America Online's aviation lineup includes access to the following areas: -- Aviation on the Internet for access to Internet newsgroups, mailing lists and World Wide Web ``Aero Links.'' -- Aviation Forum online conferences, such as ``Military Training Routes,'' ``Robin' Hood: Simulated Instrument Flight,'' ``Aircraft Minimum Equipment,'' and ``Aviation Trivia Contest.'' -- A ``What is It?'' contest challenges users to identify the aircraft shown in an online image, and win an hour of free online time.
A video-camera system from Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems is designed to provide passengers with ``high-quality'' external images of the corporate aircraft and landscape during all phases of flight. For the flightcrew, it provides views of the landing gear and certain control surfaces. The system has three cameras and a camera-control unit commanded from within the aircraft. One camera is mounted in the tail, for a wide view of the aircraft and the horizon, while the other two cameras are placed on the lower fuselage (shown) aft of the main gear.
The concept of an independent FAA-as it was created in 1958 and as it existed until being shoved under the DOT umbrella in 1967-has been a dream of much of the aviation community for nearly three decades. However, the idea was only a dream until the Republicans took control of Congress. (The ill-advised proposal by Vice President Al Gore and DOT Secretary Federico Pea in the spring of 1994-and reiterated early this year-to spin off only the ATC system into an unwieldy government corporation was a nonstarter spurned even by most Democrats.)
James Robinson is the new president of Phoenix-based AlliedSignal Engines. Robinson previously was president of the Garrett Engine Division, and most recently held the title of vice president of regional and business aviation propulsion at AlliedSignal Engines. He replaces Robert Choulet, who was named senior vice president of business strategy for AlliedSignal Aerospace, the Torrance, California-based parent of the engine division.
Commander Aircraft Company of Bethany, Oklahoma has introduced a turbocharged version of its line of single-engine recips. Powered by a 270-hp Lycoming TIO-540-AG1A, the new 114TC maintains full power to 21,500 feet msl, or 3,500 feet below its max altitude. At 75 percent power, Commander says the cruise is 183 knots. Sea level rate of climb is 1,050 fpm. Range with full fuel (528 pounds) is 725 nm at long-range cruise setting. The ``basic IFR-equipped'' price is $348,500.
Two free videotape productions-one from the AOPA and the other from King Schools of San Diego-provide tips on cutting aircraft noise and living in harmony with airport neighbors. The AOPA introduced its 20-minute videotape, ``Flying Friendly,'' narrated by AOPA President Phil Boyer, this spring. Flight departments, airport managers and local pilot groups will find the video to be a well-illustrated how-to production, suggesting and showing safe noise-reducing flying techniques.
Thomas H. Marlow, vice president of Houston-based Era Aviation, was elected chairman of the Helicopter Association International. Marlow, who has served on the HAI's executive committee in several capacities, also is chairman of the HAI's Olympic Support Committee. The committee is working with the FAA and others regarding helicopter operations at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
In October, an FAA special task force is scheduled to complete a 60-day review of the agency's efforts to prevent the use of unapproved aircraft parts. The task force was established shortly after the issue came to a head at a Senate government affairs subcommittee meeting in early summer. The FAA said the problem is not serious and has never been identified as a cause of an accident. But DOT Inspector General Mary Schiavo asserted the FAA was not doing enough to prevent the proliferation of bogus parts (B/CA, July, page 11).
The ``R'' Series life rafts from Revere Aerospace Products are fully reversible and, thus, ready for boarding upon deployment. Arches and canopy inflate automatically. Puncture- and damage- resistant polyur-ethane fabric is lightweight and stows compactly, according to Revere. The ``R'' Series is equipped with two mooring lines-one short (for inflation) and one long (for safe mooring away from the aircraft). Reversible ramps facilitate boarding. The raft has a 15-second inflation time and is approved for a 150-percent overload accommodation.
Illustration: Illustration: Graph: B/CA Comparison Profile (% Relative to Average) These graphs present range, fuel and payload information that is designed to show the capabilities of the Challenger 604. Do not use these data for flight planning. Time and Fuel Versus Distance This graph shows the plot of two missions: the first flown at maximum-speed cruise and the second at long-range cruise. The numbers at the hour lines indicate cumulative miles and fuel burned for each of the two profiles.
The Orenda Division of Hawker Siddeley Canada has delayed certification of its 600-hp, 495-cubic-inch V-8 engine for aviation applications until late in 1996 (B/CA, May, page 22). The nearly year-long delay will enable the company to optimize the engine for weight, complexity and maintenance costs, according to Orenda. Design modifications include replacing the twin turbochargers with a single, more powerul unit that allows the engine to be moved aft about six inches to improve the c.g. envelope.
Because the Yakovlev Design Bureau could not meet the production schedule, Israel Aircraft Industries is negotiating with several other subcontractors to build the fuselage of the new Galaxy business jet. Originally, Yakovlev's Saratov plant in Russia was to build the airframes (B/CA, May, page 110). ``Due to the difficulty in Saratov's manufacturing plant, IAI and Yak are implementing other alternatives...in order to keep the Galaxy program schedule intact,'' IAI said. Spain's Gamesa is the likeliest candidate; it is now building IAI Astra fuselages.
If you are in the market for a helicopter-from a single-engine two-seater to a heavy turbine ``North Sea Workhorse''-new PC software guarantees to eliminate the guesswork involved in the final selection. Hummingbird, a new DOS-based database, is a listing and a compilation of data for helicopters available from manufacturers around the globe.
Challenger 604 pilots will experience the most advanced avionics suite ever installed in a Bombardier business aircraft. That becomes obvious as soon as one enters the cockpit.
For the first time, three organizations-the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) and the International Air Transport Association-will be meeting jointly in what can be none other than a safety extravaganza. The November 6-9 event, called ``Managing Safety,'' will be held at the Westin Hotel in Seattle, and will herald the FSF's 48th annual International Air Safety Seminar and the IFA's 25th international conference. A feast of aviation safety topics awaits the 500 aviation professionals who are expected to attend.
The newly formed Aviation Training Institute now offers a redeveloped, updated version of the Professional Line Service Training (PLST). Sponsored by Texaco, the program has been packaged into a core curriculum of eight separate videotapes, incorporating full-motion video, animation and computer graphics. Topics covered are: the FBO industry and line-service responsibilities, safety, fueling piston aircraft, fueling turboprop aircraft, fueling jet aircraft, towing, fuel-farm management and customer service. An optional fire-safety tape is available. Price: $2,495.
Taneja Aerospace and Aviation, Limited in Hosur, India was appointed an authorized sales representative for Cessna Aircraft, and is slated to become an authorized Citation service center. Separately, Keystone Helicopter of West Chester, Pennsylvania received JAR Part 145 approval, permitting the company to offer maintenance service to European-registered aircraft and their components.
GPWS: All air taxi and commuter turboprops equipped with previously approved advisory systems and having 10 or more passenger seats have until April 20, 1996 to replace those systems with TSOed GPWS units.
TPI International Airways-engaged in a high-stakes chess game with the DOT Inspector General (DOTIG)-has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Savannah to order DOTIG to produce key evidence in its case against the U.S. Air Force and the FAA.
Honeywell's FANS 1 system was certificated in June, enabling operators of Boeing 747-400s to take a significant step toward implementation of CNS/ATM. So what does that mean? If you're confused by new terminology being bandied about in the avionics and ATC worlds, don't worry; you're probably not alone. Industry observers are referring to the ongoing changes in the way airplanes and pilots relate to ATC as ``revolutionary as the jet engine,'' so perhaps it's fitting that those changes be accompanied by a whole new set of acronyms.
The recent crash of a drug-loaded aircraft attempting to depart from Toluca Airport (MMTO) has prompted the requirement to search all vehicles entering and leaving the airport.
Meanwhile, Centennial Airlines, of Englewood, Colorado, continues its quest to bring scheduled Part 135 service to two DIA satellite airports-Centennial and Jefferson County. Both general-aviation facilities are environmentally sensitive, with the residents in both areas fearing the impact of scheduled airline service on their neighborhoods. The start-up regional would like to operate 19- to 30-passenger aircraft from the two airports to the Western Slope communities, recognizing that it would have to depend upon O&D business travelers.
CompuServe's aviation lineup includes access to the following areas: -- AOPA Online (Aircraft Owner's and Pilot's Association) provides the association's members with news and information about this organization. Also, it carries the latest about the AOPA's Air Safety Foundation, government information and legislative news.
