As expected, the FAA released a series of ADs that limit pilots of airplanes with unpowered ailerons and pneumatic boots in deploying flaps and using autopilots during icing conditions (August 1997, page 10). The rules also require ice inspection lights to be operational prior to flight into icing conditions at night.
Flying VFR in the greater Cincinnati area may get more challenging. The FAA has proposed to upgrade from Class C to Class B the airspace within a 25-nm radius of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The airspace would have seven sub-areas, surround seven other airfields and extend from the surface to 8,000 feet msl.
Requests for proposals for a provider of FBO services have been issued by three New York airports. Johnstown's Fulton County Airport is expected to sign a new lease with Seyon Aviation, the current FBO that recently bought out Response Aviation. At Niagara Falls Airport, management hopes for an FBO to replace municipal-run facilities by May. And at Long Island's Republic Airport, a new, or the existing FBO (Million Air), is expected to take occupancy by October 13.
In ``CBT Takes Off'' (February, page 76) we incorrectly described the operating system capabilities of Computer Training Systems' system simulators. The company has been providing Microsoft Windows-compatible software since 1995.
PATS, inc. completed the testing required to obtain an STC for relocating Sundstrand APUs in Falcon 20s. The installation relocates the APU from the maintenance bay to the tail area. Meanwhile, the Columbia, Md. firm entered endurance testing as part of the final development of what it calls a lightweight, low-cost rotary-engine APU. PATS says the APU will weigh about 100 pounds, cost about $150,000 and be available late this year. Separately, K-C Aviation in Dallas ordered 10 PATS APU kits for G-IIs.
The chairmen of a new RTCA/Industry avionics task force urged operators to participate by attending the scheduled public meetings or by expressing their views on the AWG Forum on CompuServe ("Go AWG"). The purpose of the task force, formed at the request of FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, is "to find ways to reduce the time and cost of certification of advanced avionics systems," according to co-chairmen Tony Broderick, former FAA associate administrator for certification and regulation, and Ed Stimpson, GAMA vice chairman.
A U.S. Court of Appeals decision is allowing the City of New York to revise curfews at the East 34th St. Heliport in Manhattan. The weekday window has shrunk to 0800 to 2000 instead of 0700 to 2300. Operations on weekends are limited to 1000 to 1800 hours. The court ruling permits the city to further reduce operations and phase out weekend flights totally. The city will decide on those options once its transportation master plan is complete. As expected, the city did close the 60th St. Heliport (June 1997, page 26).
Ayres Corp. of Albany, Ga. estimates the first flight of its multipurpose turboprop aircraft-the Loadmaster LM200-for December or early January 1999. The LM200 is being offered in a 34- to 40-passenger commuter version and a 19-passenger/combi freight version, in addition to its more familiar outfitting as a large-capacity cargo carrier. Powerplants are two AlliedSignal/Allison LHTEC CTP800-4Ts driving a single nose-mounted propeller through a Soloy gearbox.
Look for a third avionics manufacturer to announce that it will develop an enhanced ground collision avoidance system in time to coincide with an expected FAA rule. The agency is preparing an NPRM to require FAR Part 91 as well as Part 135 operators of turbine airplanes with at least six passenger seats and requiring two pilots to install EGPWS by 2003. The rule would expand significantly the number of aircraft in which EGPWS would have to be installed.
The February 16 crash of a King Air C-90 (N5WU) on an IFR flight in IMC to West Virginia's Yeager Airport may have resulted from the crew intentionally planning to arrive at their destination with minimum fuel on board to expedite engine maintenance work. While being vectored for the ILS to Yeager, the copilot declared an emergency, citing the problem as a "dual engine failure," according to the NTSB.
Honeywell says it expects to receive certification in May of three satellite communications systems, including a unit to provide Inmarsat's Aero I data and voice service to corporate and regional aircraft. Aero I operates in the so-called spot beams of satellites, which allows using smaller, lighter and less-expensive satcom components. Canadian Marconi will provide the antenna for the new systems. Also scheduled for May certification is a 8.33 kHz upgrade kit for Primus II radios. Kit price: $36,000 per aircraft.
U.S. Falcon 2000 operators waiting in line for FAA certification of the Flight Dynamics HGS 2850 are hot under the collar. "I'm disgusted with Dassault's finger-pointing excuses. The French are very demanding to work with. Get everything in writing and then make them commit to it," one operator advised all prospective Falcon 2000 buyers.
A recent federal court decision related to taxes and fractional ownership does not resolve the issue of whether monthly management fees share owners pay should be subject to the federal excise tax on commercial air transportation. Some programs collect the taxes while other do not, a situation that is expected to result in legal action to force a clarification on the issue. The IRS already has held that the per-hour charges in fractional ownership programs are subject to excise taxes, an interpretation the federal court upheld.
The JTK-3100 kit from Jensen Tools is a pilot's or mechanic's helper for performing pre-flight inspections and minor aircraft maintenance. Contents include 21 of the "most needed" aircraft maintenance tools (many with a lifetime guarantee), tie wraps, six pill-type bottles for carrying miscellaneous hardware, an erasable writing surface, a document holder, wipes and a removable foreign-object-damage bag. The case measures nine inches by 12 inches. Weight: five pounds. Price: $119. Jensen Tools, 785 S. 46th St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85044. (602) 968-6231; fax: (602) 438-1690.
Did you hear the one about the pilot who answered "Captain" when ATC asked him what his position was? But seriously folks, if you tell bad jokes, are truly unaccustomed to speaking before an audience, or are looking for a specialty or celebrity speaker to liven up your training session, the Aviation Speakers Bureau may be able to help.
H+S Aviation Ltd., an engine overhaul facility based in Portsmouth, England, has been acquired by BBA Group, the London-based company that also owns Signature Flight Support and Dallas Airmotive. Immediately prior to the purchase, H+S sold its PW100 and PT6T engine overhaul business to Pratt&Whitney Canada (U.K.).
Maintenance scheduling and record-keeping isn't one of the more glamorous aspects of operating business aircraft. Nevertheless, it has spawned more than a few products designed to make this task easier. There's scarcely an aisle at aviation trade shows without a new maintenance management application. The days of cumbersome, file-drawer-based aircraft record-keeping are rapidly disappearing as the capabilities of CD-ROMs (and soon, digital versatile discs, or DVDs), the Internet and relational database engines become better understood.
The Helicopter Association International's 1998 HAI Legal Referral Directory is now ready for orders. The publication lists attorneys recommended by HAI members, along with biographical information and each lawyer's primary area of practice. Members of HAI will get one complimentary copy. For non-members and for additional copies, the price is $15. HAI, 1635 Prince St., Alexandria, Va. 22314. (703) 683-4646; fax: (703) 683-4745.
Flightcom's entry into the active noise-cancellation headset category is the Model 6ANX, weighing under 18 ounces. The 6ANX features a "precision flex" boom that combines the wire boom's ability to stay put with the flexible-style boom's ease of adjustment. Standard with the headset are two separate sets of ear seals (foam and a silicone gel), dual volume controls, stereo/ mono selectability and a carrying case. As a fail-safe feature, the 6ANX has two speakers built into each ear cup. Price: $425. Flightcom Corp., 7340 S.W. Durham Rd., Portland, Ore. 97224.
Because powered flight is less than a century old, any aviation company that has been in business for more than seven decades probably qualifies as a trailblazer. But in the realm of business aviation, which did not really blossom until after World War II, a company that has been operating continuously for over 70 years is truly a pioneer.
Westward Digital Ltd. now offers a CD-ROM compilation of all regulations issued by the Joint Aviation Authority, covering the European Union's airspace and operators, along with all of the FARs. Price: $1,690 (includes six revisions annually). Westward Digital Ltd., 37 Windsor St., Cheltenham GL52 2DG England. +44 1242 235151; fax: +44 1242 584139.
GE Capital Services says "no immediate changes are planned" for SimuFlite Training International now that the financial services company has acquired the pilot-training organization. Charles C. Carson, II still is president and "the current management team will remain in place." SimuFlite now is part of GE Capital's Commercial Equipment Financing Group, which provides aircraft lease and loan financing.
Fairchild Dornier, flush with its 328JET flight-test program under way, appeared intent upon launching its proposed all-new 70-seater in April. The 328JET first flew on January 20 and was introduced at a gala premiere in early February at the company's factory near Munich.
Nearly all major types of helicopter operations reduced their number of accidents in 1997 compared to 1996. According to the Helicopter Association International, the total number of accidents decreased by five percent, from 173 in 1996 to 164 in 1997. Fatal accidents dropped 13 percent-from 32 to 28 percent, and the number of fatalities went down 15 percent-54 to 46. FAR Part 91 business-operations accidents decreased 33 percent (from 12 to eight). Part 135 missions went from 12 accidents to 11. Some segments remained unchanged. But not all segments improved.
