The annual effort to update B/CA's aircraft modification directory gives us a chance to contact a variety of companies offering everything from the remanufacturing of existing products to relatively minor but still important comfort, handling, serviceability and operating modifications for certificated aircraft.
Gulfstream is now including aircrew alertness training and high-altitude physiology training with each new aircraft ordered. In addition, both courses are offered to existing owners at a nominal cost. The two-day alertness course, held in Savannah, is designed to teach crews techniques to overcome the physiological challenges of long-haul flight operations. The physiology course, conducted in Houston, includes a ``flight'' in an altitude chamber where crews will experience decompression and hypoxia.
The updated FAR/AIM Series from Aviation Supplies and Academics is ready to order. New books include the 938-page, FAR/AIM ($15.95), FAR for Flight Crew ($16.95) and FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians ($18.95), with all changes since the last printing clearly marked. All three volumes feature a comprehensive index and provide free midyear updates via mail-in coupon, fax, phone or Internet request. Aviation Supplies and Academics, 7005 132nd Pl. S.E., Newcastle, Wash. 98059. (425) 235-1500; fax: (425) 235-0128.
Signature Flight Support has introduced a network of five Regional Maintenance Centers, dubbed Gold Touch--in Las Vegas; Minneapolis; Hartford, Conn.; Dallas; and West Palm Beach, Fla.--along with a customer incentive system. RMC users can sign up for a ``WayPoints'' program that offers a payoff in free fuel. Every dollar spent on aircraft maintenance at an RMC translates into one WayPoint earned; 75 accumulated WayPoints earn a customer one gallon of fuel. ``This is our way of saying thank you to the customer,'' said Gary Boekenkamp, senior vice president of marketing.
Executive Jet Aviation (Woodbridge, N.J.)--Raynor Reavis has been named national sales manager for the firm's NetJets fractional ownership program. FlightSafety International (Flushing, N.Y.)--Michael Grabbe joined this organization as director of maintenance training at its Learning Center in Bethany, Okla.
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) was a first-time exhibitor at this year's NBAA convention, but the German company's history as a major source for corporate aviation pilot training, aircraft completions and after-market support is older than the NBAA itself, starting with the development of an executive version of the Junkers Ju 52 military aircraft in the 1930s.
Jerry Temple Aviation offers replacement switch covers for sun-faded or dirty switches in Cessna Twins, Conquests and Citations. Price: 300 Series Kit, $25 (includes 18 white, four red and three black); 400 Series Kit, $30 (includes 23 white, four red and three black). Jerry Temple Aviation, 2205 Tarpley Rd., Ste. 706, Carrollton, Texas 75006. (972) 416-3140; fax: (972) 416-3220.
Regional Jet Center is the FBO for the recently built Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), 25 miles northwest of Fayetteville. The controlled airfield opened officially on November 6 with a single instrumented 8,800-by-150-foot runway. Regional Jet Center is starting operations with a temporary building that will have separate crew and passenger lounges as well as a flight planning area. Initial hours of operation will be 0500 to 2100. Regional Jet Center is affiliated with Fayetteville Air Service at Fayetteville Municipal Airport. Phillips is the fuel supplier.
Corporate operators looking to use their aircraft for charter are being wooed by Executive Jet Management with a program that guarantees an aircraft owner a specified amount of annual charter hours and income once that owner is on EJM's FAR Part 135 charter certificate.
Chartright Air (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)--Michael J. Lacey has been appointed executive vice president of this aircraft charter and management company.
Executive Jet Management obtained FAA authority to conduct FAR Part 135 operations to Europe, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, The Philippines and Taiwan . . . Aviall opened a parts distribution and locator service center in Calgary, Alberta, Canada .
Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the mixing of two types of hydraulic fluid in the brake system may be a factor in the June 18 crash of a Fairchild Metroliner in Montreal that killed all 11 persons aboard (August, page 30). Although identical in color and consistency, the TSB warned that the hydraulic mixture's flash point is ``significantly below'' the rated level of the one, specified fluid. ``Extensive'' pre-crash fire damage occurred to the aircraft's left wheel well from overheated brake, wheel and tire components.
SimuFlite Training International (Dallas)--Jeffrey G. Roberts was promoted to president of this pilot- and mechanic-training organization, from his previous position as vice president of sales and marketing.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey came into the FAA job with a reputation for having good political instincts and she demonstrated those skills a few weeks ago in Palm Springs, Calif. Bowing to the clamor of protest from the industry, she told attendees at the AOPA Expo '98 that the agency's original ``Streamlined Administrative Action Program,'' (SAAP) the so-called ``ticket program,'' was being shelved. Specifically, she told the AOPA faithful that the ticket program ``as described'' is dead, but that officials are working on a modified program.
Three models of the Red Box APU--with 600, 1,500 or 1,600 peak amps--are available now from Heli-Mart. The units come with a 110/220-volt electronic charger and an APU cable with plug. Compact enough to be a carryon, the Red Box is classified as non-hazardous baggage for transport in any aircraft. Price: Starts at $1,750. Heli-Mart, Inc., 3184-E Airway Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. (714) 755-2999; fax: (714) 755-2995.
Anyone who has driven across the lonesome interstate highways of the Southwestern United States probably has wondered how they would survive if they broke down amid the inhospitable terrain that stretches for hundreds of miles between the cities in the region.
The slate of NBAA officers changed at the October annual meeting and convention in Las Vegas, and the following individuals will serve two-year terms: Thomas W. Myers, director of aviation for Sears, Roebuck and Co. of Chicago, chairman of the board; Philip A. Roberts, director of corporate travel for Ford Motor Co. of Detroit, vice chairman of the board; and George A. Saling, director of aviation services for Philip Morris Management Corp. of White Plains, N.Y., treasurer.
Aviation consultants are concerned about some recurring problems they see during safety inspections for a variety of clients. ``The main flaw I usually find when I'm brought in for an audit is a communication problem,'' said Bob
Amjet Corp. unveiled plans for a unique aircraft at October's NBAA convention--an all-composite, forward-swept-wing, single-engine amphibious jet. The Amjet 400 is the dream of Leonard Gioia, M.D., a 33-year member of the staff of Cape Canaveral Hospital and a 3,500-hour, instrument-rated multiengine pilot. In 1974, Dr. Gioia bought a SIAI-Marchetti Riviera amphibian. ``It took off at 90, cruised at 90 and stalled at 90,'' Gioia recalls. There must, he thought, be a better way to build a waterborne aircraft. Gioia initially refined the
Bell Helicopter Textron and Agusta tightened their partnership by creating the Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co. The new entity strengthens the previously announced joint venture to develop the BA609 tiltrotor and the 12- to 15-passenger AB139 medium twin-turbine helicopter (October, page 70). Bell Vice President Jim Rogers is managing director of the new venture. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Bell is the majority shareholder.
Dassault will continue its studies of a supersonic Falcon business jet, the company says, despite bad news on the propulsion front. When the company discussed details of its supersonic design in May, at the annual Falcon Jet operators' meeting, Dassault engineers expected to use modified versions of current production fighter engines--either the Snecma M88 or General Electric F414. Since then, Dassault has determined that the fighter engines will need more extensive changes than the company had at first anticipated.
The lateral boundaries of several areas within the Class B Airspace surrounding Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport have been reconfigured and new areas have been created. In addition, some of the floors of several existing areas have been lowered and several have been raised.
