One of the most current and complete sources of U.S. general aviation activity information is the 1996 General Aviation Statistical Databook from GAMA. The 28-page publication contains statistics on new GA airframe shipments (from 1946 through 1995), aircraft fleet activity, the pilot population, safety trends, airports and ATC facilities. In addition, there is a section forecasting GA activity all the way to 2007. Copies of the booklet are available for $10 each from GAMA, 1400 K St. NW, Ste. 801, Washington, DC 20005-2485. Phone: (202) 393-1500; fax 202-842-4063.
An advanced automated cockpit weather information system (CWIN) designed to give pilots real-time data is being flight-tested through September 30 on a United Airlines DC-10 in a project sponsored by NASA's Langley Research Center. The CWIN integrates data from communication satellites and GPS satellites, ground radar images and airport observations, and displays the information on a CRT in the cockpit. The data are updated every 15 minutes and a touch-screen menu allows the pilot to select various types of data.
Remember when Atlantic Southeast was having public relations problems with the city of Columbus, Georgia? Seems local civic leaders were concerned about poor ASA reliability with the Olympics' women's fast-pitch softball competition coming to town (B/CA, August 1996, page C3). Well, the Delta Connection carrier has decided to correct the problem of delays and cancellations at the source. Effective October 1, it will remove its two daily BAe 146 roundtrips from Atlanta. The 88-passenger quadjets will be replaced with 66-passenger ATR 72s.
With the new FAR Part 67 airmen medical regulations scheduled to take effect on September 16, the FAA is expected to have a fully rewritten guidebook for AMEs to assist in the medical certification process. The last revision of the guide was in 1992.
Effective November 4, U.S. Customs will start allowing pre-registered aircraft operators reentering the United States from Canada to clear customs via telephone and, thereafter, to land at any U.S. public-use airport. Under the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) program, customs agents will meet selected flights for random inspections. To apply for participation in GATE, operators must submit Customs Form 442 to the U.S. Customs port of entry nearest the applicant's most frequently used airport of arrival.
Two VFR-only GPS receiver systems from England's Skyforce Avionics will be marketed and supported throughout North America by The K Group of Viewtown, Virginia. The two systems are: the Skymap II with a built-in GPS receiver and moving-map display, and the Tracker II, which provides a moving-map display for aircraft already equipped with a GPS unit. The Skymap II will sell for about $1,700, and the Tracker II for roughly $1,200.
Western Pacific Airlines, the Colorado Springs-based, low-fare start-up, has selected the Dornier Do 328 for its new feeder airline, Mountain Air Express (MAX). First deliveries are scheduled for this month, and the wholly owned subsidiary plans to launch operations December 4.
On May 31, when the 900EX was DGAC certified, you could almost hear the congratulatory cheers over the noise of champagne corks popping that Friday evening at Dassault's Vaucresson headquarters. Almost 10 years after deliveries of Dassault's drag-cheating, large-cabin business aircraft first began, the company's relentless pursuit of performance finally paid off in a big way. (FAA certification was in July). The lithe and lean Falcon 900EX now has become a heavy-iron-class, long-range champion for those looking to spend less than $30 million for such an aircraft.
Early in 1997, Dassault Falcon Jet plans to offer a CD-ROM to operators to assist them in ``quickly'' diagnosing and correcting malfunctions. The software, called CATS (Computer Assisted Troubleshooting System), is presently being used in-house by Dassault to support its ``Help Desk'' operation. CATS functions as a database utilizing thousands of maintenance reports submitted by service centers and operators. Dassault will demonstrate customer versions of CATS at the NBAA convention in November in Orlando.
Two officers have been elected to the Foundation's Corporate Advisory Committee. The new chairman is Edward R. Williams, vice president of safety and engineering and director of flight operations for Associated Aviation Underwriters. Peter V. Agur, Jr., president of the VanAllen Group, was named vice chairman.
The DOT and the Interior Department banded together to propose more restrictions on flight operations over the Grand Canyon, heating up an already contentious and emotional issue for scenic-tour operators. Under the rule, 87 percent of the park would be off-limits to aircraft--up from 45 percent today--and there would be flight-free periods and/or a cap on commercial sightseeing air activities. The National Air Transportation Association reacted angrily to the proposal.
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) in England was the arrival point for a Western European Foreign and Defense Ministers conference in May. Top diplomats came from 27 countries, from as far as Iceland, Finland, Spain and Turkey, including eight delegations from within the former Soviet Bloc. The resident FBO, Execair Aviation Services, together with personnel from Birmingham International Airport, the British Foreign Office and various security agencies, were responsible for the smooth running of the event.
``We're on our way. We're taking a bold first step,'' enthused Ron Bauer. The marketing manager for Jeppesen was referring to the introduction this summer of the company's JeppView CD-ROM chart service, ``the first step in the evolution from paper to electronic charts,'' he explained.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is the initial sponsor of the newly formed National Aviation Research Institute (NARI), a not-for-profit group ``formed to advance the art and science of aviation and air traffic control.'' NARI's objectives include developing ``consensus on future aviation systems and procedures.'' The group seems to be aimed at ensuring that NATCA--the controllers union--has a voice as the future free-flight system is developed.
The House and Senate voted to reinstate the 10-percent federal excise tax, and President Bill Clinton was expected to sign the bill. Aviation interests opposed to user-fee initiatives had advocated reinstating the tax, which was allowed to lapse at the end of 1995. Also included in the legislation is language that will change the IRS Code to allow companies that operate as an affiliated group to determine on a flight-by-flight basis whether the fuel tax or the commercial ticket tax applies.
Gulfstream has expanded the MedAire services being offered as a standard feature for G-V customers. In addition to facilitating contact between the aircraft occupants and medical professionals on the ground, the coverage now includes aid anywhere on the ground that the crew and passengers happen to be while away from home base. Also part of the service: The Phoenix-based MedAire staff will conduct an initial crew training in first aid.
If the Twin Commander line became a stepchild under Gulfstream's ownership, it's back in the bosom of the family now. Under the stewardship of Arlington, Washington-based Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (TCAC), support has improved, parts prices have been dropping, and market values and activity are on the rise.
Operators planning transatlantic crossings must remember that a current FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required in order to fly in the North Atlantic Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) airspace. MNPS includes altitudes between 27,000 and 40,000 feet. To enter this airspace, an aircraft and its crew must meet the specs, and the LOA must attest to the fact that the requirements have been met. Those who have been operating with an LOA should remember that it expires on October 1 of this year.
Charter operators can now post deadhead legs on CharterNet, an Internet site from the Cambridge, Massachusetts publishers of the Air Charter Guide. Air-taxi companies can list their deadhead flight availability status themselves or allow CharterNet operators to list and sell deadheads for them. In either case, an option is available for anonymous listing to keep knowledge of traffic pattern information about a particular trip from the retail public. Contact CharterNet at (617) 547-5811 or http://www.guides.com/acg.
Now that ozone-depleting ingredients are disallowed, CRC Industries has introduced its Precision Plus avionics cleaner. This product is designed to de-crud printed circuit boards, landing gear, micro switches, engine controls, avionics and more. Precision Plus removes light oils, krytox and other contaminants. It leaves no residue, is non-staining and non-corrosive, according to the manufacturer. List price: $42.76 for a 16-ounce can, $513.12 by the case. CRC Industries, Inc., 885 Louis Dr., Warminster, PA 18974. (215) 674-4300.
Corporate Air Parts has introduced an emergency survival bag to reduce a survivor's loss of body heat and risk of hypothermia. This live-body bag weighs only 18 ounces, and is built of a microthin layer of aluminized film, laminated to a brightly colored (International Safety Orange) rip-resistant, flame-retarding material. Waterproof and wind proof, the product's tough, cocoon-like structure is said to deter shark attacks by keeping body fluids and odors from entering open waters. Price: $49.95. Corporate Air Parts, Inc., 6920 Hayvenhurst Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406.
The HUM-Bug Test Kit (a.k.a. the Hydrocarbon Utilizing Microorganism Detector Kit) sniffs out possible microbial growth in jet fuel wing tanks. Each kit consists of a sterile hypodermic sampling syringe and a sealed test bottle. Within each test bottle is a hydrocarbon fuel in a sterile environment with a nutrient dye indicator. Waste products of microorganisms in the fuel react to the nutrient dye by turning pink or red. Detection time: 12 hours or less. Price: $15 per test. Hammonds Fuel Additives, P.O. Box 38114-407, Houston, TX 77238. (713) 442-3777.
