Fairchild Corp. plans to purchase the remaining 15 percent of the outstanding shares of Banner Aerospace through a merger of Banner and a newly formed subsidiary of Fairchild.
The former Jet Aire at Sanford Airport became the 28th Million Air FBO in late 1998. A facility was completed in December 1995 and features full transient aircraft services, including courtesy and rental cars on site. A Million Air spokesman told B/CA that Sanford offers quicker turnarounds than other, more traffic-congested airports in the area. Phone: (800) 749-2473.
Is it appropriate to take young people with limited flying experience--or no experience--and administer them an airline-intensive training program, allowing them to serve as first officers?''
Federal District Judge Ann Aldrich denied a National Air Traffic Controllers Association motion to force the FAA to resume operating 160 control towers in the contract-tower program. Still pending is a ruling on another 21 towers that the agency was slated to privatize in fiscal 1998. Once the FAA provides documentation ``that validates the cost savings of the program,'' the implementation plan can resume, said Spencer Dickerson, executive director of the U.S. Contract Tower Association.
Noise-abatement officials at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y., report that noise complaints at the popular metropolitan New York business airport dropped dramatically through the first 10 months 1998. However, HPN officials warn that complaints will rise when a new nearby school and housing complex open.
The 15X Strut Pump from Bogert Aviation will boost shop air or nitrogen up to 2,250 psi, which tallies up to 15 times the maximum inlet pressure of 150 psi. About 28 inches long and weighing seven pounds, the 15X is equipped with a pressure gauge, a 36-inch, high-pressure air hose and coupling. List price: $359. Bogert Aviation, 308 S. Perry Pl., Kennewick, Wash. 99336. (509) 736-1513; fax: (509) 735-2106.
Now available is an electronic engine and aircraft maintenance system that combines Aircraft Technical Publishers' Maintenance Director, an electronic logbook, with AlliedSignal Engines' electronic maintenance schedules. Users can keep current on manufacturer maintenance requirements, SBs and ADs. Also, the system has a maintenance-forecasting feature that pegs maintenance requirements for one aircraft or an entire fleet. The initial price for AlliedSignal's schedules (includes 12 monthly updates by CD-ROM) is $1,650. Renewal price: $990.
Pilots and officials at Australia's Melbourne International Airport are upset over plans to build the world's tallest tower near the airport. Construction of the 1,837-foot tower is scheduled to start this quarter. Pilots say the tower will affect the traffic pattern because it will stand in the flight path of the southerly approach to the airport.
Measurable progress has been made toward the development of an industry-wide accident/ incident information sharing system. In early November 1998, more than 200 individuals representing a cross-section of the global aviation community gathered in Long Beach, Calif., to participate in the third GAIN (Global Aviation Information Network) World Conference.
DOT has proposed to rewrite and clarify the hazardous materials transportation regulations (DOT Parts 105, 106 and 107) to make them more ``user-friendly and easier to read and understand.'' To this end, proposed changes include rewriting certain parts of the rule using ``plain-language'' techniques, such as shorter paragraphs and sentences, employing a question and answer format and using personal pronouns and an active voice. Comments on the proposal are due February 9. For more information, phone (202) 366-4400.
The National Air Transportation Association has established the Customer Service Recognition Award, which will be presented annually to FSDOs ``demonstrating the highest level of customer service to aviation businesses.'' The NATA will consider a nominated FSDO's communications effectiveness, regulatory compliance advice, regulation application process and timeliness in responding to the needs of those it serves. The first award will be presented at this year's NATA convention, April 20-22 in Phoenix.
An analysis of 107 incident accounts in the Aviation Safety Reporting System examines human errors caused by distraction, preoccupation and interruptions. The results of the study, including recommendations to reduce pilot vulnerability caused by these factors, are summarized in the newest issue (#10) of ASRS Directions. See http://olias.arc.nasa.gov/asrs.
A Learjet 45 set a new transcontinental speed record in its class of 4+18 hours on a 2,021-nm flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C. Average speed was 427 knots and average fuel flow was 946 pph.
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems' Radar Graphics Computer Model RGC250 allows lightning and traffic information to be superimposed over precipitation graphics on a weather radar indicator. The RCG will show traffic information from either the BFGoodrich Avionics Systems' TCAS I or Skywatch traffic avoidance system, and will display on a variety of radar indicators made by Honeywell, Collins and AlliedSignal. List price: $8,995. BFGoodrich Aerospace, Avionics Systems, 5353 52nd St. S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49588. (616) 949-6600; fax: (616) 285-4224.
In this new handbook, Robert A. Alkov, Ph.D. offers a lighter-than-a textbook option to those who are not well versed in human factors but want to get a basic grounding in human capabilities and limitations. Dr. Alkov introduces the necessary terms, explains them and moves on before you are ready to yell ``uncle,'' although sometimes you are left feeling that more explanation is needed.
Regional Airline Association, National Air Transportation Association and others representing operators of small turbine aircraft are trying to shoot down the FAA's TAWS proposal, claiming it is too expensive and not justified. The FAA wants to require terrain awareness and warning systems (as in Enhanced GPWS) in all turbine airplanes certificated for six or more passenger seats. Comments on the rule proposal, as well as a proposed TSO on TAWS, are due January 28. For more details, see this issue's Briefing, page 32.
Will personal pagers be the next items added to the list of portable electrical devices (PEDs) that must be turned off during certain segments of flight because they may botch up avionics signals? We don't know, but the following incident submitted by an airline captain to NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System may be something for you to consider when it comes to your operational procedures.
A newcomer to the GPU market is Unitron's combination cart GPU, with dual AC/DC output. The solid-state unit can supply 400 Hz AC and 28 VDC power. Output power ratings for the GPU are 37.5 kVA to 90 kVA AC power with 400 amps continuous DC power and a 2,000-amp DC start current capacity. One operator can maneuver the unit. Price: from $30,000, depending on the rating of the AC output. Unitron Inc., 10925 Miller Rd., Dallas, Texas 75238. (214) 340-8800; fax: (214) 341-2099.
Gillespie Airport, about 10 miles north of downtown, has a new FBO. Royal Jet, pumping Texaco fuel, is currently operating out of a 30,000-square-foot, newly built hangar/office. Daily operating hours are 0700 to 1900 local. There are no curfews or other noise restrictions. Construction of a 6,500-square-foot executive terminal offering all the customary services is scheduled to begin soon, with the opening in the spring. The FBO is an outgrowth of the firm's 10-year-old charter business. Phone: (619) 448-4200.
Banner Aviation's Wichita-based Matrix Aviation is now the exclusive, worldwide distributor of France's Sextant Avionique's avionics for business and regional aircraft.
Mensor now offers the Model 8201 Air Data Test Set, a dual-output precision pressure controller, that tests various avionics instruments by simulating altitude and airspeed. The unit can test altimeters, air-data computers and vertical speed indicators. A high-resolution color display gives a readout of information for both pressure channels. Price: Starts at $13,950 and varies with pressure ranges. Mensor Corp., 2230 IH-35 South, San Marcos, Texas 78666. (512) 396-4200; fax: (512) 396-1820.
A top National Weather Service official says the agency will continue to directly serve the aviation business. In remarks intended for the flying public, John J. Kelly, Jr., the assistant administrator for weather services at the NWS, was adamant when he said ``I want to assure you that the NWS is not getting out of the aviation weather business.''
