GTE is offering a new graphic weather chart service for pilots using GTE DUATS, the direct access terminal service for FAA weather information and flight planning. Called NEXRAD, for next generation radar, the new feature is part of GTE's DUATS Golden Eagle Services. NEXRAD charts are updated every 15 minutes and offer a choice of 20 regional maps and one national map. The maps cost $2 each, including 90 seconds of connect time. Pilots can call (800) 345-DUAT to obtain the free software necessary to access Golden Eagle Services, including NEXRAD.
The military followed up recent satellite-based Global Positioning System accuracy problems with a warning to its operators "not to be overconfident" about the system. The advisory followed incidents in which several types of GPS receivers experienced position signals that were in error by as much as 20 to 40 nautical miles.
FORMOSA AIRLINES took delivery last month of the first of two Fokker 100s it ordered from the Dutch manufacturer. The 109-seat aircraft with a single-class interior will be used on the Taipei-Kaoshiung route, as will the second aircraft, which is scheduled for delivery in March.
KEITH PHILLIPS was named vice president of sales and marking for UNC Manufacturing Division. Phillips, who joined UNC in 1992, most recently served as general manager of UNC Chemical Dynamics. In his new position, Phillips will be responsible for all marketing and sales activities for UNC Aerostructures, UNC Johnson Technology, UNC Tri-Manufacturing, UNC Tri- Remanufacturing and UNC Artex.
United Technologies Corp. is not interested in selling its aerospace units, but is looking for future acquisitions, company President and Chief Executive George David said last month. UTC's two aerospace units - Sikorsky and Pratt&Whitney - have been the subject of merger and sell-off rumors recently. Earlier last year, David would not rule out putting Sikorsky up for sale. In August, rumors of a merger between Pratt&Whitney and fellow engine maker Rolls-Royce resurfaced, but both denied that such a move was underway.
Members of the International Association of Machinists overwhelmingly accepted a new four-year contract with The Boeing Company last week and began returning to work, ending a 69-day strike that slowed jetliner production at plants in Washington, Kansas and Oregon.
ROBINSON Model R22 helicopters (Docket No. 95-SW-23-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the upper V-belt sheave. This proposal is prompted by three reports of cracks found in the flange of the sheave. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the sheave, which could result in damage to the other drive system components and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Comments on the proposal must be sent in triplicate before Jan. 29 to FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
AMERICAN plans to hire about 1,050 workers over the next two years at its Tulsa, Okla. maintenance base. About 600 new jobs will be made possible by the Oklahoma Quality Jobs program, which includes a sales tax exemption on spare parts, and by the carrier's new labor pact with the Transport Workers Union. The TWU pact includes new job classifications that "segregate work by skill and pay at rates close to market scale," which "lowers our average labor cost," American officials said.
NAKANIHON AIRLINE SERVICE CO. LTD., of Japan ordered a third Fokker 50 for immediate delivery. Like the two aircraft previously delivered to the carrier, the third will have a 56-seat configuration. Fokker said the order from the Japanese carrier marks the 16th Fokker 50 order booked this year.
NACE INTERNATIONAL will hold its annual Corrosion/96 conference March 24-29 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo. Corrosion/96 will provide technical symposia and exhibits covering new corrosion control technologies. The annual conference and exhibition is expected to draw more than 5,000 individuals, including engineers, scientists, technicians, chemists, maintenance and operations managers, sales and marketing personnel. For more information, contact NACE at (713) 492-0535, ext. 81.
A decision to increase the maximum weight of the Citation X business jet will permit an additional passenger on 3,000-nautical mile flights, Cessna officials said this month (BA, Dec. 4/241). The decision to certificate the aircraft at the higher weights will delay initial certification until spring, but delivery of the first aircraft - to golfer Arnold Palmer - is still set for June.
K-C AVIATION added a Hawker 1000 to its management program, the third Hawker 1000 operated by the company, which will be added to its Part 135 certificate. The new addition will be based in Teterboro, N.J.
COLLINS COMMERCIAL AVIONICS is supplying its SATCOM (satellite communications) system for installation on board the first Canadair Challenger 604 demonstrator aircraft. Collins' six-channel SATCOM system supports cockpit data and voice, passenger telephone, fax and PC links. The unit will be configured to include voice fax and data link capability for two-way Automatic Flight Information Service communications aboard the Challenger 604.
STEVEN MARCUS was named vice president of manufacturing operations for Smiths Industries Aerospace, Defense Systems North America. Marcus, who has 16 years of aerospace industry experience, spent the past eight years with Kaman Aerospace Company as vice president, manufacturing operations.
JOHN MCCOY was appointed aftermarket sales manager-aviation for the Industrial Battery Division of Saft America, Inc. McCoy, who joined Saft in 1992 as manager of marketing services, previously served with Aero Quality Sales, Hatfield Aviation and Pennzoil Co.
DAIMLER-BENZ AEROSPACE, which has been involved in negotiations with the Dutch government over future financing of Fokker, last week agreed it would guarantee continued operations of the regional aircraft manufacturer at least until those negotiations are concluded.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION, which contemplated abandoning plans to hold its 1996 convention in San Jose, Calif. to protest attempts by city officials to close Reid-Hillview Airport (BA, Nov. 20/219), last week decided to keep the convention in San Jose to focus national attention on the airport controversy.
The Aero International (Regional airliner) joint venture of France's Aerospatiale, Italy's Alenia and British Aerospace expects Germany's Daimler-Benz Aerospace - which controls both the Dornier Do 328 and Fokker regional aircraft lines - to sign on eventually as a partner. "I even believe it is, eventually, a necessity if one believes in Europe," AIR chief Henri-Paul Puel told reporters at a press conference in Toulouse last week. The general outline for the cooperative arrangement was first announced at the Paris Air Show (BA, June 19/262).
AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION Thursday sent letters to the chairmen of the Senate and House aviation subcommittees, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.), saying that commercial operators should not be forced to pay more than their fair share for the use of the national air traffic control system. "The ATA board has taken the position that an absolute assurance on this point is a prerequisite for industry support of any FAA reform legislation," ATA President Carol Hallett told the legislators.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE named the former commander of the U.S. Air Force's 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base to head its government marketing operations. Brig. Gen. Monroe S. (Buddy) Sams, Jr., who recently retired from the service, was named vice president-government and special missions marketing for Gulfstream and will be based in the Washington, D.C. area. The 89th Airlift Wing is the unit responsible for providing air transportation for the president and other senior government officials.
The National Transportation Safety Board is alerting government organizations whose members operate public-use aircraft to the details of a helicopter accident the board blamed on mismanagement of the air wing of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
MEGAN GRANLUND was promoted to director of communications for the National Association of State Aviation Officials. Granlund will oversee administrative support, information and communication systems, membership services and meetings.
DENVERITES' DISSATISFACTION with the longer commute time to the new Denver International Airport's rural locale has inspired a new ad by Mayo Aviation featuring the numbers 40 and 250.
Scheduled commuter operators may continue flying aircraft currently in their fleets for up to 15 years by meeting some new equipment requirements, but both scheduled carriers and on-demand air taxis are likely to face significantly higher crew costs under proposed flight and duty time regulations FAA will publish this month, Transportation Department officials said Thursday.
