The Apollo Navigation Management System from II Morrow recently received STC and TSO C129-A1 approvals, allowing it to be used for GPS non-precision approaches. The TSO and STC cover the panel-mount Apollo 2001GPS (shown) and 2001NMS, as well as the DZUS rail-mount-configured Apollo 2001D and 2101 models. All versions allow for an autopilot interface, CDI/HSI interface and multiple avionic annunciators. Price: $4,995 for the Apollo 2001; DZUS rail-mount systems with keypad begin at $9,995. II Morrow, Inc., P.O. Box 13549, Salem, OR 97309. (503) 581-8101.
Illustration: FBO AND AIR TAXI BAROMETER The National Air Transportation Association's monthly index of FBO and charter businesses showed an overall 10.32 percent increase in April and May of this year over the base period (fourth quarter 1995). The statistics are derived from a representative sample of NATA members. PRODUCT ANALYSIS: KLN 900 Now that we've flown several hundred hours using the KLN 90B panel-mount GPS receiver, we've been thoroughly impressed with its performance and utility.
Growth of more than 20 percent over the past two years has propelled NBAA membership over the 4,000 mark. The trade group began in 1947 with 19 members, topped the 1,000 mark in 1974, and grew to 3,000 members in 1988. Rock Hill, New York-based Frontier Insurance Group became the 4,000th member after acquiring a Beechjet 400A. As of August 1, the NBAA had 2,256 voting members that operate aircraft, 1,757 associate members including vendors and OEMs, and 45 affiliate members that operate non-U.S. registered aircraft.
Table: EMERGING AIRCRAFT TARGET DATES The following are target dates for emerging aircraft. These dates, supplied by the airframe manufacturers, are subject to change-and frequently do. Each month, this table will endeavor to show the most current schedule. (This table is not available electronically. Please see the September, 1996 issue.) NEW SEALS MAY PROLONG LIFE OF 731s For its TFE731 family of engines, AlliedSignal has developed a new carbon seal system that is designed to cure one of the most common causes of unscheduled engine removal.
Revisions to the federal excise tax law shift the entire fuel-tax collection responsibility from the FBO to the fuel producer. Previously, all but one cent of the tax on avgas was collected by the producer. This seemingly insignificant amount has caused ``incredible record-keeping and administrative burdens'' on FBOs, claimed the National Air Transportation Association. NATA estimates that omitting the one-cent collection requirement will save FBOs thousands of dollars in administrative costs.
This FBO has made three personnel changes: David R. Madden was appointed manager of the corporate charter department; Dan Elwood is director of operations and Terry Hebbard is now chief pilot.
Photograph: Flight Dymanics' HGS 2000 installed in a Falcon 2000. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: FLYING BLIND Guy Mitaux-Maurouard is a brave man. In late June, Mitaux, chief test pilot for Dassault civil aircraft, settled into the right seat of a Falcon 2000 flight-test aircraft for a flight from Istres, France. I took the left seat of the Flight Dynamics HGS 2000-equipped aircraft and swung the large holographic combiner into view. ``What do you want to do today with the HUD?'' Mitaux inquired.
FAA in mid July granted an STC for the Collins Pro Line 4 avionics package for the Falcon 50EX, which paves the way for certification of the business jet this fall. The STC also will enable Dassault's Little Rock, Arkansas completion center to offer the package as a retrofit for the approximately 250 existing Falcon 50s. In addition to the new avionics suite, the 50EX is powered by new AlliedSignal TFE731-40s.
Members of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America have proposed adopting restrictions on soliciting legal business from relatives of people killed in disasters. After taking heat for the behavior of attorneys following recent airline crashes, the group is considering a ban on face-to-face and direct-mail solicitation. The proposal was made at the group's annual convention in Boston. A subcommittee was tasked with developing standards that will be put to a vote of the membership.
Fargo Jet Center has opened at Hector International Airport. The new FBO provides 24-hour services, including charter, maintenance, sales, leasing, training and fuel sales. Fargo's facility includes a 12,000-square-foot hangar for maintenance and aircraft storage. (701) 235-3600.
One of the newest shared-aircraft ownership programs to sprout up and serve a regional area is Corporate AirShare from Atlanta-based Hill Aircraft. The program, designed to cover transportation requirements throughout the southeastern United States, involves 25-percent ownership shares in King Air B200s. The program entitles each owner to 200 hours of flight time per year for the five-year contract period. In addition to the acquisition cost, owners pay a fixed monthly fee and an hourly flight-time fee.
Most powerful of the second-generation, TFE731 turbofan engines, the -60 produces 5,000 pounds of takeoff thrust and is flat-rated to a sea-level ISA+17C day, corresponding to a density altitude of 1,900 feet. It's equipped with an N1 fan rpm referenced, digital electronic engine control (DEEC) that provides most of the functionality of a FADEC.
A survey of wages and benefits for 30 different job classifications in the FBO and air-taxi industries has been published by the National Air Transportation Association. Based on the responses from NATA member-companies, ``The 1996 NATA Compensation Survey'' details pay and benefits reported for pilots, mechanics, technicians, administrative personnel, dispatchers and top executives. Copies of the survey are available for $99 to NATA members and $150 to non-members. Phone (800) 808-6282 to order.
Shipments of new U.S.-built general aviation aircraft in the first six months of 1996 were up 10.3 percent to 503 units worth some $1.25 billion, compared to 456 aircraft worth $1.27 billion in the like period in 1995, according to Washington, D.C.-based GAMA. Turboprop deliveries jumped 26 percent to 135 units, while piston aircraft shipments climbed by 12 percent, for a total of 273 aircraft. However, business jet deliveries were off about 10 percent, dropping from 105 units in the first half of 1995 to 95 aircraft this year.
In July, the MD Explorer became the first U.S. helicopter to undergo certification validation by Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities, according to McDonnell Douglas. Following the review of U.S. certification data, the JAA recommended that its 27 member-nations issue type certificates for the eight-place, twin-turbine rotorcraft. The Explorer was certificated by the FAA in December 1994, and four Explorers currently are operating in Europe. The $3.2-million Explorer has a NOTAR anti-torque system and is among the most quiet of all helicopter models.
Pennzoil is marketing an R-12 freon replacement that holds promise for retrofitting freon air-conditioning systems in already fielded aircraft. In December 1995, manufacturing of ozone-depleting R-12 stopped, under Environmental Protection Agency rules. While existing stocks can still be used, prices have tripled (by some accounts) over the last six months, and supplies can be hard to come by.
Carl Albert, this airframe builder's chairman and CEO, was appointed chairman of the management board and managing director of Dornier GmbH. Fairchild, the producer of the Metro 23 airliner, acquired the majority share of Dornier on June 5.
Bear Paws from Dart Aerospace Limited are fitted to helicopter skids to permit the aircraft to land on virtually any soft terrain. Bear Paws are made of Tyvar, a strong, lightweight (less than eight pounds) and wear-resistant material. The pro-duct is sold in pairs for a variety of light helicopters. A set of Bear Paws is priced at $1,298 for the JetRanger and MD 500; $1,498 for the LongRanger, the AStar and the MD 520; $3,599 for the Bell 204, 205, 212, 214 and 412; and $3,600 for the MD 900. Dart Aerospace Ltd., 2071 Malaview Ave., Sidney, BC V8L 5X6 Canada.
McDonnell Douglas says it is on track to deliver 14 of its new, eight-seat MD 600Ns this year, despite a delay in flight-testing following the crash of one of two test aircraft. Flight-testing has resumed, and a production aircraft was pressed into service to bring the test fleet back to two aircraft. Certification is expected in early December. In May, a test aircraft made a hard landing following an autorotation after a tail-boom strike and separation. The aircraft was destroyed by a fire that broke out when exhaust components ignited dry brush.
Mention the term ``ramp check'' to a group of pilots, and most will grimace as though they're anticipating a kick to the stomach. Such apprehension is not unfounded, according to one aviation lawyer with whom we spoke. Sandra McDunna, an attorney based in Stratford, Connecticut, claims, ``There are some FAA inspectors who lurk at the ramp. A few relish the opportunity to find violations.''
Stevens Aviation of Greenville, South Carolina has ordered 140 Orenda 600-hp V8 piston engines for retrofitting Beech King Air C90s. While pricing has not been firmly established, Stevens President Kurt Herwald said it looks as if the package will cost between $250,000 and $300,000, depending on the condition of the exchanged powerplants. The engine installation will include a gross weight increase for the aircraft, which is expected to have a max cruise speed of 300 knots.
Optimum'' is the magic word. For a given gross weight, each airplane has an optimum altitude and airspeed at which the direct operating costs are at their lowest level for any given ambient conditions. Sophisticated and expensive flight management systems (FMSes) provide these optimum performance data automatically.
The Eurocopter EC 135 twin-turbine helicopter received FAA certification in August, on the heels of certification of the eight-passenger helicopter in Germany and in France (B/CA, August, page 28). All the certifications to date apply to both options of the aircraft--with a 700-shp Turbomeca Arrius 2B engine and the option powered by a 731-shp P&WC 206B powerplant.
A settlement has been reached in a 12-year-old lawsuit between Bombardier, the manufacturer of the Challenger business jet, and members of the family of Bill Lear who were involved in the design of the Challenger. The agreement calls for Bombardier to make a cash payment to the Lear family for the purchase of all remaining rights to the Challenger and its derivatives.
