Corporate and personal aircraft operations, in addition to commercial, training and ferrying flights, are included in an FAA emergency notice banning the transportation of oxygen generators in passenger-carrying aircraft. The notice results from the ongoing investigation into the May crash of a ValuJet DC-9 in Florida in which oxygen generators being carried as cargo might have contributed to the severity of the accident. Violators are subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation.
The latest development from BFGoodrich Aero-space Avionics is the WX-950 Stormscope Thunderstorm Detection System. Newly TSOed, the system has the distinguishing characteristic of two modes of operation: a cell mode and a strike mode. In cell mode, the system maps thunderstorms in views up to 200 nm and indicates a path to avoid them. In strike mode, the WX-950 records and displays initial strikes that may herald an incubating storm.
Garmin announces the marriage of its GPS 90 with a 760-channel VHF transceiver, and the resulting new product-the hand-held GPSCOM 190. The 22-ounce unit is a 12-parallel-channel receiver with continuous carrier phase tracking that can be used as a stand-alone GPS, stand-alone com or a dual-function system. The TracBack feature enables users to retrace their courses according to their established track logs. The nav has 250 user waypoints with 20 re-versible routes of 30 waypoints each; the com has 30 user memory channels. Price: $1,399. Garmin International, 1200 E.
San Antonio-based Fairchild Aircraft closed a deal to acquire 80 percent of Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH from Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA). The remaining 20 percent goes to a new company, Dornier GmbH, which will retain certain assets (B/CA, June, page 22). The deal allows Fairchild to add the 30-passenger Do-328 twin-turboprop regional airliner to its product line and permits DASA to shed another of its money-strapped companies. (Bankrupt Fokker Aircraft was also a DASA company.) Fairchild intends to keep Do-328 production in Germany at least through 1999.
The fifth in Mexico's series of annual ``Aero'' aviation trade shows took place recently in Toluca, the event's new permanent home. Aero was relocated from Guadalajara to Toluca ``to take advantage of the significantly larger potential customer base'' that exists in that business-aviation-friendly city.
Dallas-James Pratt has com-pleted the purchase of Jet East from Triton Industries. Jet East is a full-service FBO at Love Field. Von Rodman was appointed president of Jet East. (214) 350-8523. Jackson, WY-Jackson Hole Airport will soon have just one FBO. The owners of Satellite Aero and Jackson Hole Aviation will merge their companies. The new company will retain the name Jackson Hole Aviation and will be affiliated with Western Aircraft of Boise, Idaho. (307) 733-4767.
A new videotape training aid is available to assist operators in using Collins TWR-850 turbulence weather radar. Three-dimensional graphics demonstrate tilt and range management. All modes and features are shown, including how the radar uses the Doppler principle to detect turbulence. The video concludes with a typical flight scenario explaining the radar's operation. Copies of the tape are available for $75 each from Collins Service Parts. Phone: (800) 327-0854; fax: (800) 621-7422.
Undoubtedly, the folks who use Ma Bell and siblings the most are the chaps oozing charm from every pore who, calling from the boiler rooms on Wall Street each evening as you are digging into a grilled filet, say, ``Hello, is this Phil Canarsie?'' ``Yes, this is Mr. Canarsie.'' ``Hello, Phil. How are you tonight?'' ``Who's calling?'' ``This is Larson Whipsnade from the brokerage firm of Findum and Cheatham. You've heard of us, of course.'' Smart airmen will say, ``One, don't call me by my first name; two, I never heard of you; and, three, goodbye!''
The comment period was extended to July 19 on an FAA notice about the development of a safety program called GAIN-Global Analysis and Information Network. The aims of GAIN are to improve and expand the collection, awareness and dissemination of critical safety concerns. Specifically, the FAA wants the industry's input on what safety data are needed; what the best methods are for collecting and sharing the data; and what role industry can play in developing the prototype. For more information, call the FAA at (202) 267-4246.
FAA has adopted a new air-ground datalink message plan using ``next-generation'' VHF radios and yet-to-be-selected ``private datalink services.'' Messages would be routed through an aeronautical telecommunications network, which the FAA says ``automatically will select the best air-ground media based on the nature of the message.'' This strategy will provide a ``much more flexible and market-driven approach,'' the agency claims.
Most observers believed the ``zero accidents'' agenda proclaimed by Transportation Department officials was a bad idea the first time it was articulated nearly two years ago. But it wasn't until this spring, when those same DOT officials were trying to explain to the media why that ValuJet DC-9 with 110 unfortunate souls on board ended up in the Everglades, that the absurdity of ``zero accidents'' became so strikingly apparent.
Starting this month, two slots per weekday at Japan's Narita Airport will be dedicated to international business aircraft operations, according to the FAA. The slots will be available only to corporate aircraft with an MTOW of less than 90,000 pounds that operate between Japan and other countries. The issue of access to Japan has been an irritant for U.S. business aircraft operators for several years (B/CA, May 1995, page 12).
November 12, 1995 witnessed one of the more remarkable accidents in recent aviation history. It's remarkable in the sense that the aircraft and its occupants survived at all, when an American Airlines MD80 struck trees on a ridge line while on the final segment of a non-precision approach. One engine failed immediately, and the other began to lose power, yet the crew managed to herd the crippled aircraft to the extended overrun area of the runway.
Pratt&Whitney Canada purchased a 51-percent share in Anglo-African Airmotive at Lanseria Airport in South Africa, renamed the company P&WC CSC Africa and immediately designated it a customer support center. The facility will service PT6As, JT15Ds and PW100s. An estimated 1,020 P&WC engines are operating on aircraft in South Africa. Meanwhile, the P&WC PT6C-65 has been chosen by PZL-Swidnick of Poland to power a new model of the W-3 Sokol helicopter.
Thanks to an infusion of $2.5 million from businesses in Ames, Iowa, VisionAire Corporation says it will be able to start flight-testing a proof-of-concept prototype of the Vantage single-engine business jet in October (B/CA, May, page 128). Ames is set to be the U.S. production site for the six-person, composite aircraft. Groundbreaking for the facility is scheduled for late summer. Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites Incorporated of Mojave, California will build the prototype. At press time, VisionAire claimed 37 deposits.
To date, 22 FAR Part 135 operators have signed on with InterJet, a new service on the World Wide Web designed to increase charter bookings. Charter customers can visit the Internet site for free and quickly key in responses on a simple form that asks the dates they need an aircraft, departure location and the seating capacity or manufacturer of the aircraft they want to use. The computer responds with the names, e-mail addresses and phone/fax numbers of operators with available aircraft that fit the request.
The landing fee per thousand pounds of MTOW for both FAR Part 91 and Part 135 aircraft at Denver International Airport has been reduced about 35 cents-from $3.682 to $3.331. In addition, the minimum landing fee for Part 135 operations decreased by 50 percent-from $40 to $20. However, the minimum landing fee for Part 91 aircraft remains $40. Part 135 users can submit copies in person or can fax a copy of their operating certificates for filing at the AMR Combs FBO on the airport. Fax: (303) 542-5611.
Fairchild Aircraft has acquired 80 percent of Dornier Luftfahrt from Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) through the formation of Fairchild Aircraft Holding, a joint-venture company in which DASA retains 20 percent.
Some insurance companies offer discounts to flight departments that have an operations manual. However, Ed Williams, Associated Aviation Underwriters' (AAU) vice president of safety and engineering, and director of flight operations, believes more important reasons exist for every business-aircraft operator to have its own manual.
The United States and Canada started using new aviation weather report codes on July 1, about six months later than all other member-countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The format of surface aviation observations (SAs) and terminal forecasts (FTs) are changed to conform with standards set by ICAO. The new surface observations are called METARs. SPECIs, or special reports, are taking the place of SP and RS observations. Terminal forecasts have been replaced by TAFs, or terminal aerodrome forecasts. TAFs also follow the same basic format as METARs.
Under a recently adopted rule, helicopter manufacturers no longer have to test for increased noise levels when type-design changes do not pertain to the aircraft's controls or powerplants. Specifically, the exemption would apply to design changes pertaining to attaching or detaching external equipment, such as spotlights, cameras, airborne signs, cargo tanks, baskets, floats, skis and other similar apparatus. The new rule is expected to lower the cost and time involved in making these design changes.
A report sent to President Clinton and to members of Congress describes the positive results to date of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA), a law signed into effect in 1994 that established an 18-year time limit for GA manufacturers' liability on aircraft (and components for aircraft) with less than 20 seats. According to the report prepared by GAMA, the GARA has helped the piston aircraft industry to create new jobs, reopen production lines, increase research and development funding, and launch a renewed effort to attract more student pilots.
France and the United States signed an air-safety agreement aimed at closer cooperation in aircraft inspections and maintenance. The FAA signed its first bilateral air-safety agreement in September 1995 with the Netherlands. A second accord was signed in December 1995 with Great Britain . . . SimuFlite's 16-hour maintenance training programs have been FAA approved as meeting requirements for Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal . . .
