They're not as comprehensive as a major-leaguer's stats, but the wins and losses of a pilot's career are on the books and get passed around -- that's the law. The Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) of 1996 is the tattletale engine of aviation. It targets airline pilots, but can affect every professional aviator and those who employ them.
Congress has directed the DOT to set aside some Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act loss compensation money for air carriers, such as air medical services and air tour operators, hurt by the fallout from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But the DOT isn't sure how to compensate these operators. The major airlines were compensated using a formula based on available seat miles.
Corrosion Technologies is now offering operators RejeX polymer coating to protect painted aircraft surfaces from staining, tar and bugs. When applied to a clean, bare surface, RejeX forms a slick barrier that prevents damage from exposure and facilitates easy removal of exhaust trails with mild detergent and water. A group of B/CA readers tested the RejeX product on a number of exposure-prone aircraft areas and found that the product lived up to its claims. However, if the painted surface is not in good condition, RejeX will not restore the quality of the paint.
U.S. business jet and turboprop accident and fatality rates were significantly higher in 2001 than in the previous year, according to statistics compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla.
ARINC announced its airborne two-way broadband FCC license on January 9. The ARINC system operates in the Ku-band and links an aircraft with a geostationary satellite. Its system would have nearly identical capability as Boeing Connexion, but ARINC didn't specify any predetermined entertainment or business service package to be bundled with its service. Data rates for the ARINC broadband service are somewhat higher than Connexion's. Downlink from the satellite is a maximum 10 MBPS with the return link from the aircraft topping out at 2 MBPS.
Will corporate aircraft ever be permitted to operate into Reagan National Airport (DCA) again? That's the question NBAA officials tried to answer last month during a packed-house meeting in what used to be the bustling lobby of Signature's FBO at DCA.
In late 2000, just when the competition thought Gulfstream was getting smug about celebrating the 100th sale of its ultra-long-range G-V, the firm surprised the market and upped the stakes. Gulf-stream launched the G-VSP, an aircraft that, when compared to the G-V, would offer more range and speed, more usable cabin and baggage volume, shorter takeoff distances and lower direct operating costs.
Garrett Aviation is offering all Hawker aircraft operators an electrically driven auxiliary hydraulic pump designed to aid maintenance crews in troubleshooting. In the past, maintainers had to pull around a hydraulic mule to bleed the brakes or run the landing gear. With the new pump, they can plug a 50-foot remote extension cord into the auxiliary control panel and operate all of the hydraulic systems. In addition to ease of use, the electric pump also reduces the possibility of hydraulic contamination.
Attendees of AS3 2002 in Indianapolis will find that the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and the National Air Transportation Association have made it easier to attend sessions without trading off trade floor time.
PrivatAir's managed fleet has grown to 55 aircraft with the recent addition of seven aircraft -- including five Gulfstreams. Among the new aircraft are a Charlotte, N.C.-based Cessna Citation X and a Learjet 45 based at the company's North American Headquarters in Stratford, Conn. Both aircraft are factory-new and available for charter. Also joining the fleet are a Gulfstream II in Van Nuys, Calif.; a Gulfstream II, IISP and IVSP based in Stratford; and a Palm Beach, Fla.-based Gulfstream V. All but the G-V are also available for charter.
An unexpected fallout from the September 2001 terrorist attacks has been a heightened interest in business aviation, largely in response to the passenger security and safety the medium has come to represent.
LASIK -- Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. This surgery is known as a flap procedure in that the surgeon cuts a thin flap in the cornea near the center (corneal apex), folds it aside, and accesses the corneal tissue underneath. A computer-directed laser is used to vaporize some of the corneal material in the bed of the flap. The corneal flap is then returned to its original position and the operation is over.
Peter Edwards, a veteran of more than 20 years of aircraft marketing experience, has been named president and chief operating officer of Bombardier's Business Aircraft division. Edwards succeeds Pierre Beaudoin, who had been serving in that capacity in addition to serving as president of the company's entire Aerospace unit since October 2001.
Members of Congress have urged the FAA to work closely with the National Air Transportation Association as that organization explores the potential of biometric identification technologies for airport security. They feel biometrics have the potential to decrease delays at low cost while increasing airport security.
Conidia Bioscience's Fuelstat diagnostic kit is an easy-to-use device for the detection of the fungus Hormoconis resinae) in jet fuel. The test, which can be accomplished in as little as 10 minutes, produces a semi-quantitative result. This means that either the fuel system is clear or has some contamination that requires further monitoring or is so serious it requires remedial action. Conidia said use of the Fuelstat test kit ensures greater maintenance efficiency resulting in greater operational efficiency.
Honeywell's annual business aviation forecast, revised since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, now projects a modest decline in business jet deliveries this year. The forecast predicts a seven- to eight-percent drop in 2002 business aircraft deliveries compared to 2001. About 750 business jets were delivered in 2001, valued at some $11.6 billion.
A multi-screen, interactive use-of-force simulator trainer for sky marshals was announced by Advanced Interactive Systems, Inc. of Seattle. AIS products use video and computer technology to provide ``immersive real-life judgmental training scenarios.'' The system presents specific threats in an aircraft cabin and provides fore and aft views from the trainee's position. It portrays threats and passengers' reactions to actions taken by the trainee.
In an effort to quell membership concerns about its recent dues increase, Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) President Brian Finnegan told B/CA that ``membership happiness'' is now the group's top priority.
The technology of choice for measuring fuel quantities in general aviation jets is still capacitance probes, but new measuring approaches may be in the offing. ``Our goal,'' notes Tom Tully of Smiths Aerospace, ``is to develop a system where all sensors are located completely external to the tank, so there's no chance of electrical energy getting into the tank. Current FQIS (Fuel Quantity Indicating System) harnesses are prone to integrity problems that come as the equipment ages.
Lufthansa Technik AG, Hamburg, Germany, has promoted Gerald Frielinghaus to production head of its aircraft overhaul and modification division. Norbert Marx has been promoted to CEO of the company's Composite International subsidiary in the United States.
Dassault Falcon Jet says that it has 40 deposits on its new $35 million Falcon 7X. The 63,500-pound MTOW transport has a maximum range of 5,700 nm (5,100 nm at 0.85 Mach and 4,600 nm at 0.87 Mach), providing 0.85 Mach speed between 98 percent of the world's most-popular city pairs, such as Los Angeles to London, according to Dassault.
Hoping to succeed where dozens have failed, Rifton Aviation has launched a new regional fractional ownership program called JetLimited. Based at Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, N.Y., JetLimited offers pricing and service guarantees comparable to the established fractional operators, along with some alternatives a niche operator has the flexibility to provide.
Avolar will locate its headquarters in Chicago, the company said in a December 13, 2001, announcement. The exact location is still under review, but Avolar has apparently committed to locate within the city limits and cited the fact that Illinois' state and Chicago's city governments ``value and encourage the development of new business and new jobs.'' Chicago Mayor Richard M.
Phazar Aerocorp has started the first two aircraft refurbishment programs at its new 86,000-square-foot facility on Fort Worth's Meacham International Airport. The first is a complete interior and a new entertainment system for a Falcon 10. The second job will install new interior panels, an entertainment system and a programmable cabin management system in a Falcon 2000.
