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.
SimuFlite Training International recently introduced Gulfstream IV initial maintenance training and improved its Hawker 800 ground school with new multimedia materials.
Photograph: FSF President Emeritus Jerry Lederer (left) listening to Najeeb Halaby during the anniversary event. In the aviation industry, safety is everybody's business. But for the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), safety has been its only business for a half century. Nonprofit and independent, the Alexandria, Va.-based foundation is a neutral clearinghouse that disseminates objective aviation safety information. Through its advisory committees, the FSF identifies threats to air safety, analyzes those problems and recommends practical solutions to them.
The first annual NBAA Golf Tournament, held September 21 before the formal kickoff of the association's convention, attracted roughly 150 participants. Among them were (left to right, front row) Steve Hawks, pilot for Amoco of Chicago; Allen Lane, director of aviation for Amoco; George Reich, a consultant to Boeing Business Jets and president of R.T. Hawk&Associates; and John Petri, director of aviation at Unilever United States of White Plains. Immediately behind Reich is Gordon Wilson of Amoco.
With the snow and ice season coming, crews will face an ever increasing choice in how to have aircraft decontaminated prior to flight. Type IV deicing fluids, new to the market in 1996, are expected to be in much wider use this season, with at least three new vendors joining Union Carbide in offering Type IV fluid. The new fluids are Octagon Max-Flight, Safewing MP IV and Kilfrost ABC-S.
Aircraft Parts International (Memphis)-Jerry Schlesinger has been appointed president of this parts distribution subsidiary of First Aviation Services.
Photograph: The CMS Touch Screen from Hunting Aviation has been designed to allow the operator control of the different functions of the cabin. Computer-driven engineering, space-age materials and almost unlimited options in furnishing, lighting, communications and entertainment media are offering business aircraft operators more flexibility and capability in what they put into their aircraft than ever before.
Mesa Airlines on November 30 expanded its new Fort Worth Meacham Field Canadair-Regional-Jet hub with service to Austin. The carrier now offers seven daily roundtrips on weekdays with a slightly abbreviated schedule on weekends. The city is the third CRJ destination from Fort Worth since May, when it inaugurated service to Houston Hobby. It added San Antonio in September and in October began CRJ service between San Antonio and Colorado Springs.
In early 1998, the NTSB expects to issue a final report on one of its longest-running and baffling accident investigations-the 1994 USAir Boeing 737 crash near Pittsburgh. The report is expected to contain a probable cause centering on a malfunction in the rudder control system and the pilot's inability to regain control (January, page 75).
