On July 13, 1994, a chartered Learjet 35 prepared for departure from Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, N.J., destined for Newark, N.J. with two crew and eight passengers aboard. Cleared for takeoff, the crew taxied into position and began the takeoff roll. Prior to achieving V1, the aircraft pulled hard to the left and the crew had difficulty keeping the aircraft rolling straight.
In their August investment research report, analysts at UBS Securities LLC, the global equity research arm of the financial services company, reiterated their confidence in the strength of the business jet market, saying they still believe the current up cycle could extend "at least through 2007."
The TSA added Port Columbus, Ohio International Airport (CMH) to the list of gateway airports where authorized business aircraft can undergo screening before making nonstop flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Operators who want to fly to DCA must meet stringent security requirements, carry an armed law enforcement officer and pass through designated gateway airports to access DCA. The TSA now has approved 16 gateway airports.
At NBAA 2002, Cessna Aircraft Co. announced development of the Citation Mustang, a $2.295 million entry-level light jet that would cruise as fast as 340 KTAS and be able to fly a single pilot plus three passengers 1,150 nm, arriving with 100-nm NBAA IFR reserves. Russ Meyer Jr., then company chairman and CEO, promised the aircraft would be certified in third quarter 2006.
While the FAA temporarily backed away from mandating by decree additional runway distance calculations for scheduled, charter and fractional operators, it intends to implement the requirements by means of the formal rulemaking process. In the meantime, the agency issued a "Safety Alert for Operators" (SAFO), saying that the runway distance margins were recommended and operators should voluntarily adopt them.
The Mustang's avionics package sets new standards for situational awareness, performance features, packaging efficiency and maintainability in turbine aircraft costing $10 million and under. With glass cockpits, bigger is better and the G1000 fills the bill. The 15-inch MFD is the largest in this class of aircraft and it's flanked by 10.4-inch left- and right-side PFDs. All displays are daylight readable, high-contrast, wide viewing angle, active-matrix LCDs backlighted by long-life, low-heat LED arrays.
Duncan Aviation's interior team recently completed and installed the 10th Duncan Design Shell Kit for the Falcon 50. Duncan's unique refurbishment option for the Falcon 50 increases seated headroom two inches and includes other features, such as new LED lighting.
Sometime around the end of this year, a new FAR Part 60 should be published that lays out standards for simulation devices. The rule has been drafted for some time and the FAA is ready to release it in final form, so what's the holdup?
Japan is one of my favorite overseas destinations. We use Mr. Kuri and Aero Works International at most locations in Japan. As an aside, Kuri was a dispatcher for the flamboyant Ed Dailey at World Airways during the 1960s. Kuri was aboard the backup Boeing 727 that went to Danang when the South Vietnamese were being evacuated. Because of the trouble that Dailey had on the first 727, Kuri's mission was aborted. News footage showed Dailey hanging off the back of the airstair fighting off panicked people trying to board.
The single pilot, an ATP, was completing a flight in a Mitsubishi MU-2 from Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and beginning his descent into Panama City Bay County International Airport (PFN), Panama City, Fla. Radioing Tyndall Air Force Base north approach control, the pilot said, ". . . descending to one-one thousand." Shortly after 11 a.m. the pilot reported, ". . . we're at one-one thousand, like to get down lower so we can get underneath this stuff." Approach control cleared the pilot to descend and maintain six thousand feet.
Verizon will continue its Airfone air-to-ground service for general aviation and military customers, at least through 2007. Verizon Airfone President Bill Pallone sent a letter to customers on Sept. 14 saying the company "is committed to continuing to provide all of its MagnaStar customers with high quality ground-to-air, air-to-ground communications through at least Dec. 31, 2007.
Looking for more information on aircraft tires? Goodyear Aviation and Michelin, two major aircraft tire manufacturers, have dedicated Web sites where technicians can learn more about aircraft tires and good maintenance procedures. Visit them at: Michelin -- www.airmichelin.com and Goodyear -- www.goodyearavia tion.com/tirecare.html
ASA is offering a CO-Detector that can save a pilot's life, especially when flying with the heater on, by warning of the presence of CO in the cockpit. A spot on the detector will turn gray/black when CO is in the air. The spot returns to normal color after it is exposed to fresh air. Pilots can use the CO-Detector as their personal and portable device. It can be stuck to the panel or dash for a semi-permanent installation. Once opened, the useful life is 90 days. Price: 4.95 Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. 7005 132nd Pl. SE
The FAA signed off on guidance for Organization Designation Authorization. Beginning in November, the agency will phase out other delegation programs, such as the Designated Alteration Station, Delegation Option Authorization and Organizational Designated Airworthiness Representatives, in favor of the ODA. The long-awaited guidance provides the template for organizations to obtain ODA status.
There has been some relief in the cost of liability and war risk insurance required of foreign operators conducting flight operations within the European Union. According to Steven Brown, the NBAA's vice president for operations, operators are seeing a 20-percent reduction in premiums for the required total coverage.
The FAA is providing a means for operators of FAR Part 135 "nine-or-less"-seat aircraft to issue their own Special Flight (ferry) Permits through an "organizational designee" within their company, a privilege for which operators who inspect their aircraft under Part 135.411(a) (1) were previously not eligible. The change issued in an inspector's handbook bulletin comes after months of discussion between FAA officials and air cargo industry representatives.
Bombardier says demand for its Leading Edge safety training package has exceeded expectations, with 85 percent of new Bombardier business aircraft buyers enrolling their pilots in the program, and a substantial number of existing operators opting to purchase the program outright. Introduced in February 2006, Leading Edge incorporates knowledge gathered through the Bombardier Safety Standdown program. The program is offered at no charge with the purchase of a new Bombardier business jet.
American Aviation's speed stacks for 1971 to 1975 King Air C-90s with PT6A-20 engines increase speed, reduce fuel consumption and increase range, according to the company. Previously available only for King Airs with PT6-21,-28 and -135A engines, the new stacks offer a speed increase of approximately five KTAS. The sleek design also enhances the aircraft's appearance, with its highly polished, high nickel content Inconel stainless-steel construction. Because the stacks direct the exhaust flow, thrust and energy aft, cabin noise is also reduced.
The assignment for the day in the woods outside Metaline Falls, Idaho, called for the pilot to haul in logs on long line and deposit them at a central site. The Kaman HH-43F Huskie was in the process of dropping logs on a pile from an altitude of 150 to 200 feet, when a worker on the ground heard a "loud boom." The helicopter, which features intermeshing blades, then rolled slightly before nosing down and crashing into the pile. The ground crew said that immediately after hearing the loud noise, the helicopter's blades began to separate from the aircraft.
RAC is issuing this Safety Communiqué to provide updated information. This Safety Communiqué also announces revisions to the various model-specific AFMs. Due to design similarities, this information is applicable to all listed models (which includes all Raytheon Mitsubishi Model MU-300; Beechjet Model 400, 400a (including Hawker 400xp); Model 400t (T-1a and TX) aircraft.)
Flaps fully extended and landing gear down and locked, the King Air B100 descended to Runway 33 at North Central State airport in Pawtucket, R.I. The right main landing gear touched down approximately two feet prior to the runway, and collapsed when the wheel struck the elevated runway edge. The airplane subsequently came to rest upright off the right side of the runway. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
