Baseops now automatically files to reclaim eligible European Value Added Taxes (VAT) for its clients retroactively to January 1994. Most handlers assist in reclaiming VATs on request, but the Baseops system is instituted automatically and documentation for refunds is provided at no charge. Reclamation may take as long as 12 months (Baseops International).
If there is one common denominator in many of the comments on the FAA's proposed Commuter Safety Rule-Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 95-5-it is the ``lack of justification.'' Even more, it is the total lack of correlation between cost and benefit. In brief, the NPRM could threaten the economic viability of the 19-passenger turboprop, and thus the Essential Air Service program and small com- munity air service. The comment period on the proposal ended in late June.
Amendments have been adopted that correlate certain FAR Part 25 large-aircraft airworthiness certification standards with similar standards in Europe's Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JAR Part 25). To provide guidelines for complying with the changes, the agency also revised AC 25-7, ``Flight Test Guide for Certification of Transport Category Airplanes.'' A similar set of FAR/JAR changes for smaller airplanes is in the proposal stage (B/CA, September 1994, page 15).
The Gulfstream V has reached that satisfying point in the development of every new aircraft where it is taking recognizable shape. On May 31, the first G-V fuselage was joined. (See photo.) In July, the Vought-manufactured wing set and Fokker-built empennage were scheduled to have been mated to the fuselage, and the BMW/Rolls-Royce engines are scheduled to be mounted by early September in preparation for the aircraft's rollout prior to the NBAA annual convention in Las Vegas, September 26-28.
The Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 will be the first air-transport aircraft to be equipped with Collins' new AVSAT 900 series flight management system, a satellite-based product set for certification in mid 1996. The AVSAT 900 can be used as a primary means for terminal, en route and non-precision approach segments and will eventually support precision approaches. The AVSAT 900 replaces a Honeywell FMS, and Collins officials said the company is working on an AVSAT 900 retrofit program for existing F70s and F100s.
Early in 1998, if all goes according to plan, the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) will be operational. WAAS, which is the FAA's official term for Wide Area Differential GPS (WADGPS), will enhance navigational signals from the global positioning system (GPS) in three ways: improve its accuracy, monitor signal integrity and assure critical-level signal reliability.
Elliott Aviation of Moline, Illinois and Ultra Electronics of Middlesex, England are projecting certification this month of an active noise-control and vibration-control system for Beech King Air C90s and 200s. The ``UltraQuiet'' system is a spinoff from one that Ultra Electronics is building for Saab and ATR regional airliners. Elliott claims the system ``virtually eliminates'' propeller noise. Installed price is $24,995 for the C90, $29,995 for the 200.
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).
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.
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.
Aerospatiale's Socata unit signed an agreement with American General Aircraft Corporation of Greenville, Mississippi for the rights to manufacture the Cougar, a light-piston twin originally developed by Grumman and last built in 1979. Renamed the TB320 Tangar, the four-place aircraft is powered by two 160-hp Lycomings and is particularly suitable for multiengine flight training.
The HeliTest portable leak-detection kit from Varian uses helium to ferret out leaks in fuel tanks, pneumatic circuits, oxygen systems, air-conditioning systems, turbines and cabins. To use HeliTest, the area or object to be tested is first filled with a helium-air mixture. Then, the hand-held, battery-operated Helitest probe is passed over the area where a leak is suspected. An electric signal indicating the helium pressure helps the operator locate leaks. No training is required to operate the detector. Price: $7,000 to $8,000, depending on the unit's configuration.
Collins Avionics and France's Dassault Electronique signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop a line of ground collision avoidance systems (GCAS). The two companies are considering: an integrated GCAS and traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS), GCAS with an integral global navigation satellite system sensor, and a stand-alone GCAS. A prototype GCAS is scheduled to begin flight-testing late this year. Certification is expected in early 1997.
In July, the old Piper Aircraft Company emerged from four years of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as ``New Piper Aircraft, Incorporated.'' The company was renamed by its new owners, Newco Pac, an entity comprised of the Philadelphia investment firm of Dimeling, Schreiber and Park, and Teledyne Industries, Piper's largest unsecured creditor. Besides the new name, Piper also will get a new board of directors and a new logo. Charles Suma is expected to continue as Piper's president, but Stone Douglass will no longer serve as chairman.
There is a decreasing availability of slots for Kai Tak Airport (VHHH). Increased charter activity this fall promises to further restrict access for corporate operators. New Hong Kong airport Chek Lap Kok is under construction, but its opening is delayed until 1998.
The most commonly used aircraft-security equipment consists of electronic alerts or warning devices that are installed inside the airplane and trigger an alarm when someone with unapproved access tries to enter. Other equipment includes special locks on avionics and throttles or specially designed tie-downs.
If your flight department is of modest means and/or your reporting requirements are simple, you still may be able to produce satisfactory reports using inexpensive software. Some programs provide step-by-step, on-screen instructions to help you build a spreadsheet of your own making, or provide templates for typical business-application spreadsheets. Software outlets sell books on using many of the more popular products, and a local adult education course can help, too.
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.
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.
By the end of the year, the Helicopter Association International expects to finalize its Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), a guide providing air-tour operators with advice on such topics as safety management, pilot qualifications, recurrent training standards, maintenance practices, technician qualifications and training for ground crews. Most of the suggested standards are above those already required under FAR Part 135, claims the HAI. For more information on TOPS, contact the HAI's Glenn Orthmann at (703) 683-4646.
Jetstream Aircraft announced in late June that it had received certification of the 70-passenger Jetstream 61 by the British Civil Aviaton Authority-even though the airplane will never go into production.
Embraer of Brazil is one of a number of international partners to join in a risk-sharing partnership on the new 22-passenger Sikorsky S-92 Helibus multi-role helicopter. First flight of the aircraft is scheduled for early 1998, with certification following two years later. Sikorsky believes there is a market for 5,000 S-92s through 2019-with 55 to 60 percent projected for military customers. Embraer will be responsible for a four-percent share of the projected $600-million program, including fuel system and sponsons.
Effective August 17, several subareas of the Class B Airspace for North Carolina's Charlotte/Douglas International Airport will be reconfigured, but the 10,000-foot upper limit will remain. The changes generally reduce the amount of Class B Airspace, but during the proposed rulemaking stage, the FAA rejected several requests from general aviation representatives and advocates that the ceiling be lowered to 8,000 feet (B/CA, May 1994, page 20).
