Rules due to take effect January 31 require air-tour companies operating at the Grand Canyon National Park to gradually replace their fleet with "quieter" aircraft by 2008. Falling into the "most desirable" category, according to the National Park Service, are the Boeing MD520 and MD900 helicopters, the Cessna 208 Caravan and the de Havilland DHC-6-300 Vistaliner. Meanwhile, May 1 remains the effective date for a virtual doubling of the size of the Canyon's no-fly zone (February 1997, page 22).
Initial certification of an AlliedSignal Enhanced GPWS designed for aircraft with analog avionics is scheduled for this quarter in the Hawker 800. Enhanced GPWS retains all the GPWS functions, but also can provide a display of, as well as provide warnings in response to, a proprietary worldwide terrain database (January 1996, page 58).
Soloy Corp. of Olympia, Wash. hopes to receive FAA certification of its Dual Pac powerplant installation in stretched Cessna 208B Caravans by the end of the year, some two years later then originally planned (July 1995, page 30). Modified aircraft will be designated Pathfinder 21. FAA approval of the Dual Pac itself-two P&WC PT6D turbine engines turning a single propeller-came in November 1997. Soloy had to show the FAA that the system would continue to produce thrust in the event of a loss of power from either engine/drive side (December 1996, page 20).
After a brief shutdown, the Jet Room restaurant at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wis. has reopened under new management. The new operators are well-known in the area for their O'Malley Farm Cafe in Waunakee. The eatery, co-located at Wisconsin Aviation, provides inflight catering and is open for breakfast and lunch.
Frank Jensen, who has served as president of the Helicopter Association International since March 15, 1982, announced that he will retire on March 16. Meanwhile, the HAI's board of directors expects to make a decision on Jensen's successor prior to the Association's celebration of its 50th Annual General Membership Meeting and Exhibition at Heli Expo in Anaheim, Calif. on February 15-17.
In addition to this open lounge, the new Hamilton Jetport FBO offers a private "quiet" room in which crews can rest or sleep. Located some 45 minutes from Toronto at Hamilton Airport, Jetport had its grand opening in late 1997. Services and amenities include heated hangar storage for aircraft up to Gulfstream V size, on-site rental cars, and free use of golf clubs and mountain bikes.
Are your passengers tired of missing broadcasts of their favorite sporting events, financial analysts, sitcoms or public affairs programs because they were airborne? They will be happy to learn that in the near future, this will no longer be a flying inconvenience. Several companies, including CAL Corp., are developing airborne Direct Broadcast Satellite systems.
A runway incursion isn't something that only happens to the "other guy." It can happen to any of us. I was flight engineer on a Boeing 727 operating out of Atlanta. The tower cleared another aircraft to cross 27. I watched as the captain's hand pushed the throttles up. I said, "That clearance isn't for us," but neither the captain nor copilot responded. I spoke up again as the 727 began to roll. "That clearance wasn't for us."
Later this year, Collins General Aviation is scheduled to certificate a Pro Line 4 avionics system for Falcon 20s and a liquid crystal flight management display for Gulfstream IIs and IIIs.
K-C Aviation says this new hangar at Appleton, Wis.'s Outgamie Airport will double painting capacity to 35 aircraft per year. The painting booth, which can accommodate a Gulfstream V or a Global Express, will occupy about half the hangar. The remaining space will be used for an expansion of an avionics wiring shop and an APU repair shop, including an APU test cell.
Raytheon Aircraft is asking a U.S. Court of Appeals to set aside a multi-million-dollar verdict against the company in connection with the crash of a Baron in 1991 (June 1997, page 15). In November 1997, a federal judge reduced the liability judgment against the company from $60 million to $20 million. Raytheon was ordered to pay the sum to the families of two men killed in the crash of a 1981 Baron 58P after the aircraft entered what the plaintiffs argued was an unrecoverable flat spin.
Within the next several weeks, World Fuel Services Corp. expects to complete its acquisition of Baseops International, a Houston-based international handling agent. Tim Tirey will continue as president of Baseops, according to World Fuel Services officials. World Fuel Services, of Miami Springs, Fla., provides airline fueling throughout the world.
NASA does not send out copies of its Fatigue Countermeasures Program's slide presentation on request, as previously reported in B/CA (November 1997, page 76 and December 1997, page 18). Instead, those interested must first complete an FCP-sponsored education and training workshop at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. However, NASA does offer a free comprehensive packet of information including descriptions of the Fatigue Countermeasures Program, papers on fatigue and countermeasures, and study reports. For information, call NASA at (650) 604-6435.
The Hunan Yuanda Air Conditioner Corp. has begun operating its Cessna Citation in mainland China, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency. The aircraft was purchased new from Cessna in March 1997, and is believed to be the first privately owned business jet flying in China, although business jet charter firms have been operating there for some time. The company told the news agency the airplane will increase efficiency and customer service and will enhance its public image. China Southern Airlines is assisting the company with operating the aircraft.
Washington Airports (www.metwashairports.com)-This updated site features more than 100 pages of information about the Washington Airport Authority and National and Dulles Airports. In addition to airline and airport services, the site also carries information on the airports' FBOs. Gordon A. Gilbert
Ray Fitzgerald said two factors lured him from AMR Combs to the presidency of Atlantic Aviation: the purchase of Atlantic Aviation by Legg Mason Merchant Banking (in September 1997) and the FBO's "well-thought-out plan for expansion and acquisition." Fitzgerald, who replaced Ben E. Waide in December 1997, was a senior vice president of AMR Combs and general manager of its FBO at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.
MSA Aircraft Interior Products has introduced customized window shade treatments for Beech King Airs. The system is of double-pane construction to provide complete shade enclosure, even total light blockage if desired. The company claims improved ultraviolet light protection and greater durability than original shades. Cost is comparable to factory-installed polarized window shades. MSA Aircraft Interior Products, 11911 Radium Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78216. (210) 342-5332; fax: (210) 3342-5513.
At its latest meeting in December 1997, the international North Atlantic Implementation Managers Group voted to delay elevating the RVSM airspace ceiling 2,000 feet to FL 390 until October 8. However, it decided to lower the floor 2,000 feet to FL 310 effective April 23, contingent upon being able to work out agreements with operators that fly in the lower regime. In any case, the floor will be lowered no later than October 8.
United's ALPA-member pilots voted by a 57.6-percent majority to allow independent United Express affiliates to operate regional jets. The vote paved the way for Atlantic Coast Airlines to begin flying its Canadair Regional Jets in the United livery in late November. It also prompted ACA to exercise 12 options-six conditional-that would take its CRJ fleet to 24 aircraft. ACA had said that without approval by the United pilots, they would operate the aircraft independently as "ACA Jet."
Hong Kong's Check Lap Kok Airport will have one Category II runway in service when it opens later this year. A parallel Category IIIA runway is not scheduled to be operational until late this year or early 1999. "Follow Me" centerline lights will guide aircraft from runways to taxiways to parking ramps. Aircraft movements onto runways for takeoffs will be aided by lighted "stopbars" running the width of the taxiway. Should an aircraft cross the stopbars before it is safe to do so, alarms will sound in the control tower.
An oil company official warns that aircraft operators might see a "gap in fuel services" starting late this year as a result of the December 22 Environmental Protection Agency deadline for complying with upgraded underground fuel storage tank rules. Phillips 66 Aviation Manager Jill Bogan said more than one-third of FBO fuel tanks are not in compliance. "Coupled with small operators who can't afford upgrades, there may be a gap in fuel services as tanks are shut down from non-compliance," she said.
The Rolls-Royce Canada engine overhaul facility in Quebec is now an authorized maintenance center for Allison AE3007 turbofans used on Citation Xs and EMB-145s.
