Hermetic Aircraft International and Madelec Aero (of France) have teamed to introduce a dedicated visual ice build-up detector for narrow-body turboprop aircraft. The Water Drop Model 741-AAA installs directly in the flightcrew's line of vision, is self-illuminating for nighttime use and has surface sensitivity so that the indicator is the first point of ice build-up on the aircraft. Price: $633. Hermetic Aircraft International, 100 Corporate Dr., Holtsville, N.Y. 11742. (516) 758-4242; fax: (516) 758-1428.
Japan's Excel Air Service, a sightseeing operator, in December will become the first operator of the new MH2000 helicopter, Japan's first indigenous helicopter (September 1997, page 60). Mitsubishi certificated the 9,900-pound, twin-turbine helicopter in July 1997. The company has not set a timetable for sales outside Japan.
On winter days that make most pilots think twice about flying, Dave Marcotte and his team of researchers rush eagerly to their fully-instrumented Convair 580. Marcotte is the project leader for icing research conducted during the winter of 1997/98 by Canada's National Research Council and the Atmospheric Environment Service. Also participating were Transport Canada, Boeing, the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Canadian Search and Rescue Secretariat.
The volatile United Express caper at Denver appeared headed towards resolution in early March. United had terminated Mesa Air Group's franchise effective April 22 and United Express Air Wisconsin bought Mountain Air Express (MAX) out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy to run some of the Mesa routes. United Express Great Lakes Aviation will take over Mesa's smaller markets.
FAA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making asking for industry comment on how the agency should proceed on a rule that would require the use of "child restraint systems." Currently, child safety seats are designed for automobile use, but some also are DOT-approved for voluntary use in aircraft. The rule, applicable only to commercial operators, has been in the works for several years (November 1994, page 24). Comments are due June 18. For more information, contact the FAA at (202) 267-3735.
On April 23, unless there is another delay, aircraft operating IFR in European airspace will be required to meet RNP-5 or BRNAV. RNP-5 requires aircraft to be equipped with area nav equipment capable of five-nm along-track and cross-track accuracy. Avionics installed in accordance with FAA ACs 90-45A, 20-130A, 20-138 or 25-25 are acceptable for BRNAV operations, according to Honeywell. If the AFM lists one of the above ACs or states that the aircraft is RNP-5 capable, no further documentation is required.
One of the major steps in manufacturing composite structures is ensuring their integrity following lay-up and curing. Just as Raytheon is embracing new technology in the way it will build the Premier I and the Horizon, the company is turning to new ways to inspect the final product at the factory.
Bombardier Aerospace executives were clearly disappointed at the 1997 Paris Air Show when American Eagle announced it would acquire 42 Embraer RJ-145 50-seaters as opposed to the Canadair CRJ-200. An accompanying order for 25 70-seat CRJ-700s did not dampen the disappointment. The carrier took options of 25 for each of the aircraft.
As expected, reduced lateral separation in the Central East Pacific route structure is scheduled to go into effect April 23. Specifically, lateral separation will be reduced from 100 nm to 50 nm at FL 310 through FL 390 in the NorPac and Hawaiian route system including transitional waypoints and on ATS Routes R463, R464, R465, R585, R576, R577 and R578. Aircraft that are not approved
JAA recently certificated the Flight Dynamics Head-up Guidance System for Category IIIa approaches in the Falcon 2000. The approval allows European-registered Falcon 2000s to make approaches down to 700 feet RVR and 50 feet DH, says Flight Dynamics. The firm also says a CAT IIIa program has started for the Falcon 900EX. Meanwhile, FAA certification of the HUD on the Falcon 2000 remains far behind schedule (October 1997, page 17).
Textron Inc., the parent company of Bell Helicopter, has approved the purchase of most of the Boeing Commercial Helicopter line, formerly a McDonnell Douglas unit. Bell will take over the single-engine MD 500 and MD 600 lines, including manufacturing, sales and support. However, the agreement does not cover the Explorer light twin, which has had an uphill fight in the order wars. Bell said it will support Explorers already sold as Boeing tries to find a buyer for the model.
In celebration of B/CA's 40th anniversary, each month throughout 1998 we will present excerpts from the top features published 40 years ago. We hope you find them interesting, thought-provoking and even amusing. From the April 1958 issue: -- Cover Story-One of the latest 'copter entries in the business flying field is the jet-powered French Alouette II. Billed as the world's first production model 'copter with gas turbine power, it's being assembled by Republic Aviation, Farmingdale, N.Y.
A proposed AD would require operators of some 50 TPE331-8, -10, -11 and -12 engines to replace fuel manifold assemblies allegedly improperly repaired by Hoses Unlimited prior to November 11, 1995. The agency said the non-FAA approved repairs could lead to fuel leaks. Estimated cost: $2,100 per engine.
Starting April 23 (if all goes according to the FAA's plan), Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP-10) will be required of all aircraft operating in the Central East Pacific route structure (California to Hawaii) between FL 310 and FL 390. Essentially, RNP-10 is an updated version of MNPS that will allow Oakland Center to reduce lateral separation to 50 nm in order to accommodate higher traffic densities.
Worldwide deliveries of new business jets jumped nearly 39 percent in one year-445 units in 1997 compared to 320 in 1996. All manufacturers but one (IAI) enjoyed varying degrees of increased deliveries, according to figures compiled by the Weekly of Business Aviation. Deliveries of multiengine turboprops (King Airs) also increased, but to a lesser extent-116 in 1997 compared to 106 in 1996. Pilatus delivered five PC-12 single-engine turboprops in 1997 compared to 36 in 1996. Socata, the other maker of single-engine turboprops, did not provide delivery data.
United Express Atlantic Coast Airlines has confirmed five conditional orders for Canadair Regional Jets exercised in November 1997. The confirmation brings to 23 the number of CRJs on firm order, plus 25 remaining options. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 1999. The Washington Dulles-based carrier at press time operated its first six 50-seat CRJs with multiple daily roundtrips to Atlanta; Fort Myers, Fla.; Indianapolis; Jacksonville; Nashville; Raleigh/Durham; and Tampa. Savannah service was to be launched April 1. Average mileage for
Time will tell. That's what we said in September 1990 about the benefits of composite structure in a review of the Raytheon Starship. Seven years later, the tale is unfolding, and the people who operate and maintain Starships are giving the materials an enthusiastic "thumbs up." To be sure, taking care of a composite airplane is different. It requires different techniques, different tools and different know-how. But different isn't always bad, and in fact, in many cases different is turning out to be better.
Shares in low-fare European carrier Virgin Express in early March were up 30 percent over the initial public offering in November 1997, but off 15 percent from its high of $23 reached in early January. Apart from some profit-taking, Solomon Smith Barney suggests the sluggishness in the stock is because of a one-day strike by pilots and worries that CEO Jonathan Ornstein and CFO Jim Swigart might return to the United States to run Mesa Air Group, in which both have a sizeable stake.
Encouraged by an 8.3-percent increase in student pilot starts in 1997, GA Team 2000 efforts this year include a series of cable television and magazine print ads. The TV ads will run from April 13 to June 28 and July 6 to August 23 on CNN Financial, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, The Golf Channel, Speedvision and Wingspan, a new all-aviation channel scheduled to debut this month (January, page 30). Magazine ads will be designed for aviation as well as non-aviation publication
Lynton Group's recent purchase of Jet Systems at New Jersey's Morristown Airport makes the Group's Lynton Jet Center the sole FBO on the field. Jet Systems will continue to own and operate its remaining FBO-the Avitat facility at Westchester County Airport.
DOT's Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates until June 30 are: zero to 500 sm-$0.1729; 501 to 1,500 sm-$0.1318; more than 1,500 sm-$0.1267. The SIFL terminal charge is $31.60. SIFL rates are used to satisfy the IRS requirement for operators to compute the value of non-business transportation aboard employer-provided aircraft. The formula applies on a per-flight, per-person basis when a seat is occupied by a guest or family member not traveling on business. The rates normally are revised twice a year.
U.S. Customs will no longer base agents at Ohio's Akron Fulton Airport due to a lack of business. Only two aircraft were processed by customs in 1997. The airport still can be used for international arrivals, but with customs clearances provided by agents from Canton Regional Airport.
Meriam Instrument has introduced the Model 353-AI0900 Precision Altimeter Tester that, in one keystroke, displays altitude, rate of climb or leak-check results. This microprocessor-based static air data tester has an accuracy of plus/minus seven feet at sea level and plus/minus 38 feet at 36,000 feet. It includes all effects of linearity, repeatability, hysteresis and temperature over the range of 23 degrees F to 122 degrees F. Price: $1,125. Meriam Instrument, 10920 Madison Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102. (216) 281-1100; fax: (216) 281-0228.
-- A melange of maintenance knowledge will be served up May 11-15 in San Antonio at the NBAA's 13th annual Maintenance Management Conference, Maintenance Manual Workshop and Inspection Authorization Renewal Certification Review. The conference on May 12-13 ($450 for members, $475 non-members) will cover maintenance challenges of an interior refurbishment, maintaining the glass cockpit and fuel farm operations.
Photograph: Christiansen: ``there should be a very careful examination as to whether [fractionals] should be Part 135.'' The issue is "operational control." Who controls the schedules for fractional-ownership corporate airplanes-the owners or the companies that operate them for the owners? The debate is raging and it appears the FAA may have the last word. Sheryl Israel, an aviation lawyer with the Washington, D.C.
