Raytheon posted the only new international turboprop sale in October, a King Air 350. There were six deliveries of new turboprops in October last year. October figures included three resales-two previously owned Piper models and one Cessna turboprop. There were 24 resales posted in October 1994. While September revisions did not affect new delivery tallies, seven additional resales were added to the three reporter earlier. Year to date, 23 new turboprops have sold overseas.
Pacific Systems presents Virtual i-glasses!, an inflight video-viewing alternative. This eight-ounce personal video viewer is said to deliver a big-screen effect with hi-fi stereo sound-equivalent to watching an 80-inch color television from a distance of 11 feet. Video sources such as videocassette recorders, laserdisc players and videocamera systems can ``plug into'' i-glasses to show movies, views from the cockpit, or training and sales videos (user-provided). Virtual i-glasses!
Setting up a business meeting in Russia is as different from the way it's done in the United States as borscht is from onion soup. According to the BISNIS Bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, it is best to plan a meeting held in Russia with respect for the Russian style, even though many top-level Russians are used to American business customs and will ignore our unwitting errors in protocol.
The latest in noise attenuating headsets from David Clark Company is the series H20-10, made of ``advanced'' composite materials. For cushioning, the headset features a custom-comfort system with a patented, adjustable headpad suspension assembly, and ``no hot spots'' is the claim. A ratcheted latch assembly with gauge markings on the headband allows for exact vertical adjustment of the headpad for a comfortable fit. Price: $315. David Clark Co., 360 Franklin St., Worcester, MA 01615. (508) 751-5800.
ICAO has sobering statistics to show concerning general-aviation aircraft crossing the North Atlantic. Business aircraft and other non-commercial flights account for three percent of the traffic, but 35 percent of the gross navigational errors.
AMR Combs plans to begin FBO services at San Francisco International Airport out of temporary facilities on January 2, 1996. A permanent facility is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 1996. (See accompanying artist's rendition.)
Nine new jets were delivered to U.S. customers in October 1995 compared to 12 sales in October 1994. Cessna led with four: three Citation V Ultras and one CitationJet. Learjet listed single sales of its 31A and Model 60. Also included this month were single sales of Canadair's 601-3R, Dassault's Falcon 2000 and the Gulfstream IV-SP. Preliminary data included reports of 39 domestic sales of previously owned jets in October, down from the 75 resales reported for October 1994 (revised.)
The IA (Inspection and Authorization) Professional Library on CD-ROM is a newcomer to Aircraft Technical Publishers' ATP Navigator product line. The library was devised to meet the regulatory publication needs of professional aircraft inspectors, airframe and powerplant technicians studying for the IA exam for light aircraft, as well as for smaller FBOs and repair stations. Among the referenced U.S. regulatory publications are: FAR Parts 1, 43, 65, 91 and 183; manufacturer service bulletins; ADs for small airplanes and rotorcraft; and STCs.
Aircraft equipped with ARINC's Aircraft Communications and Reporting System (ACARS) now can receive ATIS messages via datalink for certain airports in Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto, Canada. ARINC says the service will be extended to about 60 U.S. airports in 1996. Datalink enables ATIS to be displayed on a computer screen or printed out, and allows ATIS to be received beyond an airport's VHF line-of-sight range. Also in 1996, ARINC hopes to introduce datalink access to terminal weather information.
The cost and time involved in making certain design changes to helicopters would be reduced, if the FAA adopts a recent revision to noise-certification rules. Under the revision, manufacturers would no longer have to test for increased noise levels when type-design changes do not pertain to the 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 apparatus.
Two aircraft cabin active noise control (ANC) systems competing for the attention of King Air operators were demonstrated for B/CA recently. Stevens Aviation of Greenville, South Carolina has teamed with Lord Corporation to offer a $35,000 system. Elliott Aviation of Moline, Illinois and Ultra Electronics are offering a competing system priced at $30,000 for the King Air 200 and $25,000 for the C90. (Elliott also supplies Twin Commander Aircraft Noise Corporation with systems for the Commander 690 series turboprop).
Aeronautical Repair Station Association, the AOPA, the National Air Transportation Association, and the Cessna Pilots Association are rallying against a proposed AD that would require replacing airmelt-processed crankshafts on thousands of Teledyne Continental Motors' piston engines with vacuum arc remelt-processed crankshafts. Critics of the AD claim that failure rates of the two types are so similar that requiring replacement is unjustified. Also, opponents say the FAA's estimated cost of $2,200 per engine to comply with the AD is off by at least $4,000.
Saudi Arabian Airlines could become the first Middle Eastern customer for Avro International's 82- to 100-passenger RJ-85 regional airliner if current talks are successful. ``We are very close to a deal there'' to sell 10 air-craft at more than $25 million per airplane, according to John Schofield, Avro's vice president for Africa and the Middle East. Delivery will be within 12 months of a contract being signed.
An FAA special report will lead to new rules and penalties concerning bogus and unapproved parts (B/CA, October, page 17). The previously voluntary reporting of suspected bogus or unapproved parts will become mandatory. Rules also will require the destruction of scrap parts and the creation of a voluntary accreditation program for distributors and dealers meeting quality-control standards. Congress will be asked to raise penalties to $10,000 per violation.
Raytheon is extending its Value Incentive Plus program to the end of the year. Until December 31, buyers of new King Air 350s, B200s and C90Bs under the program receive five years or 1,000 hours of free maintenance and a five-year limited airframe warranty. In addition, program aircraft can be purchased for five percent down and five percent APR for the first 15 months, prime minus 0.5 percent over the next 15 months and prime plus 0.5 percent over the last 90 months.
The FAA is planning for a major influx of traffic in and around the Atlanta airspace just before, during and immediately following the 26th Summer Olympic Games. Temporary ATC facilities will be in place from July 15 through August 9, 1996 at the following reliever airports: Britt Memorial, Clayton County, Covington Municipal, Falcon Field, Lee Gilmer Memorial, Hilton Head Island and Richard B. Russell.
The latest in Telex Communications' aviation headsets is the Air3500, weighing in at 13.6 ounces, with a 25 dB noise-reduction capability. The Air3500's three-position tension adjustment allows the headset to rotate ``fast'' from low to high tension for a custom fit. Features include a stereo/mono switch, dual volume controls, a flexible microphone boom de-signed to stay out of the pilot's peripheral vision and a headband of high-impact plastic for comfort and durability. FAA TSO is pending. Price: $310 for airplanes; $325 for helicopters.
This subsidiary of the French business jet manufacturer made three appointments: Jeffrey M. Habib to the newly created position of district sales manager for the Far East, David Salkovitz to supervisor of interior design and Ron Velivis to director of technical support, replacing Ray Villano, who retired.
AirFlite, an FBO owned by Toyota Motor Sales company and based at California's Long Beach Airport, has expanded its services into the aircraft management and charter business.
Regional Airline Association is reaching out to a public relations agency-Ogilvy, Adams&Rinehart-to develop a campaign to boost travelers' perceptions about flying on regional airlines. Richard Mintz, former assistant to the secretary and director of public affairs for the DOT and now head of Ogilvy's transportation office in Washington D.C., will handle the RAA account.
USAir Express CCAir has made money in only one of the past five fiscal years-1992. But the Charlotte-based carrier lost only $362,000 in the fiscal year that ended June 30. That compared to a near $4.8-million loss in 1994, $2.8 million in 1993 and $3.7 million in 1991. The only respite was a $6.4-million profit in 1992, based primarily on an extraordinary gain on debt restructuring. A cost-reduction program was the primary reason for the improvement, the company said in its annual 10-K report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Now available from Dettmers Industries is a motorized corporate aircraft passenger seat. The Model 5000-Motorized features the following powered features: back recline, footrest stow and recline, headrest stow and height adjustment, and height-adjustable arms. Instead of a track-and-swivel release handle, a button and actuator switch are used to position the seat. A four-way power lumbar adjustment also is included. Each motorized component has a manual override and an individual circuit breaker. Weight of the motorized options is about six pounds.
