FlightSafety International has formed alliances with Microsoft and Interactive Learning International Corporation (ILINC) that could expand the availability of training. Using ILINC's LearnLinc software, FSI will be able to develop virtual, instructor-led classrooms that will enable pilots to ``attend'' FSI courses using a PC. Under the alliance with Microsoft, FSI is participating in development of a desktop flight simulator for Windows 95.
Western Pacific Airlines became the first regional airline to purchase aircraft from the newly established Fairchild Dornier. The Colorado Springs-based carrier placed a firm order for 12 Dornier 328-120s, with an option for an additional 12. The order is the first for the aircraft since San Antonio-based Fairchild purchased most of Dornier from Deutsche Aerospace in June. The -120 version is powered by a pair of Pratt&Whitney Canada PW-119Cs, providing five percent more power than the 2,150-shp 119Bs on the 328-110.
Glance at the published takeoff field lengths in the approved flight manual of virtually any turbine-powered transport-category aircraft. You'll find relatively long distances in spite of the relatively healthy power-to-weight or thrust-to-weight ratios of these aircraft. The reason? Nowhere in the AFM will you find the all-engine-operating takeoff distance or initial climb performance.
Despite the protests of those who conduct 50,000 annual operations into the utilitarian little airport on the edge of Lake Michigan, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has decided the property will cease to be an airport. Instead, when the city's lease expires, the land will revert to the Chicago Park Board, and $30 million of taxpayers' money will be spent to build yet another park in Chicago, which has one of the most extensive park systems of any city in the nation.
Photograph: With the reverser stowed, Calcor's variable exhaust nozzle system maintained aerodynamic and geometric conformity to the standard nozzle in early testing. CALCOR TESTING VARIABLE NOZZLES Whittier, California-based Calcor recently completed initial tests of a combined thrust reverser and variable exhaust nozzle system (REVEN) that could improve fuel burn and thrust at altitude. The company has been developing the system since 1994 (B/CA, November 1995, page 18).
J. Steven McConnell has been appointed president of AAR Aircraft Turbine Center, a source for the purchase, sale and lease of engine parts, inventory management and component repairs.
Rockwell's Collins avionics units in Cedar Rapids, Iowa are not included in Boeing's acquisition of Rockwell's aerospace and defense interests--a deal that is expected to close later this year. Rockwell Chairman Donald Beall said the agreement furthers the company's strategy of focusing on electronics, with emphasis on commercial and international business. Collins avionics units will be organized under a ``new'' Rockwell company that includes communications and automotive-component businesses.
FAA has proposed requiring nearly 6,000 aircraft used in scheduled service to have their flight data recorders upgraded to increase the amount of data they can collect, but the rule will not apply to on-demand aircraft. Also exempt are older 10- to 19-seat aircraft used in scheduled service. In addition, the FAA will give the airlines three years to incorporate FDRs with 57 parameters and five years to add those with the full 88 parameters into new aircraft.
AT&T's Aviation Communications Division and AlliedSignal's Commercial Avionics unit have joined in an effort to develop a device that will allow one handset to be used for both North American terrestrial system (NATS) and satellite communications. The venture got under way in January, and the companies plan to roll out the system in the second quarter of 1997 at a target price of under $10,000.
Jeppesen's recent acquisition of MentorPlus, an Aurora, Oregon supplier of aviation software, will enhance the Denver-based company's line of computer-related products including the new JeppView, a CD-ROM electronic chart service. (See article on page 116.) Among the former MentorPlus products that will now be marketed and supported under the Jeppesen name are FliteStar Corporate flight-planning software, FliteMap moving-map software and the FliteLog pilot logbook (B/CA, November 1995, page 62).
Photograph: Principles of Helicopter Flight should appeal to the new helicopter pilot. NEW HELICOPTER TEXTS To many--both inside and outside aviation--the dynamics that keep a helicopter in the air can be perplexing. Two new books aim to dispel the confusion: The Art and Science of Flying Helicopters (Iowa State University Press, $32.95, 225 pages) is one of the best helicopter books we've read.
In July, Cessna delivered on a promise made several years ago--that it would return to building single-engine recips if a general aviation product liability bill was enacted. That bill was signed into law on August 17, 1994 and on July 4, the company opened its new single-engine production facility in Independence, Kansas. Customer shipments of new-production Model 172s are scheduled to begin in January 1997.
The Corporate Angel Network recently celebrated its 8,000th flight. The White Plains, New York-based organization has been arranging for cancer patients to fly to and from treatment centers on corporate aircraft since 1981. Today, some 500 companies participate through CAN to provide this free transportation.
The National Air Transportation Association will convene a special conference at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport on September 19 and 20 to address operational issues affecting FAR Part 135 on-demand air-charter operators. Presenters at the event will explain the proper way to conduct flights into Mexico, including a clarification of Mexican aviation requirements and customs rules. The conference also will cover drug and alcohol testing rules, FAA enforcement issues and new Part 135 training rules. Registration is $199 for NATA members and $399 for non-members.
Are engine overhauls expenses or capital expenditures? The U.S. Internal Revenue Service thinks the latter. The theory only represents an IRS opinion in only a single case, but it could easily be applied broadly throughout the industry with multi-million-dollar consequences.
A possible merger of some of Raytheon's and McDonnell Douglas' defense and space businesses apparently would have little or no effect on Raytheon Aircraft's operations. Published reports say McDonnell Douglas also has studied a purchase of Textron's Bell Helicopter unit. McDonnell Douglas tried to shed its helicopter unit a few years ago, but found no suitors. However, its interest in Bell is believed to be one-sided; Textron describes Bell as a ``core'' unit, and said it is ``absolutely not for sale.'' Bell has been the most successful U.S.
Most people dreaded the traffic jams that were expected to paralyze Atlanta during the Olympics. But George Bartol of Petroleum Helicopters Incorporated couldn't wait for them.
The owners of Stuart Jet Center at Florida's Witham Field plan to build an Exxon Avitat FBO at Boca Raton Airport. Phase one of the new facility, scheduled to open in 1997, will feature a 7,000-square-foot terminal and a 24,000-square-foot storage hangar. Also included will be a maintenance facility, 50 tie-down spots and a 300,000-square-foot ramp. In addition to refueling and maintenance, Boca Jet Center will provide charter, training and aircraft sales. (561) 220-6802.
Duncan Aviation recently premiered this drop-down weather door panel covering for Hawker 700 aircraft. The curtain, made of one-quarter-inch thick composite material, seals the entrance door and staves off cold air, rain and snow from the cabin. ``Ultra leather'' is sewn on the reverse side to match the aircraft's interior. While the aircraft is flying, the curtain is designed to dampen noise. When not in use, the curtain can be stashed in the headliner. Price: $14,000 to $18,000, depending on the ultra leather preferred and the scope of the job.
Air-taxi interests have asked the FAA to revoke the requirement in the new FAR Part 119 for the name of the certificate holder to be displayed on the outside of the aircraft. The FAA claims this information will assist inspectors during ramp checks, but the National Air Transportation Association sees it as a compromise to a passenger's security and privacy. The industry is asking the FAA to require only the operating certificate number to be displayed on the aircraft.
The EVAC-U8 Emergency Escape Smoke Hood from Brookdale filters carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke particulates through a multi-stage, chemical catalytic air-purifying filter. See-through, listen-through EVAC-U8 can be quickly donned by passengers, says the manufacturer, and it provides up to 20 minutes of filtered air. The user twists the lid off the beverage-can-size canister, pulls the hood on and breathes through the mouthpiece. All of the materials in the unit are heat and flame resistant. Price: $69.95.
It doesn't matter how professional you are, if you have the right stuff, how motivated you are or how big your paycheck is. Those things don't matter when you are faced with your physiology hitting the wall. When you hit that wall, your brain will shut you down, and you will sleep, regardless of what you are doing.''
Wing vertical up-gust testing on Embraer EMB-145 prototype No. 802 has been completed in the Brazilian manufacturer's static test rig. The tests-considered the most severe wing tests on the way to full certification this year-have been underway since January.
In August, Gulfstream Aerospace filed for an initial public offering (IPO) of 28 million shares of stock--about one third of its equity--at $23 per share. Forstmann Little paid the equivalent of about $4 a share when it purchased the Savannah-based manufacturer from Chrysler six years ago. The planned sale comes four years after Forstmann withdrew a planned IPO (B/CA, May 1992, page 16). At that time, Gulfstream was in a negative earnings situation.
Canadian Marconi and Denmark's Thrane&Thrane will join AlliedSignal to develop an Aero-I satellite communications system. Aero-I service, intended for regional airliners and smaller corporate jets, is scheduled to be introduced in mid 1997 by Inmarsat, the European-based satellite operating consortium (B/CA, January, page 20). Canadian Marconi will provide the antenna; Thrane&Thrane will be responsible for the satellite data unit; and AlliedSignal will handle the amplifier and market the final product.
