Avionics equipment might not be the only requirement for admission to Central Eastern Pacific (CEPAC) and Northern Pacific tracks during periods of high traffic density. Maintaining 50-mile nose-to-tail separation also depends on sequential aircraft flying at the same speed. Most transoceanic airliners cruise at 0.82 IMN to 0.86 IMN on average, but long-range business aircraft typically cruise at 0.75 IMN to 0.80 IMN to conserve fuel.
The Learjet 60 is the latest business jet on which the Collins GPS-4000 sensor has received FAA certification. The system enables aircraft with FMSes to perform GPS-based en route and terminal navigation, as well as non-precision approaches. Also, the equipment is capable of being upgraded so it can be used for sole-means navigation and precision approaches, including use of the Wide Area Augmentation System and Local Area Augmentation System. The GPS-4000 sensor processes up to 12 GPS satellite transmissions, although only a minimum of four satellites is required.
In a bid to increase durability and drive down maintenance costs, Allied-Signal Aerospace is offering a new upgrade for TFE731-3 powerplants. The -3D program includes a new fourth-stage compressor disk and seal system, a new controlled-fit combustor, a more durable HP turbine nozzle assembly, a new HP turbine rotor, new first-, second- and third-stage LP turbine rotors and new carbon seals.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the AOPA are spearheading a proposed program to attract at least 100,000 new student pilots annually. The program, dubbed General Aviation Team 2000, will be managed and staffed by a nonprofit group scheduled to begin operations in January 1997. Past attempts in recent years to boost the number of student starts (now running at about 65,000 annually) have achieved only limited success.
A growing number of regional airlines are actively marketing their freight-carrying capabilities. And it is paying off, according to some. Airlines have traditionally gone to great lengths to fill empty seats, often offering them at discounted rates. The passenger seat is not an airline's only product, however. Residual cargo capacity is becoming more important to the regional airline industry.
Type approval applications submitted for small airplanes after July 25 can be FAA certificated with a choice of several alternative devices that warn air crews of fuel-system problems. Under a recently adopted amendment to FAR Part 23 airworthiness standards, the FAA will approve fuel-flow indicators, or other types of monitors that would provide an advance warning of a faulty fuel-flow trend, in addition to the now-required fuel-pressure indicators (B/CA, May 1995, page 22).
AMR Eagle can buy an ``unlimited'' number of regional jets, AMR asserted in contract negotiations with the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents pilots at American Airlines. American negotiators rejected as ``totally not an acceptable alternative'' an APA proposal that would have allowed the major to form a new division using 70-passenger regional jets-provided they were flown by American Airlines pilots, rather than AMR Eagle. AMR Eagle pilots last year voted to be represented by the Airline Pilots Association.
FAA set June 1 as the cutoff date for use of potassium-based deicing/anti-icing fluids that meet specification AMS 1426B and AMS 1432. In their place, the FAA has approved AMS 1435, a generic and more ``environmentally friendly'' fluid, according to the agency. At press time, major manufacturers of deicing/anti-icing products were not expecting any significant problems in supplying fluids that meet the new specification.
Speed, field performance, capacity and the versatility to operate profitably over varying sector distances are all important in selecting a new member of a regional airline's fleet. That is especially true today as the regional jet and the legitimate high-speed turboprop come to the fore.
From May 15 through June 30, operators bound for certain Atlanta area airports during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in July and August can submit requests for slot reservations via the Internet or fax. From July 1 through July 13, the FAA will not accept any requests. However, beginning July 14, reservations can be made by calling this toll free number: (800) 963-2296 (B/CA, February, page 41). For additional information, contact the FAA's Steve Alogna in Atlanta at (404) 305-5051.
To help assess the impact of turbulence on altitude deviations when reduced vertical separation minimum standards are introduced in the North Atlantic Track region, operators now are required to include the magnitude of any deviation from assigned altitude in required reports of moderate and severe turbulence. The requirement is applicable to flights in the NAT region, including all of the Western Atlantic Route System. Vertical separation minimums of 1,000 feet between FL 290 and FL 410 in the NAT region are slated to go into effect in early 1997.
The Collins GPS-4000 sensor has been certificated for use on the Beechjet 400A. The system enables aircraft with FMSes to perform GPS-based en route, terminal and non-precision approach navigation. Also, the unit is capable of upgrading to support sole means of navigation and precision approaches, including use of the Wide Area Augmentation System and Local Area Augmentation System. The GPS-4000 sensor processes up to 12 GPS satellite transmissions, although only a minimum of four satellites is required.
Mesaba Holdings has ended one of the stiffest regional airline competitions in recent history by selecting the Saab 340 over the Dornier 328. The Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlink carrier will acquire 20 used and 30 new 340s to replace its current fleet of 26 19-passenger Fairchild Metro IIIs and 25 37-seat de Havilland Dash 8-100s. The selection is a huge gain for Saab and a severe blow to Dornier. Fifty-one percent of the German manufacturer has been put on the block by parent Daimler-Benz Aerospace.
The rapid growth of the regional airline industry over the past decade is over. The industry has now entered an era of refinement-replacing older aircraft, standardizing fleets and moving closer to the ``seamless service'' airline executives like to talk about.
Advanced Aerodynamics&Structures, Inc. (AASI) 3060 Airport Way, Long Beach, CA 90806 (310) 988-2088 Aero International (Regional) 1 allee Pierre Nadot, Blagnac Cedex 31712 France +33 61 93 11 11 Agusta Via G. Agusta, 520, 21017 Cascina Costa Di Samarate (VA) Italy +331-229-111 U.S. Subsidiary: Agusta Aerospace Corp. 3050 Red Lion Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19114 (215) 281-1400 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
In Sweden, it is called a ``notice of redundancies'' that is issued to the labor unions. In plain language, it means layoffs-540 out of a total of 6,000 employees, to be precise. Due to ``current market conditions,'' said Saab Aircraft AB president Hans Kruger, ``the company's order bookings require us to adapt our resources to lower volumes.'' Kruger said the company maintains its policy of being market-oriented and adjusting its employment accordingly.
Japanese transportation officials, who are being pressed by U.S. government officials and business aviation interests to provide landing slots at major airports for corporate aircraft, can expect to receive similar requests from business aircraft operators closer to home. At press time, a coalition of 18 Japanese firms was about to establish the Japanese Business Aircraft Association and make requests for more slots. The issue of airport slots in Japan has been a thorn in the side of U.S. business aircraft interests for several years (B/CA, May 1995, page 12).
