SimCom has installed the first of two MU-2 simulators at its Orlando training center. The new Marquise/Solitaire simulator was built to FAA Level 5 standards, and uses an actual MU-2 hull and interior. It is equipped with a Quantum 3-D, full wraparound visual-motion system with color day and night graphics and weather depiction, and has a complete factory avionics suite, including a Honeywell SPZ 500. The second simulator is scheduled to be available later this year.
When the TSA and NBAA were looking for a suitable general aviation airport at which to test the Transportation Security Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC) program, business aviation mecca Teterboro, N. J. (TEB) seemed the logical choice. Accordingly, the first person they called was Peter Bellini, aviation director and chief pilot for Becton Dickinson & Co. and president of the TEB User Group. ``They asked us if we'd take part in a trial operator security program for the airport,'' Bellini told B/CA.
Banyan Air Service, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hired Ron Anders Jr. as piston maintenance service manager to head up the expanded piston maintenance division at the South Florida Service Center.
One year after Capitol Aviation merged into Silverhawk Aviation at Lincoln, Neb., Municipal Airport (LNK), the combined FBO reports business has doubled with resulting record profits. Silverhawk Aviation is a branded Phillips 66 dealer. Don Allen, Silverhawk's owner, said, ``Right now, the charter business is our number-one profit center, generating almost half of our net profits. However, we are on target to have one of our best years ever on the fuel sales side, and we expect it will soon surpass our charter aircraft sales.''
ADIZs and TFRs are becoming status symbols for local politicians and tools of private interests. New York City successfully sought its own ADIZ. TFRs were placed over Disneyland and Disney World, an action long sought by the theme parks. And all waivers for sports stadium overflights for banner towing and VIP transport were rescinded to the satisfaction of stadium operators. To the surprise of general aviation associations, all the new restrictions, except the Washington ADIZ, were removed when the homeland alert status was reduced to ``yellow.''
Although potential countermeasure suppliers may be salivating at the possible windfall, other industry representatives took a more cautious approach to anti-missile technology. Pat Hurley, Raytheon vice president of Electronic Warfare Systems, told Congress in March, ``There is no inexpensive, off-the-shelf, 100-percent effective, easy-to-install and socially acceptable solution. Not yet.
New Piper Aircraft unveiled two new aircraft models at the recent 2003 Sun 'n Fun Fly-in in Lakeland, Fla. The new Piper 6X is a normally aspirated, fixed-gear version of the six-place Saratoga II, and the Piper 6XT is its turbocharged equivalent. Standard-equipped list price of the 6X is $336,000 and the 6XT, $356,000. Both models are powered by 300-hp Lycoming engines giving the 6X a top speed of 153 knots with the 6XT topping out at 165 knots.
Air France and British Airways will retire their Concordes, the companies announced on April 10. Air France currently operates five Concordes on five weekly roundtrips between Paris and New York's Kennedy International (JFK). BA currently flies five weekly roundtrips from London to New York. The airline also has one weekly roundtrip to Barbados in its program. BA says the end will come in October; Air France will discontinue its supersonic routes somewhat earlier.
CANADA'S TRANSPORTATION SAFETY Board (TSB) has completed one of the most thorough aircraft accident investigations ever undertaken with a final briefing on the downing of Swissair Flight 111. Over the last four years, the TSB's activities have led to the removal of one type of flammable acoustic insulation from most transport aircraft and to dozens of safety recommendations dealing with electrical system certification, pilot training and aircraft component fire testing.
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced that it has signed a deal for an additional 10 New Piper aircraft with the University of North Dakota (UND). This brings the sale of new aircraft to the school to 77 since 1998, and the total number of New Piper aircraft in UND's fleet to 118.
TAG Aviation USA, Inc., San Francisco, has appointed Michael K. Moore to vice president, marketing and sales. Moore joined TAG Aviation in 1999 as vice president of aircraft acquisition and sales.
Tyler Camera Systems' Robinson R44 camera bracket requires only 30 minutes to install on the left or right side, weighs 40 pounds and can carry up to 105 pounds without airframe modifications. This allows carriage of the Ultramedia UM2, UM3 or the Wescam on any R44 helicopter. Price: Less than $10,000 Tyler Camera Systems 14218 Aetna St. Van Nuys, CA 91401 Phone: (800) 390-6070; (818) 989-4420 Fax: (818) 989-0423 www.tylermount.com
Mercury Air Centers, Atlanta, has appointed Gina L. Hicks manager of marketing and customer support. Before joining Mercury, Hicks was director of marketing and customer relations for Air Service Hawaii.
Further details on the AMS Standards Program will be provided this month at AS3, in Las Vegas, and at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Formal program launch is anticipated for later this year. For more information: Aircraft Maintenance Society, P.O. Box 103, Purchase, NY 10577; call (914) 933-7603 or go to www.amsbluesocket.com
Five Eurocopter AS 365N3 Dauphin 2s are to fly surveillance missions during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The $47 million contract also covers an optional sixth helicopter. The helicopters will be fitted with radar, infrared cameras and loudspeakers and fly missions day and night. The aircraft will be operated by the harbor police of the Greek Merchant Navy Ministry. The AS 365N3 is an uprated twin Turbomeca Arriel 2C-powered helicopter, which Eurocopter says can take off at max weight out of ground effect at 50C.
The Citation CJ3 flew April 17 from McConnell AFB and landed at Wichita Mid-Continent airport. During the 1.7-hour first flight, pilots Dan Morris and Russ Williams ran through basic stability and control evaluations, followed by landing gear, speedbrake and trim system operation and slow flight. Morris and Williams verified the operating characteristics of the new Williams FJ44-3A engines and their dual-channel FADECs as well as the Collins avionics. The CJ3 is essentially a CJ2 stretched 2.5 feet with a longer wingspan and increased fuel capacity.
Amphitech International has received FAA approval for its OASys Radar installed on a Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter. OASys alerts helicopter pilots to obstacles such as towers, terrain, power lines and buildings even in snow, smoke, rain or low visibility situations. The system uses an 11-inch lens and four multiplexed beams in a package that measures approximately 15 by 16 by 22 inches. OASys interfaces with ARINC 429 GPS, attitude, RADALT and baro altimeter, and has voice alerts to the audio panel.
Jet Aviation, Geneva, Switzerland, appointed Markus Huber as the new vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Geneva, and Gunter Huf as vice president, maintenance sales for Switzerland.
Switzerland-based luxury charter company PrivatAir will operate two Airbus A319s as corporate shuttles for Airbus Industrie. The aircraft will transport Airbus personnel and executives among Airbus facilities at Toulouse, Hamburg, and Filton and Broughton in the United Kingdom five days a week. Both aircraft are fitted out with 120 seats in a single class layout The whole operation, including crewing, will be handled by PrivatAir, and the aircraft will operate in PrivatAir livery.
