The U.S. position at this month's meeting of the international North Atlantic Implementation Managers Group was to advance the argument for increasing the area of RVSM airspace on April 28, 1998, the next scheduled expansion implementation date. More details on the next phase of RVSM expansion were imminent as we went to press. At present, RVSM airspace lies between FL 330 and FL 370 over the North Atlantic.
Rockwell plans to purchase Hughes' Avicom International and add its inflight entertainment unit to the Collins avionics product line. This is Rockwell's initial venture into the IFE market. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed before year-end.
(www.first-heli-network.co.uk)-Guests can review information about this British company's helicopter fractional ownership program. Tailwinds Catalog (www.tailwinds.com)-The merchandise and services offered in the company's paper catalog-and more-are available from this site. Internet purchases include free shipping. The site, which includes "live imaging" to show the details of many products, is divided into four sections: giftware, computers, flywear and aviation art.
FlightSafety International (Flushing, N.Y.)-Bill Magyar was named manager of FSI's Raytheon Aircraft Maintenance Technician Learning Center in Wichita.
Farnborough, England-Britain's Ministry of Defense selected the TAG Group of Luxembourg to be the lessee and operator of Farnborough Aerodrome. TAG Group officials plan to develop the airfield into a "state of the art business aviation center" with new facilities and related improvements. One of TAG's first challenges will be responding to the concerns from the local community about aircraft noise. Separately, TAG disclosed it is pursuing a "major acquisition" in the business aviation field in the United States.
The following incident, caused by a false assumption, is excerpted from a recent issue of Callback, a publication of NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System. It was a clear and very dark night with excellent visibility. About 15 miles out from the destination, the pilot started a descent from cruise altitude and noticed another aircraft directly ahead, strobes flashing.
Photograph: An AeroMech technician performs an aircraft skin analysis-one hurdle toward RVSM approval. When the scramble began earlier this year to obtain approval to fly business aircraft to reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) standards in North Atlantic Track (NAT) airspace, many corporate operators discovered that there were many hoops they needed to jump through in order to be able to obtain preferred routings on flights to and from Europe (July, page 27).
The Los Angeles Airports Board voted to create new rules aimed at curbing future operations of FAR Part 36, Stage 2 aircraft at California's Van Nuys Airport, one of the nation's busiest general aviation facilities. The proposal, being fought by GA interests, including the NBAA, GAMA and the National Air Transportation Association, would ban future operations by Stage 2 aircraft except for a limited period for a one-time major repair or refurbishment. In addition, the proposal would reduce the noise curfew window for nighttime departures from 2300 to 2200 hours.
Ask any veteran pilot to name the key ingredient to a successful ILS approach and you'll hear two related concepts every time-preparation and stabilization. The preparation element requires that you know what you'll encounter as your aircraft approaches minimums, and the stabilization element requires an operational plan that keeps you ahead of the aircraft at all times during the maneuver. Two recent accidents currently under investigation by the NTSB make the point.
Airbus Industrie's A319CJ, the corporate jet version of the company's A319 airliner, will be able to claim more cabin turf than any other business jets. Also, cabin configurations available in the 319 will allow the customer flexibility, setting aside space for a private meeting room and bedroom without a corridor passing through them. The first A319CJ is expected to roll out in 1999.
Saab Aircraft AB of Sweden is expected to decide in January 1998 whether to continue production of its Models 340B and 2000 regional turboprops, and said it does not see development of a new regional aircraft as one of its options. Saab Aircraft President Gert Schyborger said Saab needs "much higher demand for our aircraft and a better return to be able to maintain manufacturing." However, he emphasized the company will remain responsive to customers' needs regardless of the outcome. Meanwhile, Saab will focus on cooperation with other manufacturers or subcontracting.
The Northwest Europe Loran-C System (NELS) Steering Committee gave its go-ahead for implementing a program in which NELS transmitters would be modified to supply LORAN-C navigation data as well as provide GPS and GLONASS differential corrections throughout Europe. The modifications would take about a year. Supporters of NELS believe the program makes alternative navigation service available if GPS or GLONASS signals were unavailable. Further, the program calls into question a U.S. policy to halt Loran-C funding in 2000 (November 1996, page 17).
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems is now taking orders for its new TSOed AIM Model 1100 three-inch attitude indicator for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. This model, which was develop-ed to replace the AIM Model 305, includes an improved pointer bar and a proprietary bearing design to im-prove rotor life. Other features include rear mounting provisions and input power op-tions for 14 VDC and 28 VDC operation. Price: Under $3,500. BFGoodrich Aero-space, 5383 52nd St. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49588. (616) 949-6600; fax: (616) 285-4224.
National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a union group, is using the October 19 mid-air collision between an Aerostar and a Cessna 150 at Texas' Tyler Pounds Airport in its efforts to make Congress require the FAA to resume operation of private control towers. NATCA initially claimed the privately contracted controller on duty at Tyler Pounds Airport had no traffic control experience, but later said its information on the controller was completely erroneous. Earlier the union cited the July 19 midair at Chicago's Meigs Field to bolster its contentions.
Mitre and ARINC have joined forces in a new venture called SkySource, an Internet-based information tool designed to facilitate the exchange of operational information between users and the FAA.
Representative William Lipinski (D-Ill.) introduced a bill to spur the FAA to require TCAS II on large cargo aircraft, warning the agency at the same time that if it doesn't take action on the bill, "I will resolve it legislatively." The bill calls for the FAA to require TCAS II on new cargo aircraft with MTOWs of more than 33,000 pounds by June 1, 1998 and eventually on all large cargo aircraft by December 31, 1999. The air taxi industry opposes such a requirement for on-demand cargo operators (April, page 12).
Airshow TV is Airshow's latest innovation to enable passengers on Gulfstreams, Challengers and other large business jets to watch live TV via direct broadcast satellite. To bring in televised programs on numerous channels, Airshow attaches a lightweight, specially designed Datron/ Transco antenna atop the vertical stabilizer. While the airplane cruises, the antenna moves to stay aligned with the satellite. Passengers can watch as many as four separate programs. List price: $200,000 to $250,000 when sold separately from Airshow Network.
You're flying along VFR when suddenly ATC asks you, "Where's the fire?" "What fire?" you reply. "That's what I'm asking you," responds ATC. "How should I know?" you say incredulously. "Because you're squawking 1255."
King Aerospace (Dallas)-Glenn Graham is this aircraft refurbishing firm's new manager of technical service, and Gary Boone is the company's new director of special projects.
Crawford Laboratories makes Florock chemical- resistant urethane floor coatings that prevent the penetration of Skydrol and jet fuel into concrete hangar floors. Available in clear, white, light grey and custom colors, Florock polymer-resin flooring systems are said to be highly reflective, non-chalking and abrasion-resistant. Price: De- pends upon floor condition and square footage. Crawford Laboratories, 4165 S. Emerald Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60609. (773) 376-7132.
The model 1725 Trim TEC Analyzer from ACES Systems is an engine troubleshooter and balancer. This engine component analyzer operates on software-driven, engine-specific balance procedures loaded from a "Procedure Card," and can perform two dual-plane, fan-trim or propeller balance jobs at the same time. Model 1725 has four accelerometer/velocity inputs and two tachometer inputs. Other capabilities of the analyzer unit are engine diagnostics and problem detection, trend monitoring and cabinnoise surveying. Price: $17,000 to $20,000, depending on accessories ordered.
A single, fully integrated, electronic controller for operating an aircraft's ECS, cabin pressurization and APU simultaneously will be introduced by AlliedSignal on Raytheon's Hawker Horizon. The controller-the first of its kind, AlliedSignal says-takes the place of up to five separate controllers. Because the one controller results in fewer parts, is lighter (10 pounds) and enables all three systems to work in harmony, AlliedSignal claims "dramatically higher reliability" and "optimum performance" as well as reduced operating costs. The company claims a 14,000-hour MTBF.
(www.pilotbrief. wsicorp.com)-WSI's PILOTbrief weather information services are now available online. Data include radar and satellite images, charts and graphics, NEXRAD imagery, automated route weather briefings, pireps, sigmets and airmets.
New Advisory Circular AC 00-3B contains the latest known theories and facts on the causes of, and avoidance procedures for, clear air turbulence. Specifically, the document contains a seven-point "Rules of Thumb" for minimizing CAT encounters, as well as a sample of a CAT avoidance program that corporate flight departments can adopt into their standard training procedures.
Five years after the FAA alerted users that it was developing recommendations for modifying Houston's Class B Airspace, the agency has published a notice of proposed rulemaking. Under the proposal, two existing sub areas will be reconfigured, and a new sub area will be established. For details, contact FAA headquarters at (202) 267-8783.
