IFR Avionics of Van Nuys, Calif. has earned an STC for its retrofit installation of a Universal Avionics EFI-890R display in a Gulfstream GIII. The aircraft used to gain the approval also was equipped with Universal's Vision-1TM, an application server unit that provides Jeppesen charts for a paperless cockpit. The new display was interfaced with dual UNS-1 flight management systems and a Class A terrain awareness and warning system. The GIII STC also covers installation of the EFI-890R in the GII and GII-B.
Among the communication errors that resulted in altitude deviations were misunderstandings of the ATC amended clearance. Let's start with the simpler clearances and work to the more complex or confusing. When the air traffic controller states, "Bizjet 123, descend and maintain six thousand," according to FAA Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, the pilot is expected to commence descent upon receipt of the clearance and to descend at the suggested rates specified in Aeronautical Information Manual Paragraph 4-4-9, until reaching the assigned altitude of 6,000 feet.
Misset altitude alerters were involved in 58 percent of the altitude deviations. This closely mimics the data collected at several major airlines prior to implementing their own altitude deviation programs. The Aviation Safety Reporting System hear-back study noted that after the altitude alerter was set, it tended to become "the sole authority for what the aircraft's altitude should be."
Jeppesen has introduced interactive, multimedia E-learning programs for Garmin panel-mount integrated avionics systems as well as Garmin and Lowrance portable GPS units. The scenario-based, guided simulation training system allows pilot to train on the ground and will minimize the "heads down" time incurred when pilots are unfamiliar with the avionics systems, according to Jeppesen. Courses are available for the Garmin SNG 530W/430W and are offered at three levels: Basic VFR and IFR ($159.95), Advanced IFR ($139.95) and Advanced WASS Procedures ($139.95).
China Sonangol International Holding Ltd., an oil business enterprise, has ordered two Embraer Legacy 600s, which will make them the first of the aircraft type to be registered in mainland China. The aircraft will operate primarily as "corporate traveler transporters," according to Sonangol. A Macao-based Legacy has been operating in the region for some time.
Jan. 24, 2006, was a spectacularly clear winter day in Southern California. John "Jack" Francis and Andy Garratt were crewing a Citation V that departed Hailey Airport in Sun Valley, Idaho, bound for McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif. Aboard were Frank Jellinek Jr., recently retired chairman of Fisher Scientific and father of two children, along with Janet Shafran, mother of four. It was going to be just a brief stay in the San Diego area. Jellinek's father, Frank Sr., lived in the vicinity. Everyone planned to return to Sun Valley that afternoon.
Operations at New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW) have picked up since the control tower reopened on July 30. The Louisiana airfield, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005, handled 240 operations during a single day recently, according to Louis Capo, director of the Orleans Levee District's Division of Non-Flood Assets, which oversees NEW. Although Lakefront reopened on Oct. 15, 2005, it was only able to handle about 160 movements daily without the tower. Now the tower is operating from 8 a.m.
I am writing to bring your attention to an error in "Career Development Tips for Maintenance Managers" in the May B&CA (page 93) The page contains a small insert mentioning "National AMT Day." The H. Res. number for our National AMT Day Resolution is H. Res. 444, not 4582 as you published. The Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA) requested that Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) introduce this resolution. On May 24, he did introduce it and it is now before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Aviation excise taxes should remain in place, since the current funding system will cover the needs of the next generation air traffic control system. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, made that appeal during a hearing on aviation taxes just prior to the August congressional break. "I believe that the current system is tried and true, that it has accommodated the enormous growth American aviation has experienced over the past 30 years and that it will continue to do so," he said.
The Avanti II's front office is equipped with a full complement of Rockwell Collins avionics, featuring three, eight-by-10-inch, portrait configuration adaptive flight displays, a glareshield flight guidance control panel, a console-mounted FMS 3000 CDU with radio tuning function and a panel-mounted radio tuning unit. The MFD has an engine instrument display feature, but no crew alerting function or systems schematics. The Avanti II retains the original aircraft's 28 annunciator light panel.
Precise Flight Inc. is offering the OxyArm Cannula, a headset-mounted boom cannula for use with the company's A5 Flow Meter. The OxyArm is adaptable to all over-ear headsets, including Bose models, and uses ball stud mounting, which adhesively mounts to the headset and allows the cannula to be revoked completely or swung out of the way when not in use. It is light weight, efficient and contains a replaceable anti-microbial tip. Price: $99 and up per unit Precise Flight Inc. 63354 Powell Butte Rd. Bend, OR 97701
David Esler's "Should You Put Your Jet Up for Charter?" (June, page 44) read like an FAR Part 135 charter brochure. The experts refer to raising the safety bar under Part 135 when in truth the accident rate for a Part 135 operation per NBAA is nearly nine times worse than for a Part 91 operation. Turnover in the cockpit rises, taking with it your highly experienced and qualified crew to be replaced by a less experienced crew who now lives on 24-hour call.
I don't want to rain on Vern Raburn's parade, but the concept of a low-cost, single-engine turbofan, V-tail personal jet is hardly new; my introduction to the idea began when an errant copy of none other than B&CA mysteriously arrived in my mailbox one day in 2003.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame has presented the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award to Russia, Ohio, high school teacher, Marcus Petitjean. He was selected for his experiential approach to engaging students in the application of math and science combined with industrial art, and eventually flying skills, through re-creating the achievements of the Wright brothers.
CAE Systems is developing a series of Web-based maintenance training modules for Mooney M20 series, Ovation and Acclaim fleets. The new program includes the development and implementation of a learning Web portal and maintenance modules that will be designed to assist Mooney in upgrading and updating its technical support standards throughout the company's authorized service center network. The online training course, which is scheduled for release in first quarter 2008, is being designed to be self-paced, interactive and engaging for participants.
Embraer says it plans to win landing privileges for the Lineage 1000 at London City and Teterboro. The first customer aircraft is to fly to Crane in the U.S. for completion work later this year and then return to Brazil for formal customer delivery. The EMB190 derivative is priced at $42.95 million, including interior. Embraer hopes to deliver three to four aircraft annually.
Aviation Partners, which is enjoying strong demand for the Falcon winglets that the Seattle-based company introduced earlier this year, could apply its patented, range-enhancing, fuel-saving airfoil technology to as many as 20 additional types of business aircraft, including possibly some turboprops, in the future, according to company CEO Joe Clark.
Gore Design Completions, Ltd. recently welcomed the arrival of a green Airbus A320 Prestige, marking its elevation as the second Airbus-approved U.S. completions center for Airbus corporate jetliners. The Aug. 10 occasion was marked by speeches and hors d'oeuvres at Gore's 120,000-square-foot hangar at Port San Antonio, Texas, site of the former Kelly Air Force Base. Among the 350 in attendance were the mayor and a group of Airbus executives. "This is the first of many projects," said CEO Jerry Gore.
While Adam Aircraft is focused on obtaining certification for its A700 VLJ, the company also is keeping an eye on new possibilities for the product line, Wolf said. According to the new CEO, expanding the product line is one of four steps the company is concentrating on as it moves from being a development company into a "world-class producer" of aircraft.
Inmarsat First service available to aviation users; operates 10 satellites, claims over 8,000 aircraft equipped; global headquarters in London. Launch of third I-4, latest generation satellite, will complete global broadband coverage. Globalstar
The Strategic Research Institute has invited members of the aviation, legal, government and financial community to attend the Cape Town Convention & Aircraft Protocol Training Seminar, which will be held Sep. 17 and 18 at the Westin Dublin Hotel in Dublin, Ireland.
Development of the Phenom 300 light jet, its cabin now lengthened 14 inches, is proceeding on schedule. Embraer says it has released some 5,000 drawings and that the first of the swept-wing aircraft will be flying before its smaller sibling is certified. The nine-seat jet, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines rated at 3,200 pounds of thrust each, is expected to enter service in mid-2009. The 0.78 Mach, $6.65 million twinjet is projected to have a range with six occupants of 1,800 nm with NBAA IFR reserves.
In 2005, new international guidelines for the administration of CPR were introduced that placed greater emphasis on chest compressions and altered the practice of administering defibrillator shocks, with a result that makers of AEDs changed their machines' programming. If you bought an AED prior to the change in the guidelines, check with the manufacturer to find out how it can be re-programmed and, in some instances, how you can obtain a temporary substitute AED if the manufacturer requires you to return your unit.
