The Department of Transportation has officially adopted ``upgraded'' regulations for Essential Air Service, while dropping procedures for retroactive establishment of final subsidy rates. The department also established a three-member panel and special procedures for handling EAS-determination appeals. The formal regulations to upgrade EAS service came nearly eight years after ordered by Congress, and four years after being informally implemented by the department. The upgrades consist of: -- Service with 15-passenger or larger aircraft;
U.S. Geological Survey has published a map designed to help pilots avoid areas of potentially harmful volcanic ash (B/CA, December 1990, page 90). The map, prepared in cooperation with Jeppesen Sanderson, Incorporated, shows the locations of 564 currently active volcanoes, and their distance and direction to the nearest navaid. A list of indications that an aircraft has entered an ash cloud is followed by recommended pilot actions. Copies are available for $7.50 each from the U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.
Flight Safety Foundation has taken the unprecedented step of suggesting specific flight/duty time limits for corporate aircraft operators. FSF says off-duty time should be at least 10 hours within each 24-hour period and should include an eight-hour sleep opportunity. The off-duty time per week should include at least 36 hours with two consecutive nights in a seven-day period. The duty period per each 24 hours should not exceed 14 hours. And flight time should not exceed 10 hours within a 24-hour period.
Sierra Expressway principles (l. to r.) Michael J. Forster, Daniel Brumlik and Scott Bekemeyer would like you to do just that-fly. This start-up airline will serve Oakland, Sacramento, Monterey and Eureka, California, with British Aerospace Jetstream Super 31 19-passenger turboprop aircraft. Sierra features ticketless service. Passengers receive a confirmation number and show identification at the gate. The carrier claims it will add several new destinations in the future. The airline is based at Oakland, Gate 18.
Newly privatized Brazilian manufacturer Embraer rolled out its prototype regional jet in late August to the promise of government financial support from President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
A wind-shear training program specifically tailored to regional and corporate aircraft is available-for real now. In 1994, the FAA prematurely announced availability of the program, which was developed by the Flight Safety Foundation (B/CA, June 1994, page 28). The package includes a video, CD-ROM, slides, study booklets, self-teaching guides, and a ground school and simulator training kit. The $300 program can be ordered (refer to order number AVA19756KK00) from the National Technical Information Service in Maryland. Phone: (703) 487-4650.
Many members of the business aviation community may not be aware that Byron Elliott, a pioneer in the design of long-range navigation systems for corporate jets, died earlier this year at the age of 62. Elliott was a founder and president of Global Navigation, Incorporated (which developed the GNS1000 navigation system). Later, he founded Vandling Corporation (which developed the NDB-2 long-range navigation database). Both companies were later purchased by Sundstrand, and Vandling Corporation continues today as a separate Sundstrand division.
Alliance Engines in Maryville, Tennessee, the joint venture between Duncan Aviation and KC Aviation, activated its first work orders on August 30-a day after receiving its FAA Repair Station Certificate. The company is offering repair and rework of AlliedSignal TPE331 and TFE731 engine components. Still under construction are three engine test cells: one for 331s, one for APUs and a turbofan test cell capable of handling engines up to 30,000 pounds of thrust.
FAA is reviewing proposed FAR Part 150 noise compatibility programs submitted for Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Westover Metropolitan Airport in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The FAA is scheduled to approve the plans by February 1996. Interested parties may submit comments. For details, contact John Silva in the FAA's New England Region at (617) 238-7602.
How many times have you heard the words ``cockpit resource management'' or, the newest term, ``crew resource management'' and its acronym ``CRM?'' Many times, I'm sure. It's the current buzz phrase in the aviation industry. Several NTSB reports target poor crew coordination and a lack of CRM as contributing factors in aircraft accidents. The Safety Board has repeatedly emphasized developing a team concept and an environment that encourages active dialogue between all crewmembers.
Dallas-based SimuFlite Training International and Gulfstream Aerospace have formed a customer training advisory board to ``foster improvements in pilot and maintenance technician training'' for Gulfstream business jet operators. The 21-member board, co-chaired by SimuFlite's Dick Holland, consists of Gulfstream managers and training specialists in addition to its nine corporate flight department representatives. SimuFlite currently provides training for G-II/G-III operators. Plans call for Gulfstream IV-SP training to be available in early 1996.
Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corporation (ANPC) of Hood River, Oregon plans to complete FAA testing of its Transponder Landing System (TLS) this month, and expects certification for Category I precision approaches at its first commercial installation in Watertown, Wisconsin by early 1996.
Signature Flight Support, which encountered a storm of protest from the AOPA and other aircraft users when the FBO chain re-introduced ramp fees and minimum fuel purchases in April (B/CA, May, page 20), has scaled back the fees and fuel minimums for light airplanes using the company's bases at non-hub airports. Fees and fuel purchases minimums remain unchanged at the larger hub airports. For details on the revisions, contact Signature in Orlando at (407) 648-7200.
Looking for that perfect gift for the aspiring pilot? The Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual is an excellent primer aimed at piston pilots making the transition to turbine aircraft (or hoping to).
Indonesia's IPTN N250 has become the first turboprop commuter airliner to take to the air with a fly-by-wire, all-surface flight-control system. A prototype of the Allison-powered, 50-passenger aircraft flew for the first time in mid August. England's Lucas Aerospace, manufacturer of the system, claims fly-by-wire flight controls will ``lower operating costs through reduced maintenance requirements'' and contains the ``potential for improved passenger comfort as a result of the enhanced performance compared with conventional systems.''
This list contains the names and URLs of some of the many weather sources that can be accessed on the Internet's World Wide Web. The first one is perhaps the best place to start your Internet weather resource list. The University of Florida's AgriGator site is updated frequently and includes more than 100 ``hot links'' to other weather resources, ranging from NOAA and NWS sites, to private, military, university, international-and even extraterrestrial weather sites. An ongoing scientific study of Martian weather is available. UF AgriGator *WEATHER
Astra Jet Corporation (Princeton, NJ)-Walter Kraujalis was appointed director of Israel Aircraft Industries' new Galaxy corporate jet program. John D. Yates was appointed sales manager for the Great Lakes Region.
Latest avionics architecture being touted by Honeywell is its VIA 2000. VIA, or Versatile Integrated Avionics, is based on the Honeywell system in the Boeing 777. The VIA concept uses line replaceable units (LRUs) with shared functions to lower weight, reduce wiring and decrease spares inventory. Traditionally, each LRU is dedicated to a single function. Honeywell claims the number of LRUs can be reduced up to 70 percent compared with a non-VIA shipset.
Saab Aircraft (Sterling, VA)-Allan D. Smolinski was appointed vice president of marketing support for this U.S. subsidiary of the Swedish aircraft manufacturer. John H. Sterne joined the company as director of regional airline sales.
-- Flight controls-Primary: conventional cables, bell cranks and mechanical links for ailerons, elevator and rudder. Secondary: trailing edge, Fowler flaps; spoilers and spoilerons for enhanced low speed, roll control authority; trimmable horizontal stabilizer. -- Stall warning-Aerodynamic, with possible aural warning; no stick shaker or pusher. -- Electrical-DC electrical system with starter generators, automatic load shedding.
