By year-end, Bombardier Aerospace expects to decide whether to launch or land the 70-passenger Canadair CRJ-X regional jetliner, a planned stretched version of the current 50-passenger Regional Jet (B/CA, May, page 122). The GE-powered CRJ-X would be offered in two versions-a 72,500-pound MTOW model that would transport 70 passengers 1,702 nm and a 75,000-pound MTOW version that would range to 2,032 nm with 70 passengers. If a launch decision is made by the end of this year, certification could occur in late 2000.
Entering the last month of the election campaign, there is hope we're finally approaching the end of Federico Pea's terrible tenure as secretary of transportation. As Yogi Berra said, ``It ain't over `til it's over;'' but it appears Pea will not continue in that post even if President Clinton is reelected.
In the continuing effort to establish common requirements between the FARs and Europe's JARs, revisions have been proposed to amend engine and airframe design standards. One set of proposals will require aircraft to withstand structural stress caused by the initial pitching motions during the sudden application of maximum braking force. Another set of proposals would upgrade water and hail ingestion standards for turbine engines. Comments on the two sets of proposals are due November 4 and November 7, respectively.
An airport reservation system and other special ATC procedures will be in effect for the Orlando area before, during and after the NBAA annual convention there. From November 15 through November 25, all turbine IFR and VFR aircraft arrivals and departures will be required to have a slot time for the following airports: Orlando Executive (site of the convention's aircraft static display), Orlando International, Orlando Sanford and Kissimmee Municipal. For IFR departures, the FAA expects aircraft to be ready to take off within five minutes of the slot reservation time.
Fairchild Dornier said it will decide soon whether to build a turbofan-powered, 30-passenger version of the twin-turboprop Do 328. Technical and marketing studies for the proposed $10-million regional jet were nearly complete at press time. The company said the Do 328 wing would be retained and that by moving the engines a little closer to the fuselage, no changes would be required for the empennage. Three engine models are being considered: the Pratt&Whitney Canada PW306, the AlliedSignal/GE CFE738 and the AlliedSignal LF5607.
The implementation on August 17 of increased IFR separation standards for ``small'' aircraft in-trail behind Boeing 757s also encompassed the re-classification of 57 types of aircraft, including most business jets, from the category of ``large'' to ``small.''
The former Midway Island Naval Air Facility has reopened as a mid-Pacific fuel stop after being closed to military and civil aircraft since 1992. Through an agreement with the U.S. government, Mercury Phoenix Corporation is providing 24-hour fueling, overnight accommodations, food facilities, limited maintenance, and other aircraft, crew and passenger services. Available activities include fishing as well as guided historic and ecology tours. A landing fee of $350 applies to aircraft up to 80,000 pounds MTOW, and advance permission to use Midway is required.
Saab Aircraft delivered its 400th Model 340 to AMR Eagle in late August. It was number 115 for Eagle, the world's Saab 340 fleet leader. The airplane was the last of a 25-plane package announced at last year's Paris Air Show, but it may not be the carrier's last Saab order.
Following the successes of its presence on the CompuServe Information System, The McGraw-Hill Companies' Aviation Week Group has opened a site on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www. awgnet.com
We had planned the trip for a year. On Thanksgiving morning of 1977, the Manninghams would fly from White Plains, New York to Columbus, Ohio for a holiday weekend with my sister and her family. We had done it several years in a row, and everyone was excited about flying across country in a borrowed Cessna 310, and about visiting with my terrific sister, the beloved ``Aunt Natalie.''
Installations of a recently developed fiber-optic lighting system have started, said Avtec, Incorporated, the St. Louis-based repair and completion facility that received FAA approval of the system earlier this year (B/CA, May, page 14). The system emits light from a high-intensity lamp or ``illuminator'' through one or more bundles of flexible polymer fibers. Avtec claims fiber optics are safer, cheaper, lighter and more durable than fluorescent systems, and installations can be made virtually anywhere in the cabin.
The latest version of the FAA's GPS transition plan reaffirms the target date of 2110 for completing the changeover from land-based navaids to full reliance on GPS. The plan also restates that it will progressively discontinue support for a large number of ground-based systems, such as VORs, DMEs and ILSes. The FAA plans to terminate support of Omega by the end of 1997 and, despite efforts by thousands of Loran-C users to retain the system, the U.S. is set to end Loran-C funding by 2000 (B/CA, May 1995, page 16).
Ever wonder what the business aviation community did to President Bill Clinton to turn him into our number-one nemesis? It seems, at least monthly, the tireless folks at the NBAA, GAMA and the other Washington-based alphabet organizations have to pound down yet another silly aviation-penalizing idea from the Clinton administration or its friends on Capitol Hill. This time it's a $225 per-flight fee on turbine business aircraft to help fund the President's campaign promise to wipe out illiteracy.
Bombardier directors have authorized their Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division (BRAD) to ``offer'' airlines the 70-passenger CRJ-X, but there will not be an official launch of the project until at least the end of November. BRAD President Pierre Lortie said his sales team has authority to offer customers firm pricing, guaranteed range and performance, a detailed type specification and delivery dates.
An aggressive competitor with a sharp pencil on the bottom line, Mesa founder Larry Risley, a former A&P mechanic, launched an expansion program ranging from the West Coast to the East Coast and from Arizona to New England. Today Mesa calls itself the nation's number one independent regional airline, operating six airline units-Air Midwest, Desert Sun, Florida-Gulf, Liberty Express, Mountain West and WestAir-that serve 170 communities in 28 states with a fleet of 173 aircraft. That in itself draws a lot of attention.
Aviation Supplies&Academics (ASA's) solution to a disorderly cockpit is four new products. The NOS Flip Binder ($9.95), crafted of black plastic, has one-inch steel rings and flips over to provide a full-plate view. The new chart wallets come in two styles: The accordion-fold style ($9.95) features 10 map pockets, while the book-style ($12.95) contains six double-sided pockets to hold up to 12 maps. Also available from ASA are sheets of white-on-clear, self-adhesive ap-proach chart area labels for binders, in either NOS or Jeppesen style ($1.95 per sheet).
Tom Appleton, the long-time and very successful executive vice president of Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division (BRAD), recently received an offer he couldn't refuse. He is now president of the Canadair Amphibious Aircraft Division. Appleton has been an icon of regional airline sales and marketing, both at de Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Canadair, and both when de Havilland was acquired by Bombardier. And as such, he was at the center of the earlier debate over the high-speed turboprop versus the regional jet.
An Englewood, Colorado company is working to bring new meaning to the term motion-base simulator. TechniFlite is developing an FAA Level B, full flight simulator that will be mounted on a custom trailer that will be towed by a semi.
Aviation Communications Incorporated has introduced its AC-900 Headset, and says the real news is its flexible boom. The boom's adjustability allows the pilot to position the mike as preferred, including right or left positioning. Two styles of ear seals are available (acoustic foam and gel), along with cloth ear covers. Other features include mono/stereo switch, dual volume controls, adjustable stainless steel headband with ``thumb nut'' adjustment knob and a soft ``pillow'' headpad. Price: $219.95. Aviation Communications Inc., 1025 W.
Some industry groups are concerned that the FAA might abuse its authority granted by a recent change in the agency's rulemaking process. Under the ``direct final rulemaking'' policy, the agency can go from a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to a final rule on matters it determines are not controversial. The National Air Transportation Association, for example, is worried that the FAA might determine a significant NPRM to be non-controversial and might adopt it without seeking public comments.
This Metal Polishing System from Jet Stream Aviation Products puts the shine on aluminum and stainless steel. Step one is Metal Polish to add luster and clean the aircraft. The polish, which is approved for AMS 1650 B type II metal, does not leave a trail of corrosive elements. Step two is Mirror Image Swirl Remover, a brightwork finisher used to rub out swirls caused by machine buffing. Price: $42.50 for one pound of Metal Polish; $15.90 for a one-ounce roll of Mirror Image. Jet Stream, 7515 Lemmon Ave., Bldg. J, Dallas, TX 75209. (214) 351-3400.
Audie W. Davis, M.D., a man whose name appears on hundreds of airmen medical certificates and application approvals, retired in September after more than 37 years as manager of the FAA's aeromedical certification division in Oklahoma City. In that role, Dr. Davis was responsible for the medical certification of hundreds of thousands of pilots. Until a replacement is named, Melchor J. Antunano, M.D. will serve as interim manager.
The FAA's TCAS Program Office is concerned about the number of Resolution Advisories (RAs) that are not being followed. Data gathered by the office indicate that between 32 and 50 percent of RAs are being ignored because of (in order of frequency): -- Visual contact with the intruder; -- Followed ATC clearance instead; -- RA occurred during a parallel approach; -- Would have reversed the existing vertical speed; and -- Aural annunciation was not understood.
