RMS Technology has added three runway incursion solutions in the recent update to its Vista moving map. Prior to this update, Vista displayed airport diagrams with the aircraft's position overlaid. This now can happen automatically whenever the aircraft is on the ground. Additionally, a marker feature that makes it easier to overlay handwritten notes on the airport graphic or any other scanned chart has been included. The upgrade also adds a prominent visual and audible warning whenever the aircraft is about the cross onto a runway. RMS Technology
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently shelved a 2004 NPRM that reexamined existing rules requiring cell phones be turned off once an aircraft leaves the ground. FAA regulations also restrict the use of other portable electronic devices (PEDs) onboard aircraft to prevent possible interference with aircraft navigation and communication systems. Comments to an FCC NPRM on the matter provided insufficient technical information on whether the use of cell phones in flight might cause harmful interference to terrestrial cellular networks, the agency said.
"The Importance of Being in the Know" (November 2005, page 74) makes for quite interesting reading and is a very good human factors exercise but there is one term I do not know nor can find in any dictionary. What is a "high-g air-combat furball"?
A panel of staff members from key House and Senate committees recently predicted that legislation reauthorizing continuation of FAA programs will pass Congress this year, although tough decisions on how those programs will be financed remain to be answered. While no one disputes the importance of keeping FAA programs going, there had been speculation earlier this year that the ambitious legislative agenda put forward by the Democrats in the wake of their November election gains might make it difficult to get FAA reauthorization through.
Ballistic Recovery Systems, a manufacturer of whole-airplane parachute recovery systems for general aviation and recreational aircraft, reports that a pilot flying a Cirrus SR22 became the 200th documented life saved by a BRS product. Shortly thereafter, the company also learned that a German ultralight pilot had used a BRS system, which brought the total lives saved to 201. Save 200 occurred when a U.S. pilot departed Tucson on an IFR flight to Colorado. During the flight he encountered an in-flight emergency.
Aruba Airport Authority and Universal Aviation Aruba, a subsidiary of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., welcomed corporate executives, local officials and media representatives as it celebrated the grand opening of Aruba's new 1,500 square-meter General Aviation Terminal April 20. The stand-alone facility is operated by Universal Aviation under an agreement with the Aruba Airport Authority and is located at the Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad, Aruba. The grand opening honored Universal's founder, Thomas G.
"Now is a good time to be an aircraft broker," declared John Didier of Sacramento Aviation, a California company that deals mostly with previously owned business turboprops and light jets. "Business is good. The late-model, low-time market has been pretty good for the last couple of years. Now the average older airplane is gaining attention."
Edwards & Associates, The Tennessee-based subsidiary of Bell Helicopter, has installed the CMC Electronics SureSight M-Series Enhanced Vision System (EVS) sensor on an Agusta Westland AW-139 helicopter for a corporate customer.
PremiAir, the U.K.'s largest helicopter charter operator, has been acquired by the von Essen Group, a British-owned luxury hotel chain, from Sir Robert McAlpine. The acquisition follows a successful relationship between the two companies with PremiAir managing von Essen's fleet of business helicopters and jets, and operating the London Heliport for it since earlier this year.
*April 2 -- A Piper PA-28 owned by L&J Sanders Properties LLC collided with trees while cruising near New Tazewell, Tenn. Witnesses reported that the airplane came down out of the "clouds" and then climbed back up. When it came down a second time, it was on its side and went out of sight. The witnesses heard a loud crash and called 911. The NTSB examination found the airplane in a densely wooded area. It was IFR at altitude, but no flight plan was filed. The private pilot was fatally injured.
For the past half century, our sibling, Aviation Week & Space Technology, has been presenting Laureate awards annually to individuals and groups whom the AW&ST editors select for having distinguished themselves in advancing the aerospace industry.
Elliott Aviation has received EASA certification for its Elite Series cockpit upgrade, becoming the first company in the world to receive European approval for the installation of Universal Avionics' EFI-890R large-format flat-panel display system and Vision-1 synthetic vision system. Elliott installed the equipment in a French-registered 1982 Dassault Falcon 100 at its completion center at Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) in Moline, Ill. The facility also is an EASA-certified repair station.
Lufthansa has extended its deal with NetJets Europe for another five years to supply VIP passenger uplift for its Lufthansa Private Jet (LPJ) program. Launched two years ago, LPJ books around 10 aircraft per day, Lufthansa reports. Aircraft operated by NetJets Europe for LPJ include the Citation XLS, Hawker 800XP and Falcon 2000.
The DOT released the final requirements for Washington, D.C.-area businesses to seek reimbursement for lost income stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. DOT, which proposed the requirements in October, agreed to provide more time for businesses to submit an application and made other changes to the application process at the request of aviation groups. The final rule, published in the April 9 Federal Register, provides businesses 60 days from the rule's May 9, 2007 effective date to submit their application for reparations.
Motocross is a fusion of "motorcycle" and "cross country" and is usually referred to by aficionados simply as "MX." An outgrowth of scrambling and other off-road activities, the sport matches all the obstacles nature can provide against riders garbed in lightweight fiberglass armor riding lightweight, powerful bikes with suspensions capable of extreme excursions. Tracks where riders compete for prizes have man-made jumps and berms, but not asphalt. This is dirt biking - no pavement, please.
The NBAA recently released a new interactive 90-minute training aid designed to improve safety during approach and landing. Developed in partnership with the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the NBAA Approach-and-Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) training aid tailors the FSF ALAR Tool Kit for business aircraft operators. The NBAA ALAR incorporates publications and presentations from the FSF Tool Kit and adds new visual aids and a discussion leader's guide.
In "Will Climate Change Challenge BizAv?" (February, page 40) Mal Gormley obviously has spent too much time listening to Al Gore. The idea that human activity is causing Earth to warm up is most definitely disputed by many scientists, as well as the fact that we can do anything about it. The current rate of climate change is well within the cycle of normal climate changes that have occurred in the past, such as when the Vikings farmed in Greenland and an ice sheet over a mile thick covered the Midwest.
This month, Executive Beechcraft, the Midwestern aircraft service company, expects to receive an STC for its installation of the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite in the Beechcraft King Air C90.
Accidents involving U.S. business turbine aircraft were up slightly in the first quarter of 2007, but the number of fatalities decreased, according to data compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. There were 19 accidents in the first three months, including five which resulted in 11 fatalities. During the same period in 2006, there were 16 accidents involving business turbine operators, with five of them claiming 15 lives.
Brian Humphries, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) CEO, who took on the job in a part-time capacity, is to step down after holding the position for three years and become its part-time president. The Brussels-based association, which has become a major influence in European business aviation policy-making and is the co-sponsor of the annual EBACE convention, is looking for a high-profile, full-time successor to be based in Brussels, Belgium. Humphries will continue to serve as CEO until the post is filled.
UQM Technologies, a developer of alternative energy technologies, recently announced that one of its propulsion systems will drive a single-seat demonstrator airplane powered by a fuel cell and lightweight batteries as part of planned experimental flight tests this year by Boeing Research and Technology -- Europe (BR&TE) and industry partners. Flight tests will take place in Spain to demonstrate for the first time that a manned airplane can maintain straight and level flight with fuel cells as the only power source. The demonstrator aircraft is a Dimona motor glider.
Viking Air Limited confirmed April 9 that it would restart production of the 19-passenger DHC-6 Twin Otter. The company met its goals of sufficient firm orders; further investment by its majority shareholder, Westerkirk Capital; board approval; and the existence of a federal program that could provide repayable financial assistance for R&D to update the aircraft for operation in the 21st century.
Embraer has delivered its 100th Legacy corporate jet. It goes to ABS Jets of Prague, Czech Republic, the third acquired by ABS and the fourth on the Czech civil aircraft register. Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's executive vice president Executive Jets, says the Legacy now accounts for 13.6 percent of the super-midsize market, a figure achieved in five years. So far the Legacy has been sold to 19 countries with 27 orders in 2006. Embraer's projected sales for 2007 and 2008 are in the region of 25 to 30 aircraft per year.
