The U.S. Navy is considering replacement of its aging T-39 trainers with new production aircraft. The T-39s are versions of the Sabreliner business jet, and the replacement aircraft likely would be a business jet as well. ``We're right at the beginning of this,'' a NAVAIR spokesman said. ``All we're doing is . . . [seeing] what's out there in the commercial world that can meet these specifications . . . Show us what you've got.'' The Navy operates 25 T-39s -- 17 N models and eight G models.
American Aviation has been granted an STC for a Ram Air recovery system, which it claims will boost speed, improve fuel efficiency and increase cruise altitudes for Raytheon King Air 90 Series aircraft. Operators will realize an average 20-knot speed increase when used with American's speed stack kit, the manufacturer says. The mod is currently available for King Air C90s and E90s, while a kit for the F90 is still awaiting FAA approval. Fort Dodge, Iowa-based Clement Aviation and Midwest Aviation Services of Ottumwa, Iowa, have been named factory dealers for the mod.
The Yes watch brings the nuances of solar and lunar time rhythms back to you, together with sophisticated digital and mechanical time-keeping methods. Pilots and travelers can make sure they experience the first rays of the sun wherever they are, and golfers will know how to squeeze in another round before the sun sets. The Yes watch keeps digital and mechanical time, and can display in a.m./p.m. or 2400 hour clock format. It also is programmed to keep time for 500 cities worldwide, display accurate sunrise and sunset times, and show month, date and day.
By Richard N. Aarons Boeing, FAA Unveil ATC Plans System could meet capacity demands for next 15 years.
Government airspace system planners are studying a proposal put forth by Boeing in June to launch a satellite-based ATM/CNS system that would augment the FAA's proposed space-based traffic control concept. The commercial aircraft maker asserts its system is not an attempt to create a privatized commercial ATC system, but rather to expand system capacity.
Duncan Aviation has published ``Straight Talk About TAWS,'' a 32-page booklet on the FAA's requirements for installation of terrain awareness and warning systems (TAWS). The free booklet discusses the TAWS rule, the differences in the technologies and how it will affect operators and flight departments. For a copy, contact Duncan Aviation at (800) 228-4277 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Amid fears that ultra-wideband devices could ``cause significant harmful interference'' to the global positioning system, a coalition of aviation, communications, and satellite companies and organizations called on the Federal Communications Commission to develop a licensing system for the devices. In a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, the group asked that the commission create licensing guidelines after conducting extensive testing to determine their operational characteristics. Such devices are currently unregulated.
After-market spares specialist Heico Corp. and American Airlines parent AMR Corp. are forming a joint venture to produce and sell aircraft engine parts. The business is designed to provide a revenue-producing alternative to higher-priced spares offered by General Electric, Pratt&Whitney and other manufacturers of the most popular airline turbofans.
Eaton Aerospace is developing a new technology to protect electrical systems for U.S. civilian and military aircraft that could drastically reduce the chance of electrical shorts resulting in cabin and cockpit smoke or fires. The Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) uses integrated circuitry to analyze when arcing or an intermittent short circuiting problem occurs. When sensed, the AFCI isolates or de-energizes the circuit from the rest of the system, reducing any further damage.
In November 1998, a group of investors representing the Buitoni, DiMase and Ferrari family trusts and led by Piero Ferrari, bought the assets of long troubled Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., with the aim of rejuvenating the P180 Avanti program and the firm's other aviation enterprises.
A mock-up of Embraer's proposed 100-passenger ERJ 190 is currently on tour to 12 U.S. cities. The aircraft is visiting potential airline customers, starting with an early-June stop in St. Louis. The Brazilian manufacturer is heralding the ERJ 170 and 190 as an entirely new aircraft, rather than ``scaled down version of a large airliner . . . or a stretched tube . . .' Unlike Embraer's smaller regional jets, which have tail-mounted engines, the ERJ170/190 engines are wing-mounted.
The European Commission approved a plan to privatize the United Kingdom's air traffic control system. Under the agreement, a group of seven airlines -- Britannia Airways, British Airways, British Midland, EasyJet, Monarch Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Airtours International -- will jointly manage the National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS) with the British government.
Addison Express is expanding its facility at Addison Airport (ADS) in North Dallas. The new facility will give the FBO an additional 18,500 square feet of hangar floor space and 4,000 square feet of office space. Ed Morales, spokesman for the FBO, said the construction, coupled with a 100,000-square-foot ramp area, makes Addison Express the largest facility of its kind on the field and it is readily accessible by the largest corporate aircraft.
When I broke into business aviation in the early 1970s, it was rare for someone from the outside to be hired to manage an established flight department. Those were the days when the flight departments were far removed from most of the inhabitants at corporate headquarters. Back then, aviation managers and chief pilots were kind of mini-monarchs who pretty much governed their domains as they saw fit.
The International Bureau of Aviation (IBA), a U.K.-based aviation consultancy, has created a new mediation service for the aviation industry. With an average duration of two days, IBA and partner Satelles Ltd. say the mediation process is used successfully in other industries and saves time and money over traditional arbitration or legal avenues.
Cessna says that demand remains high for its Citation line and that no layoffs are planned. Citing softening demand, the manufacturer in early June laid off about 250 workers -- or one-quarter of the workforce at its Independence, Kan., piston aircraft factory. Most aviation experts agree that the low end of the market -- in this case, Cessna's light singles -- are the first to suffer during times of economic uncertainty.
In an effort to recruit new pilots, Trans States Airlines says it will work with flight training organizations Aeroservice, Inc. and Regional Airline Academy to offer qualified students first officer positions at the regional carrier. The two schools have established the Multi-Crew Jet Transition Course, a sort of finishing school for copilots not meeting airlines' minimum hiring criteria.
By Paul Richfield, in Paris New Raytheon Aircraft Chief Cuts Production
James E. Schuster, who recently replaced Hansel Tookes as chairman and CEO of Raytheon Aircraft Co. (RAC), began making changes -- both symbolic and tactical -- almost immediately after taking office. Schuster's arrival from Raytheon's Aircraft Integration Systems comes at a challenging time for RAC, which is facing a declining market for some of its aircraft types, fresh employee layoffs and ongoing speculation regarding the possible sale of the company.
Bombardier Aerospace is nearing completion of four Continental business jets. All four have the wings and landing gear attached, while two of those also have the Honeywell AS900 engines installed. Taxi tests are expected to begin shortly in Wichita, where the new aircraft will be built. Engine-maker Honeywell insists that a delay in the certification date for the AS907 engine will not slow the certification schedule for the Continental. (See page 15 for further information about the Honeywell delay.)
RTCA, Washington, D.C., has named William Stine II, NBAA director of international operations, as a special award recipient in recognition of his work on the minimum operating performance specification (MOPS) committee.
A new battle over air tours above national parks is coming to a head in Jackson, Wyo. Almost two years after announcing plans to conduct helicopter tours near Grand Teton National Park, Vortex Aviation Services was set to begin flying the tours in mid-June. Vortex General Manager Gary Kauffman says he is undaunted by continuing opposition from environmentalists and officials at Jackson Hole Airport to prevent his operation from getting off the ground.
Sikorsky honored four members of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County (Fla.) Aeromedical Program for their role in the rescue of an unconscious surfer in the Atlantic Ocean. Chief pilot Brian T. Parker, instructor pilot Gerald M. Pagano, and paramedics Capt. Glenn D. Jordan and Jeff G. Meeler were dispatched in the program's Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter to locate the surfer, who had been spotted three miles east of the Jupiter (Fla.) Inlet. Sikorsky presented the crewmembers with its Winged-S Rescue Award for their efforts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police are jointly investigating an apparent tampering incident involving an Executive Jet Aviation (EJA) Gulfstream IVSP parked at Westchester County Airport (HPN) near White Plains, N.Y. Detective William Rehm, a spokesman for the Westchester County Police, said the incident occurred on November 17, 2000 between 14:30 and 19:00 EST. At the time, the aircraft was parked on the ramp at Signature Flight Support.
The technology needed to support Boeing's ``Sonic Cruiser'' concept is already available; it is just a question of bringing it together into a cohesive whole, according to Pratt&Whitney President Louis Chenevert.
Florida Air, the Venice-based regional start-up, says it expects to resume scheduled service within 30 days of receiving its FAR Part 121 operating certificate from the DOT. The carrier had operated for a short time in May using Harbor Air Cessna Caravans but discontinued the service, citing operational difficulties with the carrier. Service will, instead, be operated by six Nevada-based Sunrise Aviation British Aerospace Jetstream 31s. Florida Air's planned route structure includes Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, Miami, Marathon, Fort Myers, Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
