The dropping of some 3,000 surplus military helicopters into the non-military market in the next five years will be a prominent discussion point at Heli Expo '95, according to Frank L. Jensen, Jr., president of the Helicopter Association International. The event is scheduled in Las Vegas on January 29-31.
If the FAA adopts a proposed AD, up to 350 AlliedSignal TFE731-3 series turbofans will require replacement of certain LPT disks because of their alleged susceptibility to fatigue failure. Compliance with the AD would cost approximately $18,000 per engine, the agency says. The AD would apply to 731-3, -3A, -3AR, -3B, -3BR and -3R turbofans installed on several business jet models, except the IAI Astra. A separate AD pertaining to the LPT disks on TFE731s in the Astra previously was issued. Comments on the proposed AD are due January 30.
At press time, the NTSB was trying to learn why a Cessna Conquest lined up on the wrong runway and, thus, was hit by a TWA MD-80 taking off on the same runway. The accident, at 2200 hours on November 24, 1994 at St. Louis Lambert Airport, killed the two persons aboard the Conquest. The NTSB said the Conquest was cleared to Runway 31, but crossed 31 and lined up about 1,500 feet down Runway 30R. The Conquest's taxi light switch was in the ``on'' position, investigators said, but its other light switches were in the ``off'' position.
The ATIS 2000 automated terminal information system from Artais Weather Check is available in a fully automated, digital system based on Microsoft Windows. Capable of interfacing with other Artais systems and other networks, the system can collect data from several sources, such as MET networks and AFTN lines, and convert it into voice messages in standard ICAO formats. Price: $30,000 to $100,000, depending on options. Artais Weather Check, Inc., 4660 Kenny Rd., Columbus, OH 43220. (614) 451-8388.
NTSB wants the FAA to revise the TSO for wind-shear alert systems to ensure they will issue warnings while flaps are in motion. And the Safety Board wants Honeywell to incorporate that capability into its wind-shear systems. The Safety Board says failure of a Honeywell system to give a timely warning may have been a factor in the crash of a USAir DC-9 in Charlotte on July 2, 1994. The Board said the aircraft crashed after encountering wind shear while the flaps were retracting during a go-around maneuver.
When traveling overseas, don't expect the U.S. Embassy to bail you out of every troublesome situation, but it can extricate you from some tangled predicaments. That is but one topic covered in The Frequent International Traveler's One-Day Workshop offered for executives by The Lee Group of Falls Church, Virginia. The Lee Group is an international security consulting firm and publisher of A Personal Safety Guide for International Travelers.
Toward the end of 1994, the FAA was scheduled to have completed a wake-vortex training program for pilots and air traffic controllers. The agency said the course will be available in several formats, including compact disc. For details, contact the FAA's George C. Hay at (202) 366-9127. Meanwhile, the FAA and NASA continue their respective research into wake-vortex characteristics.
February 9--TCAS: Turbine-powered FAR Part 135 aircraft with 10 to 30 passenger seats must have TCAS I systems installed. (The FAA has proposed a two-year deadline extension.) March 1--Duty times: Deadline for compliance with flight attendant duty times and minimum rest requirements for operations under FAR Part 121 and 135 on-demand and scheduled certificate holders. June 21--ELTs: Newly installed ELTs must meet TSO C91a.
Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation of Arlington, Washington has developed a program designed to extend the wing life on Model 690, 695, 840 and 900 Turbine Commanders. Under Part I of Twin Commander's mandatory Service Bulletin 213, aircraft that have reached at least 6,000 hours are required to undergo a wing inspection (expected to take about 66 hours per side). Part II of SB 213 provides for a modification to extend the life of the wing and eliminate future inspections. The mod kit costs $1,700 and requires 33 hours to install.
The Italian government granted Piaggio Aircraft's request for ``preferential financial treatment benefits of Prodi Law,'' the equivalent of protection under Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy laws. Three government officials have been appointed to restore the company to profitability. Immediate objectives are to restart aircraft marketing activities and re-establish product support services for customers of the company's Avanti turboprop and other aircraft.
Subject to regulatory approval, United Kingdom-based engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce expects to complete the acquisition of Allison Engine Company in the spring. Rolls-Royce says the maker of small turbine engines will continue to operate under the Allison name and remain in Indianapolis. However, F. Blake Wallace, long-time chief executive, is scheduled to leave the company.
GE Aircraft Engines is touting its first two years of CF34-3A1 service with the Canadair Regional Jet. Six airlines operate the aircraft--launch customer Lufthansa CityLine, Comair, Air Littoral, Lauda Air and SkyWest. GE says aircraft dispatch reliability during the first two years was 99.99 percent, while logging more than 217,000 engine flight hours. During that period, there was only one in-flight shutdown. The engine's shop-visit rate is 0.022 per 1,000 hours, or 45,000 flight hours mean time between shop visits.
Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer of commuter aircraft, was privatized at a government-sponsored auction in December 1994. Foreign investors, allowed to acquire up to 40 percent of the company's shares, bought 33 percent of the stock. Another 45 percent was bought by a consortium led by Bozano Simonsen, a Brazilian bank. As a result of the sale, the Brazilian government's share of Embraer fell from 86.8 percent to 18 percent. The auction was delayed several times by injunctions brought by unions (B/CA, July 1994, page 26).
The NBAA has created a special fund to help ``preserve, record and display'' business aviation's heritage. The first project of the fund will be to support an exhibition on business aviation at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. With a pledge of $20,000, AlliedSignal became the first contributor to the fund.
If anyone is interested in the Washington scene, there are three chairs open at the NTSB. Nominees will be carefully screened by Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) who is now chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. Last year, Pressler monkey-wrenched the confirmation of a Clinton nominee--James Hall--to the Board because Pressler was not satisfied with Hall's credentials for the post. The subsequent score (Lions 4, Pressler 0) saw not only Hall winning the nomination, but also his subsequently becoming chairman.
To protect your King Air's finish from prop ice hitting the fuselage, Stevens Aviation's Colorado facility has introduced Kydex Ice Shields. The shields are positioned over the forward fuselage avionics doors on King Air 200, 300 and 350 models to ward off dents and paint chips. Price: $1,995 per aircraft shipset (two shields). Stevens Aviation, Jefferson County Airport, 10656 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield, CO 80021. (800) 606-0017.
Commuter Air Technology (CATPASS) of Scottsdale, Arizona has introduced an advanced, low profile, exhaust gas extractor system for the Beech King Air 200/B200. The company modifies the King Airs as 13-passenger commuter aircraft. The company termed the old stacks ``1950s technology'' and said the new system--constructed of stainless steel with state-of-the-art coating that ``dramatically'' reduces sooting--results in a 7.5-knot increase in airspeed, a two- to five-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and lower maintenance and overhaul costs.
Dassault's Falcon 2000 is scheduled to enter service next month. The new jet received European JAA certification in late November 1994. FAA certification was expected in December 1994. Certification of the Falcon 2000's optional thrust reverser is anticipated by the time the aircraft enters service. By mid-1995, an optional Flight Dynamics head-up display should be approved on the Falcon 2000, and certification of flight management systems other than the Falcon 2000's standard Universal GNS-X also will be undertaken this year.
Efforts to establish a floating heliport on the Thames River in Central London remain tangled in legal controversy and conflicting permissions (Jeppesen United Kingdom).
In mid-December 1994, McDonnell Douglas celebrated the FAA certification and the first delivery of the company's new Explorer twin-turbine helicopter. The first production copy of the eight-place, NOTAR-configured rotorcraft was delivered to Petroleum Helicopters of Lafayette, Louisiana. The $2.9-million Explorer is offered with two engine choices: a 629-shp P&WC or a 641-shp Turbomeca Arrius. McDonnell Douglas says it has orders for more than 50 Explorers to date.
West Virginia Air Center, an FBO at Benedum Airport in Clarksburg specializing in completions, modifications and painting, has been purchased by Short Brothers (USA). The company was put on the block late in 1994 by Five-J Energy Corporation, its former owner (B/CA, October 1994, page 26). Short Brothers (USA) is the U.S. subsidiary of Short Brothers plc of Belfast, Northern Ireland, a unit of Bombardier, the Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based corporation.
Less than a year after acquiring Allison Engine Company from General Motors for $310 million, investment banker Clayton, Dubilier&Rice has turned a $215-million profit with the Indianapolis company's sale to Rolls-Royce plc for $525 million.
This month, the first prototype Bell 430 was scheduled to enter its third month of flight testing at the company's Mirabel, Quebec, Canada factory. The mid-size twin is based on the current Model 230 design. However, Bell has lengthened the fuselage by 18 inches, redesigned dynamic components and upgraded the aircraft's cockpit.
Flightcrews heading to Miami for Super Bowl XXIX on Sunday, January 29 at Joe Robbie Stadium will find some extra hospitality at a variety of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida FBOs.
