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).
NBAA's 1996 Business Aviation Fact Book contains an overview of the industry, including economic performance comparisons of companies that operate business aircraft and those that do not, size and composition of the worldwide fleet of business aircraft, noise-level comparisons of business jets, safety statistics, flying activity, and a list of members of Congress and how to contact them. Single copies of the publication are available at no charge from the NBAA. Phone: (202) 783-9286.
Innotech Aviation recently opened a new customer facility at its Montreal aircraft completion and refurbishment center. The facility provides eight individual offices-each equipped with a phone, fax, personal computer and modem. Complimentary beverages and snacks also are offered, as well as a conference room with a mockup of a Canadair Challenger interior. Innotech has installed interiors in over 100 Challengers.
AMR chairman Robert Crandall, angered by the RAA's opposition to the McCain Bill, ordered subsidiary AMR Eagle to ``suspend'' its RAA membership. The bill (S.1239), sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), would establish a fee system for specific services provided by the FAA, including air-traffic handling.
The U.S. government's recent announcement on GPS policy includes a decision to phase out-for civil services-the current practice of degrading the accuracy of satellite signals called selective availability (SA). Specifically, the U.S. Air Force would remove SA over the next four to 10 years, while the U.S. Defense Department perfects methods to maintain military safeguards. The policy also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to provide basic GPS services free of charge throughout the world.
Three corporate jets, a Piper Navajo and a Russian LET-410 landed without difficulty at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia over the three- to four-hour period prior to the crash of a U.S. Air Force Boeing 737 in April, according to Croatian aviation officials. The accident killed all aboard, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown and several U.S. business leaders. Brown's aircraft had been cleared for the NDB approach to Runway 12. Weather was reported as 400 broken, 2,000 overcast, wind 120 at 12.
Dassault Falcon Jet and Gulfstream Aerospace are leading manufacturers' efforts to hasten FAA approval for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) flights. Falcon Jet is seeking RVSM approval for its 2000, 900 and 50. Falcon 50EXs and 900EXs are expected to be RVSM-approved at delivery. Meanwhile, Gulfstream is attempting to address the RVSM-certification challenges for G-IIs and early G-IIIs. The company says that G-Vs, G-IVs, G-IVSPs and later G-IIIs are ``least affected'' by RVSM requirements.
Superior Turbine, a manufacturer of parts for Allison 250 helicopter engines, is on the selling block. Officials say they want to return the parent company, Superior Air Parts, to its original core business-parts and other accessories for piston engines. Dallas-based Superior Turbine was established in 1992 to provide an FAA parts manufacturer approved source of turbine engine parts, initially for Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6s (B/CA, January, page 30).
