Inmarsat, the European-based satellite operating consortium, plans to introduce Aero-1 satellite communications services for corporate jets as well as regional airliners. Aero-1 will require smaller, less expensive avionics than previously available for this market segment, claimed Inmarsat officials. Flight tests of Aero-1 equipment were planned for this month or February, in a Cessna Citation.
Factory-approved pilot and mechanic training for the Canadair Regional Jet and the recently certificated Challenger 604 business jet will be conducted at a new Bombardier facility in Montreal, Quebec. Initially, the facility will house two FAA Level D Regional Jet simulators and one Level D Challenger 604 simulator-all three provided by Quebec-based CAE Electronics. Additional space is available for a fourth simulator, possibly for the Global Express. In addition, the new facility houses a joint Bombardier/CAE research and development center.
By mid year, Collins expects to be able to offer a Pro Line 4 retrofit program for Dassault Falcon 50s (shown here) similar to that offered for the new Falcon 50EX and 2000. The avionics system includes four large-format EFIS displays, plus a Mode-S transponder and turbulence-detection weather radar. Options will include TCAS II and AVSAT navcom systems.
Starting in December 1995, several thousand general aviation subscribers to Jeppesen charts received evaluation copies of an approach chart redesign. Among other changes, the new design includes approach data arranged in horizontal strips across the top of the chart, as well as critical navigation information in larger, bold type (B/CA, August 1995, page 29). The evaluation phase will involve redesigned charts for the following eight airports: Centennial County (ARA), Morristown (MMU), Van Nuys (VNY), Santa Ana (SNA), St.
The internal workings of commercial aviation-from flight operations to aircraft maintenance and beyond-will fall increasingly under a microscope as industry shoulders the safety challenges of the future. This message rang out clearly in several key presentations offered by FAA and industry representatives at The McGraw-Hill Companies' Aviation Week Group Chicago `95 Conference and Exhibit November 1 to 3. More than 150 participants and industry leaders from around the world discussed the challenges ahead.
Three new jets sold outside the United States in November, compared to five in November 1994. The preliminary figures included two Dassault Falcon 900Bs and one Gulfstream IVSP. There were three resales-two Raytheon models, one Dassault-down from 15 jets in November 1994. Revised October figures added no new overseas jet sales, although six resales brought that total to eight.
Altair Avionics of Norwood, Massachusetts obtained an STC for its CrossCheck engine monitor for P&WC PT6A turboprops. Based on technology for the company's HUMS (helicopter health and usage monitoring system), CrossCheck monitors critical engine-performance parameters, and the data can be downloaded to a laptop PC. Altair says the system weighs three pounds and can be mounted to an engine in less than three hours. System cost is $6,200 per engine. The company also is seeking STCs for CrossCheck installation in Allison 250s and P&WC PW100s.
The NTSB has put out a wake-up call for managers and their line pilots to start paying attention to the safety implications of crew fatigue. To spread the alarm, the Safety Board sponsored an international conference in November 1995 to help determine the extent to which fatigue contributes to transportation accidents, and to reveal some of the countermeasures that can be used to avoid fatigue-related accidents. The conference attracted more than 500 attendees from around the world.
``The First 30 Seconds'' is not the title of a new book or movie, but it still may contain an element of drama. The title refers to the latest addition to FlightSafety International's specialized pilot recurrent-training courses. The new two-hour course evaluates pilot performance during takeoff and the go/no-go decision. Like the other subjects in FSI's specialized course offerings, such as CFIT and TCAS operations, ``The First 30 Seconds'' is not aircraft-specific.
SimuFlite Training International (Dallas)-Receiving promotions were: Eugene L. Haggerty, who now is vice president of training services; Jeffrey G. Roberts, who now is vice president of sales and marketing; Thomas M. Ferranti, who now is managing director of technical services; Mark R. Malkosky, appointed to manager of maintenance training; William H. Wilhelmi, now senior manager of marketing and business development; and Allison Blankenship, now managing director of courseware and communications.
No soap, water or sink is needed to clean dirty, greasy hands with Scrubs, from Dymon. Scrubs is an on-the-spot, no-pumice hand cleaner that dissolves contaminants and lifts soil. A liquid hand-cleaning formula is interwoven into heavy-duty, hand-cleaning towelettes. The cleaning agents ``dry quickly after use, leaving hands clean and smooth-feeling,'' and the company promises no scratching, no matter now hard the skin is rubbed. Price: $9.95 for a small bucket with 30 towelettes; $14.95 for a large bucket with 60 towelettes. Dymon, P.O.
Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the nonprofit, member-supported international organization dedicated to improving flight safety, is distributing a 33-minute videotape designed to help flightcrew members avoid controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) accidents. I urge you to beg, borrow, steal or even buy a copy. This video, prepared by Jeppesen, is must viewing for all pilots. The FSF will sell you a copy for $30 if you can't find one elsewhere, but someone on your airport should have one soon; some 5,000 copies are being distributed at no cost to NBAA and FSF members.
Ten new jets sold in the United States in November, down from 17 in November 1994. Cessna sold four Citation V Ultras and Raytheon Aircraft Company delivered two Hawker 800s. Single sales were listed for the Canadair 601-3R, Dassault Falcon 2000, Learjet 60 and Gulfstream IVSP.
Persons and organizations who want to comment on a broad revision of airman and training certification rules still can do so. Just days before December 11, 1995, when the comment period was originally scheduled to expire, the FAA responded to requests for more time and extended the deadline until February 13. The proposal contains significant changes regarding the certification of pilots, instructors and training establishments (B/CA, November 1995, page 32).
Sabreliner Corporation appointed Stephen Townes as president of AirTech. Formerly known as DynAir Tech, the company was purchased by Sabreliner in June 1995. AirTech provides maintenance and modification for heavy business jets and airlines at facilities in Amarillo, Texas; Phoenix and Miami. Townes was previously an executive vice president at Stevens Aviation and vice president of business development at The Dee Howard Company.
NTSB investigators are still trying to determine the probable cause of the November 19, 1995 crash of a Beech Baron transporting three Jeppesen executives and two other people. The aircraft plunged into Lake Erie after takeoff from Cleveland's Lakefront Airport. Killed in the accident was the pilot and owner of the aircraft, Milford Derrick, who was director of Jeppesen's Aviation Training Technologies unit. Jeppesen officials John White and Dale Sherman were injured in the crash. Two other passengers were listed as still missing at press time.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is saying ``come on down'' for some education and recreation (the year's first NASCAR race) during the week of January 28. The university is offering a Corporate Aviation Executive Management program on February 1 and 2 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The two-day program will teach the language of corporate management, giving an overview of leadership skills, human-resource planning, organizational design, communication techniques and corporate strategies.
Citing a need to concentrate working capital on acquisition of new aircraft, Mesaba Holdings has announced that it is discontinuing the payment of dividends to stockholders. The last dividend-three cents per share-was paid in the June 1995 quarter.
After a three-month trial, Learjet officially unveiled its Laser Link for Windows, a new computerized maintenance-tracking system. In an introductory offer available through July, Bombardier Aviation Services will provide initial enrollment in the program free of charge to customers scheduling a 300/600-hour or six/12-month inspection at a company service center. Laser Link tracks all ADs, service bulletins, life-limited parts and serialized components, and identifies all required upcoming inspections and replacements, according to Learjet.
The 13th annual International Aircraft Cabin Safety Symposium offered by the Southern California Safety Institute will be held January 29 through February 2 in San Diego. On the program will be expert presenters holding forth on subjects as diverse as ditching and water survival, jungle survival, inflight emergency case studies and more. During a presentation called ``Anatomy of an Accident,'' members of a panel will discuss their experiences in a runway-collision accident between a B737 and a Fairchild Metro at Los Angeles Airport.
Executive Jet (Montvale, NJ)-Bob Staib joined this aircraft management firm as vice president of sales for the West, where he will oversee sales of the company's NetJets fractional-jet-ownership program.
New helicopters from Bell Helicopter and Italy's Agusta Group are nearing certification. Bell said it expected to receive certification for the single-turbine Model 407 in December 1995 and for the twin-turbine Model 430 later this month. Certification of the single-turbine Agusta A119 Koala was also pending at press time. The A119 may be available with a Turbomeca or Allison powerplant.
SimuFlite Training International's Challenger 601-3A/3R full-motion flight simulator has received FAA Level D initial qualification. The CAE-built device is SimuFlite's 15th FAA-approved business-jet simulator and the Dallas company's first to receive Level D approval. Among other advantages, a Level D simulator program can qualify a pilot for a type rating without him or her undergoing training in an actual aircraft. SimuFlite expects to have a Hawker 800/1000 simulator in operation in February, and a G-IVSP simulator on line in April.
