In a related development, the first flight of the new ATR-400 took place in mid-July. The -400 is identical to the -500 with the exception of powerplants. The -400 is powered by a smaller, 2,200-shp PW121A and is designed for those operators that want the new interior and operating weights, but not the higher speed and performance. It offers the same Hamilton Standard six-blade propellers as the -500. The aircraft will replace the older ATR 42-300. The aircraft will be available in spring 1996.
Midcoast Aviation (St. Louis)-The FBO has announced three personnel changes: A promotion for Gary L. Driggers to executive vice president and chief operating officer, and for Kurt F. Sutterer to vice president and general manager. Also, Jerry L. Leath, the company's president, has assumed the additional duties of CEO.
It's telling that despite the failure of the FasTrack system, SimuFlite has not entirely rejected using computers to enhance its offerings. The company is again investing heavily in developing state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms that initially will be used for its new Gulfstream IV and Canadair Challenger courses.
The type of Hamilton Standard propeller that broke off in the crash of an Atlantic Southeast Embraer EMB-120 on August 21 and that is now the subject of FAA-ordered inspections and possible replacement has been implicated in other accidents and incidents over the last few years. The FAA order covers more than 8,500 props installed on de Havilland Dash 8s, ATR-42s and -72s, ATPs, Saab 340Bs, CASA CN235s and Canadair CL-215Ts, in addition to some 300 EMB-120s. Any blades found to have certain anomalies must be permanently removed from service.
Jetair Leasing Limited (West Sussex, UK)-Adam West, Jonathan Clements and Richard Suter have joined the sales team of this diverse management, charter, and aircraft sales and leasing company.
Swiss regional Air Engiadina has ordered a fourth 30-passenger Dornier 328 and placed an option for a fifth. The company was launch customer for the new aircraft, which has been in scheduled service since October 1993. Delivery of the new aircraft will occur this fall.
A requirement for separate instrument ratings for single-engine airplanes, multiengine airplanes and other aircraft types is one of several significant revisions contained in the proposed rewrite of pilot certification and training requirements of FAR Parts 61, 141 and 142 (B/CA, September, page 21). Other important proposals include a change in instrument currency requirements, the addition of human factors and wind-shear training and the requirement of only a third-class medical in applications for advanced pilot ratings. Comments are due December 11.
Like so many issues regarding medical certification-especially with the hoopla about the new changes to the FAA's medical standards-several misperceptions exist about blood pressure and certification. These misperceptions lead to unnecessary delays in returning to flying and do little to reduce the threat of the certification process.
Canadian government aviation officials used their speaking engagements at the Canadian Business Aircraft Association's annual meeting in early August as a launching platform for several policy changes. And two of those changes upset many attendees.
In the near future, Beech 1900D and Boeing 737-300 simulator training will be offered to airlines and corporate flight departments by FlightSafety International and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at a facility to be built on the school's Daytona Beach, Florida campus. Training is scheduled to begin in spring 1997. Early in September, FlightSafety and Embry-Riddle signed an agreement to establish a ``flight simulator education, training and research facility'' to serve airline, government and corporate customers.
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.
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.
The MORE (Maintenance on Reliable Engines) Company now has some 225 engines on its innovative, STCed program that allows Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6 operators to extend major overhaul intervals to as many as 8,000 hours. The program costs $3,750 per en-gine, and is applied to a specific serial number engine. Engines on the program undergo special FAA-approved inspections that permit many components to operate well beyond original OEM-specified intervals.
Challenger 604 pilots will experience the most advanced avionics suite ever installed in a Bombardier business aircraft. That becomes obvious as soon as one enters the cockpit.
Piedmont Aviation Services' unit in Greensboro, North Carolina recently received its first STCs. Approvals were granted for the company to install the following avionics in Beech 200-, 300-, 350- and 1900-series aircraft: AlliedSignal Bendix/King TCAS II and dual Mode S transponders, Mark VI GPWS and AlliedSignal Bendix/King KLN-90B GPS-based, long-range navigation system. These installations are available at four of Piedmont's six locations.
The third time's the charm, and the smiles and the tears. For the third time in the history of the Special Olympic World Games, Cessna Citation operators from over 180 corporations across the United States participated in a special airlift. These special volunteers delivered athletes-all mentally retarded and some physically disabled-free of charge to New Haven, Connecticut for the 1995 competitions held from July 1 to July 9. (Airlift dates were June 30 and July 10, and Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut was the primary base of operations.)
KF Aviation, a Burbank, California-based tour operator, recently launched a helicopter sightseeing tour of the Los Angeles area. The ``Angels' Eye View'' tour, located at the Hollywood/Burbank Airport, operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and highlights attractions such as Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, the Hollywood sign and celebrity homes in Beverly Hills.
The capabilities of its anti-noise system, Ultra Electronics of Cambridge, England has formed a fast-working dedicated installation team. In two weeks or less, the noise-squelching squad can have a prototype installation up and working in nearly any application. ``We end up doing a lot of demonstrations, and, really, until somebody's experienced the system, they won't buy it,'' says David Brown, ANC sales manager at Ultra.
FAA says that its proposed rewrite of pilot duty limitations and rest requirements for FAR Part 121 and Part 135 operations will apply to all scheduled as well as non-scheduled operations. The agency said an earlier announcement may have given the incorrect impression that the proposal would cover only scheduled operations using aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats (B/CA, August, page 15). A notice of proposed rulemaking is scheduled to be published in November.
The NTSB and the NASA Ames Research Centers are inviting all those involved in making transportation safer-and that, of course, includes flightcrews-to a symposium on ``Managing Fatigue in Transportation.'' The two-day program will be held in Tysons Corner, Virginia on November 1-2.
Surprise! Only 35 percent of all airline passengers at major hub airports actually connect to another flight. Some people actually want to go to Atlanta, Chicago or Washington-Dulles.
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.
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.
Commander Aircraft Company of Bethany, Oklahoma has introduced a turbocharged version of its line of single-engine recips. Powered by a 270-hp Lycoming TIO-540-AG1A, the new 114TC maintains full power to 21,500 feet msl, or 3,500 feet below its max altitude. At 75 percent power, Commander says the cruise is 183 knots. Sea level rate of climb is 1,050 fpm. Range with full fuel (528 pounds) is 725 nm at long-range cruise setting. The ``basic IFR-equipped'' price is $348,500.
