A cargo version of the Aerospatiale TBM 700 now is available, but a stretched model of the single-engine turboprop ``remains in research and development.'' The TBM 700C features a 3.9-foot by 3.5-foot cargo door and an increase in cargo capacity to 1,820 pounds. Previously, Aerospatiale said it had hoped to fly the TBM 700S, a stretched TBM 700 with a 3.5-foot plug for up to nine seats, by early 1996 (B/CA, November 1994, page 20). That date will not be met.
Does your aircraft have enough life rafts? If you think so, you may be suffering from a false sense of security. ``When it comes to the number of life rafts needed on corporate aircraft, the interpretation isn't all that accurate out there,'' said Anthony Adamski, an instructor for HBAcorp's Crewmember Emergency Training (in Olympia, Washington) and a former pilot for Chrysler Corporation. The reason is that the number of required life rafts is governed not only by the operating rules, but also by the aircraft certification rules.
Development of the next-generation TCAS is advancing at Collins Avionics. The company says it will deliver a prototype of a TCAS IV to the FAA in December 1999. A limited-installation program is scheduled to start in December 2000. TCAS IV will use differential GPS signals to determine exact aircraft positions and allow for horizontal resolution advisories (RAs) in addition to the current vertical RAs that TCAS II provides. Tests indicate upgrading TCAS II to provide horizontal RAs of TCAS III is unworkable (B/CA, November 1993, page 24).
Closing of the U.S. Naval Air Station at Bermuda and the end of U.S. forces' ATC services there has resulted in new ATC management responsibilities. Per a new agreement, the FAA will provide ATC services for en route, transatlantic traffic passing through Bermudian airspace, plus approach-control services for flights to and from Bermuda. The Bermudian government will handle tower control within a distance of eight miles from the island's international airport.
Available from DB Systems is the Model 700/800 series digital audio-control panel. The company says digital control of cockpit audio offers ``improved performance with immunity to noise and interference'' compared with analog-type panels. Also, this digital system has fewer wires to install. Input capability is up to five comms and 10 receivers. Individual volume controls are available with each input. Outputs include headphone, cockpit speaker, pilot-selected comm audio and cockpit voice recorder.
Honeywell and Trimble have signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of GPS-based products. The two companies will collaborate in areas such as technology development and application, joint product development and marketing, and the supply of products to each other. Separately, Honeywell expects certification in January 1996 for the first installation of the Honeywell/Pelorus SLS-2000 GPS Satellite Landing System and the Honeywell vehicle-tracking system, TracLink (B/CA, April, page 24). The initial site for the SLS-2000 and TracLink is Minneapolis/St.
FAA Administrator David R. Hinson has set near-term close deadlines for five rulemaking initiatives: air carrier training rules extended to aircraft with more than 10 seats-final rule, October; expanded use of simulators for pilot training-final rule, October; harmonization of FARs and JARs for small and commuter airplanes-final rule, December; revised pilot duty-time limitations-proposal, November; and installation of enhanced FDRs-proposal, December.
Operational trials of a satellite-based communications, navigation and surveillance system for flights over oceanic and other remote areas are now under way. Known as the Future Air Navigation System (FANS), the technology uses two-way satellite datalink communications to provide accurate, timely and direct pilot-to-controller contact over remote areas. Today, controllers rely on position reports radioed from pilots and relayed by ground-based systems.
Asked whether notes, memoranda and even doodles left on the corporate aircraft were generally collected and discarded after a flight, the chief pilot of a large avionics firm said the answer would have been yes-until very recently.
U.S. manufacturers shipped 74 civil helicopters in the first quarter of this year, up one half percent from the 70 units delivered in the first period of 1994, said the Aerospace Industries Association. The total reflects rotorcraft built by Enstrom, Kaman, McDonnell Douglas, Robinson, Schweizer and Sikorsky. Bell helicopters, manufactured in Canada, are not included in the tally.
Landing permission for Tribbuvan Airport (VNKT) requires pilots to show proof of a successful simulated approach, familiarity with all SIDs and STARs, and a copy of their pilot licenses (Air Routing).
Octagon Process claims its new Octaflo Type I deicing fluid offers ``significant benefits in terms of safety and ease of use.'' The Edgewater, New Jersey company says that in addition to being ``environmentally friendly,'' Octaflo delivers a slightly longer holdover time in water spray and high-humidity conditions, is non-foaming in spray equipment, ``appears'' to be less slippery on tarmac, is ``virtually'' odor free, and is ``easier to pump at low temperatures.''
American Eurocopter and SFIM Industries of France have received FAA approval for Dauphin twin-turbine helicopters to shoot Category II ILS approaches. The approval is notable because CAT II approvals normally require the helicopter to be equipped with a four-axis autopilot. The Dauphin was approved with a three-axis SFIM unit after 50 test flights at Houston Intercontinental Airport. SFIM is offering the required changes at no cost to customers who have had their aircraft's autopilot coupler modified in accordance with the original STC.
AMR Eagle gave Saab Aircraft a boost in June with an order for 25 Saab 340BPlus turboprops. Deliveries will begin this fall and extend through mid-1996. The carrier already operates 116 earlier models of the 34-passenger aircraft.
A book detailing how the aviation industry can implement international quality- assurance standards known as ISO 9000 now is available. The 337-page volume features chapters on integrating ISO standards with FARs, examples of ISO 9000 recordkeeping forms and other required documents, training criteria, worker responsibilities, quality control and inspection methods, and more. Copies of Aviation Industry Quality Systems: ISO 9000 and the Federal Aviation Regulations are available for $66.25 each from Quality Press, P.O. Box 3005, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
Federal agencies are a little schizophrenic when it comes to fractional ownership. Under its auspices, the FAA says the increasingly popular programs are essentially non-commercial FAR Part 91 operations-basically just like owning your own aircraft. However, the Internal Revenue Service sees fractional ownership differently. To the tax collector, it looks like a Part 135 operation, and is, therefore, subject to federal excise taxes.
Transport aircraft exceeding 33,000 pounds or 30 seats and operating in Europe will have to be equipped with TCAS II by January 1, 2000, per a decision by Eurocontrol, the manager for ATC services and fees for most European airspace. January 1, 2005 is the TCAS II compliance deadline for aircraft with MTOWs over 12,500 pounds or with more than 19 seats. Eurocontrol's decision is binding in all 33 member-nations of the European Civil Aviation Conference. Europe's JAA is obliged to promulgate rulemaking to put the requirement in force.
Turboprop engines manufactured by AlliedSignal and Pratt&Whitney Canada are slated to power new commuter aircraft from Russia. AlliedSignal TPE331-14s made their debut in June on the first flight of the Antonov AN-38 customer demonstrator. The 27-passenger aircraft is scheduled to be certificated in early 1996. Meanwhile, Ilyushin Aircraft Design selected the P&WC PW127C to power the 64-seat IL-114PC, an upgraded version of the IL-114. First flight of the IL-114PC is targeted for late 1996, with certification in 1997.
Being able to gather and analyze data about your flight department provides a solid foundation when you work with your company's top management. The reporting capability of a computerized management system is essential to this task. Happily, the recent development of graphical flight department management software is making the tasks of tracking, reporting and projecting an operation's activity easier than was the case only a few years ago.
Many moving tributes to World War II veterans have been given this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of the end of that terrible conflict. But the highlight for me was Fort Meyer, Virginia's V-E Day celebration featuring Fred McIntosh. You sprouts who've wandered into the wonderful world of corporate aviation during the past decade may not know who Fred is or appreciate what he did to ensure your opportunity to earn a living in the cockpit of a corporate aircraft, but your predecessors surely did.
BAe's Jetstream Aircraft has moved its corporate aircraft marketing activities to JSX Capital Corporation in Washington, D.C., following the announcement of a new regional airliner joint venture with Aerospatiale of France and Alenia of Italy. Jim Burk has been appointed vice president for corporate aircraft sales. JSX is a British Aerospace subsidiary and has worldwide responsibility for leasing and re-marketing Jetstream turboprop aircraft.
The GNC 250 from Garmin International is the company's entry into the VFR, panel-mounted GPS nav/comm transceiver market. Combining GPS navigation with a 760-channel VHF transceiver, the unit weighs 2.4 pounds. GPS features include 1,000 user-defined waypoints, a Jeppesen database that can be updated, a listing of nine nearest airports and 20 reversible routes. The TSOed comm provides digital tuning and instant access to all frequencies in the Jeppesen database as well as instant access to 121.5 MHz. Price: $3,250. Garmin, 9875 Widmer Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.
Forward-looking wind-shear radar from Collins Avionics earned its first STC. On June 29, the WXR-700X system was certificated for installation on a Boeing 737-300. The radar provides aural and visual alerts of wind shear up to 90 seconds ahead of the airplane's flight path. A Collins spokesperson said a business-aviation version of the radar is two to three years away as the company adapts the technology to the smaller antennas used on corporate aircraft.
Contrary to industry jest, ``cabotage'' is not the garden vegetable that still holds its vitamin C content when boiled. (You know, one of the cruciferous greens we should eat more of.) Rather, cabotage refers to trade or transportation between two points within a foreign country.
