A recent FAA on-site assessment of ATC in southern African countries found a number of shortcomings in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The agency said the problems included: -- A lack of equipment to make ATC communications between countries reliable. -- Nonexistent or inoperative navigation equipment at many key airports. -- Inconsistent training of controllers and technicians. -- A lack of trained instructors.
The following are target dates for emerging aircraft. These dates, supplied by the airframe manufacturers, are subject to change--and frequently do--as a result of design revisions, funding, testing delays or extensions, and/or the resolution of unforeseen problems. Each month, this table will endeavor to show the most-current schedule. Manufacturer Model Milestone AASI Jetcruzer 500 Turboprop Certification
DOT's revised Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for the six-month period ending December 31 are: 0-500 sm--$0.1735; 501-1,500 sm--$0.1323; and more than 1,500 sm--$0.1272. The terminal charge is $31.72. U.S. tax laws require SIFL rates to be used when calculating the cost of transportation of non-business travelers aboard employer-provided aircraft. This formula applies on a per-flight, per-person basis.
Miller Aviation at New York's Binghamton Airport has joined the ranks of 10 factory-authorized Twin Commander service centers worldwide that offer replacement of the lower wing spar cap. On some Twin Commanders, this cap, one of the major load-bearing members of the wing, suffers excessive corrosion because of dissimilar metal contact. The original aluminum cap and the stainless steel straps that support the cap were primed with zinc chromate, which, over time, begins to flake away, thereby allowing moisture to form between these two metals.
Renato Claudio Costa Pereira has been appointed secretary general for a three-year term for this United Nations organization that sets international standards and regulations for aviation.
Atlantic Coast Airlines at press time still did not know whether it would operate its new fleet of Canadair Regional Jets as United Express or in its own livery as Atlantic Coast Jet (ACJ). Nonetheless, senior partner United, still in negotiation with its pilots over who would fly regional jets, agreed to reimburse ACA for its CRJ lease payments and for flight-crew expense through the end of the year.
Warranty coverage of Allison 250 parts originally manufactured by Superior Turbines has transferred to Extex, the Mesa, Ariz. company that acquired the Superior product line in late 1996 (November 1996, page 28). Owners of Superior parts who register with Extex by December 31 will have their original Superior warranties honored.
Approximately one-third of the working population of Tennessee--900,000 people--are in jobs that in some way relate to the use of general aviation, according to the results of a GA economic impact study presented in a new videotape from the state's division of aeronautics. The video keys in on three GA airports where business and government leaders describe the importance of airports and general aviation to the state.
Mesa Air Group is launching the first major expansion of its Canadair Regional Jet network this fall as it takes delivery of additional aircraft. Since early summer the carrier has been operating the 50-seater from its new Fort Worth-Meacham Field hub to Houston's downtown Hobby Airport. On September 7, the carrier opened Fort Worth-San Antonio service as well as America West Express service between Phoenix and Santa Barbara, Calif.
Flight testing is under way for the Jetcruzer 500, a six-place, single-engine turboprop scheduled to receive certification in late 1998 (August, page 23). Advanced Aerodynamics&Structures, the Long Beach, Calif. firm developing the Pratt&Whitney Canada-powered Jetcruzer 500, says it has 53 orders.
AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association have been asked by the FAA to evaluate ways to speed the processing of pilot medical certifications, particularly those involving special issuance for airmen recovering from specific medical problems. The AOPA says the processing backlog in Oklahoma City is as long as four months.
This aircraft engine overhauler has made the following staff changes in its West Coast sales and service regional offices: Scott L. Cochran is heading the company's Northwest region, with offices based in Snohomish, Wash., and Sarkis Garabetian oversees the southern California regional office based in La Crescenta, Calif.
A new NBAA program targeted at ``improving the communication flow'' between the association and the business aviation community also is aimed at recruiting more association members. Called REACHBAC, for Regional Effort to Advise, Communicate with and Help the Business Aviation Community, the effort involves a committee comprised of NBAA members whose roles include contacting potential members within their regional areas.
Phil Botana has been named vice president of flight operations for the firm's FlexJet program. Botana succeeds Gary Hart, who left to become president of Raytheon's Travel Air fractional aircraft ownership program.
Five years after it launched development of the Learjet 45, Bombardier Aerospace has received full FAA certification of the twin-engine business jet--in time for customer deliveries to begin in November. The aircraft received provisional certification in early September. JAA certification was pending at press time (September, page 66).
Specific information for business aircraft users on this new Web site is available via its Welcome Aboard selection. Here, pilots can get a description of GA services and navaid information as well as see a layout of the airfield.
Frank W. Wisekal, vice chairman, retired after 17 years of service at this U.S. subsidiary of the French aircraft manufacturer. Wisekal was president and CEO of Falcon Jet from 1983 through 1994.
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds are now available for the first time for the routine maintenance of runways, taxiways and aprons. Eligible expenses include sealing cracks and cleaning. The program is aimed at helping to extend the life of pavement at smaller airports where routine maintenance, normally a local requirement, may be delayed due to the costs involved.
General Electric Co. of Evendale, Ohio completed its previously announced acquisition of aircraft engine maintenance firm Greenwich Air Services of Miami and was cleared by U.S. federal agencies to complete the acquisition of UNC, Inc., the Annapolis, Md. engine maintenance company that is the parent firm of Garrett Aviation Services headquartered in Phoenix and Airwork of Millville, N.J. Both transactions closed in September.
The good news: You got the job. The bad news: The guy who said you could have the job thinks you're woefully unqualified for the position and in way over your head. And he'll be watching your every move. That's Jane Garvey's perspective as she begins her five-year term as the new FAA administrator. One month after her confirmation hearing, Garvey's nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, but that doesn't mean she's a popular choice.
Hannay Reels has introduced the HGR Series spring-rewind reels in four different models (HGR 100 is shown) to handle 20 to 100 feet of static grounding cable during aircraft re-fueling. The spring motors need a minimum cable pull to release the lock. Reels will ground aircraft or other equipment during refueling or other dangerous operations, Suggested list price: $200 to $300, depending on size of reel, accessories and length of cable. Hannay Reels, 553 State Rte. 143, Westerlo, N.Y. 12193. (518) 797-3791; fax: (518) 733-5464.
Midway Island has been transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service. In a July article (page 68), it was reported that Midway was transferred to the U.S. National Park Service. In the same article, the operator of ground services on Midway is Midway Phoenix Corp., not Mercury Phoenix Group
