, director of flight operations for Gulfstream Aerospace, and Donald Bateman, chief engineer in AlliedSignal's Air Transport and Regional Division, were recognized for their leadership in aviation safety at the Flight Safety Foundation's International Air Safety Seminar held in Cape Town, South Africa. Bateman received the Admiral Luis de Florez Flight Safety Award for his efforts in the development of the enhanced ground-proximity warning system.
Since it began in 1981, the FAA's effort to modernize its aging ATC systems has grown to fantastic proportions. The multi-billion-dollar effort to improve the capacity, efficiency and safety of the U.S. National Airspace System has experienced mind-boggling cost overruns and schedule re-writes. The ordeal has caused many in this industry to wonder if the agency is capable of accomplishing what has been described as ``changing a tire on a car going 100 miles an hour.''
Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) is racking up sales of its turboprop line at a time when many pundits are forecasting the death of any regional airliners with propellers attached. The Franco/Italian company has logged new-aircraft orders from Air New Zealand, Cimber Air of Denmark and Oman Air.
Regent Aerospace's Transparency Services Division now features the Aero Gold Window Tint Application Service. The company claims that Aero Gold, an aerospace-grade film containing real gold, can enhance passengers' comfort by reflecting and/or absorbing over 50 percent of infrared (heat) radiation and 100 percent of ultraviolet radiation. The process, which also is said to reduce damage to interior components, maintains the FAA-mandated 70-percent luminous transmission. Price varies for type of aircraft and number of windows to be tinted.
Over the next six months, the Environmental Protection Agency has set a low priority on inspecting small underground storage tank facilities for compliance with its December 22, 1998 UST regulatory deadline (September 1998, p. 43.) Aviation businesses with four or fewer tanks could benefit from this strategy. But EPA largely will depend on tank owners to self-police and alert the agency to their non-compliance, and to quickly upgrade, replace or close their non-complying USTs. The reward will be a lower fine.
Resolution of an alleged ``machining mismatch'' in about 94 CFE738-1-1Bs may require a fix that the FAA estimates will cost $36,000 in parts and labor per engine. In a proposed AD, the FAA says that certain high pressure compressor components may have machining mismatches in the curvic coupling tooth profiles that could cause the HPC to fail.
Brazilian aviation authorities have certificated Raisbeck's performance modifications for King Air 90- and 200-series aircraft. The certification covers the Seattle firm's Hartzell four-blade propellers, leading-edge devices, dual aft body strakes, high flotation gear doors, nacelle wing lockers and composite exhaust stack fairings. Lider Taxi Aero and Gonair Taxi Aero are Raisbeck-authorized dealers in Brazil.
This Piper Saratoga is the testbed for a Hartzell propeller being designed under NASA's AGATE/GAP (Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments/General Aviation Propulsion programs). The aluminum blades feature a full 25 degrees of tip sweep and ``very high lift'' airfoils. Hartzell says initial tests demonstrated a noise reduction of four to six dBA without any loss in performance. The next step is developing a blade that conforms to the vibrational stress characteristics of a GAP system being designed by Continental.
Atlanta--Just before the New Year, Avtech Executive Flight Center was putting the finishing touches on a new corporate hangar facility at its FBO on Marietta's Cobb County-McCollum Field. The facility includes 40,000 square feet of hangar space and 6,600 square feet of office space along with two passenger lounges. Phone: (800) 255-1971/(770) 422-2345.
The FAA has recommended that pilots not take Viagra within six hours of takeoff owing to the fact that it diminishes one's ability to distinguish between the blues and greens found in cockpit instruments and runway lights. This recommendation beggars the question--just who made this epochal discovery, some FAA flight inspector in a state of tumescence?
Raytheon Travel Air (Wichita)--These appointments were made at Raytheon Aircraft Co.'s fractional ownership subsidiary: Tony Marlow to vice president of operations and Drew McEwen to vice president of sales.
No longer a fledgling program, Be a Pilot, formerly known as GA Team 2000, has entered its third year with redoubled pilot-recruitment plans and a great deal of success. Through the first nine months of 1998, student starts were up 10 percent over 1996, said Be a Pilot Chairman Ed Stimpson. Other points of pride are these: -- A 27-percent increase in private pilot certificates issued in 1998; -- More than 30,000 responses to 888-BE-A-PILOT and www.beapilot.com;
At present there are only about 120 civilian and joint-use airports in China, according to officials during Airshow China '98, held recently in Zhuhai. This extremely small number considering the country's vast size may be a reason why business aviation in China is still in its infancy, but there are more fundamental reasons, according to officials.
Construction to boost Elliott Aviation's Moline, Ill., FBO from 54,000 square feet to 91,000 square feet is expected to finish in March, a three-month delay from the original schedule (September 1998, page 24). The expansion project will include a new aircraft interior refurbishment center, a new manufacturing facility for the company's cabin noise reduction system, a new hangar (large enough to house G-V or Global Express-category business jets) and a complete redesign of the executive terminal.
International Federation of Helicopter Associations, a Virginia-based group representing individual national rotary wing trade groups, received approval to attend ICAO meetings when policies and rulemaking pertaining to civil helicopter operations are being discussed. IFHA Chairman Lord Glenarthur said the approval will help to ensure that the helicopter's ``unique versatility is recognized in the rule-making process.''
Photograph: As is the case for all of SimCom's training devices, the Citation II simulator starts out as the nose and cockpit from a real aircraft. When the expected regulatory approval is received, London-based BBA will conclude its purchase of AMR Combs and create the largest, single-owned chain of FBOs in the world. BBA's Signature Flight Support operates 42 FBOs and AMR Combs owns 11 FBOs, in addition to operating interests in three facilities in Mexico and Hong Kong. Purchase price was $170 million.
