Enhanced Flight Group (EFG) of Lexington, Ken., has a new type of ground power unit (GPU) for piston and light turbine aircraft. The 978 Series GPUs, weighing about 22 pounds, are designed as alternatives to large, expensive start carts, battery chargers and other transformer/rectifier-based power systems for engine/battery power.
It is conservatively estimated that the business aircraft industry incurs $1 billion in aircraft damage per year as a result of ground accidents. Yes, that was ``billion,'' with a ``b.'' That figure is inexact because it includes both direct costs and indirect costs, the hard-to-determine latter being three to four times greater than direct losses.
Honeywell announced three new certifications for its N1 DEEC upgrade to the TFE731 in October, completing its coverage of the entire commercial fleet of 9,000 TFE engines. The latest certifications cover the Learjet 55, Sabreliner 65 and JetStar. The N1 DEEC is a set-and-forget, digital electronic engine control that is a virtual plug-and-play exchange for the aircraft's existing analog electrical controls.
Dr. Ira Blumen of the University of Chicago Hospital and the University of Chicago Aeronautical Network (UCAN) was awarded the Jim Charlson Award for contributions to aviation and aviation safety on Oct. 25 at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Cincinnati. The award is sponsored by the Association of Air Medical Services and American Eurocopter. Dr.
The Salina Airport Authority has contracted with Jeppesen to analyze airspace and instrument approach procedures for Salina Municipal Airport (SLN), a popular cross-country business jet fuel stop in Kansas. SLN is planning for increased business jet utilization in the future and wants to position itself as ``America's Fuel Stop.'' Already more than 7,000 business jets purchase more than 4.4 million gallons of jet fuel each year during stopovers at the airport's FBOs.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated the presidential inauguration, scheduled for Jan. 20, 2005, as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). The NSSE includes the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, the inaugural parade, the official reviewing stand on Pennsylvania Ave., and the inaugural balls. The U.S. Secret Service will be the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan.
Smiths Group is buying Integrated Aerospace Inc., a privately owned, California-based supplier of specialty landing gear systems, for $110 million. Smiths expects to complete the acquisition later this month, pending regulatory approvals. Integrated Aerospace manufactures landing gear for small aircraft, including U.S. military helicopters, fighter aircraft, business jets and unmanned aerial vehicles. The company also makes external fuel tanks for fighters and helicopters.
Rockwell Collins received FAA approval for paperless flight operations on a Challenger 601 equipped with the company's dual Integrated Flight Information System. The system is integrated with the Challenger 601's Pro Line 21 retrofit avionics system.
Here's the dilemma: Blakey, a proven performer in the FAA job, has been mentioned as a possible successor to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta if he were to leave the Cabinet. And there's no indication she would not be fully up to the job. But Mineta's spokesmen say he still enjoys running the DOT. On the plus side, he's a Democrat and a former congressman who has transcended party politics in the execution of his job, acknowledged by all to have the best of intentions. And he's been active across the transportation spectrum, not just in the aviation sector.
Enterprise Jet Center has broken ground for a new $7.5 million, 300,000-square-foot facility on a 16-acre site at Houston Hobby Airport. Scheduled to open in spring 2005, the new facility will feature a 9,750-square-foot canopy deep enough for Gulfstream V or Global Express aircraft. It will also be able to handle the fuselage and wingspan of a Boeing 737 up to the tail. The canopy will lead into a 28,500-square-foot terminal office building featuring a two-story atrium lobby with airport views.
Aviation Technology Group (ATG), developer of the fighter-like Javelin, has appointed Horst Bergmann, former Jeppesen president and CEO, as its full-time Executive Vice Chairman, the number two position in the company. In addition to sitting on the ATG board, Bergmann will oversee marketing, sales, risk management, legal affairs and human resources. For information go to www.avtechgroup.com.
Rolls-Royce said that the market for business jets is on the upturn, and predicted stronger deliveries beginning in 2005. The company projects more than 500 aircraft deliveries for 2004, on par with 2003 levels. Revealed in the company's latest business jet forecast, covering the 2004 to 2023 market, the industry is in the beginning of a stronger market for business aircraft as virtually all of the key market driver indicators have turned positive and are trending up, said Ian Aitken, president, Corporate and Regional Aircraft for Rolls-Royce.
Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot is being promoted by its publisher as a ``plain English guide to everything essential for every pilot.'' The 394-page book covers a multitude of subjects from Airspace to Zulu time. The text format uses varied font, bold and underlining effects designed to highlight key concepts for ready reference. The graphics include simple diagrams with dialog balloons providing added detail. The purpose of the book is to make understandable often indecipherable, bureaucratese-laden regulations. Price: $59.95
Socata claims the TBM 700 is the first high-performance, single-engine turboprop to gain EASA RVSM approval. Of the 300 TBM 700s built to date, the company reports that two-thirds of them are flying in the United States.
Aircraft Braking Systems Corp., Akron, Ohio, was selected by Dassault Aviation to supply the wheels, carbon brakes and brake control system for the new Falcon 7X and for the recently announced Falcon 900DX. ABSC's main wheel is a single web configuration designed to provide maximum brake envelope. This feature, in combination with ABSC's high-capacity carbon brakes, provides increased landing and braking performance.
ARINC, an Annapolis, Md.-based transportation communications and systems engineering company, and RVSM expert AeroMech have teamed to provide RVSM solutions for Hawker 700 business jets. The packages cover Hawkers using Collins ADC-80 air-data computers and those using dual Collins 590A air-data sensors.
Business Jet Technologies expects to win FAA certification of its RVSM package for Gulfstream IIs and IIIs this month. The company, which also provides hush kits from its facilities in Dallas and Tulsa, has developed a $175,000 RVSM package that involves installing dual Shadin ADC-7000 air-data computers. The solution, similar to one developed by Business Jet Technologies for early-model Citations, takes between five and seven days to install and is available as a kit.
Rockwell Collins Airshow 21 cabin management systems will now come as standard equipment on the Hawker 800XP and Gulfstream G350 and G450 business jets. Raytheon says the 800XP system features a new 3.8-inch touch-screen interface as well as a touch-screen remote and 15-inch bulkhead monitor that provides moving maps and Airshow Network programming, among other features. The system also provides passengers with CD and DVD input options.
Larry, we're going down!'' Those words were uttered by Roger Petit just seconds before their Air Florida 737 hit Washington, D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge less than one minute after takeoff from National Airport. It's ironic that as ``Palm 90'' waited patiently on that snowy Jan. 13, 1982, Capt. Larry Wheaton pointed at the run-up pad and said, ``THAT's where we should be deicing.'' Wheaton went to an icy grave in the Potomac River not knowing how right he was.
Spirit Wing Aviation says it can transform a Learjet 25 into a Stage III and RVSM compliant, fuel-efficient light jet capable of flying seven passengers more than 1,600 nm with NBAA IFR reserves for as little as $2.2 million, according to Calvin Burgess, the Guthrie, Okla.-based firm's president. The key is replacing the aircraft's original 2,950-pounds-thrust GE CJ610-6 or -8A turbojets with 2,400-pounds-thrust Williams International FJ44-2C turbofans -- plus pressurization, hydraulic, electrical and fuel system updates, along with RVSM-compliant avionics.
Hillwood began construction of a 30,181-square-foot expansion to the existing hangar at its Alliance FBO at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The new space, which will be completed in February 2005, will allow the facility to accommodate eight additional aircraft. The runways at Fort Worth Alliance Airport will also be extended from 9,600 feet to 11,000 feet. The project includes relocating a section of Texas Highway 156 and a rail line.
GE Transportation and Honda Motor Co. have formed a joint venture, GE Honda Aero Engines, to develop and certify Honda's -118 turbofan. The new engine will be certified within three years of customer launch, which is expected within the next year, according to Gary Leonard, who will jointly head the new company with Honda's Atsukuni Waragai. The 1,600-pounds-thrust HF-118 is the basis of an engine family that will range from 1,000 to 3,500 pounds of thrust.
Proposed Rules Eurocopter EC130 B4 and AS350B, C and D helicopters -- Remove and modify the fuel-bleed lever. Dassault Falcon 10 airplanes -- Perform repetitive inspections of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the nose landing gear for cracks and take corrective actions, if necessary. Raytheon Beech King Air 100, 200 and 300 airplanes -- Repetitively inspect fuselage stringers for cracks and modify and repair them as required. Final Rules
An enhanced Learjet 60 ``Special Edition'' was unveiled at October's NBAA Convention by Bombardier as the latest business jet to be ``refreshed'' with a package of former options as standard equipment. The Special Edition will now become the production standard for that aircraft, with more than $1 million worth of former options. As an extra incentive to buy that model, all those purchased before the end of this year will include a comprehensive maintenance, warranty and training package. The first Special Edition was delivered as the 275th Learjet 60 off the line.
Eclipse Aviation now has 2,126 orders for the $1.32 million Eclipse 500, with 65 of those orders signed since January. ``We thought we wouldn't have any for the first half of this year because of the engine change announcement. We've booked 25 more just since EBACE,'' Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn told B/CA. The Eclipse is on track to achieve March 2006 FAA type certification and customer deliveries. Although the first prototype has yet to fly with production PW610F engines, Raburn claims that one-quarter of all development work has been completed.
