A DOT inspector general's (IG) audit of the FAA's satellite navigation program is underway to determine its financial and performance status. The DOT's action is in response to a request by Representative Frank Wolfe (R-Va.), who wants the IG to investigate alleged cost overruns and performance shortfalls of the Wide Area Augmentation System. WAAS is a necessary ingredient for GPS precision approaches. The FAA already has conceded that the initial phase of WAAS will not give sole-means Cat I landing capability as planned.
Don't strain your eyes looking for privately-owned, but public-use Grand Geneva Airport on a chart or a flight guide. Although this VFR facility has been open under this new name for three years and has a resurfaced 4,100-foot runway and a new FBO--Aviation Services--it is not yet shown on charts or described in airport directories. The former facility--closed for several years--was identified as C02. The airport can be found on the Burbun (BUU) VOR 218-degree radial at a 5.6 DME, or two-nm northeast of the city. Lat/Long is 4236'53''/8823'27''.
Seeking to pump new life into its faltering Saab 2000 program, the manufacturer is offering a new maintenance program designed to lower direct operating costs. It is called the ``Complete Aircraft Repair and Exchange'' program, or ``CAREfree.''
The Japanese Ministry of Transportation in midsummer type certificated the Mitsubishi MH2000, a seven- to 12-passenger medium-twin helicopter intended initially for the Japanese market. The 9,900-pound MTOW aircraft is equipped with 800-shp, FADEC-equipped Mitsubishi MG5-100 turbines, a shrouded tail-rotor and a Mitsubishi-designed four-blade main rotor. The firm has been working on the program since the mid 1990s, when it built and flew its RP-1 technology demonstrator (June 1995, page 28).
In addition to links to regional aviation issues and events, the site gives information on this FBO's Raytheon products, interior refurbishment, charter sales and other services. Gordon A. Gilbert
Bombardier Aerospace has obtained type certification in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for six aircraft products in only four weeks. Included were the Canadair Regional Jet; de Havilland Dash 8-100, -200 and -300; and the Challenger 601 and 604 business jets.
On October 1, a Connecticut state law is scheduled to go into effect eliminating the sales tax on the purchase, service and parts of aircraft with MTOWs of more than 6,000 pounds. This is one of several initiatives the state has taken to ease the financial burden on business aircraft operators. In 1993, Connecticut replaced its personal property tax on aircraft with an annual registration fee (August 1993, page 30).
For turbine-powered aircraft, Christie Electric Corp. has rolled out (on a two-wheel mobile cart) the Model R-400. The solid-state unit provides 28 VDC power at 400 amperes continuously, with a peak of 2,000 amperes for turbine spooling. Complete with AC and DC cables, the unit has multi-position switches for adjusting output voltage. The R-400 takes three-phase 230/380/460 VAC, 50/60 Hz input power. Price: $6,500. Christie Electric Corp., 18120 S. Broadway, Gardena, Calif. 90248. (310) 715-1402; fax: (310) 618-8368.
From NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System Callout newsletter: The first officer was the pilot flying the aircraft on an ILS approach. At about 25 feet prior to decision height, the captain announced, ``I've got the runway.'' The FO--misinterpreting the comment to mean handing over control of the aircraft to the captain--replied, ``OK, you've got.'' The captain immedi- ately responded, ``No, no, you've got it.''
FAA proposes to update aircraft design standards to clarify and amend which positions of high-lift device controls should be gated. The purpose of gates is to aid pilots in preventing an altitude loss when retracting flaps, slats or other high-lift devices, particularly during landings and go-arounds. The proposed amendment to FAR Part 25 also will harmonize these standards with those being proposed by the JAA.
New software for the digital electronic engine control will add a Mach hold feature for the Falcon 50EX, according to Dassault Falcon Jet. The software is scheduled to be integrated into new-production aircraft in the fall and will be offered as a retrofit package.
This FBO and mod center has added three new staff members: Jerry Keizer as director of avionics sales and product support, Denny Cullen as avionics/installations manager and Jim Pommier as avionics crew leader.
Ian Cheyne, a founder of this engine overhaul facility, has been appointed director of marketing for the company. Ron Coleman is the new southeastern sales representative.
Barnhart Aviation Service of Wilmington, Ohio recently received an STC for a mod permitting Beech 1900Ds to use 17 degrees of flaps for landings. The company claims the reduced flap setting lessens the risk of tailplane stall in icing conditions, and improves crosswind landing and OEI handling. The mod involves repinning a connector to eliminate the GPWS ``TOO LOW, FLAP'' warning at 170 feet radio altitude.
Photograph: A precursor of the future general aviation ``light twin''? Williams International A proof-of-concept aircraft that could stimulate the market for small, relatively low-cost, business jets is currently under flight evaluation by Williams International. The V-JET II is an experimental aircraft participating in a NASA program to develop a low-cost, four- to six-place turbofan-powered general aviation aircraft. The all-composite V-Jet II, powered by two Williams engines, is being test flown by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites from Mojave, Calif.
Pilots are conditioned to think in terms of multiples--engines, avionics, vacuum and fluid pumps, generators, supporting crewmembers. If asked to name their most essential redundancy, most business aircraft pilots would unhesitatingly say engines. So it shouldn't be surprising that business aviation, specifically, corporate flight departments and the insurance companies that underwrite them, has traditionally cast a jaundiced eye on single-engine airplanes, especially for the carriage of executives and employees.
B/CA polled some overhaul centers to learn what engine parts are repairable and what savings can accrue to operators by using repaired parts vis-a-vis new ones. ALLIANCE ENGINES
FAA said it plans to release shortly a series of proposed rules that would require aircraft with unpowered ailerons and pneumatic deicing systems to exit icing conditions ``when specific visual cues are detected.'' Those rules could be in place by early 1998.
Fairchild Dornier says wind tunnel tests of its 328JET, a proposed regional airliner and corporate shuttle, confirm that the aircraft will have a high cruise of 375 KTAS and a 900-nm range with all 32 seats occupied. The firm also said the $10.55-million base price now also includes an APU, and the planned MTOW has increased to 33,047 pounds. Major suppliers announced to date are: Aeromacchi and OGMA for the fuselage; Dunlop for the wheels, tires and brakes; Honeywell for the EICAS; and Messier-Dowty for the landing gear.
In the early 1970s, Avco Lycoming was as new to the commercial turbofan engine market as Canadair was to the business aircraft industry. The ALF502 was the firm's first turbofan engine. It used a military turboshaft engine's gas generator mated to a reduction gear box that powered the fan. It suffered from some of the worst growing pains of any new, light-turbofan engine in history.
Gulfcoast Avionics is offering Falcon brand headsets. The F-15 headset (shown) is the top of the line, with 24-dB noise reduction, dual volume control, stereo/mono switch and air-gel headpad. It weighs 15.9 ounces. Price: $129. Less-expensive headset models and intercoms also are available. Gulfcoast Avionics, 4243 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, Fla. 33614. (813) 879-9714; fax: (813) 875-4514.
