Impact Dynamics of Wichita's plans to introduce air bags this year for light aircraft have been set back because of market apathy (December 1996, page 28). ``We are continuing our development efforts, and we are talking with OEMs to see if they would offer air bags as an option,'' said a company official. He also noted that the current concern over air bags in automobiles has hurt the market's acceptance of the product.
The boards of directors for the National Air Transportation Association and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association have agreed to combine their respective trade shows into one event beginning in 1998 in Kansas City. The single exhibition gives exhibitors more bang for their buck, and combines two relatively small, spring shows that often compete for the same exhibitors. Each organization will continue to conduct its own seminars and member meetings in conjunction with the joint show.
Here are some legislative initiatives affecting aviation that were pending before Congress at press time (the introducer is shown in parenthesis): H.R. 30--Disallow persons from evading debt to the estate of those they kill by operating an aircraft while intoxicated (Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich.). H.R. 153--Exempt noise and access restrictions from certain federal review and approval requirements on aircraft operating to and from metropolitan airports (Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y.).
Following through on a promise made in 1996, Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.'s computer-assisted troubleshooting system (CATS) is now available on CD-ROM to operators and authorized service centers (September 1996, page 20). CATS is a database of thousands of maintenance reports submitted by service centers and operators to assist in diagnosing and correcting malfunctions on most Falcon Jet models. CATS data are scheduled to be released in June for the Falcon 2000, in January 1998 for the Falcon 900EX and June 1998 for the Falcon 50EX.
Fabrication of the first Raytheon Premier I forward fuselage was completed in February, moving the entry-level business jet closer to first flight this fall. The Premier I marks the company's return to composite aircraft manufacturing, and Raytheon says fabrication methods employed on the $3.9-million Premier I will enable it to deliver performance at a price its competitors can't match.
A business aviation airport is being proposed for Marion, N.C, about 30 miles east of Asheville. McDowell County Manager Charles Abernathy told B/CA the airport would like to attract corporate aircraft, saying the facility would have a 5,500-foot runway, a 1,200-square-foot terminal and would be jointly operated by McDowell and Burke counties. Federal and state agencies have approved the majority of the funding, he said.
Riding cabs in Washington, D.C. is inevitable for corporate aircraft crews, since that's the fastest way to get downtown from the front door of Signature Flight Support. Recently we have received some complaints from readers who said they have experienced price gouging by drivers from Senate Cab. Those readers told us that after failing to get satisfaction from the cab company itself, they contacted the D.C. Taxi Cab Commission, the agency that is supposed to handle consumer complaints. They also got the runaround here too.
The operators of Naples Municipal Airport in Florida, Greeley-Weld County Airport in Colorado and French Valley Airport in Temecula, Calif. have requested proposals for the construction and management of new general aviation terminals. There was no word at press time on when building would begin.
Certification of this $1.5-million, single-engine version of the venerable A109 is expected in mid 1997. A Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6B-37 engine will supply 1,002 shp for takeoff and 872 shp maximum continuous power. The skid-equipped Koala has eight seats (including crew), or can be fitted with two stretchers for EMS work. Total interior volume is 175 cubic feet. Empty weight is 3,085 pounds, and maximum takeoff weight is 5,730 pounds, yielding a useful load of 2,645 pounds (or 2,910 pounds with an external load).
Continental has framed two new Continental Connection affiliations in Gulfstream International Airlines and Colgan Air Inc., stretching its code-sharing agreements with non-owned regional carriers. Gulfstream, based in Miami, also code-shares with United in Florida and the Bahamas, and is offering 160 daily flights on routes throughout Florida and the Bahamas, including Freeport, Nassau, Treasure Cay, North Aleuthera and Marsh Harbour.
In a changeover from its original intentions, AvFuel Corp.'s plans to make its new FBO safety training video series available on loan are tabled until year-end. Earlier this year, the Ann Arbor, Mich. company said it would produce six videotapes that would be free to AvFuel dealers and available on loan to non-AvFuel dealers (January, page 81). AvFuel now says none of the tapes will be offered on a lending library basis until all of the tapes have been produced. Thus far, two tapes have been produced.
Facing stiff competition in the 30-seat turboprop market and an ever-increasing aversion among passengers to propeller-driven aircraft, Fairchild Dornier acted swiftly and boldly, launching the first 32-seat regional jet in February 1996. The 328JET swaps the turboprop's Pratt&Whitney Canada PW119Bs for a pair of wing-mounted PW306/9 turbofans with a takeoff thrust rating of 6,050 pounds each. The first prototype is expected to fly in January 1998, with certification and service entry to follow in early 1999.
It's ironic that Boeing could be considered a newcomer to the business aviation field, particularly because of the number of narrow-body Boeing transports already in corporate service. However, a joint venture with General Electric formed in July 1996 marks Boeing's biggest ever push to attract corporate customers, and the first time it will do so with a dedicated airframe.
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Pacifica Aerospace Corp., an affiliate of Aviation Equipment Co. in North Hollywood, Calif., recently received its FAA repair station certificate, authorizing the company to overhaul and repair composite control surfaces, engine nacelles, thrust reversers, inlet cowls, fan cowls, exhaust plugs, nozzle exhaust sleeves and core cowls.
Flight Safety Foundation will have participants ``walk the walk'' at its June 5 and 6 workshop, when it takes them through a simulated accident scenario. The ``Disaster Response Planning Workshop for Business Aviation,'' to be held at the Atlanta Airport Hilton and Towers, will cover how to equip a disaster management team, next-of-kin notification procedures, legal issues and more.
Next to join the reborn line of Cessna piston singles are the normally aspirated 206 and the turbocharged T206, which are expected to be certificated by the end of this year. First flight of the new T206 was on August 28, 1996. Cessna is continuing to test fly the turbo model, and expects to fly the straight 206 in mid summer, followed rapidly by certification.
FAA and Transport Canada type approval of the 600-hp Orenda V-8 piston engine is now scheduled for mid September, after which delivery of production engines will begin, according to the Toronto company. STC work is underway for King Air 90s, Twin Commanders, Cessna 421s and Piper Navajos. The company hopes to conduct the first flight of a King Air with the Orenda engines this month. Separately, Orenda plans to build a manufacturing facility for the engine in eastern Canada.
Contact the following companies for ground-side communications access for your satcom equipped business aircraft: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. Stephen Means Senior Director Marketing 2551 Riva Rd. Annapolis, Md. 21401 (410) 266-4276 Fax: (410) 266-2329 American Mobile Satellite Corp. 10802 Parkridge Blvd. Reston, Va. 22091 (703) 758-6000 Fax: (703) 758-6111 Avicom Japan Ltd. Engineering Department
Avcard (Hunt Valley, Md.)--Warren E. Boin, Jr. was appointed vice president of marketing and business development for this provider of credit services. Previously, he was senior vice president of marketing for Signature Flight Support.
