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.
The FAA and ICAO are sponsoring a seminar on the planned implementation of the 1,000-foot vertical separation minima for operations between FL 290 and FL 410 in the North Atlantic Tracks (NAT) Region (B/CA, June, page 43). The seminar is scheduled in Reston, Virginia on August 27-29. Effective in January 1997, all aircraft operating in NAT Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) airspace must be able to meet new Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) standards, according to ICAO.
The Smithsonian Institution plans to form a search committee in September to find a new director for the National Air&Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Bob Hoffman has been serving as interim director ever since former director Martin Harwit resigned in May after controversy over the museum's Enola Gay B-29 exhibit (B/CA, July, page 20). Hoffman plans to retire soon and does not have his hat in the ring for the director's job. The Helicopter Association International is recommending former FAA administrator Donald Engen for the slot.
August marks the 50th anniversary of a controversial flight that not only was a milestone in aviation chronology, but also a dramatic event that irrevocably changed the course of history. Soon after the Boeing B-29 Superfortress named Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945, killing nearly half of the city's 300,000 people, it became apparent that aerial warfare-indeed, the world-would never be the same.
Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division and de Havilland Aircraft popped their new Dash 8 quiet interior at the Paris Air Show in June and, as expected, have spurned Active Noise Control (ANC) as ``inadequate.''
Sandor (Alex) Kvassay, the ``irrepressible Hungarian refugee,'' was virtually single-handedly responsible for keeping Learjet in business during the hard times from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. A man of amazing satirical and dry wit, his autobiography opens some fascinating insights into the world of Wichita and selling airplanes abroad.
A key witness in the case of TPI International Airways suffered a near total lack of recollection when confronted with questions concerning his review of the FAA's shutdown of the small cargo carrier in August 1990.
For fast wipe-downs of the aircraft exterior/interior or for longer cleaning sessions, Powerfoam from Jet Stream Aviation Products promises ``no rub, no mess, no rinse.'' This all-purpose cleaning product was designed for scouring aircraft carbon exhaust stains, engine cowlings, oil and bugs, and for complete detail wiping of the aircraft exterior. Powerfoam can be applied to leather, plastic and vinyl to remove fingerprints, food or nicotine stains and smudges. The spray can also tackle grime and dirt on sinks, tabletops, stainless steel, glass and varnished surfaces.
ICAO and the FAA have scheduled a seminar on August 28 and 29 in Washington, D.C. to discuss changes in operational requirements that will occur due to implementation of 1,000-foot, vertical-separation minimums between FL 290 and FL 410 in the North Atlantic Track Region. Those minimums are scheduled to be in effect by January 1, 1997 (B/CA, June, page 43). For details of the seminar program, contact the FAA's Carl Bowlin in Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 233-5172.
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.
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.
Stark Survival Training of Panama City, Florida has introduced water-ditching training specific to helicopter type, and water-survival training for corporate helicopter crews and passengers. If a swimming pool or other body of water is available, the program can include helicopter underwater egress training on Stark's mobile helicopter-ditching simulator. The program fee is $2,000 (plus expenses) for up to 20 students. Phone: (904) 871-4730.
DOT will not abolish or revise the high-density traffic rule that sets IFR landing and takeoff slot limitations at four airports: Chicago's O'Hare (with 10 slots for GA), New York's Kennedy (with two GA slots) and La Guardia (with six), and Washington National (with 12 GA slots). Based on a study started in early 1994 (B/CA, May 1994, page 11), the DOT said the projected costs of eliminating or modifying the rule ``currently outweigh the benefits.''
The top two executives of Satellite Aero, an FBO at Wyoming's Jackson Hole Airport, signed an agreement in early June to purchase Western Aircraft, an FBO at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho that is one of several divisions that financially troubled Morrison Knudsen Corporation has put up for sale. Besides providing line and maintenance services, Western Aircraft is an installation center for Saunders spar straps and Aviadesign hydraulic landing gear for Beech King Airs.
David Wolf, flight department manager for Rocky Mount, North Carolina-based Hardee's Food Systems, is typical of some of the operators who are going beyond the limits of their management avcomps. Wolf's flight department uses a popular DOS-based business aviation management system. He has recently begun manually transferring data from his management system to a Lotus spreadsheet to generate other types of information for use within the flight department and to provide information for Hardee's CEO and CFO.
It has been a long time coming-the 70-passenger de Havilland Dash 8-400 high-speed turboprop. The announcement of its official launch at the Paris Air Show in June could only be called anti-climactic. The selection of an engine that manufacturer Pratt&Whitney Canada said would never be built had been made. The market and engineering studies started by previous de Havilland owner Boeing needed only to be updated.
Avcon Industries, holder of 92 Learjet STCs, expected certification in July for its empennage-mounted Avcon Fins on Learjet 35s and 36s. The fins, designed to improve low-speed stability and handling, are virtually identical to Learjet's Delta Fins on the Model 31 series. The Avcon Fins are being introduced at a price of $77,000 installed. Avcon Industries, based in Newton, Kansas, plans to display a fin-equipped aircraft at the NBAA convention in September.
One of B/CA's editors was invited to fly on a Canadair Challenger 604 for a 4,242-nm, nonstop record-attempting flight to Le Bourget Airport from Wichita during the Paris Air Show in June. Engineering test pilot E. Bruce Robinson and production test pilot W. Craig Kennedy were at the controls of the aircraft for the Paris flight, assisted by flight-test engineer James W. Brown. Our editor occupied the jump seat to chronicle the event.
A rule setting minimum experience levels for two pilots flying together under FAR Part 121 takes effect August 25. The rule increases the flight time pilots need in order to meet ``initial operating experience.'' Also, pilots will no longer earn experience credit for observing another pilot who is training. And, the PIC must perform takeoffs and landings during certain weather conditions and at particular airports if the copilot has less than 100 hours in type.
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.
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).
Security measures aimed at safeguarding business-aviation operations have continued to proliferate, although the number of recorded threats and attacks against those operations have been mercifully small during the last decade. Today an active and resourceful aircraft-security industry provides corporate operators with a variety of onboard security alarm and alerting systems and offers security seminars, executive protection services, consultants and international handlers-all in the interest of protecting domestic and international flights.
One of Jeppesen's newest publications is a guide to complying with the rules and procedures of the European Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU). The guide, packaged in a three-ring binder, outlines the flight-planning and traffic-flow management procedures enforced throughout European airspace. The contents of the guide costs $103.50 annually, including revisions. The binder is sold separately for $21.40.
