The newly formed Aviation Training Institute now offers a redeveloped, updated version of the Professional Line Service Training (PLST). Sponsored by Texaco, the program has been packaged into a core curriculum of eight separate videotapes, incorporating full-motion video, animation and computer graphics. Topics covered are: the FBO industry and line-service responsibilities, safety, fueling piston aircraft, fueling turboprop aircraft, fueling jet aircraft, towing, fuel-farm management and customer service. An optional fire-safety tape is available. Price: $2,495.
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has announced the winners of the 1995 McAllister Memorial Scholarship and the Burnside Memorial Scholarship. Daniel Seluk of Derry, New Hampshire and Jason Stallings of Vero Beach, Florida, both aviation management students at the Florida Institute of Technology, received the $1,000 scholarships based on their grades and a 250-word essay on the topic ``What three factors would you address in improving general aviation safety?''.
FAA has published a primer on land-and-hold-short operations, or LAHSO. The eight-page booklet explains pilots' responsibilities when they accept a LAHSO clearance, and it provides recommendations for performing the procedures smoothly and correctly. The document also makes it clear that the pilot has the final authority to accept or decline a LAHSO clearance. Copies of LAHSO: A Primer are available at no cost from the FAA. Phone: (202) 267-7770.
FAA has received over 5,000 comments on the proposed changes to FAR Part 67 medical standards requiring more-stringent physical exams for some pilots. At press time, release of the final revisions was imminent. Meanwhile, the FAA is preparing a rule that would exempt holders of Recreational Pilot Certificates from FAA medical exams, instead allowing them to self-certify, a privilege that already is extended to glider and hot-air-balloon pilots.
So, you are-or shortly will be-operating a helicopter. Congratulations! You have learned that helicopter safety considerations are essentially the same ones you learned in airplanes, plus there is an entire set of factors unique to helicopters. One of those factors is that you will be operating from the world's smallest airports, called ``heliports.'' Further, you may find yourself in the business of operating one of those ``airports'' yourself.
``Prospects for reversing the downward trend in demand for new aircraft seem greater in 1994 than in any year since general-aviation production began its precipitous drop 16 years ago.'' Those prophetic words were uttered just a year ago by John W. Olcott, president of the NBAA, on the eve of a show at which no fewer than six new business jets were announced.
Raytheon Aircraft recently named Lider Taxi Aereo S.A. of Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, Brazil as an authorized service center for the complete line of Beech and Hawker recip and turbine aircraft. Lider Taxi Aereo is enhancing its spares inventory, and its staff will undergo factory-approved maintenance training.
The following are some of the more common terms you'll come across on the Internet and online services. -- Address-Every Internet location starts with one of the following address codes, which give an indication of what software capabilities are required to access the site's resources: ftp://-A file transfer protocol (FTP) site (file areas). gopher://-A gopher site (gopher is the grandfather of the World Wide Web). http://-A Web site. news:-A newsgroup.
United Kingdom-based Rolls-Royce has established Rolls-Royce North America (RRNA) as the overseeing organization for the company's U.S.-based operations. RRNA comprises entities including Rolls-Royce of Reston, Virginia and Allison Engine Company in Indianapolis, as well as Rolls-Royce Credit and Capital companies, Peebles Electric, and Syncrolift. Richard T. Turner is chairman, and John W. Sandford is president and CEO of the new organization.
The former Textron Lycoming Flight Services FBO at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut is now part of the Dallas-based Million Air family. Tom Sullivan, owner and operator of Million Air Hartford, has become the owner and operator of Million Air Bridgeport. The facility consists of a 44,000-square-foot hangar and a 12,000-square-foot office complex. The addition of the Bridgeport facility brings the number of Million Air FBOs to 25 in 16 states and Toronto.
Thomas H. Marlow, vice president of Houston-based Era Aviation, was elected chairman of the Helicopter Association International. Marlow, who has served on the HAI's executive committee in several capacities, also is chairman of the HAI's Olympic Support Committee. The committee is working with the FAA and others regarding helicopter operations at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
The recent crash of a drug-loaded aircraft attempting to depart from Toluca Airport (MMTO) has prompted the requirement to search all vehicles entering and leaving the airport.
Continental Express (COX) is tilting towards a $750-million deal for 75 Dornier 328s, including the existing 30-passenger model and the 48-passenger stretch. The company had a Lone Star Airlines 328 on the property for several days in late July, operating it against the company's Embraer Brasilias during real-time daily schedules for an ``apples-to-apples'' comparison, said COX President Jonathan Ornstein.
The sudden illness and death of William F. Fant, 58, of North Little Rock, Arkansas startled the business-aviation community. Stricken by liver cancer, he died July 3. Fant was the manager of technical support, government programs with Dassault Falcon Jet at the company's Little Rock, Arkansas facility. He was the first employee at the former Pan Am Business Jets Division (later to become Falcon Jet Corporation). Formerly, he served in the U.S. Air Force.
Piedmont Aviation Services, Incorporated recently signed an agreement to manage an FBO at Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU). The former Aviation Services Group, now carrying Piedmont's title, is a full-service general aviation FBO with Piedmont managers on site. This latest arrangement, in addition to Piedmont's other full-service facilities, brings the company's fleet of FBOs to six.
The Mexican government has recently decided to defer collecting fees for navigation, en route handling and other services. Reportedly, within the next several months, all such charges will be combined into a single number and added to the cost of fuel.
Wisconsin Aviation, Incorporated, headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin, recently finalized the purchase of Coldstream Aviation at Madison's Dane County Regional Airport. The former Coldstream facilities will be used primarily for corporate tenant aircraft and offices, while Wisconsin Aviation's Four Lakes facilities at Madison will be used primarily for transient services.
Effective this month, the FAA plans to make the contents of the International Flight Information Manual a new section within the domestic biweekly NOTAM series. The move cuts costs both for the agency and for operators, who now only have to subscribe to one document. Subscribers also will derive the benefit of having all published NOTAMs readily available in a single source.
A three-year analysis of Continental Airlines' Crew Coordination Concepts (CCC) program documents improved safety and dependability following the application of crew resource management techniques. Findings released in June show that workers embraced the training and made demonstrable shifts from passive to more active and interactive behavior.
FAA and general-aviation trade groups are testing three flight-information service products being delivered through Mode S datalink within a 60-nm radius of Dulles International Airport. Aircraft equipped with datalink-capable Mode S transponders and a control-display unit will be able to receive ATIS, graphical weather and text weather services via the datalink. Widespread availability of Mode S datalink services will be possible by next summer, the FAA claims.
I am embarrassed to report that during my 28-year involvement with the aviation industry I had not made a single pilgrimage to the Aviation Mecca: the annual Experimental Aircraft Association International Fly-In, Convention and Sport Aviation Exhibition-or ``Oshkosh'' as it's known around the world. It always seemed that something more important to a ``business aviator'' was competing for my time. And, after all, the EAA meeting was simply a gathering of homebuilders and kit-airplane enthusiasts, wasn't it?
The Orenda Division of Hawker Siddeley Canada has delayed certification of its 600-hp, 495-cubic-inch V-8 engine for aviation applications until late in 1996 (B/CA, May, page 22). The nearly year-long delay will enable the company to optimize the engine for weight, complexity and maintenance costs, according to Orenda. Design modifications include replacing the twin turbochargers with a single, more powerul unit that allows the engine to be moved aft about six inches to improve the c.g. envelope.
William G. Nelson joined the company as vice president and general manager of the Long Island service center at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, New York.
After almost a year of serving customers from trailers, Martin Aviation is scheduled to open its new FBO terminal at California's John Wayne/Orange County Airport in November. The two-story structure will house a 21,000-square-foot hangar in addition to two executive conference rooms, a baggage storage area, kitchenette, refreshment area and pilot supply store. Crew amenities will include a lounge, flight planning room, showers, quiet rooms and private offices. Catering and rental vehicles will be available on site.
National Air Transportation Association, an FBO and air-taxi trade group, is urging the FAA to expedite approval of a rule change that would allow FAR Part 135 passenger-carrying operations in IMC in single-engine aircraft. The industry's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee recently endorsed the concept and sent a draft rule proposal to the FAA. Separately, the NATA plans to survey all Part 135 operators in order to develop a more-comprehensive statistical base that can be used to dispel public ``misconceptions'' about Part 135 operations.
