Embraer has contracted Grand Aviation in Dallas to remarket pre-owned Embraer Brasilia EMB-120s to corporate operators. The company purchased three of the aircraft for use in transporting NASCAR racing teams .
Somehow, somewhere, the FAA conceived the idea that the only way to increase safety and lower the accident rate in general aviation was to regulate. Hence, by issuing more strangulating dicta the FAA would be performing a singular service for mankind in general and the vast segment of general aviation in particular. It doesn't matter that anyone who has extracted their living in aviation for more than six months can competently dispute the fact. The AOPA, NATA, NBAA and others must keep their loins constantly girded against continuing encroachment by the feds.
General aviation trade associations are urging Congress to pass legislation that would speed up the NTSB certificate review process when the FAA uses its emergency authority to revoke an airman's or operator's certificate. The bill (H.R. 1846) would give pilots and operators the option of requesting a hearing before the NTSB within 48 hours of the revocation. The Safety Board would then have five days to decide if the emergency order was justified.
Airports and aircraft operators are ever more on the hot seat as communities raise questions and express concerns to airport managers about safety, noise abatement, environmental impact and ecological hazards. Don't pass up opportunities to advocate for your airport as a good neighbor--both in media interviews and by accepting speaking engagements in the community. And help is available to polish your approach as a speaker. Bob Hager, of Creative Force, a Teterboro, N.J.
Illustration: Graph: ALLIED SIGNAL BUSINESS JET DELIVERIES FORECAST 1999-2009 Data Source: AlliedSignal AlliedSignal's annual Business Aviation Market Outlook projects continuing strong demand for new business aircraft with deliveries topping 6,500 units valued at nearly $78 billion for the period of 1999 to 2009.
By year-end, the JAA is expected to issue for full public comment its proposed extended range, twin-engine operations (ETOPS) threshold that initially will apply to JAA-registered business jets with fewer than 19 seats and operated as commercial flights. The JAA's Operations Committee (and U.S. corporate jet interests) strongly support a 180-minute threshold, but certain European authorities, including France and its aerospace industry, believe a 120-minute threshold is appropriate.
Photograph: The Sovereign's cabin will be large when compared with traditional midsize cabins, with room for double-club seating, plus a forward side-facing bench. A new-technology `traditional' midsize business jet Today's traditional midsize business jet fleet comprises over 1,700 units--respected and dependable aircraft such as the Citation III and its derivatives, the Hawker 800s, assorted Falcons 20, various Sabreliners, the Learjet 55/60s and others.
At the pull of a pin, Air Technical Industries' Model WTT-2 detachable drive unit will become a source of propulsion or a tow for mobile equipment or cargo. The unit, battery-powered by a 24-volt operating system, has a 6,000-pound capacity. With its fingertip controls, the WTT-2 can pull luggage from an aircraft and restock and retrieve parts with ``precise positioning.'' Pricing starts at $7,258, depending upon options and user needs. Air Technical Industries, 7501 Clover Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060. (440) 951-5191; fax: (440) 953-9237.
While fractional ownership may be an idea whose time has come, it's no secret that it strikes fear into the hearts of many corporate flight department managers. So why is it, then, that a growing number of flight departments are buying shares in fractionally owned business aircraft to supplement their in-house machinery?
Going through performance reviews with pilots is a tough assignment, most flight department managers acknowledge. There are similarities in this group of professionals since ``pilots are skilled technicians, and they do repetitive labor,'' said Jeff Lee, aviation director for IBM's Flight Operations, based in White Plains, N.Y., yet their goals have to be personalized and somehow distinct from those of their peers.
National Association of State Aviation Officials urged congressional leaders to increase the state apportionment of AIP funds from 18.5 percent to 20 percent, a minor but ``desperately needed'' increase, said NASAO .
An FAR Part 150 noise-compatibility program for Florida's Naples Municipal Airport has been sent to the FAA for consideration. The FAA is scheduled to approve or disapprove the submission by March 2, 1999. Comments from users and others can be submitted. For further information, contact Tommy Pickering at the FAA in Orlando. Phone: (407) 812-6331.
David Collogan from The Weekly of Business Aviation
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the NBAA both strongly endorse continued regulation of fractional aircraft ownership programs under FAR Part 91, stating that the programs have operated safely for years under those FARs. The FAA has been meeting with various business and general aviation trade groups in recent months to solicit their comments on how shared ownership programs should be regulated. The agency is expected to make its decision by year-end or early 1999.
Aircraft painting companies and other aviation users of methylene chloride were given substantially more time to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules aimed at lowering exposure rates to the caustic chemical (June, page 20). For employers with fewer than 50 employees, OSHA delayed until October 22, 2001 the date to install engineering and respirator controls that limit exposure. For companies with 50 or more employees, the new compliance date is October 22, 2000.
George E. Haddaway, 89, widely acknowledged as an eminent achiever, campaigner and participant in the development of business and general aviation, died September 26 in Durango, Colo. of leukemia. The former editor and publisher of Flight magazine is credited with boosting the start of the regional airline industry, known in its infancy as ``feeder'' airlines. During World War II, he commanded a Civil Air Patrol squadron under the 25th Anti-Submarine Wing of the U.S. Army Air Force.
AirCare International will expand its FACTS training locations in 1999 to offer classes in New York; Detroit; Van Nuys, Calif.; and Wichita. A schedule of classes will continue at the company's home base in Olympia, Wash. and in Dallas at SimuFlite. To meet an increased demand for realistic training, AirCare has commissioned the construction of a ``FACTS V'' mobile Aircrew Emergency Procedures Simulator, a full-size cabin-class interior with many features of new production aircraft.
AlliedSignal introduced its Global Star 2100 EMS, a navigation computer that combines a multi-channel GPS receiver with a proprietary global navigation database and multi-function control, and a 5.5-inch diagonal color display. The Global Star 2100 is a plug-in replacement for the GNS-XL and can be configured in a single or dual synchronized EMS operation. It provides data for positioning, en route navigation, remote radio tuning and SIDs/STARs terminal procedures. Dual pathways are provided for anticipated features such as WAAS, LAAS, color weather and terrain graphics.
Citation Ultra Encore Preliminary Weights (lb/kg) Max Ramp 16,830/7,633 Max Takeoff 16,630/7,542 Max Landing 15,200/6,893 Max Zero Fuel 12,000/5,442 Typical BOW 10,532/4,776 Max Fuel 5,298/2,403 Full Fuel Payload 1,000/454 Source: Cessna
Rules covering background checks of potential employees before they are permitted unescorted access to certain areas on an airport have been tightened and go into effect November 23. The rules (FAR Parts 107 and 108) apply primarily to air carrier operations, and several general aviation interests already are on record proposing that separate rules be adopted for general aviation areas at airports (February 1998, page 24).
Cape Town, South Africa--Cape Aviation Business Centre recently opened as a full-service FBO at Cape Town International Airport. Instead of being owned by a single entity, each of the Centre's businesses, such as fueling, airframe, engine and avionics maintenance, and other services, are provided by their respective owners under one roof of a newly-built facility. Phone: +27 (21) 557-0540.
JIL Information Systems and Sensis Corp. have been awarded FAA contracts to assist the agency's airport ground incursion prevention effort. JIL, a small firm based in Vienna, Va., will provide ``technical and administrative support'' to the FAA's Surface Movement Advisor program. This program is a computer display that makes it easier for controllers, aircraft operators and airport operators to manage airport ground traffic. A prototype system is deployed at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. Under a separate contract, Sensis Corp. of DeWitt, N.Y.
The second issue of the 1998 edition of The Official Helicopter Blue Book has been released to current subscribers and is now available to the general public. Single issues of the Blue Book cost $300, while an annual subscription (three issues) is priced at $450. The publication can be ordered from HeliValue$, Inc., P.O. Box 876, Lincolnshire, Ill. 60069. Phone: (847) 487-8258; fax: (847) 487-0206; Web site: www.helivalues.com.
Telex Communications has introduced a new active noise-reduction headset, modeled after its economical Echelon passive noise reduction headset. The 18-ounce, black Echelon ANR 150 features 21 dB of passive noise reduction, another 14 dB of active noise reduction, dual volume controls, an amplified noise-canceling electret microphone and a low-profile headband. Price: $319. Telex Communications, 9600 Aldrich Ave. S, Minneapolis, Minn. 55420. (612) 884-4051; fax: (612) 884-0043.
Associated Aviation Underwriters and Specialty Underwriters have entered a joint agreement to offer AV-TEC, an avionics insurance program available through AAU of Short Hills, N.J. When an avionics unit needs repairs, the policyholder uses the service provider of his choice, AAU officials explained. Once repair is completed, Specialty Underwriters reimburses the operator or pays the service provider direct.
Garrett Aviation Services will reflirbish the former Tracor facility at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport as a center for outfitting Boeing Business Jets. The complex will operate as an extension of Garrett's Van Nuys, Calif. completion center, which is outfitting the first two BBJs to be converted by the company. Subsequent BBJ work will be moved to Santa Barbara. Work is scheduled to begin in March 1999. Additional floor space is available in upper floors of the building. The Santa Barbara hangars each will fit two BBJs comfortably, and up to three in a pinch.
