National Air Transportation Association is offering copies of the recently developed ``FAA Wake Vortex Training Aid'' on a loan basis to NATA members and non-members. The program consists of a comprehensive procedures manual that is used in conjunction with a videotape or on CD-ROM. Loan periods are up to three weeks. Recipients pay only for shipping costs. For more information, contact Steve Lofgren at NATA in Alexandria, Virginia. Phone: (703) 845-9000 or fax: (703) 845-8176.
The former Byrne Aviation and Trans-Air Aviation FBOs at Waukegan Regional Airport in the Chicago area have been acquired by DB Aviation. The purchase included nearly 100,000 square feet of buildings, some aircraft and assorted equipment, said Daniel A. Bitton, DB president and CEO. DB Aviation provides fueling, transient-aircraft line service, charter, hangar rental, and airframe and avionics repair.
General-aviation airplane shipments through the third quarter of 1995 continued to reflect a positive recovery. GAMA reports that shipments through the end of September compared to the same period in 1994 (shown in parentheses) were as follows: pistons-381 (328); turboprops-167 (140); jets-164 (147) and total-712 (615). Even in the unlikely event that fourth-quarter shipments remain the same as in 1994 (266), the total number of shipments in 1995-978-would be the most since 1991, when the industry delivered 1,021 airframes.
At press time, an Atlanta-based corporate travel agency claimed it had a limited number of accommodations in the local area exclusively for crews of corporate aircraft flying to Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics, July 19 through August 4. The agency says it is holding ``specially reserved'' rooms at ``competitive rates'' in homes owned by members of the ``aviation community.'' The agency also says it can assist in making ramp reservations. For more information, contact Kathi Parks at Explicitly Yours. Phone: (770) 682-1502; fax: (770) 454-8464.
American Helicopter Museum and Education Center is scheduled to open its doors in the first quarter of 1996, according to its chairman, Peter Wright, Sr. The museum, housed at Pennsylvania's Brandywine Airport in a building that was formerly an MBB Helicopter facility, initially will display six to eight historic rotorcraft. Development of the museum is on a voluntary basis, and support is being solicited. Museum officials can be contacted through Keystone Helicopter Corporation in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Phone: (610) 644-4430.
The first anniversary of the crash of an American Eagle Jetstream near Raleigh/Durham is December 13. In his ``smoking wreckage'' speech at the crash site in 1994, Transportation Secretary Federico Pea pledged a ``single level of safety within one year.
FAA withdrew a 1993 proposal to eliminate FAR Part 23 certification requirements to demonstrate accelerated entry stalls for commuter-category aircraft (B/CA, August 1993, page 32). The same proposal was included in a later notice that addresses other issues aimed at harmonizing Part 23 with Europe's JAR Part 23 (B/CA, September 1994, page 15). The FAA says the proposed rule will remove an ``unwarranted hazard'' during flight demonstrations for type certification.
Joseph F. Allegra has retired after a 45-year career in aviation maintenance. His most recent position was maintenance coordinator for this charter management firm.
Environmental Protection Agency issued a rule that provides liability protection for banks and other institutions that lend money to owners of underground fuel-storage tanks (USTs). The rule is designed to make it easier for owners to obtain the financing necessary to comply with EPA rules regarding tank replacement or upgrading. Many lenders have been reluctant to issue loans because they fear they would become liable for the costs of cleaning up damage caused by leaking tanks if tank operators default on their loans.
One of the quickest ways in the world to lose a cool $5,000 is to violate a U.S. Customs Service regulation. You are subject to parting with five grand if you fail to advise U.S. Customs you're coming-or arrive late-and if you don't get authorization to land at some airports, or don't have all of your aircraft's paperwork in order. The rules and policies governing U.S. customs and procedures can be complex and confusing, and if you are planning a trip abroad-or to the U.S. Virgin Islands-you can't start doing your homework too soon.
For a limited time, Biggen Hill Airport (EGKB) is offering free limousine service to and from London for passengers and crew of first-time users on direct flights from the United States.
While most folks spend this month wondering what presents they'll receive for the holidays, a large segment of the aviation community will keep fretting over whether David Hinson has enough clout left to serve effectively as FAA administrator. We should learn at least part of the answer about Hinson on December 14. That's the day the FAA-under orders from Transportation Secretary Federico Pea-was to publish new rules making FAR Part 135 operators subject to the more-stringent requirements of Part 121.
The Smithsonian Institution has set December 15 as the deadline for receiving nominations for a new director of its National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Bob Hoffman has been interim director ever since former director Martin Harwit resigned in May after a flap over the Enola Gay exhibit (B/CA, July, page 20). A published want ad says candidates should have a record of ``demonstrated success in the management of a complex organization, a facility for written and oral communication and exceptional leadership abilities.''
FAR Part 29 airworthiness standards for newly designed transport-category helicopters have been amended to include engine rotor-burst containment requirements (B/CA, December 1989, page 26). The new rule, having sat on ice as a proposal on the FAA rules docket for six years, is intended to reduce the potential damage of high-speed debris caused by turbine-engine rotor failures. The FAA estimates that development costs will be $33,600 per type certification project.
Don't want to buy a share of a business jet but want some of the same advantages? If you are based in Europe, then you may want to check out Jet Aviation's new Corpavia Club. The Corpavia Club differs from fractional ownership programs in that customers do not have to buy a share of an aircraft. Instead, they sign up as club members with a one-time entrance fee. Members then pay for an annual subscription plus a charge for the flying hours they use.
At press time, Czech Republic-based manufacturer Let Aeronautical Works said it was on the brink of receiving FAA certification for the LET-420. The aircraft is an updated version of the circa 1970s LET-410, a 19-passenger, high-wing, unpressurized aircraft powered by two 750-shp Motorlet turboprops. The company has selected AeroTech GmbH and its Fort Lauderdale, Florida subsidiary, Aerotec USA, to be the sales and service source for North American customers.
The ``Duncan-Lightfoot'' bill to reform the FAA easily cleared the House Transportation Committee, but will encounter difficulty in passing a full House vote. Besides making the FAA an independent government agency, the legislation also calls for removing the aviation trust from the federal budget and allowing the FAA to spend trust-fund monies-a measure that many House members oppose. Meanwhile, the Clinton-administration-supported Senate version of FAA reform-calling for new user fees-inched closer to a vote at press time (B/CA, November, page 16).
Larry Baker came aboard this FBO chain as vice president of operations, and oversees technical services at all six of the company's aircraft service facilities.
Stevens Aviation plans to have a new terminal in place at Peachtree City-Falcon Field in time for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. In addition to Stevens' customary services, the company will have shuttle service to the Olympic Transportation Center. The new terminal will include a weather and flight-planning room, crew lounge and sleeping quarters, passenger waiting areas and on-site rental cars. (404) 631-5777.
Kerrville, Texas-based Mooney has received FAA approval for flight into known icing for its Ovation and TLS piston-engine aircraft equipped with the optional TKS ice-protection system. The $34,900-glycol system includes deicing elements for the wing and tailplane leading edges, for the pilot's windshield and for the propeller. Installed weight without fluid is 40 pounds; with full fluid, it's 96 pounds. Also, an optional additional alternator is required for the Ovation.
A videotape, produced as a joint project with 28 industry sponsors, now is part of the Flight Safety Foundation's campaign to reduce controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) accidents. The 33-minute video examines three CFIT accidents, recreated in detail, and looks at ways these and other CFIT accidents might have been prevented. The tape also shows how use of another FSF-developed accident prevention tool, the CFIT Checklist, could help prevent accidents (B/CA, February, page 14).
On April 1, 1996, Flightstar Corporation is scheduled to complete construction of a new FBO at what was previously Chanute Air Force Base (now designated 2I5). The new facility will feature a hangar tall enough to accommodate G-V-size business jets. Attached to the hangar will be a terminal providing separate crew and passenger lounges, a conference room, a flight-planning room and a vending area. Currently, Flightstar offers fuel services out of an existing hangar from 0800 to 1700 hours daily. Mike Kochvar is facility manager. (217) 892-2121.
