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.
AERO Programs of Woonsocket, R.I. offers a day-long, on-site Corporate Flight Stress Program designed to allay passenger apprehension of business aircraft. Barry Giordano, director of AERO, says the program is specifically intended for persons who are comfortable and secure on airliners, but feel anxiety or claustrophobia on business or commuter aircraft. The program costs $100 to $200 per person. Phone: (401) 658-3464.
B/CA is issuing a call for papers for its forthcoming Handbook of Business Aviation Management. This book, scheduled for publication in November, will present in a single source the best thinking of industry and academia on the management issues specific to providing safe, efficient and economical business aviation transportation services. Abstracts are due March 15 and finished papers are due July 1. For more information, contact Abe Harraf at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Phone: (904) 226-6694; fax: (904) 226-6696.
New and derivative helicopter models combined with strong economic conditions in the United States and Europe will spur demand for more than 2,500 new helicopters between 1998 and 2002, according to two separate forecast studies-the first ever by AlliedSignal and the annual 10-year forecast from Allison Engine Co. This near-term figure amounts to a three-percent annual growth rate, but that's on top of a 16-percent jump in helicopter sales in 1997 compared to 1996. But Allison's long-term forecast is not optimistic.
A report in February Intelligence (page 22) erroneously interpreted Cessna's promotion of Charles B. Johnson as an announcement of succession to chairman Russ Meyer. In fact, the only change is that Johnson, previously executive vice-president-operations, has now assumed the role of president and CEO, a position that had been vacant since mid 1996. Chairman Meyer, vice chairman Gary Hay, Johnson and Cessna's senior staff provide the company's top leadership. Current plans call for Meyer to retire in 1999.
A newcomer in Conklin&de Decker's Aircraft Comparator series is a special book providing data on ultra-long-range business jets (those with more than 4,000-nm range and at least six feet of headroom). Data for 11 aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon Jet and Gulfstream are included. Operators can make direct visual comparisons by using transparencies that highlight differences between aircraft.
A protracted debate with enormous consequences for aviation is to begin this month in Washington. The focus will be on the report of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, which recommended a number of steps to change how the FAA is funded and reduce accidents. The Transportation Department has been developing legislation in response to the NCARC report and Congress is scheduled to begin holding hearings this month.
Members of the air taxi, FBO and maintenance industries attending this year's combined trade shows of the National Air Transportation Association and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association on April 1-3 in Kansas City, Mo. probably will remember the events for their numbers as well as for their content.
