A NASA Boeing 757 successfully demonstrated a triple-channel autoland approach on the third day of trials aimed at evaluating GPS landing systems. Collins supplied the prototype GPS used in the Boeing-sponsored trials, and Germany's DASA supplied the differential ground station. The GPS receiver, navigation computer and ILS receiver emulation are in one line replaceable unit; a datalink receiver and data recorder are housed in separate units.
The two hotels in the immediate area that Toluca's FBOs are currently recommending are the Holiday Inn and the DelRay. Both are modestly priced, comfortable and conveniently located. Each has several restaurants and a bar/lounge with relatively standard offerings. For those who wish to explore for more exotic or sophisticated fare, ask your FBO or handler for recommendations. One nearby, attractive restaurant with a wide range of well-prepared Mexican dishes is DonGu in the Hacienda del Parian.
In an advertising campaign earlier this year, Cessna claimed to dominate 65 percent of the business-jet market with its Citation fleet. Learjet was quick to jump at this claim, contending that Cessna used its own methodology to determine market share, including the exclusion of Hawker 1000 deliveries and shipments of business jets to U.S. government operators. Cessna's market share using ``traditionally defined'' methods is only 44 percent, Learjet said.
Five years ago, Doug Bowen joined some of his coworkers in a crew resource management (CRM) training session, and quickly realized the basic concepts being taught could be applied to his own department. Since then, Bowen-who is chief of maintenance for Enron Corporation and president of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association-has helped design a training program aimed at corporate flight departments and has adopted a strategy for annual maintenance resource management (MRM) training in his own department.
Cameron Gowans is the new regional sales manager of this FBO's aircraft sales division. Previously, he was employed at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah.
A well-traveled Bryan Bedford is on the road again-this time to the chilly climes of Minneapolis to become president and chief executive officer of Mesaba Aviation. It will be his third Northwest Airlink assignment. Gary Ellmer becomes president in addition to his current duties as chief operating officer of BixEx. In addition, Ellmer will be elected to the board of directors.
VHF upgrade: ICAO has set this date as the deadline for international business aircraft operators to be equipped with upgraded VHF receivers designed to provide better immunity from FM interference.
Two ``government'' Learjets made headlines in the last year for the worst of reasons. One was a U.S. Air Force C-21A that crashed on April 17 near Alexander City, Alabama. The accident claimed all eight persons aboard, including an assistant Air Force secretary and a major general. The other was a Phoenix Air Learjet 35A operated under contract to the California Air National Guard for which it flew training-support missions. Called ``Dart 21,'' this aircraft crashed when attempting an emergency landing with an electrical system fire.
United Kingdom-based Rolls-Royce has established Rolls-Royce North America (RRNA) as the overseeing organization for the company's U.S.-based operations. RRNA comprises entities including Rolls-Royce of Reston, Virginia and Allison Engine Company in Indianapolis, as well as Rolls-Royce Credit and Capital companies, Peebles Electric, and Syncrolift. Richard T. Turner is chairman, and John W. Sandford is president and CEO of the new organization.
Millville, New Jersey-based UNC Airwork is offering a warranty that covers all overhaul and maintenance work for the full TBO on P&WC PT6As and JT15Ds, AlliedSignal TFE731s, and Rolls-Royce Spey engines and engine modules. Airwork's new ``Engine Life Protection Plan'' is available to operators in the United States, Canada and other selected foreign locations. The company's engine trend-monitoring program is included free of charge. To obtain a facsimile of the warranty certificate, phone Airwork at (609) 825-6000 or fax 825-6408.
FAA's Air Traffic Rules and Procedures Service is considering whether to proceed with a formal change proposal to replace the FAA flight plan form with the more lengthy International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) form. The FAA claims that a standardized form would make it easier for pilots to file from anywhere in the world, and it would reduce software costs for data-link equipment, DUATS and FSSes.
Like most people in the world of work, you've likely heard a lot about the Internet and all it has to offer anyone with a computer and a modem. But so far, you may not have heard what the Internet has to offer business aviation. We've been spending a little time in ``cyberspace'' lately, and discovered plenty of compelling reasons for you to sit in front of your PC, crank up your modem and see what's out there. Even if you're a regular user of one of the online services, you may have wondered what other areas of the Internet have to offer aviation.
America's undying love of baseball, seemingly unshakable until the 1994 players' strike, helped make the 1989 film Field of Dreams a modern classic. But for even the most ardent fan, it took a passion for the national pastime, plus a leap of faith, to believe that Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella should heed a mysterious voice that told him to build a baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield in order to reconcile himself with his deceased father, a former pro ballplayer.
FAA and general-aviation trade groups are testing three flight-information service products being delivered through Mode S datalink within a 60-nm radius of Dulles International Airport. Aircraft equipped with datalink-capable Mode S transponders and a control-display unit will be able to receive ATIS, graphical weather and text weather services via the datalink. Widespread availability of Mode S datalink services will be possible by next summer, the FAA claims.
Russ Meyer, chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company, is the chosen recipient of the 1995 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. The award will be presented to Meyer for his ``leadership in the revitalization of general aviation, effective public service, and innovative aviation-related programs and opportunities for the disadvantaged and disabled.'' The National Aeronautic Association will present the award to Meyer at a ceremony on December 15 in Washington, D.C.
In a case that could provide a boost to opponents of the Age 60 rule, a federal court jury sided with a corporate pilot forced to retire from his job with International Paper when he reached age 60. The decision was the first in an Age 60 case to date; others have all been settled out of court. An International Paper spokeswoman said the company has a strong commitment to safety and continues to believe mandatory retirement for its pilots at age 60 is appropriate.
When the Falcon 900EX first flew this spring, it did so with certificated production engines. In March, the -60 turbofans became the first of AlliedSignal's second-generation, TFE731 engines to receive FAA certification.
At Dusseldorf's Rhein Ruhr Airport (EDDL), the European Business Aircraft Association (EBAA) reports arbitrary slot allocations seriously restrict corporate access on some days and provide no slots on other days. The EBAA has written the German Ministry of Transport and the European Union for immediate relief.
Officials at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (EHAM) notified the EBAA that its General Aviation Terminal will be closed by year-end. Corporate aircraft will be welcome ``as long as capacity allows.'' The Schiphol Airport authority has taken over nearby Lelystad Airport and intends to develop it ``fully'' by the end of the decade. Corporate-aircraft handling after December 31 at Schiphol will be at a ``temporary site.''
The threat of fees based on noise at all airports never materialized. The present weight-based landing fees remain: up to 50,000 pounds-$88.05 (U.S.); over 50,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds-$110.26; and over 100,000 pounds-$123.19 (Baseops International).
The Falcon 900EX's Pri-mus 2000 avionics package-plus related sys- tems-was still early in the development cycle when we flew the aircraft in mid June. However, the new instrument panel configuration said plenty about basic design philosophy. Compared to the Falcon 900B, the instrument panel of the 900EX is less cluttered, and it provides more and easier-to-use information.
Leonard Alexander is the new base manager at this corporate aircraft management, charter and consulting service's newest facility at the Leesburg, Virginia municipal Airport.
High Altitude Radiation Monitoring of Vermont Service (HARMS) has developed a tracking system to monitor aircraft occupant exposure to ionizing radiation, an occupational hazard on certain high-altitude flights. HARMS issues a badge on a quarterly basis to its customers. Then, the badges are collected and analyzed by radiation-specialist physicians after the next quarter's badges are sent out. Customers are notified immediately of unusually high readings. Price: $150 per person for badge and service. High Altitude Radiation Monitoring Service, P.O.
The former Textron Lycoming Flight Services FBO at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut is now part of the Dallas-based Million Air family. Tom Sullivan, owner and operator of Million Air Hartford, has become the owner and operator of Million Air Bridgeport. The facility consists of a 44,000-square-foot hangar and a 12,000-square-foot office complex. The addition of the Bridgeport facility brings the number of Million Air FBOs to 25 in 16 states and Toronto.
