Jet Aviation in Palm Beach, Fla., recently installed advanced navigation and communications equipment on a Falcon 900 aircraft. The equipment includes the Max-Viz EVS-1000 enhanced vision system, the EMS Technologies HSD-128 SatCom system and a Honeywell OneView Multi-Region Airborne DIRECTV system. The Max-Viz system uses infrared technology to enhance views of runways, taxiways, terrain and potential obstacles in poor weather or low visibility.
Expansion plans for the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, Fla. International Airport (FLL) will be among the topics discussed next week during a public meeting and workshop sponsored by the Broward County Aviation Department. The meeting will: provide a general overview of Phase I of the airport's Master Plan Update; give an introduction to the Environmental Services Study; provide a status report on the Strategic Airport Planning Initiatives; and review the environmental impact statement for the proposed South Runway Extension and the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study.
NTSB CALLS FOR CHANGES TO PREVENT FMS ERRORS - The National Transportation Safety Board recommended last week that FAA take action to reduce the likelihood of aircraft flight management systems (FMS) being incorrectly programmed, which could result in dangerous flying conditions.
MICHAEL MCMILLAN was named president of Meggitt/S-TEC of Mineral Wells, Texas. The avionics manufacturer for the business and general aviation market said McMillan will be responsible for leading the company's strategic direction in all key areas including design, manufacturing and sales. McMillan spent 21 years with Raytheon Aircraft Co. in positions of increasing responsibility. He also was a founding vice president with Piaggio America, where he helped reintroduce the Avanti P-180 aircraft in North America.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20481; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-183-AD] - Proposes to require operators to install torque tube catchers on the control columns of the flight controls. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that a single malfunction of the torque tube could result in both flight control columns being supported by only one self-aligning bearing.
EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 Series Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20501; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-251-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the engine fire handles of the overhead panel in the cockpit, and replacing the engine fire handles if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of failure of the internal circuit of the engine fire handles of the overhead panel in the cockpit.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20512; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-35-AD] - Proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B, SA-365N and N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting the hydraulic brake hose for crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks at the torque link hinge and replacing the hose, if necessary.
About 10,000 feet of pavement on Runway 13-31 at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) will be rehabilitated later this year. The project includes milling and repaving the runway and upgrading its electrical lighting system. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the work will be coordinated with FAA and that runway closures will be scheduled during weekends and nighttime hours to minimize the impact on airline travelers and people living near the airport.
Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, along with Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), are among the legislators who sent a letter to the White House endorsing Paul McCarthy as a nominee to the National Transportation Safety Board. McCarthy has participated in NTSB investigations as a representative of the Air Line Pilots Association and headed ALPA's executive air safety committee. NTSB Member Carol Carmody's term at NTSB expired in December, but she will continue to serve until a successor is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.
ECLIPSE ASSEMBLING FLEET OF TEST AIRCRAFT - Eclipse Aviation Corp., the startup aircraft manufacturer credited with generating much of the buzz about a new generation of very light jet aircraft, said a fleet of test aircraft is being assembled at the company's Albuquerque, N.M. headquarters.
AGUSTA S.p.A. Model A109E helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20511; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-32-AD] - Proposes to require, within five hours time-in-service (TIS), locating relay K7212 and its associated cable in the overhead panel assembly and visually inspecting the electrical cable in the splice area for arcing or burns. If arcing or burns are found, this proposal would require, before further flight, replacing an unairworthy cable with an airworthy cable kit.
TSA Chief David Stone emphasized last week that his agency is very "pro-access." Speaking at the National Air Transportation Association convention in Las Vegas, Stone said, "Access is absolutely crucial, transportation is the life's blood of the nation's economy." He also said TSA wants to preserve freedom - including the freedom of flight. To back this up, he said TSA continues to strive toward reopening Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).
While the agency is not considering major changes in operating rules, Kathy Perfetti, FAA's national resource specialist for Part 135 operations, said the agency is looking at how companies are using "doing business as," or DBA, relationships. Accident investigators are having a hard time tracing who had operational control of aircraft in some of the most recent accidents - including the Challenger runway overrun at Teterboro in February (BA, Feb. 7/61).
March 14-16 - 17th Annual Flight Safety Foundation European Aviation Safety Seminar, Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers, Warsaw, Poland, (703) 739-6700 March 14-17 - 32nd Annual National Business Aviation Association International Operators Conference, Colorado Springs, Colo., (202) 783-9000 March 17-18 - 30th Annual FAA Aviation Forecast Conference, (cosponsored by Airports Council International-North America) Washington, D.C., Convention Center, e-mail: [email protected]
NETSJETS SHARES UP SHARPLY IN 2004; EUROPEAN QUEST CONTINUES - Fractional aircraft provider NetJets experienced strong growth domestically and significant growth in its European flight operations in 2004 and will continue to pursue the European market, despite a history of losses there that continued last year. NetJets was purchased by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in 1998. Buffett's annual letter to shareholders says the fractional aircraft provider is doing well, even though it continues to lose money in Europe.
UPS CHOOSES LOUISVILLE FOR NEW AIR FREIGHT OPERATION - UPS will build a new heavy air freight operation at its main Louisville, Ky., hub, an announcement that came one day after the carrier announced the closing of the Dayton, Ohio, air freight hub operated by its Menlo freight forwarding subsidiary.
KERRY LYNCH WINS NATA WRITING AWARD - Kerry Lynch, managing editor of The Weekly of BUSINESS AVIATION, was presented the Aviation Journalism Excellence Award for 2005 last week by the National Air Transportation Association during the group's annual meeting and convention in Las Vegas, Nev. The award is presented annually "to recognize a journalist, writer or publication that excels in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the FBO/Air Charter industry."
MARTIN GREIFFENHAGEN was named sales manager for A J Walter Aviation, with responsibility for development of the company's office in Frankfurt, Germany. He previously served as managing director of Aero Lloyd and has a background that includes aircraft operations, fleet management and maintenance.
Steven Wallace, director of FAA's Office of Accident Investigation, reiterated that the agency is not planning major regulatory changes as a result of the recent spate of business aircraft accidents. "We try to stay away from statistical upticks [in accidents]," he said, adding, "That's important with the recent rash of turbine accidents." Wallace, who spearheaded a recent FAA/industry gathering to discuss charter safety (BA, Feb. 28/99), said the agency is more interested in developing best practices to share across the industry.
JENNIFER VAN WINKLE, formerly director of charter sales for Sun Air, has relocated from Camarillo, Calif. to Oslo, Norway, where she will be responsible for developing overseas-based charter clientele in Europe for Sun Air Jets.
GEOFF MAKELY was named charter flight coordinator at Sun Air Jets corporate headquarters in Camarillo, Calif. A 17-year industry veteran with experience on both U.S. coasts, he previously was an executive charter sales representative at TWC Aviation.
