In January 1998, India airport authorities are scheduled to designate a separate terminal for business aircraft operators using the airport at Mumbai. The mix of airline and private aircraft passengers allegedly causes delays and coordination problems. Dedicated business aircraft terminals at other India airports are unlikely any time soon, said authorities.
Aircraft Integrated Systems division of BFGoodrich Aerospace received an STC for a HUMS (Health and Usage Monitoring System) for the Agusta A109K2 twin-turbine helicopter.
Congressional hearings might begin this fall on proposed legislation introduced in July to reform the FAA's emergency authority to revoke pilot certificates. Under the new law, the FAA could only order a pilot grounded if the NTSB upheld the order. The pilot could continue to fly while the FAA pursued its revocation case through an expedited appeal process. Currently, the FAA can issue an emergency order grounding a pilot pending the outcome of an NTSB appeal (September, page 148).
A decision this summer by the boards of directors for the National Air Transportation Association and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association to combine their respective trade shows is paying off already. To date, more than 425 exhibit booths have been reserved by 210 companies for the Aviation Services and Suppliers SuperShow, scheduled for April 1-3, 1998 in Kansas City, Mo. This is two-thirds of the available space, ``leaving sales well ahead of projections,'' said NATA officials.
Gordon A. GilbertEdited By GORDON A. GILBERTGordon A. Gilbert
Information on this Grand Junction, Colo. FBO includes a description of its transient services, maintenance capabilities, modification, refurbishing and painting abilities, and a quote-request form.
Two depicitions of aircraft cross-sections in the Airbus A319CJ story (September, page 124) were incorrectly labeled. See Observer (page 39) for further clarifications.
The remaining FlightSafety International Mitsubishi MU-2 safety seminars this year are slated for October 11 in Tampa, Fla., October 25 in Detroit, November 1 in Hartford, Conn. and November 4 in Nashville.
For the last 18 months, Airmark International has quietly been building up its Learjet parts inventory, primarily as a result of purchasing major quantities of spares from Learjet itself and, consequently, being designated an authorized Learjet parts distributor. With the company now distributing 80,000 parts (of which 48,000 are Learjet spares), the company needs a larger facility. In November, the Corona, Calif. firm is scheduled to leave its present 7,000-square-foot building and move into a 28,000-square-foot complex.
Users can view and download FAA Master Minimum Equipment Lists for 192 aircraft types. The cost for unlimited annual access to the MMEL library is $125 per Internet computer workstation.
Former em-ployees of the defunct Jetstream Aviation Catalogue launched this Web site as an online catalog featuring over 350 avcomps products. Users will find in-depth descriptions and downloadable demo versions of many of the products.
The AOPA's Expo '97, to be held on October 23-25 in Orlando, entices pilots to view over 425 general aviation exhibits. General session topics will be diverse: flying GPS approaches safely, ATC and you, aircraft taxes, cockpit communication, using airborne radar and dealing with stress through humor. Other seminars include: untangling confusing regulations, flying techniques unique to different regions, weather seminars, reducing the cost of flying and analyzing aviation safety.
Sino Swearingen's one and only flying SJ30-2 is now in flight tests powered by Williams Rolls FJ44-2A turbofans in place of the -1A. The 2,300-pound-thrust -2A, certificated in July, is the engine that will equip production versions of the SJ30-2, which is scheduled for certification in late 1998. The -2A also will power Raytheon's Premier I business jet.
Construction is underway of Million Air Pontiac at Oakland International County Airport. The new FBO, being developed by airport resident Corporate Air Management, will incorporate an executive terminal and two hangars. Completion is expected in January 1998. (810) 666-3343.
Gulf Coast Avionics is premiering its own line of flashlights for pilots--from pocket to flightcase size. The flashlights are made of unbreakable high-impact polycarbonate resin to resist damage, and they all feature a molded-in shirt clip for easy access and portability. Price: $13.75 to $16.95, depending on the size and model. Gulf Coast Avionics, 4243 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, Fla. 33614. (813) 879-9714; fax: (813) 875-4514.
Boeing will increase the green price of its BBJ business jet to $33.5 million in early 1998. The current base price is $32 million in 1995 dollars. Boeing estimates completion will bring the cost up to $40 million. Meanwhile, the IFR-equipped price of the VisionAire Vantage single-engine business jet escalated from $1.65 million to $1.74 million.
This Web site was designed as a source for listing FBOs, hangars, airport real estate and other airport property that are for sale or lease. Municipalities can list RFPs and listings can include photographs, site plans, floor plans and other graphical details.
An FBO customer service training program is available from the National Air Transportation Association in Alexandria, Va. The audio-visual package costs $99 for NATA members and $149 for non-members
Johannesburg's National Airways Corp.'s plans to start its ``Jet.Time'' fractional ownership program in the second quarter of this year with four new Hawker 800XPs and four King Air B200s failed to materialize (October 1996, page 20). By late summer, Jet.Time had not signed up any customers. Only one of the aircraft ordered was delivered, but it was sold in its entirety to a single owner.
As Airbus Industrie and Boeing Business Jets face off for a share of the ultra-long-range executive transport market, one of the central competitive issues is certain to be cockpit automation. The Airbus 319CJ and its siblings are undeniably the world's most automated transport aircraft, and that, says Airbus Industrie, is a distinct advantage. High degrees of automation translate into reduced manufacturing and life cycle costs and increased safety.
Gulfstream V Serial Number 502, the aircraft in which B/CA flew around the world in mid April (June, page 66), set a key record in late summer. The G-V became the first business jet to fly nonstop from New York (Teterboro Airport) to Tokyo, a distance of 6,113 nm. The aircraft flew at 0.80 Mach and at altitudes up to FL 510. Fuel burn was 38,050 pounds. Time en route was 13.4 hours.
