Chelton Flight Systems began field installation of software for Phase II of the Capstone Program that is testing and integrating ADS-B in Alaska. Chelton is working with the FAA and the University of Alaska Anchorage to update the software on 90 FAR Part 23 aircraft and to train operators of those aircraft. The software, which received TSO approval in December 2007, integrates with and displays ADS-B information on Chelton's electronic flight information system.
Productivity is the essential quality for making a profit in the regional airline industry, and as one leading airline executive put it, "You build from profitability, not to profitability." Productivity is derived from operating cost, block-to-block speed, runway field performance, passenger and freight capacity, and the versatility to operate profitably over widely ranging mission distances.
Bird-X, Inc., has introduced the Bird BLazer indoor bird deterrent laser. This new product fills the need identified by forty-four years of customer input and experience with bird problems at municipal, industrial and commercial buildings, according to the company. BLaser uses state-of-the-art fat beam laser technology in dozens of constantly changing patterns to disrupt pigeons, sparrows, starlings, swallows and other birds. The device covers up to 10,000 square feet. BLaser operates on 110 volts with no oversight or maintenance required. The unit weighs nine pounds.
The following letter was posted on www.airlinepilotforums.com. We contacted Comair and media spokesperson, Kate Marx, would not confirm or deny the letter saying that Comair does not discuss internal documents. She went on to say that Comair had produced some requested ASAP reports but under a protective order and also under protest. Marx also said that "we need ASAP to identify safety issues so we can create corrective actions. Our concerns are that the program is voluntary and a major point is confidentiality.
As vice president for strategic operations at DayJet Corp., Traver Gruen-Kennedy already has his hands full starting up a brand-new air service in the Southeast United States.. Not one to leave any corner of his daily calendar untouched, Kennedy fills much of his spare time helping people in faraway places with strange-sounding names. Like Agogo, for example. The little village in the Ashanti area of eastern Ghana with a name like a discotheque honored Kennedy by making him a chief.
In April, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke finally admitted publicly what many observers who had been scrutinizing the U.S. financial numbers had suspected for months: The American economy is slipping and likely will contract during the first half of 2008. This isn't news to homeowners ensnared in the subprime mortgage crisis, residents of Northern states who paid record prices for heating oil this past winter, or drivers nationwide who are spending hundreds of dollars a week to fill up their gas tanks. However, how large an impact a U.S.
New from Howard Leight are the Thunder T2HV high-visibility earmuffs that provide users with a total solution for hearing protection and visibility. The bright green earcups provide a highly noticeable contrast against dark settings especially in low lighting or inclement weather. They also incorporate an exclusive reflective headband that illuminates when exposed to light. Dielectric construction in Thunder T2HV earmuffs will not conduct electricity, making them ideal for almost all high-noise environments.
It's a fact: All those glass cockpits we've been gushing about for years are finally paying a big safety dividend. The number of fatal general aviation accidents declined by 5 percent during the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2007, the FAA reports. And advanced cockpit technology was given some of the credit.
A AC -- Advisory circular ACARS -- Airline communications addressing and reporting system ACAS -- Aircraft collision avoidance system ADC -- Air data computer ADI -- Attitude direction indicator ADS -- Air data system ADS-B -- Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast AES -- Aircraft earth station AFCS -- Automatic flight control system AFIS -- Automated flight information system (Honeywell) AHRS -- Attitude-heading reference system
On August 27, 2006, about 0606:35 eastern daylight time, Comair Flight 5191, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N431CA, crashed during takeoff from Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky. The flight crew was instructed to take off from Runway 22 but instead lined up the airplane on Runway 26 and began the takeoff roll. The airplane ran off the end of the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence, trees and terrain. The captain, flight attendant and 47 passengers were killed, and the first officer received serious injuries.
Flight Options, Cleveland, has named three new vice presidents to its leadership team. Tony Ferrante joins the company as vice president, sales-East; Rusty Hood is vice president and general counsel; Ralph Knull is vice president, human resources and labor relations.
Jet Aviation and Beijing-based Deer Air, a subsidiary of HNA Group, have signed a joint venture agreement under which the two companies will operate a FBO and line maintenance facility at Beijing's Capital International Airport. Handling and limited line maintenance services will be ready in time for the Olympic Games which to be held in Beijing Aug. 8 to 24. Construction of a new 3,300 square-meter (35,475 sq. ft.) FBO building has already started and is expected to be operational for the Olympic Games. The hangar facilities will be completed by early 2009.
Manufacturer and Model This block includes the manufacturer's name and the aircraft's model name and technical designation. For more information on manufacturers, see "Airframe Suppliers Directory," on page 166. B&CA Equipped Price This is the current price of the aircraft with the equipment stipulated in the "B&CA Helicopter Minimum Equipment List," and is shown for comparison purposes only. In most cases, the price is provided by the manufacturer; exceptions are so noted.
Helicopter Association International members modified its by-laws at its annual meeting in Houston Texas, to broaden its pilot and maintenance technician membership in line with HAI's outreach efforts to individual pilots and technicians in the field. The new by-law will allow any pilot or maintenance technician to join HAI, provided they are not an officer, director, or majority owner of an organization that would normally qualify for Regular or Associate Member classification. Other changes to the by-laws can be found at www.rotor.com.
Want to step up to turbine reliability, 250-plus-knot cruise speeds and virtually unbeatably low operating costs? Consider the Piper Meridian, a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-powered derivative of the PA-46 Malibu/Mirage pressurized, piston-powered single with a modified wing, 2.5-foot wider stabilizer, beefier gear and increased fuel capacity, plus updated systems. It climbs directly to FL 280 and cruises for 1,000 nm with full tanks.
Regional Airline Association (RAA), Washington, D.C., announced that Liam Connolly has joined the association as manager-Industry and Regulatory Affairs.
David Collogan's Washington on "Limiting the Value of Aircraft" (February 2008, page 86) was right on the money. This move by the Department of Homeland Security would make George Orwell blush. Considering the fraud involved in its predicate event, it is criminal. Once again general aviation is made the scapegoat of absurd government policy proposals. Having the names of passengers sent to DHS before arrival will make us no more secure than frisking wheelchair-bound grandmothers does today in the airline terminal.
Rockwell Collins' new Venue cabin management system will make its debut aboard the CJ4. Venue features an Internet protocol, high-speed digital network bus architecture supporting 1080 pixel resolution with High Definition Media Interface and Blu-ray Disc compatibility, plus compliance with high-definition copy protection protocols. It also supports legacy analog audio/video interfaces so it will work with today's music CDs and DVDs along with iPods, iPhones, MP3 players and laptop computers.
Congress is looking into an accident involving Donald Buchanan, a contract mechanic, who while working on a Continental 737 at El Paso in 2006 was killed during an engine run-up. The event was entered into Continental's ASAP. The airline, the contract maintenance company and a mechanic were fined. Another mechanic had all his certificates revoked.
By the end of 2007, major turbofan business aircraft manufacturers had racked up a $58 billion-plus order backlog, according to GAMA. Overall revenue from new general aviation sales reached $21.9 billion, a 16.4-percent increase over 2006. OEMs delivered 4,272 general aviation. aircraft in 2007, 5.4-percent more units than in the previous year.
I RUSHED OVER AND LOOKED down into the darkened concrete pit. There he was, motionless, eyes wide in panic, blood splattered on his thick white hair. Oh no, I thought, I've killed Boomer. While the underlying cause of this wrenching accident was my curiosity, the immediate culprit was the local Boys & Girls Club. Walking is a favorite activity of mine. For my dog, it's ecstasy, as though the way to a mountain of Alpo surrounded by fire hydrants guarded by meowling, slow-footed cats. He's crazy for it.
A question regarding the Learjet 35 departure, which ended up in the mountains ("Combatting CFIT," Cause & Circumstance, March 2008, page 84). Was the aircraft equipped with EGPWS or GPWS and, if so, did it work? I would suggest that if they have a waiver from this kind of equipment, then there should also be some restrictions in place, such as no VFR at night.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has consolidated the MRO businesses of the former Landmark Aviation and the well-known mod and completion center, Associated Air Center, which it acquired in July 2007 as a compliment into DAE's aerospace engineering unit. All the businesses are now integrated and are operating under the Standard Aero banner, with Associated Air Center maintaining a separate marketing identity, the company announced March 27.
