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
Halogen Guides Jets (formerly Helium Report) is a new Web site that is part of a planned network of sites focused on the affluent lifestyle. The site includes tools such as "Find a Jet," which allows users to enter departure and arrival points, get availability and costs for charter or jet card purchases. The Private Jet Finder section includes detailed information on jet configuration, range, cost and speed. A free comprehensive decision guide is available for download.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus is partnering with Aviorent S.r.l. Flight Academy and Aviation English Services to launch a new Aviation English language training program to bring English language skills of international flight students, air crews, and air traffic controllers to an International Civil Aviation Organization Level 4 competency. ICAO established a standard for English language competency since English is the designated international standard for aviation.
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.
At about 0900 CST, a mechanic was fatally injured when he attempted to enter a King Air 200 with the engines running. The airplane was owned and operated by Alaro, Inc. According to the pilot, the VSI had been replaced and a test flight was conducted. During the flight, the pilot experienced a loud, high-pitched "screaming" sound. The pilot returned to the airport. When the pilot idled the engines and brought the airplane to a stop,the sound diminished. With the engines operating at idle power, the mechanic wanted to board the airplane.
Cessna announced at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., that it has more than 500 orders for its Citation Mustang entry level business jet. "We were confident that once our customers started flying the Citation Mustang we'd have very happy owners and accelerated orders. The response from the global market has been nothing short of exceptional," said Roger Whyte, senior vice president, sales and marketing, at Cessna. "The Mustang is now certified in 47 countries, and the fleet of approximately 60 aircraft has accumulated more than 10,500 hours so far."
Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Lynnwood, Wash., appointed George New as director of quality for the Aerospace Group. JoAnna Williams is the new vice president of Human Resourses for the Aerospace Group.
A few comments about your splendid March issue: My old friend and Misty buddy, Ross Detwiler, scores again with "Back to Kuwait." A very readable account of a complex flight. It read like something from Harper's Bazaar. Well done. Who is this Dick McKinney guy? Good job on a tough, potentially boring, subject.
A Cessna 750, N750WM, registered to WM Aviation LLC, departed the right side of Runway 13L on a landing roll out of JFK International Airport, New York, N.Y., at about 2014 EST. After touchdown, the copilot, who was flying the airplane, stated he did not have nosewheel steering, brakes, or any feeling of engine thrust reverse at approximately 80 knots. The crew applied emergency air brakes and the airplane veered off the runway to the right and collided with a dirt divider, sheared off the left main landing gear and buckled the nose gear.
A new air route over China aimed to reduce congestion over that country during the Olympics opened April 9, IATA announced. The route, designated B208, is designed to cut down on delays and congestion on flights between Europe and Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Flights will no longer be routed over Beijing, IATA said.
Robert E. Breiling Associates reports that business jet and turboprop accidents totaled a aggregate total of 15 accidents including six fatal accidents -- resulting in 18 passenger and crew fatalities during the first three months of 2008. Fatal accidents and fatality numbers were up compared to the first quarter of 2007, with four fatal accidents and 11 fatalities during that period.
According to the NTSB accident report, company personnel said the airplane was scheduled to have TAWS installed in January 2005; the accident occurred in October 2004. FAR Part 91.223(a), March 29, 2002, was the deadline for forward-fit TAWS in turbine-powered, U.S.-registered airplanes with six or more passenger seats, excluding any pilot seat. March 29, 2005, was the deadline for TAWS retrofit installations, according to Part 91.223(b).
Avidyne Corp., Lincoln Ma., announced the Robbin L. "Rob" Higby has joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing. He will be responsible for expanding Avidyne's relationships with core OEM partners, as well as its global network of distributors and dealers.
Manufacturer, Model In some cases, the airplane manufacturer's name is abbreviated, but the company's full name and address can be found in the "Airframe Suppliers Directory" on page 166. The model name also is included in this group. BCA Equipped Price Price estimates are first quarter, current year dollars for the next available delivery. Some aircraft have long lead times, thus the actual price will be higher than our published price. Note well, manufacturers may adjust prices without notification.
Blackhawk Modifications, the Waco, Texas-based turboprop reengining specialist, has earned an FAA STC for its upgrade of older King Air 200 and B200 aircraft with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 engine. The recently developed powerplant replaces the King Air 200 and B200's original PT6A-41 or -42 engines. Blackhawk, which obtained the STC in less than five months, says it is the first company to win FAA approval and make the -52 engines available for retrofit on in-service King Airs.
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.
Omni Aviacao took delivery of a Learjet 40 configured for emergency medical services conversion. The aircraft was modified to allow easy access for a stretcher. Lifeport supplied a medical kit for the aircraft, which can transport one patient on a stretcher and a four-person medical team on flights of up to 1,800 nm. The Model 40 joins Omni's fleet of three Learjet 45 business jets and one Learjet 31. Based in Portugal, Omni Aviacao provides a range of fixed-wing and helicopter services in Europe.
Mark Harris' name and photo were accidentally attached to a paragraph describing someone else's appointment as team leader for ASI in the February "On Duty," page 88. The entry should have read: Mark Harris was appointed site leader for Crane Aerospace & Electronics' Fort Walton Beach, Fla., facility.
