Additional hangar facilities and ramp space are under construction at Stuart Jet Center on Witham Field. The new buildings will include a complex able to hangar up to three Gulfstream IV-size aircraft simultaneously and a 32-unit T hangar for light singles and twins. Some 100,000 square feet of additional ramp space and tiedown area is also being built. (561) 288-6700.
AlliedSignal says it has reduced engine component repair turn times at its Phoenix facility by an average of 50 percent. For example, TFE impeller shrouds can be repaired in five days. In addition, AlliedSignal says its 1998 repairs catalog will show price reductions on more than 400 repairs.
AlliedSignal is developing an upgrade for its TFE731-2 engines that the company promises will ``improve reliability'' and reduce costs. The -2C mod comprises a new, cooled high-pressure turbine module for improved disk and blade life, new carbon ring seals and an N1 digital electronic engine control that will provide automatic recording of engine data and better built-in test capability.
Tallahassee, Fla.-based Flightline Group has taken over management of general aviation line service and fueling operations at Florida's Gainsville Airport. A renovation of the airport's general aviation terminal and hangar facilities is scheduled to start in early 1998.
Work on the ST-50 single-engine turboprop is at a virtual standstill, as its developer remains in the hands of a government receiver. Israviation, based in Israel's Upper Galilee, has been looking for a buyer or major investor since late summer, when its owner and financial backer pulled out of the project. A prototype of what is intended to be a five-place, all-composite, pressurized aircraft has logged some 75 hours since it first flew three years ago. The P&WC-powered ST-50 originally was scheduled to receive certification in 1998 (July, page 12).
A business aviation and office complex that eventually will offer a complete range of services--from transient fueling to major maintenance and outfitting--is being planned for a 200-acre site at Denver's Centennial Airport. The project, named the Centennial InterPort AirBusiness Campus, is being masterminded by SunBorne Development of Englewood, Colo., assisted by the Aviation Resource Group of Aurora, Colo. SunBorne expects to begin construction of basic FBO facilities by mid 1998.
International Water Guard's new-development water sterilizer--the Model NPS-A3--has been welcomed aboard Bombardier's Global Express and the Canadair Challenger 604 as standard equipment. The new model (price: $11,300), slated for mid 1998 availability, was devised to protect passengers and crew on long-range business jets from waterborne bacteria and viruses. Ultraviolet light is used in the water treatment process.
In our October issue, the letter (page 10) regarding David Esler's ``Single-Engine Turboprops: Carving their Own Niche'' was written by Roger E. Wolverton of the Department of Inland Fisheries&Wildlife Aviation Division.
The makers of business aviation software and services have continued to introduce and refine their products. The strong economy and advances in information technology have spurred software makers to dream up new tools to make business aviation more efficient and, hopefully, your life easier.
You finally got that updated avionics package for your aircraft. The shop says you're ready to go, but the system must be checked out in flight. So, off you go with your first officer and a couple of avionics technicians to complete the test maneuvers required by the STC before returning your aircraft to routine service.
As an upgraded version of the Explorer twin-turbine helicopter entered its flight test program and a performance-enhancement program got underway for the MD 600, the former helicopter division of McDonnell Douglas quietly became the helicopter division of the Boeing Co., the result of the recent merger of the two aerospace giants.
The Avfuel network of participating FBOs has kicked off its ``1,000,000 AVTRIP Point Sweepstakes.'' Until September 1, 1998, each purchase of fuel counts as an entry in the sweepstakes, the grand prize for which will be drawn at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas in 1998. (313) 663-6466.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer officially launched its 37-seat EMB-135 regional jet in mid September in a move that surprised no one. The launch customer, also to no one's surprise, is expected to be Continental Express (COEx). COEx also was the launch customer for the EMB-145 50-seater a year ago, placing an order for 25 firm and 175 options at the Farnborough Air Show in England.
You didn't get the wrong number if you dialed Air BP Atlanta and heard Airway Aviation Services answer the call. The company has decided two names are better than one. The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport FBO says the new name is in ad-dition to the old one. (770) 452-0010.
Executive Wings of Lakeland, Fla. recently received FAA approval to overhaul AlliedSignal TPE331 engines, series -1 through -11. The new service will supplement the company's previously approved -10 upgrade program for TPE331-8s. A description of the company's services is located on the Web at www.execwings.com.
Model 70 is one of the designations Bombardier is considering for a new twin-engine ``medium-large'' business jet. The aircraft reportedly will have a cabin cross-section larger than the IAI Galaxy or Hawker Horizon, but smaller than a G-IVSP or Falcon 2000. Headroom may exceed 6.2 feet. The Model 70 will be able to fly six to eight passengers from Paris to New York at 0.80-plus Mach. It's likely that the powerplants will be Allison, CFE or Pratt&Whitney. Look for an official introduction in mid to late 1998.
At press time, Bell Boeing said it had total commitments for 41 Model 609 tiltrotor aircraft from 29 operators. The aircraft development program remains on schedule for a first flight in mid 1999.
AvBase LLC recently launched a charter and aircraft management firm from Flight Center's FBO at Seattle's Boeing Field. The new company is a partnership firm owned by Seattle businessman and pilot Craig O. McCaw and charter firm Aviation Methods, Inc.
Edited By GORDON A. GILBERTPerry Bradley/Gordon A. Gilbert
A menu-driven, hourly cost, engine maintenance program is being introduced by Dallas Airmotive in partnership with Jet Support Services Inc. The program, which has been planned since late 1996 (January, page 18), is designed to allow custom tailoring for each client, and covers all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including hot sections, overhauls, service bulletins, ADs, removals and installations, LRU/accessory maintenance, loaners and labor costs. The program also provides troubleshooting and on-site field support.
Jet City Entertainment of Seattle offers inflight movies to private aircraft operators without the need to purchase the films. The company provides first-run Hollywood studio releases in VHS/DVD format on a monthly lease program.
E.U.A. Air Support of Dallas is building an additional aircraft service hangar. Upon completion in early 1998, the company will expand its aircraft maintenance, inspection and repair services to include Dassault Falcons and Canadair Challengers.
Galaxy Aerospace's worldwide headquarters at Fort Worth's Alliance Airport, which broke ground during the NBAA convention on September 23, is slated for completion in fall 1998. The complex will include marketing and customer support offices for all Israel Aircraft Industries business jets, a facility for completing and painting IAI Astra SPX and Galaxy business jets, the company's first factory service center and a parts distribution outlet.
