Aviation Supplies & Academics has announced the availability of the fifth edition of the FAA's Aeronautical Chart User's Guide. The guide covers all aspects of chart utilization from IFR to VFR. Each stage of flight is described thoroughly, including training, planning, departure, en route, approach and taxiing. The guide has updated map and chart features organized into an easier-to-follow arrangement than previous editions. Price: $14.95 Aviation Supplies & Academics 7005 132nd Pl. S.E.
``The first objective we have as operators is for our passengers, our crews and our aircraft to be safe and secure,'' Doug Schwartz told B/CA. In addition to being AT&T's aviation director, Schwartz serves as chairman of the NBAA Security Council. ``Our second objective is to have access to airspace that is equal to or better than that enjoyed by the air carriers,'' Schwartz said. ``To do that, what we think is reasonable is for government security authorities to give credit to qualified business aviation operators for the procedures they have in place today.
PAMA's official comments included eight recommendations for amendment of the TSA's final ``security risk'' rule: (1) The rule should provide an explanation of the processes and rationale(s) that the TSA employs to make or review threat determinations. (2) Threat determinations based on mere suspicion should be eliminated. (3) The rule should provide for a pre-deprivation appeal and review unless the TSA makes specific findings and justifications in writing that such procedures are contrary to the interests of national security.
The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) objected strongly to the TSA and FAA direct final rules that call for denying, suspending or revoking the Airman Certificate of anyone deemed an actual or suspected ``security risk'' by the TSA. In comments filed March 17, PAMA described the rules as ``an abrogation of a U.S.
The integrated avionics suites found in modern business aircraft come in a variety of sizes -- mostly industry-standard boxes. Deciding which to choose 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. Standard-size cutouts for Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 display tubes are 7.0 by 6.0 inches or 7.25 by 7.25 inches.
Hartzell Propeller has produced two new videos on propeller care and maintenance. The first video, ``Propeller Care & Maintenance for Professionals,'' explains how to perform an annual inspection on a propeller and provides guidance for on-wing inspection, repair and maintenance. The second video, ``Propeller Care & Maintenance for Pilots,'' provides technical information including preflight inspections and routine maintenance. The videos are also available on CD-ROM for both PCs and Macintosh computers. Price: Free Hartzell Propeller One Propeller Pl.
GAMA expressed strong support for the Second Century of Flight Act, a bill introduced by Sens. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). The legislation is designed to facilitate the development of the future air traffic management system, improve the process by which aviation products are certified by the federal government, promote an open and fair international market, prepare the future aerospace work force, and increase investment in aviation research.
While the present presents challenges for those in business aviation, there are many eager to get into the market with aircraft they believe will help advance and expand the segment. Here are their stories. What a difference a year makes. In the past 12 months several new business aircraft have taken wing, other new designs have emerged, and still others have been purged altogether, victims of a bad economy, bad luck or a bad idea. Among the new, true flying machines is Adam Aircraft's push/pull piston twin, the A500, whose type certification is imminent.
Peggy Chabrian, Ph.D. President, Women in Aviation International A pilot and educator, Chabrian in 1990 held a conference for women involved in aviation so they could share experiences and learn about career opportunities and each other. That gathering proved popular and led to the creation of Women in Aviation in 1995. Today, the organization has 7,300 members, and this year's annual conference, held in March , drew 2,400 attendees. 1 That women are now frontline combatants became clear to everyone during the Iraqi war. Any reaction to that?
IASCO announced the grand opening of its new FBO at California's Napa County Airport (APC). Construction work on the redesigned and redecorated facilities was completed in January. Amenities include a large crew lounge overlooking the ramp area, leather recliners, a T-1 high-speed Internet connection and a 52-inch large-screen TV with satellite and DVD capability.
The first Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE), which was held March 13 through 15 in So Paulo, Brazil, is emblematic of the NBAA's recent push to become an international advocate for business aviation and further evidence that the association is extending the business aviation message beyond (while lessening its dependence on) its big annual convention in the United States.
AvFuel Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Brownwood Regional Airport (BWD) manager Mike Wilson has been named General Aviation Manager of the Year by the State of Texas Department of Transportation's Airport Division. Wilson began his career with BWD in 1980.
A King Air 200 crash on April 4 in Leominster, Mass., killed Anthony and Ann Fisher. The couple were patrons of the Fisher House Foundation that operates 30 residences near military and veterans hospitals for the use of relatives while patients recuperate. Anthony Fisher, partner in a New York City real-estate firm, was also CEO of the Intrepid Museum Foundation. The museum, housed in the aircraft carrier Intrepid permanently moored in the Port of New York, is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Jetflite Ltd. is the first Finnish business aviation company to qualify for Category II operations (100-foot decision height, 1,000-foot horizontal visibility). This enables landings in poorer weather conditions and improves dependability.
Three flight departments -- Entergy Services, Coca-Cola and Weldwood Inc., based in New Orleans, Atlanta and Vancouver, respectively -- are the first to receive Certificates of Registration for the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Four years in the making, IS-BAO is designed to establish a global standard of best practices for flight departments (see ``Taking Full Measure,'' March 2003, page 108). Those applying for certification must undergo a thorough review of their operations, policies and procedures by an accredited auditor.
The NBAA Forum & Static Display, held at Long Beach Airport (LGB) in California on March 28, drew more than 1,500 people, including 55 indoor exhibitors and 37 airplanes. ``It was an unqualified success,'' according to Joe Ponte, NBAA vice president, membership, marketing and regional programs. ``This was our third regional Forum and the feedback we have received has been extremely positive and encouraging.
Re-Verber-Ray's HL-2 Series gas infrared heaters are characterized by a ``high'' fire and ``low'' fire mode. The high fire mode has a rated BTU/H input that is 35-percent greater than the low fire mode. The manufacturer claims that an independent study documented that the high/low feature of two-stage models can save a minimum of 12 percent in fuel costs over single-stage systems. The heaters feature a stainless-steel burner and titanium and/or aluminized steel, black-coated combustion and radiant tubes. Price: Call for pricing Detroit Radiant Products Co.
Signature Flight Support, Orlando, has announced the promotions of key management personnel. Steve Lee is promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer. John ``Cy'' Farmer has been promoted to vice president, operations. David Vaughan is vice president, sales and marketing. John Hagel is regional vice president for the western region. Doug Crowther is regional vice president for the eastern region. Iver Retrum and Kristin Kirschbaum are national sales managers.
Gulfstream Aerospace has acquired the Signature Flight Engineering facility at London Luton Airport from the BBA Group. Intelligence reported in March (page 16) that Signature Luton would take over Gulfstream maintenance from Marshall Aerospace after Marshall decided to discontinue servicing both Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft. Business under the new ownership started almost before the ink was dry, when a U.S. Air Force C-24G (Gulfstream IV) arrived for maintenance. Luton will be Gulfstream's first company-owned service center outside the United States.
DAR Corp.'s Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) Version 2.4 provides a framework to support the process of aircraft preliminary design or redesign. The AAA program allows engineers to rapidly evolve an aircraft configuration from early weight sizing through open-loop and closed-loop dynamic stability and sensitivity analysis, while working within regulatory and cost constraints. The software can be used for small airplanes all the way up to military and transport airplanes. Price: $7,350 DAR Corp. 1440 Wakarusa Dr., Ste.
A AC -- Advisory circular ACARS -- Airline communications addressing and reporting system ACAS -- Aircraft collision avoidance system ADC -- Air data computer ADF -- Automatic direction finder ADI -- Attitude direction indicator ADS -- Air data system ADS-B -- Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast AES -- Aircraft earth station AFCS -- Automatic flight control system AFIS -- Automated flight information system (Honeywell) AHRS -- Attitude-heading reference system Air Data -- Values computed from pitot, static and temperature measurements, usually by means of a digital
It will be 2005 before ``commercial air operations'' counts at the FAA and contract control towers recover to year 2000 levels, according to the FAA's latest forecast. The agency predicts the recovery will come from regional and air taxi operations, not the major airlines, which aren't expected to return to 2000 levels until 2010.
