Fire safety--The FAA proposed a rule to require fuel-system vent protection during post-crash fires in transport aircraft used in commercial service (March 1995, page 16). Autopilots--A proposed revision to FAR Parts 121, 125 and 135 would permit use of an autopilot for takeoff and the initial climb. Current rules prohibit the autopilot for this use below 500 feet agl (February 1995, page 23).
The aviation community welcomed the DOT's recent request to the U.S. Congress to repeal the pre-employment alcohol-testing requirement for transportation industry employees to whom the rule applies. The DOT called the requirement an ``example of a misguided rule mandated by Congress.'' At press time, it wasn't clear when this ``act of Congress'' would occur. Meanwhile, industry advocates are still arguing for the DOT to lower the random drug-testing rate to 10 percent.
Proposed changes to FAR Part 23 small airplane airworthiness standards would allow airplanes to be certified with alternative methods (other than a fuel-pressure indicator) of providing pilots with advance warning of fuel-system problems. The proposal says the FAA may approve fuel-flow indicators or other types of monitors that would provide the pilot with advance warning of engine failure. For details, contact the FAA in Kansas City at (816) 426-5688.
In 1994, particularly the last half, aircraft sales were very good, which translated into a bullish year for the aircraft finance business. Compared to that of recent years, business was so good that several aviation finance specialists told us some heartening news: Commercial banks that traditionally avoided lending for aircraft purchases were doing so--and at competitive rates. Many are being far less cautious than in recent years, when most commercial bankers were more than happy to leave the esoteric world of aviation finance to the specialists.
Slots and parking at Kai Tak International Airport (VHHH) are extremely difficult to obtain and will get worse during the summer (Jeppesen DataPlan). Chek Lap Kok airport, under construction on a largely man-made island, is scheduled to open in July 1997. The facility will be the largest airport in the region, reportedly able to handle up to 35 million (airline) passengers per year. Gates and facilities for corporate (and special) flights are expected to be built at the end of one arm of one of the Y-shaped airline terminals.
The big legislative question for the aviation community this year is what, if anything, Congress will do with a plethora of proposals put forward to change the structure of the FAA. Answering that question directly is difficult because the options proposed to date vary widely.
For now, air-taxi operators with any size aircraft and regional airlines with aircraft having fewer than 10 passenger seats are not included in the FAA's proposal to upgrade FAR Part 135 airlines to large air-carrier standards. Under the far-reaching proposal, airlines using aircraft with 10 to 30 passenger seats would have to meet Part 121, the standards that now apply to scheduled operations in aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats. Comments are due June 27. For further information, contact the FAA's Alberta Brown at (202) 267-8248.
Good news continues to be fairly sparse in the aviation business, and it is good news indeed when a group of aviation business people report results as good as or better than those of previous years. When asked about business conditions, managers at aircraft modifiers gave a predominantly positive response again this year to B/CA's annual, informal poll. Several executives mentioned a significant growth in export sales. One CEO said overseas sales now represent 40 percent of his company's total sales.
British Aerospace and ATR partners Aerospatiale of France and Alenia of Italy plan to form a European regional aircraft company. The new joint venture would provide sales and customer support services for the companies' respective products, and would be headquartered in Toulouse, France. Establishment of the company is pending government approvals to ensure it doesn't create a monopoly.
USAir Express carrier CCAir has posted operating and net profits for the first time in seven consecutive quarters, following a major financial restructuring. The Charlotte-based regional reported an operating profit of $395,807 and a net profit of $196,625 for the three-month period ended December 31, 1994. Operating costs during the quarter dropped by $1.9 million, or 11.3 percent, compared to the same 1993 period. Operating revenue, on the other hand, decreased $1.1 million, or only 6.6 percent.
Regional airline officials are welcoming the FAA's proposed ``Commuter Safety Rule'' as much for what it does not do as for what it does. The massive proposal--called by Administrator David Hinson the broadest FAA rulemaking ever--would essentially bring FAR Part 135 regulations into line with Part 121. According to FAA estimates, the new regulations would impact some 65 airlines and 1,100 aircraft, costing regional carriers some $275 million over the next 10 years.
SimCom International said it will break ground soon for a training center in Scottsdale, Arizona. The new facility will be the first remote operation for the five-year-old, Orlando-based company. Slated for opening in November, the Scottsdale center initially will provide training for pilots of the Cessna 300/400 series and the King Air 90/100/200 series in SimCom-built flight-training devices featuring wide screens and visual-motion technology.
On April 1, the U.S. Navy transferred authority to use the Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana in Guam to Ted Ybarra, Executive Manager, Guam Airport Authority, P.O. Box 8770, Tamuning, Guam 96931. Phone: (671) 646-0300. On June 1, the Navy is scheduled to transfer authority to use the NAS in Bermuda to the Government of Bermuda, c/o Airport General Manager, Bermuda Air Terminal Bldg., 2 Kindley Field Rd., Saint George's CE CX, Bermuda. Phone: (809) 293-1640.
Comm frequencies--The FCC proposed that aviation services be permitted to use additional VHF comm frequencies (September 1989, page 30). Loran and Omega--A proposal would permit use of Loran-C, Omega and other area nav systems for VFR use in TCAs (August 1989, page 21).
ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) is bringing remote radio access technology to general aviation. Originally developed several years ago for the airlines, the system provides the interface of a VHF radio with the public telephone network. Thus, a pilot requesting issuance of an IFR clearance at an outlying airport can be in direct communication with ATC without leaving the cockpit or needing to use a phone. Recently tested at Virginia's Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, the system is expected to be implemented statewide.
Aviall, Incorporated completed the sale (announced in summer 1994) of its business aviation engine overhaul business and its Dallas' Love Field FBO to Dallas Airmotive (B/CA, August 1994, page 28). The sale includes the business-airplane-repair and helicopter-engine-repair facilities located south of Love Field, plus six turbine-engine repair shops located throughout North America.
The text of the latest edition of the FAA's Airman's Information Manual, dated March 30, now is gender neutral. For example, former references to ``airman'' have been changed to ``pilot.'' In 1996, the AIM will be titled the Aeronautical Information Manual. Taking the initiative with the FAA on the revisions was an 11-member FAR/AIM committee, with Cheryl Mackie from AMSI, an aviation training company in Merrimac, Wisconsin, and both Cammie Schreck and Keith Gerard, from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, leading the effort.
Welcome to B/CA's 1995 Planning and Purchasing Handbook. As always, preparing the Handbook gives our staff an opportunity to take stock of our three primary constituencies-- the professionals who operate business aircraft and regional transports, the dedicated workers in the support services keeping these aircraft flying, and the technical wizards who design and build the airframes, engines, avionics and systems that make it all possible.
A team led by Wilcox Electric received the lucrative FAA contract to develop the Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS), a network of ground reference stations and communications satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of GPS satellite navigation signals (B/CA, August 1994, page 42). Development of WAAS could be deferred, however, if any of the competing teams' leaders--Harris Corporation, Loral Corporation, Raytheon Company and Rockwell International--officially protest the awarding of the $500-million contract to Wilcox.
Gust loads--The FAA proposes to revise the gust-load design standards for transport category airplanes as follows: by adding a new requirement for a discrete tuned gust; modifying the method of establishing the airspeed for maximum gust intensity; and providing for a rough-air airspeed (November 1994, page 26). Turbochargers--The FAA seeks to determine if circumstances surrounding accidents and incidents involving turbocharger failures warrant extensive AD or other actions (September 1994, page 18).
United Kingdom's Rolls-Royce finalized its acquisition of Indianapolis-based Allison Engine Company late in March. Mike Hudson, Allison's former executive vice president of engineering, was promoted to president and COO of Allison; and Colin Green, former managing director of Rolls-Royce Military Aero Engines in the United Kingdom, is Allison's new executive vice president of business operations. F. Blake Wallace, long-time CEO of Allison, left the company.
At press time, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) was negotiating with General Electric for the Japan-based company to be a revenue-sharing partner in the GE CF34-8C turbofan engine program. Canadair chose the powerplant for its 70-seat Regional Jet, the CRJ-X (see ``Emerging Aircraft''). The two companies already have signed a memorandum of agreement and if the negotiations are fruitful, IHI could have a 25-percent stake in the engine program.
GPS receivers from Trimble Navigation Limited of Sunnyvale, California now are FAA approved to TSO C129 (A1) specifications, allowing them to be used for stand-alone, non-precision approaches. Certification is standard to Trimble's new panel-mount 2000 Approach and 2101 Approach receivers. For a fee, older Trimble GPS receivers can be upgraded to C129 (A1) certification. The Trimble 2000 series is compatible with the FAA's Wide-Area Augmentation System.
One aspect of the proposed commuter safety rule that was of great concern to regional airlines was the mandatory Part 139 certification of all airports served by aircraft of more than nine passengers. The FAA relented on the issue, in part because such a move would require congressional action.
