UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORPORATION selected Airport Systems International's Model 8800 digital radio for its GLS-1250 GPS landing sensor. The sensor provides position and differential correction to the Universal FMS for precision GPS approaches. Airport Systems designs, manufactures, installs and supports navaid and visual aid equipment including ILS, VOR, DME, airport signage and differential global positioning system ground stations.
TEXTRON LYCOMING said effective immediately all cylinder kits shipped from the factory will be treated with Cortec VCI-379 corrosion preventative coating. The manufacturer said the decision to use the coating is part of Lycoming's ongoing product improvement program. Paul LeFevre, director of sales, said "Not only is Cortec a superior corrosion resistant coating, but it's also 'user friendly.' Other coatings tend to be sticky or greasy, and must be removed prior to engine assembly.
EXCELAIRE, based at Islip MacArthur Airport on Long Island, added two helicopters to its fleet this month, a Eurocopter 365N2 Dauphin and a 335N Twinstar. The air charter provider said the helicopters will be used to transport customers from inner city heliports throughout the Northeast U.S. to airports where they can board business jets for long-range travel.
VISIONAIRE, which claims more than 100 orders for its composite Vantage business jet, is offering the aircraft for $1.75 million to 11 more customers before raising the price to $1.8 million. VisionAire said it anticipates a second increase to $1.85 million later this year. VisionAire expects construction to be completed on its 114,000-square-foot assembly plant in Ames, Iowa in the second quarter of this year. The first Vantage conformal test aircraft will be assembled at the Ames plant and enter flight testing in December.
MESA AIR GROUP, Farmington, N.M., said last week it is negotiating a new long-term codesharing agreement to replace its existing agreement with America West Airlines. America West notified Mesa earlier this year that it was canceling the existing contract between the carriers April 2. Mesa said it believes it has resolved the problems that previously existed, adding, "it is Mesa's intent, so long as America West concurs, to continue the America West Express operation until a new agreement has been reached."
Boeing signed a five-year agreement with Russia's Verkhnaya Salda Metallurgical Production Association (VSMPO) this month for milled titanium products for all Boeing commercial aircraft. The contract, signed in connection with a regular technical cooperation meeting between Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, is valued at a minimum of $175 million, and could reach $200 million depending on the product mix.
PATRICIA REED was named vice president of sales for Alpha Flying, Inc./PlaneSense. Reed most recently was North American sales manager for the Applied Microbiology Division of Millipore Corp.
BOEING'S first Model 717 is in final assembly and "progressing swiftly" toward a May rollout, the company said last week. Work is well under way on two additional test airplanes and the first production model, which is scheduled for delivery in mid-1999. The second of two engines has been installed on the first test airplane. BMW/Rolls-Royce built the BR715 engines.
Brymon Airways of Plymouth, England placed the largest order in its history last week, an eight-aircraft deal with Bombardier's de Havilland Aircraft for Dash 8Q Series 300 regional turboprops. The contract, valued at $115 million (U.S.), is subject to execution of a definitive contract, which is expected within the next few weeks.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has renewed rulemaking efforts on the flight- and duty-time issue, but apparently this time is looking at the narrow issue of deadhead flights. A proposal could be published on the subject this summer. Previous FAA proposals covering deadheading would have required positioning flights conducted under Part 91 to count toward charter crewmembers' flight and duty time limitations.
DEAN C. BORGMAN, Boeing senior vice president and head of the company's helicopter facility in Mesa, Ariz., will retire this spring, the company said last week. Borgman, 56, took over the Mesa facility in 1992 during a period of dramatic defense industry downsizing and was credited as "a major contributor to the success of our military helicopter business," said Mike Sears, president of McDonnell Aircraft and Missile Systems, the Boeing unit that oversees operations at Mesa. Borgman joined the former Hughes Helicopters, Inc., in 1981 after a career with the U.S.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR JANE GARVEY last week provided more detail on the agency's plans to adopt the National Civil Aviation Review Commission recommendation for a performance-based air traffic control organization funded by user fees. While Garvey noted the Administration agrees with most of the NCARC recommendations, it does not agree with the NCARC view on a continued general fund contribution. "We believe that the entire FAA should be supported by a combination of cost-based user fees and other user charges," she told the House aviation subcommittee.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
RICHARD RICE was appointed aircraft manager for Alpha Flying, Inc./PlaneSense. Rice, a pilot and flight instructor, has been an owner/operator of a commercial aviation management service.
The Federal Aviation Administration hopes to move toward a user-funded performance-based organization to run the nation's air traffic control system - as recommended by the National Civil Aviation Review Commission - but plans to keep the general aviation contribution to the system based on fuel taxes, Administrator Jane Garvey told the House aviation subcommittee Wednesday.
EUROCOPTER Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters (Docket No. 97-SW-23-AD; Amdt. 39-10313; AD 97-15-15) - publishes an amendment previously sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of the affected helicopters. This AD requires an inspection of the main gearbox magnetic plug and the main gearbox oil filter for ferrous chips, vibration measurements, if necessary, and replacement of the main gearbox if a specified quantity of ferrous chips are discovered or if abnormal vibrations are identified at a certain frequency.
COLTEC INDUSTRIES' AMI Aircraft Seating Systems was named by Bombardier to supply all cockpit and flight attendant seats for the de Havilland Dash 8- 400 and all cockpit seats for the Canadair Regional Jet Series 700. The contracts are valued at more than $6 million through 2002.
The Senate this month adopted a provision that would delay implementation of new requirements that could force consumers of certain Jet A fuel to pay an additional 24.4 cents per gallon and then apply for a refund. The requirements, included in the Taxpayer Relief Act passed last summer and slated to take effect July 1, call for fuel terminals to have the capability to dye fuel so various types can be distinguished or pay the additional 24.4 cents on kerosene, including Jet A fuel (BA, Dec. 1/229).
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL said FAA certificated the second CitationJet full flight simulator at its Citation learning center in Wichita, Kan. The new CitationJet unit is the 20th FSI Citation simulator, located at six FSI facilities. Four additional Citation simulators are under construction by FSI. Ten of the existing Citation simulators are located in the Wichita facility.
Federal Aviation Administration/Joint Aviation Authorities harmonization initiatives, the Part 145 international and domestic repair station program, certification of maintenance technicians, and barriers to international certification are a few of the issues slated for discussion during a four-day conference FAA is hosting this summer in Washington, D.C. FAA teamed with a number of aviation industry associations to host the International Aviation Maintenance Conference July 12-15 at Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington.
CHRYSLER PENTASTAR AVIATION, Waterford, Mich., scheduled four installations of the Honeywell/GEC 2020 head-up display on Gulfstream IV aircraft later this year. GEC, in cooperation with Honeywell's Business and Commuter Aircraft Division, developed the HUD 2020 for the G-IV-SP and G-V.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION is sponsoring a Disaster Response Planning Workshop for Business Aviation in Atlanta, Ga. June 18-19. Presented in conjunction with The VanAllen Group, the interactive workshop offers participants practical guidelines and participation in a simulated accident scenario. Topics include procedures for initial verification of accident-aircraft occupants, and appropriate notification of next of kin; disaster management teams and their equipment; cooperation with federal investigators; press relations; legal issues and related matters.
AVIATION COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA, in cooperation with GA Team 2000, is hosting the 3rd Annual Flight School Operators Conference April 15-16 at The Allentown Hilton in Allentown, Pa. The conference, sponsored by Cessna Aircraft, Diamond Aircraft, Green Tree Financial Corp. and The New Piper Aircraft, will include sessions on GA Team 2000, regulatory compliance, foreign student opportunities, marketing, operating costs, aircraft products, flight training devices and flight school operations manuals.
GAIL WRIGHT was named special projects manager for Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center, NASA's technology commercialization center operated by Battelle. Wright manages the center's involvement with the NASA Lewis Incubator of Technology, various technology evaluation programs and other NASA commercialization activities.
LEGISLATION addressing national park overflights may be on a somewhat faster track. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, had been expected to mark up proposed legislation this week, but that session has now been pushed back until after Easter. A similar legislative effort by McCain last year, S.268, met with overwhelming bipartisan opposition (BA, Aug. 4/50). Sources expect McCain's new legislative proposal to more closely parallel the recommendations of the NPOWG.
