M7 Aerospace, San Antonio, appointed Harold J.M. (Mac) Williams vice chairman with continued service as a member of the board. He will focus on strategic development for the company with special emphasis on government programs. Ronald W. Frederick has been named president and CEO.
One of the most common complains heard from the field is over the length of time it takes operators to obtain FAR Part 135 air carrier certification in order to "hold out," or fly charters. Air Charter Guide publisher Fred Gevalt claims it can take up to two years to get a charter ticket, and aviation attorney Alan Armstrong, cited in the main text of this report, says one of his clients has been waiting since October 2004. Often, getting aircraft approved for inclusion on one's Air Carrier Certificate can take as long, if operators are to believed.
From its headquarters in Tempe, Ariz., MedAire provides remote assistance to business fliers worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company says it averages roughly 75 incidents every day, which would make it the world's busiest virtual ER. Even a trained flight crew can't cope with every medical emergency, and it helps to call in expert advice anytime you deploy an AED for cardiac distress.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey claims that the breakdown in contract talks with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association was "all about pay." She told reporters in mid-April that there was "simply too much money that separated us," adding later that the two sides were "billions of dollars" apart over the five-year term of the proposed contract. But that's not the whole picture. Poisoning every aspect of negotiations is the genuine angst among the rank-and-file controllers based on an poor relationship between low-level supervisors and the worker bees.
CJ Systems Aviation Group, Pittsburgh, has named Paul Lhote as program chief pilot assigned to STAT MedEvac. If you would like to submit news of hires, promotions, appointments or awards for possible publication in On Duty, send e-mail to [email protected] or call (914) 933-7614.
The U.S. DOT's inspector general is auditing the FAA's Flight Service Station privatization program, and assessing runway incursion initiatives at three airline airports. The IG is examining "the controls implemented by the FAA over its conversion of flight service stations to contract operations." The FSS audit will address the progress of the transition, whether savings targets will be achieved, and that the "operational needs of users continue to be met." The change has received favorable reviews from the AOPA.
I guarantee you that I like the term "throttle" to control engine output because there's little ambiguity as to its function. The problem is that "throttle," "thrust lever" and "power control lever" are used by different airplane manufacturers to denote the control that modulates engine thrust output.
Universal Avionics has completed its first WAAS flight test of its new "W" series FMS. Incorporated into Universal's UNS-1Ew, 1Fw and 1Lw FMS's, the new SCN 1000 software uses WAAS to enhance en route, terminal and instrument approach navigation. The flight was 3.5 hours, during which six WAAS instrument approaches were conducted. Five of the approaches were at the Farmington, N.M., airport, which has two WAAS instrument approaches, one each for Runways 05 and 07. The sixth approach was conducted at the Tucson International Airport (TUS) using the approach for Runway 29R.
The Grob SPn Utility Jet has bettered its maximum weight landing distance forecast by around 10 percent, says the German manufacturer. Instead of the 3,000 foot BFL forecast, the prototype aircraft has demonstrated that it can come to rest in 2,670 feet, and this without anti-skid brakes fitted.
After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1964, Ritchie finished first in his pilot class and was assigned to fighters, first flying F-104s as a test pilot, then F-4s in Vietnam. It was during his second combat tour that he downed five MiG-21s in a four-month period in 1972, becoming one of two aces in that conflict. After an unsuccessful run for Congress in his native North Carolina, Ritchie moved to Colorado to work for Joe Coors. He later served in the Reagan Administration and formed his own speaking/consulting business.
Adam Aircraft, Englewood, Colo., announced the appointment of Rob Penrod as vice president of manufacturing. Penrod has more than 27 years of aerospace experience in manufacturing, quality assurance, program management, marketing, inventory management and lean methodologies. If you would like to submit news of hires, promotions, appointments or awards for possible publication in On Duty, send e-mail to [email protected] or call (914) 933-7614.
Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee Democrats don't like having to deal with the FAA's air traffic controllers contract, but everyone seems ready to restore at least some of the administration's Airport Improvement Program budget cuts, reports Aviation Daily. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association and its allies in Congress have campaigned against the proposal, which the agency sent to Capitol Hill on April 5 after declaring an impasse in bargaining. This document will take effect after 60 days unless Congress rejects or changes it, and Sen.
Honeywell continues to demonstrate the flexibility of its APEX integrated avionics suite, designed for turbine-class aircraft that can be flown single or dual pilot. By enhancing the APEX system, which has been the Grob SPn avionics suite since program launch, Honeywell aims to further reduce inflight workload, improve situational awareness and provide a more open platform for future avionics upgrades and options.
Aviation Research Group/U.S., Inc. (ARG/US) has added a complete Emergency Response Go-Kit to its Safety Officer Support (ASOS) program. The self-contained durable kits, which include a comprehensive list of vital equipment and supplies, are designed to support a team responding to an accident site.
Atlanta-based FlightWorks has opened a major facility at Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), Va. FlightWorks' new facility includes a 30,000-plus-square-foot hangar and more than 10,000 square feet of office space. The company says the facility is a prototype for future FlightWorks executive ground facilities. The new facility can accommodate more than 15 jets. Flightworks currently operates seven aircraft out of Manassas: a Gulfstream II and III, a Citation III, a CJ1 and three Citation IIs. The Manassas Regional Airport is Virginia's fourth busiest airport.
Mercury Computer Systems announced the release of VistaNav version 1.6, a multi-function flight display system with synthetic vision technology. VistaNav version 1.6 integrates Mercury's patent-pending "Radar Vectors" functionality that provides 3-D guidance during non-standard routings such as radar vector navigation or course deviations due to weather or traffic or on instrument approaches. VistaNav 1.6 weather support upgrades include winds aloft, lightning and freezing level displays.
3M Aerospace has introduced a tamper-indicating security seal to help ensure passenger, crew and aircraft safety on airliners, cargo carriers and business jets. The seals identify and warn of unauthorized opening of aircraft doors, access panels or cargo compartments. Constructed with fragile films and high-strength adhesives, they are designed to be applied around cargo areas or on aircraft following inspections by crew, maintenance or security personnel.
McKinney Aerospace has received STC approval for installation of a Max-Viz EVS-1000 system in Gulfstream GV aircraft. Enhanced vision systems (EVS) use infrared sensors to gather data about runways, terrain and potential obstacles on the ground or in flight; the images are then enhanced and displayed on any heads-down video-capable cockpit display. By using an EVS, pilots are able to navigate with greater accuracy and safety in total darkness and during inclement weather. McKinney Aerospace 1476 E. Industrial Blvd. McKinney, TX 75069
Flight Display Systems has been granted Parts Manufacturing Approval from the FAA for several new inflight entertainment products. "We continue to improve our product line and enhance the flight experience," said David Gray, Flight Display Systems' founder. "Offering cabin entertainment products with PMA approval from the FAA helps to make the installation easier for our partner dealers and end customers."
If you think clip-on sunglasses aren't for you, check out these Clip and Flip Sunglasses from Sporty's. Tested by Sporty's pilots, these sunglasses are perfect for the cockpit because they don't interfere with headsets. They attach to the bill of a hat and never touch the face. They also work with prescription glasses.
Two forms of halon are in use today: 1211 and 1301. The four-digit identifiers actually describe the makeup of the chemical itself, with the leading "1" indicating that there's one carbon atom--the carbon at the center of what had been a methane gas molecule before it was halogenated. The next three digits represent the number of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine atoms that have taken up posts where the hydrogen atoms used to reside on the methane gas molecule. Some extinguishers use a blend of 1211/1301.
Raytheon Aircraft Services, Wichita, has announced the appointment of Doug Brantner to the position of vice president. Jeff Anastas has been appointed regional sales director for the Middle East, India and South-Central Asia.
