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.
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.
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.
Proposed noise abatement programs under FAR Part 150 have been submitted for approval to the FAA for San Diego's Lindbergh Field and Fort Worth Spinks Airport. An agency decision on both programs is expected in August. Under FAR Part 150, interested parties have the right to comment on the proposals. For more information, contact the district FAA airport or flight standards offices.
As most corporate flight department managers who have renewed insurance coverage in the past few months have already learned, insurance costs are on the rise.
Formal approval for production of the MD 600N eight-place, single-turbine helicopter, introduced in 1994 as the MD 630N, was given by McDonnell Douglas Corporation in late March. Officials of McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems expect FAA certification of the aircraft in 1996 and estimate a price in the ``one-million-dollar range.'' The company is promising direct operating costs of about $234 per hour. The MD 600N features a NOTAR anti-torque system and a max cruise speed of 134 knots. (See also ``Emerging Aircraft'' in this issue.)
Start-up Las Vegas-based Tri Star Airlines (T3) has found a niche: flying tourists from the Orient from the Los Angeles and San Francisco gateways to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said it will conduct an operational test this summer of the Aviation Gridded Forecast System (AGFS), a new technique to provide ATC and pilots with better locally specific, real-time weather information (B/CA, February 1994, page 60). AGFS is designed to provide timely data on icing, turbulence, precipitation, winds, temperature and cloud cover. Full implementation of AGFS will not occur before the end of this year.
Helicopter Association International and other industry representatives met with DOT Secretary Federico Pea in late March to express their concern about continued air access over national parks. Air-tour operators have been hit with rules and proposed rules to limit their operations for the declared purpose of improving safety and reducing noise. Industry reps want to ensure that the DOT, not the Department of Interior, retains sole authority over airspace rules.
Rulemaking procedures--The FAA is proposing new rulemaking procedures, including a provision that automatically would convert an NPRM into a rule if no negative comments are submitted (December 1994, page 17). Penalties--Proposed revisions to FAR Part 13 Civil Penalty Assessment Procedures make technical changes and improvements to clarify them, but do not alter the fundamental provisions (October 1994, page 21).
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.
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.
Max Bleck, who started his career in general aviation with Stanley Aviation in 1951 and who, served, variously, as president of Beech, Cessna and Piper aircraft companies, retired to his home in Wichita on May 1. Bleck, 68, was most recently president and a member of the board of directors of Raytheon Company, the parent firm of Beech Aircraft and Raytheon Aircraft.
Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) has successfully proven its new enlarged ATR-72 deice boots. The new boots extend farther back on the wing to prevent ice accretion atop the wing and forward of the ailerons. The boots, which nearly double the coverage of the original design, were developed following tests behind a KC-135 water tanker at Edwards Air Force Base, California in December 1994. Those tests were prompted by the fatal American Eagle ATR-72 crash on October 31 near Roselawn, Indiana.
Under a new law, serious accidents or incidents involving virtually all public-use aircraft (aircraft owned, leased or operated by civil governments) must be reported immediately to the NTSB. The law also extends the FARs to virtually all public-use aircraft (B/CA, April, page 26). Previously, government-operated aircraft were exempt from reporting accidents to the NTSB or complying with many FARs.
Diabetes--The FAA is considering a change in policy to allow insulin-using diabetics to obtain an airman medical certification (March 1995, page 16). Medicals--The FAA is proposing a broad revision of airman medical certification standards--FAR Parts 61 and 67 (December 1994, page 34).
Moscow city government officials and the Russian National Aeroclub plan to convert Tushino military airfield in northwest Moscow into an airport for general aviation. The facility also is slated to have a business center, a hotel and a flying school. A four-year construction project is scheduled to begin in 1996. Tushino is reportedly hosting a business aviation show in June. For more information, contact Igor Marinichev, director of Moscow's Foreign Investment Department. Phone: +7-(0)95-229-0934; fax: +7-(0)95-209-5220.
The Italian government is expected to rule this month on a reorganization plan for Piaggio Aircraft, according to an official of this company that builds the Avanti turboprop. If approved, the plan would be a first step toward getting Piaggio back on a firm financial footing. Piaggio has been operating under Italy's equivalent of Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy laws since late 1994.
Cessna Chairman Russ Meyer made good on his promise and announced plans to resume production of Model 172s, 182s and 206s once the General Aviation Revitalization Act was signed into law. The centerpiece of the law is an 18-year statute of repose limiting aircraft and component manufacturers' exposure to product liability lawsuits.
Litton Special Devices acquired the assets of Aeronetics from AAR Manufacturing and relocated the company to Litton's headquarters plant in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Formerly based in Carol Stream, Illinois, Aeronetics produces nav displays, gyros, control panels and data converters. In addition to nav displays, Litton Special Devices builds electromechanical actuator systems. For inquiries as to continued product support, contact Litton at (610) 328-4016.
A new self-serve fueling station, a rebuilt terminal, a runway extended to 5,000 feet and a resurfacing of the runway and taxiway are several major projects now complete at Texas' Weslaco Mid Valley Airport. Weslaco Aviation, a city owned and operated FBO, provides computerized flight planning, catering, rental cars and maintenance, and is open from 0700 to 1900 hours daily.
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.
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.
Although normally closed to corporate aircraft, Wake Air Force Base (PWAK) can accept aircraft in emergencies on a 24-hour basis. Emergency crews will be available, and VORTAC transmission will be turned on when emergency notification is received (Air Routing).
