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.
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.
