The integrated avionics suites found in modern business aircraft come in a variety of sizes -- mostly industry-standard boxes. Deciding which to buy depends on the aircraft and the complexity of the avionics installed. The large-format display tubes found in the integrated cockpit systems of high-end aircraft are replacing many electromechanical instruments.
Stevens Aviation has developed a customizable system of affordable cabin entertainment packages, adaptable to almost any business aircraft. Versions of Stevens' Elite system have already been installed in a Beechjet, Hawker, King Air 90 and 350, and Piaggio Avanti. A typical Stevens package, featuring CD, DVD, satellite radio, moving maps and high-resolution monitors, is designed to achieve maximum performance at a price significantly below competing systems.
Eclipse Aviation added a second Eclipse 500 to its flight test program April 14 with the first flight of N502EA. The aircraft took off from Albuquerque International Sunport for a 1+30 first flight, completing basic handling tests at various flap settings, and cabin pressurization and electrical system tests. The first aircraft, N503EA, which completed its inaugural flight Dec. 31, 2004, meanwhile, flew 1,300 nm from Eclipse headquarters in Albuquerque to the Sun `n' Fun Regional Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla. The aircraft before then had accumulated 41.3 hours.
AvData released its 2005 edition of the Jet & Propjet Corporate Directory, which lists more than 24,000 aircraft operating in the United States and 141 other nations. The directory includes more than 300 different models and derivatives produced by more than 40 manufacturers. The directory lists aircraft registrations, owners, models, aircraft manufacturers and previous registration marks and costs $21.95. To order, contact AvData Inc., 101 First St., 2nd Floor, Utica, NY 13501; phone: (800) 400-2298; fax: (315) 797-4798; or e-mail: [email protected].
Elliott Aviation recently received an STC for multiple interior modifications that are designed to allow the conversion of a Hawker 700A from a corporate interior into a fully equipped air ambulance in under an hour.
We're happy to report that development of passenger cabin technology offering greater portability, interactivity and resources has continued over the last year. Actually, that's both good news and bad. It's good news because operators can keep up with the tsunami of technical innovation their passengers are adopting on terra firma. But it's bad news because last year's ``gotta have it'' system is now, well, so 2004. We're not sure how to solve that problem, but we can at least let you know what's here now and what's on the horizon.
Helicoptershuttle.com, which specializes in executive air travel and sightseeing tours around Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has selected the Eurocopter EC 130 B4 as the latest addition to its six-helicopter fleet.
A two-year runway renovation program is under way at Kansas City's Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), part of a $70 million upgrade for one of the United States' oldest airports. The first project involves closing a small portion of Runway 01/19 located north of the intersection of 01/19 and Runway 03/21 for pavement and electrical improvements to portions of the runway, taxiways and ramps. This part of the work, which is not expected to disrupt normal flight operations, is scheduled for completion in August. On Sept.
Midcoast Aviation is the 2005 recipient of FlightSafety International's Award of Excellence. The annual award honors individuals or companies that promote and support commitment to ongoing maintenance training. Midcoast is only the second repair station or service center to receive this award since its inception in 1996.
The pace of aircraft conception and development has been robust throughout the economic malaise that had beset the industry for too long. And now that most indicators suggest interest in business aircraft is rising steadily, there are a host of new and evolutionary designs ready to accommodate.
Finally, in addition to GPS and Tang, the faux orange juice consumed by Apollo astronauts, we finally got something out of the space program nearly everyone can use.
Avidyne Corp. also announced that New Piper Aircraft selected its FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck for the Meridian single-engine turboprop. The Meridian becomes the first turbine-powered aircraft in production with the Entegra system.
FAR Part 145 repair stations now have until April 6, 2006, to have an approved training program in place. The FAA called the one-year delay necessary because the agency has not yet released guidance material to help repair stations develop appropriate training programs. ``The delayed date will give repair stations sufficient time to develop their programs and will give the FAA time to evaluate and approve them,'' the agency said.
Aviation Technology Group, Inc. announced that the Javelin demonstrator prototype, currently in final assembly, was lowered onto its landing gear April 14. In addition, the fighter-like aircraft's side panels on the main structure have been installed permanently. Functional testing has been done on the fuel system, and preliminary air and fluid checks are finished. The hinges on the canopy system have been installed and the latch mechanism is in the process of completion. The aileron and flap control systems are finalized and operational.
THE FAA MAY SOON CLAIM that certain flight operations are ``illegal fractionals.'' FAR Part 91, Subpart K became effective Nov. 17, 2003, but existing fractional operations were allowed to operate without management specifications until Feb. 17, 2005.
The FAA finalized an agreement with the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS) union to provide career assistance to automated flight service station employees affected by the recent A-76 outsourcing decision. The FAA said the agreement ``benefits all parties equally'' and includes ``not only . . . a generous compensation package if they leave federal service, but also . . . ample time to prepare for such a transition and seek other federal employment.'' Kate Breen, president of NAATS, said the agreement ``gives people some benefits. Is it a gold watch?
A new en route air traffic control training system was accepted by the FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) two weeks ahead of schedule. The Initial Academy Training System (IATS) will provide both en route domestic and oceanic ATC training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. IATS will use the same display system consoles and simulations of the host computer system and the associated voice switching and control system of equipment used in operational FAA facilities.
Eighteen-year-old Martin Halstead has started his own scheduled airline, Alpha 1 Airways, between university cities of Oxford and Cambridge in Britain. The company offers two roundtrips per day using eight-seat Piper Navajo Chieftains owned and flown by Oxford-based AirMed. Halstead says that his company can call upon eight Navajos from AirMed as the airline expands. Fares will cost up to $93 one-way for the 20-minute, 63-mile flight. No scheduled air service has operated between the cities since the 1930s and 1940s.
When most pilots hear ``PSA,'' they probably think of either the regional airline now using that name or Pacific Southwest Airlines, the classic former West Coast airline that always wore a smile. Eventually, though, those three initials will mean something entirely different to every male aviator, just as they now do to me.
Like other OEMs accessing SRTM topography, Rockwell Collins is using the unedited public-release data set, in combination with other data sources, for cross-checking or to fill in holes where spotty information existed before. But the avionics manufacturer would never use SRTM as a sole source for database construction due to its voids limitation, caused by insufficient radar returns in some areas during the 2000 radar-mapping mission.
