Elliott Aviation won FAA STC approval to install the Collins TCAS-4000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system in all King Air 200, 300 and 350 series turboprops. The Moline, Ill.-based FBO and aircraft modification firm said the TCAS-4000 is fully upgradable to future ``free flight'' configuration and is more reliable than first-generation Collins TCAS-94 units. The new STC approval covers dual directional antennas, dual TDR-94D Mode S transponders, dual TVI-920 displays and an optional MFD-85C multifunction display.
The Helicopter Association International, Alexan-dria, Va., has named the following technicians as award recipients: Doug Boody of Sikorsky for the Aviation Maintenance Tech-nician award; Karl Esben-shade of Rocky Mountain Helicopter for the Repair Specialist award; and Joseph Kuhn, director of maintenance at Maryland State Police, for the Helicopter Maintenance award.
Determining how much maintenance work to outsource and whether to hire a technician for in-house maintenance are critical concerns for small flight departments since the decisions can have significant impact on costs, safety and operations. ``Speaking from personal experience, in-house maintenance can and will save you money in the long run, over and above a salary package for a full-time maintenance technician,'' said Eric Petersen, director of maintenance at Idaho Forest Industries (IFI).
Schweizer Aircraft delivered two Model 333 turbine helicopters to the Houston Police Department Helicopter Patrol Division. Schweizer noted that the 333s are the first new aircraft in the department's fleet in more than seven years, with an average of 13,350 flight hours per helicopter on the existing fleet. The department, which will retire some of its 23-year-old, high-time aircraft, will continue operating three Model 300C helicopters for flight training and back-up patrol.
The U.K.'s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) opened its new Swanwick Center on December 19, 2000, though at least a year of work remains before the facility is fully operational. Located at Fareham in Hampshire, the $935 million facility is one of two new ATC centers NATS is developing in a bid to increase the capacity of airspace in and around the United Kingdom. The second, Scottish Center at Prestwick, Scotland, is slated to open in 2007/8.
The continuing robust fleet buys of regional jets have been a boon to FlightSafety International. The training company has already put 10 simulators for the Canadair RJ and another 10 for the Embraer ERJ 135/145 in operation and plans to install another 16 CRJs and eight more ERJs in its training centers in the years ahead. It also has committed to putting a Fairchild Dornier 728 simulator in service, and anticipates others will follow. The Level D simulators, valued at some $12 million each, are being built by FlightSafety's manufacturing division outside Tulsa.
West Star Aviation, at Walker Field Airport, Grand Junction, Colo., has opened a new paint hangar, which provides the capability to paint Falcon 900 or Challenger 604 size aircraft, the FBO says. The 25,000-square-foot hangar has two downdraft paint bays and one stripping bay, which feature a downdraft ventilation system and a water recovery and stripping system.
As with automotive tires, aircraft tires come in both radial and bias ply design. The outward appearance is somewhat different, but the real difference is internal, and it translates to major performance and cost differences.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is hoping to influence the new Bush Administration with its recently released list of ``America's 100 Most Needed Airports.'' NATA members selected the ``most vulnerable'' airports that, while not the largest are still ``crucial to a national aviation system.'' Association officials hope to visit most, if not all, of the embattled airports this year. These visits will include educational meetings with local chambers of commerce and residents on the importance of the role their airports play in the community.
The FAA has advised the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) to refrain from enforcing its ban on Stage 2 aircraft operations at the Naples, Fla., Municipal Airport until a federally mandated study of the action is complete. The Stage 2 ban was adopted November 16, 2000, though the FAA had not approved the NAA's FAR Part 161 study. The FAA acknowledged that the NAA had provided some additional information toward meeting the Part 161 requirement, but said the action fell short of ``complying with applicable requirements.''
ICOM America has introduced its latest handheld air-band communications transceiver called the IC-A23. Measuring 4.50 by 2.33 inches, the IC-A23 is 30-percent smaller than its predecessor and offers a larger keypad for easier operation. The transceiver features a voice recorder with playback function, ``TAG'' scanning and an nickel metal hydride battery with five watts of output power. Both the display and keypads are backlit and stay lit until you turn them off.
SkyWest Airlines, the St. George, Utah-based regional carrier, has placed firm orders for 64 new Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ200s), with options for 64 more. The $1.43 billion deal (firm orders only) raises SkyWest's total number of CRJ orders to 248, including 100 firm, 119 options, and 29 conditional orders. SkyWest already operates 16 CRJs and 91 Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops, and says the new CRJ orders will accommodate planned expansion of its code-sharing agreement with United Airlines.
Honeywell is now offering its new AZ-960 Advanced Air Data Computer (AADC) to provide Gulfstream II operators with the ability to fly in RVSM designated airspace. The AZ-960 is fully compatible with Honeywell's SP-50G and SPZ-800 autopilot systems and incorporates the latest in silicon sensor technology. Honeywell said the new AADC is smaller, lighter and more reliable and has a lower power requirement than existing AZ-244/844 ADCs.
Airport authorities at Akron Canton Regional Airport (CAK) in Akron, Ohio; Houston Southwest Airport (AXH) in Houston; and Westerly State Airport (WST) in Westerly, R.I., have started runway improvement programs. Akron Canton Regional Airport was approved for $3.7 million for its program, with initial funds allocated for the first of three phases. Construction will begin with the lengthening of Runway 1/19 to 7,000 feet; completion is expected by the end of this year.
At least one CEO believes ``we're going to see some slowdown in activity'' among potential new aircraft buyers due to concerns over the possibility of the economy slowing. While the executive, who wished to remain anonymous, told B/CA he hasn't seen any dramatic impact yet in new aircraft sales, he said it's no secret that when corporate profits are under pressure, people don't buy airplanes at the same rate. He observed that much of the economic growth in recent years has been driven by productivity gains, which he said may become more difficult to sustain.
Eight students from China have graduated from the flight-training program at the University of North Dakota's (UND) Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. After completion of additional flight training in China, the students, all of whom are now commercial, multiengine, instrumented-rated pilots, will become flight crewmembers on Xinhua Airlines Boeing 737s.
Hartzell Propeller, Piqua, Ohio, has named Mark Runge aviation maintenance technician of the year for the FAA's Great Lakes region. Runge has worked as a technician at Hartzell's factory service center for over eight years and his expertise includes extensive work with the FAA engineering staff for propeller certification and STCs.
Polaris Motor Srl. is now offering a line of flying inflatable boats in the United States. The flying boat comes with two-place seating and an option of two types of Rotax two-cylinder, two-stroke engines. With a useful load of 419 pounds, the boats have a service ceiling of 10,000 feet and can hold over 10.5 gallons of fuel. Utilizing a fiberglass monolithic hull, the boat portion is stronger than the usual catamaran floats used on ultra-lights and can land/take off in two- to three-foot seas.
Online charter booking service eBizJets has signed major league baseball player Alex Rodriguez as its celebrity spokesman. The Texas Rangers shortstop recently signed a record-breaking 10-year, $252 million contract with the team. There is no word on his compensation for the air charter endorsement.
Tag Aviation opened an aircraft acquisition and sales office at the company's Palm Beach, Fla., location. Pat Hatch, who had been TAG's Palm Beach base manager, has moved to the company's Acquisitions and Sales Division as regional vice president. He will assist TAG's aircraft management clients in acquiring and selling aircraft, providing similar services for outside clients and assisting with the inventory and resale of aircraft. A former U.S.
By now you've had a peek at the brave future world of CNS/ATM (that's communication, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management for those mired in the analog present.) What you've seen some 15 to 20 years distant is an automated ATC in which ground air traffic management software collaborates with airborne FMS software to maintain aircraft separation and to ensure the most efficient use of the airspace. Controllers and pilots remain in the loop, but primarily to deal with the exceptions, the unique situations that require human intervention.
Pilot hiring by fractional aircraft providers soared last year, according to AIR, Inc., the Atlanta-based firm that monitors pilot hiring. AIR said fractionals hired 1,363 pilots in 2000, a 134-percent increase over the 581 pilots hired by fractional providers in 1999. Overall, the industry hired a record 19,027 pilots last year, an increase of nearly 21 percent over 1999.
Once all the dimples were deliberated, chads charted and George W. Bush declared winner of the Florida vote and, thereby, the presidency, a bellow began to emanate from Washing-ton, echoing all the way to the Grand Canyon and back again. Steve Bassett was shouting for joy, for redemption. His man had won; or more precisely, his enemy had lost.
Air tour operators believe the nomination of Colorado Republican Gale Norton to be secretary of the interior ``is a very positive development,'' said Steve Bassett, president of the U.S. Air Tour Association.
