Western Aircraft (Boise, Idaho)--Doug Hart is the new CEO of this 24-hour FBO and FAA-certified aircraft repair station that is a Pilatus PC-12 sales center, a Hawker service center, a Cessna service station and an AlliedSignal TFE 731 line service center.
FAA proposed a series of ``technical amendments'' to several FAR parts. Among the proposed changes: Under Part 135.21, maintenance manuals could be kept in electronic form, as well as in paper form; Part 119.3 definitions of ``on-demand operation,'' ``scheduled operation'' and ``supplemental operation'' would be clarified; and other sections of Part 119 pertaining to commuter operations would be revised or clarified.
Beginning in 1999, the FAA will launch the Ha-laska Demonstration, a two-year evaluation of new air-traffic procedures and technologies in Alaska and Hawaii to help accelerate the ``free flight'' concept.
Foxtronics' new TSOed digital battery temperature indicator--the DBTI 2000--uses the latest sub-miniature components and weighs 3.25 ounces. Digital circuitry provides pilots with an alphanumeric display of NiCd battery temperatures, plus distinct warning lights at critical heat points. To simplify the upgrade from the BTI-600 metered units, the unit is contained in the standard round 1.94-by-3.5-inch can, and no wiring changes are required. Kit price: $1,660 for single-battery DBTI 2001, $1,695 for double-battery DBTI 2002. Foxtronics, 3448 W.
An uncontained engine failure and subsequent penetration of the fuselage of a Falcon 20 by fan blades has led to a proposed AD. The AD would require installing new, improved fan guards on approximately 414 General Electric CF700 fanjet engines on Falcon 20s and Sabreliner 265s. Operators would have up to two years to replace the fans, which the FAA estimates carry an installed cost of about $50,000 per engine. For more information, contact the FAA in Burlington, Mass. at (617) 238-7139.
Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. purchased the helicopter composite panel repair unit from the Nordam Group and set up Acadian Composites in Lafayette, La. to run the new business. Nordam Group chairman Ray H. Siegfried II said the company sold the unit to concentrate on its core work of providing composite repairs to the airlines.
With a list of charges in hand, the FAA revoked the air carrier certificate of Aero Flight Service of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The agency cited evidence that AFS, an air-taxi, air-ambulance and cargo-flight operator, ``improperly converted'' four Hawker business jets from passenger to cargo configuration,'' and then operated these aircraft, which ``were not airworthy.'' Further, the FAA said that AFS operated two Learjets on cargo flights when the aircraft had not been approved for cargo operations.
Raytheon Aircraft has established a new subsidiary to improve parts distribution. Called RAPID (for Raytheon Aircraft Parts Inventory and Distribution), the new division's goals are to deliver parts domestically within four hours and internationally within 18 hours. RAPID also will consolidate the Beech, Hawker and Raytheon spares activities.
Trimble Navigation (Sunnyvale, Calif.)--Michael P. Gagaliardi has come aboard as vice president and general manager of this GPS receiver manufacturer's Aerospace Business Unit in Austin.
SimuFlite Training International (Dallas)--Walter M. Slazyk has been appointed senior manager of technical operations for this provider of advanced aviation training.
Litton Industries (Woodland Hills, Calif.)--Robert Stangarone is the new corporate communications director for this maker of avionics systems, subsystems and components.
Contender Aircraft (www.contenderjets.com)-Pictures, three-views, specifications and brochures on three proposed business jets. Also background information on this Reno, Nev.-based company.
Allison Engine Co. says it has received more than 1,000 inquiries, to date, at its new 24-hour, seven-day customer call center. According to vice president of customer support Jim Leach, the center is staffed to support Model 250 and T56/501D product-related inquiries, including parts ordering. Additional product lines are scheduled to be added later this year. The center can be contacted at: (888) 255-4766, toll free; (317) 230-6400, direct; (317) 230-4243, fax; and [email protected], e-mail.
American Eagle has opened what it calls one of the world's largest maintenance facilities devoted exclusively to regional aircraft. Called the AMR Eagle Regional Aircraft Maintenance Center (RAMC), the facility occupies a new hanger and office complex of more than 126,000 square feet on the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn, Mich.
National Air Transportation Association has developed a ``fact sheet'' of known GPS training aids as an interim solution to what it sees as a serious problem. Because not all aircraft are equipped with GPS receivers, many pilots often find themselves facing a GPS unit in a flight-check aircraft, as well as a check pilot or examiner who expects proficiency in the use of this equipment. NATA is concerned that pilots could be given an unsatisfactory performance rating if they are unable to show this proficiency. Copies of the fact sheet are available from NATA.
Rockwell International headquarters is moving from Seal Beach, Calif. to nearby Costa Mesa, Calif. The move follows the completion of the sale of several Rockwell businesses to The Boeing Company.
After a delay of several months, McDonnell Douglas' MD Explorer has passed its instrument check ride, and when equipped with certain AlliedSignal avionics, is FAA-approved for single-pilot IFR operations. The company also reported that hourly DOCs for the eight-place, twin-turbine helicopter have been reduced to $256 for the airframe and $119 for the engines. Maximum gross weight has been increased to 6,250 pounds, boosting payload capability. Since the Explorer entered service in 1995, 30 units have been put into operation.
Maverick Airways began scheduled service in January under two shadows-that of the Rocky Mountains, and of the former successful Rocky Mountain Airways. Operating two of the original 48-passenger de Havilland Dash 7 aircraft formerly operated by Rocky Mountain, the former Rocky Mountain (and now Maverick) pilots began service from Denver to Steamboat Springs and Grand Junction. The carrier was launched by President Cody Dickroeger, who had a 13-year career with Rocky Mountain and its successor Continental Express (COEx).
Scott Air Charter (Milwaukee)-Michael Koel was promoted to director of maintenance for this repair station at Signature Flight Support's Milwaukee facility.
The British Aerospace BAe 146 sales and leasing unit, Asset Management Jets (AMJ), said it achieved sales and lease transactions exceeding $320 million during 1996. AMJ rounded out the year with the sale of another 146 quadjet and the sale of the five remaining Fokker 100s in its portfolio, acquired as part of the Avro RJ100 transaction with Swiss regional Crossair and a further 146 lease transaction.
FAR Part 150 proposed noise-compatibility programs have been submitted for San Antonio International Airport, Atlanta's DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Oregon's Portland International Airport and Washington National Airport. The FAA is scheduled to approve or disapprove the Atlanta and Portland programs by the end of April and will decide on the San Antonio proposal by May 26 and DCA by July 3. Interested parties are invited to comment. The agency said the noise-exposure maps for these airports meet Part 150.
Barry Valentine, a pilot with more than 30 years in aviation and government, has temporarily left his post as assistant administrator for policy, planning and international aviation, to serve as acting FAA administrator until a permanent appointment is made. Monte R. Belger remains as acting deputy administrator.
Trimble Navigation is now offering the TrimConnect 3100D Flight Telephone System that operates on the AirCell telecommunications network (B/CA, February 1994, page 24). Included in the TrimConnect 3100D package is a radio transceiver, headset and external antenna, all weighing under 10 pounds. The system's voice and data communication is compatible with a wide spectrum of mobile ground networks without special call setup or operator assistance, Trimble says. The 3100D features a data transmission rate of up to 9,600 baud, for use with standard fax machines. Price: $5,995.
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. will hear arguments early this summer in a case with far-reaching ramifications for aviation. The most urgent question at issue is whether the FAA has the authority to regulate the national airspace with safety and efficiency as its paramount goals.
On January 21, the Bombardier board of directors finally authorized the Aerospace Group to proceed with the launch of the 70-passenger Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ X). But the company said in a brief statement that the Aerospace Group would not make a formal announcement with full details of the program until the third week of February. It is speculated that the directors wanted to get the project on the table before the end of the company's fiscal year, which was January 31.
