While most folks spend this month wondering what presents they'll receive for the holidays, a large segment of the aviation community will keep fretting over whether David Hinson has enough clout left to serve effectively as FAA administrator. We should learn at least part of the answer about Hinson on December 14. That's the day the FAA-under orders from Transportation Secretary Federico Pea-was to publish new rules making FAR Part 135 operators subject to the more-stringent requirements of Part 121.
The Smithsonian Institution has set December 15 as the deadline for receiving nominations for a new director of its National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Bob Hoffman has been interim director ever since former director Martin Harwit resigned in May after a flap over the Enola Gay exhibit (B/CA, July, page 20). A published want ad says candidates should have a record of ``demonstrated success in the management of a complex organization, a facility for written and oral communication and exceptional leadership abilities.''
FAR Part 29 airworthiness standards for newly designed transport-category helicopters have been amended to include engine rotor-burst containment requirements (B/CA, December 1989, page 26). The new rule, having sat on ice as a proposal on the FAA rules docket for six years, is intended to reduce the potential damage of high-speed debris caused by turbine-engine rotor failures. The FAA estimates that development costs will be $33,600 per type certification project.
Don't want to buy a share of a business jet but want some of the same advantages? If you are based in Europe, then you may want to check out Jet Aviation's new Corpavia Club. The Corpavia Club differs from fractional ownership programs in that customers do not have to buy a share of an aircraft. Instead, they sign up as club members with a one-time entrance fee. Members then pay for an annual subscription plus a charge for the flying hours they use.
At press time, Czech Republic-based manufacturer Let Aeronautical Works said it was on the brink of receiving FAA certification for the LET-420. The aircraft is an updated version of the circa 1970s LET-410, a 19-passenger, high-wing, unpressurized aircraft powered by two 750-shp Motorlet turboprops. The company has selected AeroTech GmbH and its Fort Lauderdale, Florida subsidiary, Aerotec USA, to be the sales and service source for North American customers.
The ``Duncan-Lightfoot'' bill to reform the FAA easily cleared the House Transportation Committee, but will encounter difficulty in passing a full House vote. Besides making the FAA an independent government agency, the legislation also calls for removing the aviation trust from the federal budget and allowing the FAA to spend trust-fund monies-a measure that many House members oppose. Meanwhile, the Clinton-administration-supported Senate version of FAA reform-calling for new user fees-inched closer to a vote at press time (B/CA, November, page 16).
Larry Baker came aboard this FBO chain as vice president of operations, and oversees technical services at all six of the company's aircraft service facilities.
Stevens Aviation plans to have a new terminal in place at Peachtree City-Falcon Field in time for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. In addition to Stevens' customary services, the company will have shuttle service to the Olympic Transportation Center. The new terminal will include a weather and flight-planning room, crew lounge and sleeping quarters, passenger waiting areas and on-site rental cars. (404) 631-5777.
Kerrville, Texas-based Mooney has received FAA approval for flight into known icing for its Ovation and TLS piston-engine aircraft equipped with the optional TKS ice-protection system. The $34,900-glycol system includes deicing elements for the wing and tailplane leading edges, for the pilot's windshield and for the propeller. Installed weight without fluid is 40 pounds; with full fluid, it's 96 pounds. Also, an optional additional alternator is required for the Ovation.
A videotape, produced as a joint project with 28 industry sponsors, now is part of the Flight Safety Foundation's campaign to reduce controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) accidents. The 33-minute video examines three CFIT accidents, recreated in detail, and looks at ways these and other CFIT accidents might have been prevented. The tape also shows how use of another FSF-developed accident prevention tool, the CFIT Checklist, could help prevent accidents (B/CA, February, page 14).
On April 1, 1996, Flightstar Corporation is scheduled to complete construction of a new FBO at what was previously Chanute Air Force Base (now designated 2I5). The new facility will feature a hangar tall enough to accommodate G-V-size business jets. Attached to the hangar will be a terminal providing separate crew and passenger lounges, a conference room, a flight-planning room and a vending area. Currently, Flightstar offers fuel services out of an existing hangar from 0800 to 1700 hours daily. Mike Kochvar is facility manager. (217) 892-2121.
The corporate aircraft terminal was completed, and emergency maintenance now is available at Petropavlovsk Airport in Kamchatka (UHPP). A Russian visa is not required for RONs. The new airway from north Alaska (R222) is now usable (Baseops International).
FAA recently released Version 5.0 of its Integrated Noise Model software used in noise assessments of new runways, arrival and departure paths, and flight procedures. The new version offers faster calculations, new graphics capability and easier data preparation via Windows. For more information, contact the FAA's Jake Plante in Washington, D.C. at (202) 267-3359 or John Gulding at 267-3654.
For those who have traveled extensively, no first-class accommodation in transportation can equal business aircraft for speed, comfort, security and efficiency-when the combination of aircraft and crew, ATC and ground facilities are at their best. Without exception, the network of fine airports around the world with suitable navigation equipment for ``all-weather'' operations and with ground-service facilities dedicated to business aircraft are an irreplaceable business asset in business aviation.
As a follow-up to its display of the XV- 15 tilt-rotor aircraft in corporate livery at the Paris Air Show in June, Bell Helicopter is actively polling the market to prepare for the possible launch of a small tilt-rotor for executive transport, EMS and utility operations. Details of the design are not firm, but Bell is shooting for a 275-knot aircraft that would sell for a price ranging from $6.5 million to $8 million, which would make it competitive with the Sikorsky S-76. Operating costs are expected to be lower than conventional helicopters', however.
Tamper-Evident thermal transfer labels from Kroy are now available for securing access panels, aircraft doors and fuel inlets on parked aircraft. Any tampering with the labels causes the word ``void'' to appear on both the label and the surface it was covering to indicate that security has been breached. The labels, provided on a 40-foot tape cartridge, are designed for use with the company's K2000 portable label and bar-code printer ($1,095). Tamper-Evident labels are resistant to chemicals, ultraviolet light, and temperature and humidity variances. Price: $39.95.
Four prominent aerospace trade groups representing airliner manufacturers have proclaimed their unified stand against more stringent noise and emissions standards. In a letter to ICAO, the U.S. Aerospace Industries Association, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Association Europeenne des Constructeurs de Material Aerospatial and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies said current rules provide ``significant environmental safeguards'' and ``no [technological] breakthroughs [are] expected in the near future.''
AlliedSignal Aerospace is moving its Commercial Avionics Systems from Prescott, Arizona to the company's operations in Olathe, Kansas. The Prescott facility, to be completely phased out by May 1996, makes FMSes and communications radios for general-aviation aircraft. The company says it ``will continue to meet all its contractual and customer obligations during the transition period.''
Copies of the Pilot Guide to Large Aircraft Ground Deicing (FAA AC 120-58) and the Pilot Guide to Small Aircraft Ground Deicing (AC 135-17) are available from B/CA. The booklets contain general information in addition to specific procedures concerning ground-deicing operations. Single copies of the Guides are available, while they last, for $1 each (to cover postage and handling) from Business&Commercial Aviation, 4 International Dr., Ste. 260, Rye Brook, NY 10573.
MedLink, a medical emergency program from Phoenix-based MedAire, will be a standard feature for buyers of Israel Aircraft Industries' new Astra SPX and Galaxy business jets, and on the Gulfstream V. The MedLink service provides flightcrews with training for inflight medical emergencies, a MedAire first-aid kit and-for the Astra and Galaxy-one year of advisory assistance that enables the flightcrew to have direct, 24-hour radio contact with specially trained physicians.
Planning and construction of Mid-America Airport, a joint-use facility with Scott Air Force Base, is continuing towards an October 1997 opening. Located 24 miles east of St. Louis, the airport will be an FAA-designated reliever for Lambert-St.Louis International. The airfield's two parallel runways will be available for simultaneous use by both civil and military aircraft and will be connected by a 7,000-foot-long taxiway. Business aviation facilities will be built, but the provider for FBO services had not been selected at press time.
Another incarnation of the panel-mount Apollo Flybuddy GPS has been introduced by II Morrow. Known as the Flybuddy GPS Classic, the unit uses an eight-channel parallel GPS sensor, and includes a user-replaceable datacard, 10 flight plans, emergency search, airport city search, pilot-customized nav pages and a countdown timer. Datacards are available for either the Americas or international regions and contain information on all public-use airports. VORs and NDBs. The system fits into the company's standard Apollo Loran receiver tray. Price: $1,695. II Morrow, Inc.
FAA's holiday gift to FAR Part 135 operators is a reminder of three important regulatory compliance deadlines: By December 31, turbine aircraft with 10 to 30 passenger seats must have TCAS I systems installed. Operators with 10 or fewer employees have to implement their FAA-approved alcohol-testing program by January 1, 1996. And, the agency said it will take ``appropriate action'' against any operator that is not in full compliance with revised flight-attendant rest requirements and duty-time limitations by February 1, 1996.
