Outfitting centers continue to make major strides in using passive insulation techniques to reduce noise levels in the cabins of business jets without a commensurate increase in interior weight. In 1980, we reported that outfitters finally broke the 70-dB level without a substantial weight penalty (February 1980, page 118). But it wasn't until 1984 before manufacturers were routinely turning out interiors in the low 70-dB range (August 1984, page 138). Time and technology continue.
MidAmerica Airport, a joint-use facility with Scott Air Force Base and an FAA-designated reliever for Lambert/St. Louis International, opens this month about 25 miles east of St. Louis. Joint operations will be conducted on two parallel runways-Scott's 8,000-foot runway and MidAmerica's 10,000-foot runway. A full-service business aviation FBO is not immediately planned, but at last report general aviation aircraft fueling will be available from American Terminal Services, also the provider of airliner fueling. U.S. Air Force controllers will staff the tower.
As you'll discover when you read Dave Collogan's Washington column this month, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey's stock is rising within the aviation community as she energetically articulates a clear vision for her embattled agency. In forums throughout the industry she has promised change, with focus on four areas-safety, security, system efficiency, and an adequate and stable source of funding.
Carl Muhs, owner of Mid-Michigan Air Center at Saginaw Airport, recently completed the purchase of Chrysler Pentastar's operations at Detroit's Willow Run Airport. Renamed Willow Run JetCenter, the FBO is undergoing a renovation set to be completed this month. Chrysler Pentastar's sole facility now is its headquarters at Michigan's Pontiac/Oakland Airport.
Chicago will soon select a "permanent" FBO for embattled Meigs Field. However, the extent of that permanency may only be four years. As readers may recall, under an agreement reached between state and city officials early this year, Meigs must remain open for at least four more years. Then, Chicago will be free to close the airport. Signature Flight Support has been providing FBO services on an interim basis (February, page 11).
Tridair and Bell Helicopter reached an "amicable" resolution to a dispute in which Tridair sued Bell for alleged breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets (August, page 16). Tridair President Doug Daigle said, "We're both moving forward in a positive way," adding that he will continue to market his Gemini ST twin-engine retrofit of the Bell LongRanger and JetRanger, but will not pursue a similar program for the Bell 407 (March, page 18). Tridair had maintained its agreement with Bell in the early 1990s extended to the 407 and the 427 light twin.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal District has ruled that Executive Jet Aviation must collect a 10-percent federal excise tax for commercial transportation on the hourly fee the company charges NetJets owners for aircraft usage.
Piper President Chuck Suma believes his company's future lies in carefully picking market niches and dominating them once established. Since its reorganization in July 1995, The New Piper Aircraft has worked hard to better gauge market forces and desires, and Suma says he's closer to his customers than ever.
Bombardier Regional Aircraft in October delivered its 200th Canadair Regional Jet. The recipient was Lufthansa CityLine, the launch customer for the aircraft, which began commercial operations on November 2, 1992. Demand for the 50-seater has been strong, prompting Canadair to increase production to six per month early next year. The increase will result in the production of 68 units in 1998 and 72 in 1999.
Olathe, Kan.-Kansas City Aviation at Johnson County Executive Airport will expand the size of its aircraft painting hangar to accept aircraft as large as Citations and King Airs. (913) 782-6472.
Photograph: In this view up the tailpipe of the G-II/G-III hush kit mockup, the lower internal deflector that redirects the exhaust into the cascade is visible in the deployed position. Note the 10-lobe mixer/ejector that does much of the job of hushing the noisy Spey. Stage III Technologies and Dallas Airmotive have tangible evidence of their hush treatment of the Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan in the form of a full-size detailed mockup mounted on the left nacelle of a Gulfstream II.
The latest product from Ryan International is its ATS-9000 Traffic and Collision Alert Device that now displays bearing information to a potential-threat aircraft, along with altitude and range. Bearing is shown by an arrow in the TCAD's main display window, oriented like an ADF or RMI needle. The arrow points to traffic in one of eight sectors (each sector covers a 45-degree arc). Price: $12,850 for the less-than- 7.5-pound system, with an additional $1,200 to $1,400 for the antenna and installation.
Advanced Aerodynamics&Structures, Inc. broke ground in November for its factory in Long Beach, Calif., where it plans to build the Jetcruzer 500, a six-place, single-engine turboprop scheduled to receive certification in late 1998. At press time, AASI said it had orders for 70 of the $1.3-million aircraft (October, page 17).
Dassault Falcon Jet (South Hackensack, N.J.)-Roy Pickens was appointed senior vice president and general manager at Falcon Jet's Little Rock, Ark. location, succeeding William C. Bracas.
Aviation Services Group (Orlando)-Richard Dodson has been named president and CEO of this new business unit combination of Signature Flight Support, Dallas Airmotive and International Turbine Services.
Citing an increase in runway incursions over the last three years, ALPA has asked Congress to make the FAA take corrective action. The airline union is particularly disappointed with what it calls the FAA's "lack of action" on implementing a runway-incursion reduction plan announced in 1995 (June 1995, page 28). Cleveland Hopkins, St. Louis Lambert and John Wayne airports lead the nation with the most incursions, according to the FAA.
It's tempting to say the fix is in for 1997. October's preliminary reports makes it look all but certain that 1997 sales of new business-turbine aircraft will surpass 1996 totals- collectively and individually in jets and turboprops. Less clear is whether 1997 sales of preowned business airplanes will come up to 1996 levels.
Salary data for 37 job titles typically associated with the FBO and air taxi industries-from line service personnel and customer service agents to charter pilots-are contained in the "1997 Compensation Survey Report" from the National Air Transportation Association. Copies of the 90-page report, based on a survey of more than 300 NATA members, are available for $50 each. Phone NATA's Cindy Aloise at (800) 808-6282.
(www.elliottaviation.com)-This revised site gives visitors a review of all the company's products and services, including press releases and "review" from the aviation media. The site also includes a description of each of Elliott's facilities, complete with airport maps and local tourism information. Specifications and photographs of pre-owned aircraft for resale by Elliott also are available at this site.
Photograph: Piper is offering special incentives to operators that buy Mirages now with a firm commitment to trade up to the Meridian. The company had booked 74 orders for the turbine aircraft as of November 1, and it plans to continue to offer the piston aircraft once the Meridian enters the market. Tour guides don't make much mention of the Piper Cheyenne when they lead visitors through the company's Vero Beach, Fla. plant. But the remnants of the line are there nonetheless.
Photograph: Thomas Ratvasky and team will spend another six months reducing data before publishing TIP findings. Four years ago, the FAA and NASA embarked upon a program to quantify the actual aerodynamic performance and handling characteristics associated with ice-contaminated tailplane stall. NASA's veteran de Havilland Dash 6 Twin Otter icing-research aircraft was called into service for the tailplane icing program (TIP).
Gulfstream Aerospace (Savannah)-This aircraft manufacturer has announced two promotions: Joseph Kent Walker to senior vice president of international sales and Shawn W. Vick to senior vice president of North American sales and administration.
A proposed AD will require extensive inspections, and possible repairs, to flap system components on some 1,200 Twin Commanders. The FAA says the inspections alone will take approximately 22 hours per airplane. Comments on the proposal are due January 6, 1998. The AD would supersede AD 94-04-17.
Cepadues Editions has published a dictionary that lists aeronautical terms in English, French and German. Among the entries are technical terms and listings for navigation, meteorology, le-gal dispositions and radio communications. Price: $22. Cepadues Editions, 111, rue NicholasVauquelin, 31100 Toulouse, France. +33 561 405 736.
