Free flight and datalink communications are almost synonymous, for without datalink, much of free flight simply won't be possible. The FAA's Next-Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) program will replace the FAA's VHF air/ground communications system in order to provide datalink communications, provide more capacity than the limited current VHF radio spectrum, reduce interference and provide security from ``phantom controllers,'' allow for remote maintenance and reduce susceptibility to RF interference.
Jack Riley, principal owner and president of RAM Aircraft Corp. since 1976, sold his majority interest in the company to his two partners: Cecil Padgett, who was named the new president of RAM, and Doug MacKay, who is now executive vice president. The Waco, Texas, firm is noted for its piston-engine modifications. RAM currently re-manufactures Continental engines used on Beech Baron 58Ps and TCs, and on Cessna 340s and 400s.
It is said there's a book in everyone, and Dave English's was coaxed out by associates and friends who told him he had so much written material on the thrill of flight that he should compile and share it. English, a full-time pilot and part-time aviation writer, had piles of passages about aviation from books, letters from people at Boeing and NASA, reflections from inventors and groaner cliches from pilots. His volume of compelling words on flight is called Slipping the Surly Bonds, and surly it is not. Entertaining and quickly gratifying it is.
Chevron(www.chevronaviation.com)--Pilots planning a trip in which they wish to use Chevron-branded FBOs may be interested in a new Internet-based flight planning feature of the oil company's Web site. When pilots click on the trip planner, the site displays a map of the United States from which users can click on a state of their choice highlighting all of the Chevron FBOs in that area. In addition to details about the dealers' services, information on nearby hotels and restaurants are displayed.
Use it or lose it pertains to U.S. Customs clearances at California's Van Nuys and Burbank airports. Clearances have been available at any FBO on these two airports since early 1998, but U.S. Customs may discontinue the service because of lower than projected utilization.
Nine days before Christmas, and on the fourth day of Hanukkah, Israel Aircraft Industries received FAA certification of its Galaxy ``super-midsize'' business jet. The certification includes approval for IFR, night, flight into known icing, APU and autopilot operation and all other systems, except for the thrust reversers, according to Galaxy Aerospace. Reverser certification is expected to be completed prior to the start of customer deliveries in midyear. Galaxy says it's ``on target'' to deliver eight aircraft this year and 15 in 2000.
Aviation Supplies and Academics has published The Airline Transport Pilot Practical Test Standards, which keeps apace with the standards that became effective in summer 1998. The 60-page, softcover book details the knowledge and skills necessary for an applicant to achieve certification as an ATP. Standards for airplane and helicopter, as well as the dispatcher rating, are included. Price: $4.95. The accompanying ATP Test Prep book is $34.95. Aviation Supplies and Academics, 7005 132nd Pl. S.E., Newcastle, Wash. 98059. (425) 235-1500; fax: (425) 235-0128.
Insurance companies have a sound piece of advice for operations renting hangars from FBOs: Read your lease carefully. The insurance coverage that you, as the lessee, must provide, will be spelled out in a ``standardized tenant agreement,'' from your FBO, said Ed Underwood, president of Avsurance Corp. of Ann Arbor, Mich.
Construction of a larger Cessna-owned Citation Service Center at California's Sacramento International Airport is underway. Cessna says the new facility, which will replace the existing facility built in the early 1970s, will be similar in size and layout to the firm's San Antonio center. The facility is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter.
The mandatory minimum rates for random alcohol and drug testing of commercial pilots, flight instructors and certain other aviation personnel will remain the same this year as in 1998. Those rates are 25 percent of covered employees for drug testing and 10 percent of covered employees for alcohol testing. Positive findings in drug and alcohol tests in 1997 were 0.7 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, the FAA said.
Fred Catchpole, majority shareholder and president of TPI International Airways, has filed a $94 million tort claim against a number of federal agencies, including the FAA, DOT, Justice Department and U.S. Air Force
One by one, the Canadian Government has challenged claims before the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it has violated fair-trade rules with regional-jet export subsidies. In a formal rebuttal of Brazil's case, Canada charged that it ``rests on inaccurate facts and unsupported assumptions.''
First flight of a production-configured Vantage will be delayed several months, to December 1999, because of unexpected weight gains, according to VisionAire officials in St. Louis. In order to meet FAR Part 23 stall-speed requirements, engineers are thoroughly reexamining the single-engine jet's design to find ways of reducing weight and increasing low-speed wing lift. The design review was slated for completion by the end of March, paving the way for construction of a production-conforming flight-test article.
Aircraft Electronics Association (www.aea.net)--AEA's ``Resource One Network'' site has been completely redesigned. Based on feedback from AEA members, the renovated site features a new design, easy-to-find selections and clever graphics to complement the content. Subscribers will find technical libraries, a DER/STC database, an equipment exchange and locator program, worldwide regulations and a stolen equipment database.
Be prepared for warm and thirst-quenching hospitality if you are Miami-bound for Super Bowl XXXIII on January 31. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department and area FBOs have lined up their own promotions and refreshments for crewmembers flying corporate passengers in for the gridiron action.
An FAR Part 150 noise-compatibility program for Florida's Key West International Airport has been sent to the FAA for consideration. The agency is scheduled to approve or disapprove the program by May 8. For further information, contact the FAA in Orlando. Phone: (407) 812-6331.
Among the GAO's findings was that improvements need to be made throughout the FAA to make free flight a success. Communication and coordination between various FAA program offices must be improved, say FAA officials. The GAO report cited a lack of team effectiveness training and team authority to achieve project goals that has hamstrung the agency's ability to move ATC modernization forward. The FAA and other participants also identified a range of other issues, not the least of which is coordination with the international community.
In an effort to raise the performance standards of the insurance industry and its individual practitioners, the Aviation Insurance Association of Bloomington, Ind., has set up the Certified Aviation Insurance Professional (CAIP) program. To become eligible for CAIP, applicants must have at least five years of experience in the insurance industry and complete a self-study aviation insurance course based on a three-credit undergraduate course offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Aviation 2000 (Catasauqua, Pa.)--Brian Lee Mott heads up this organization that conducts on-site flight and cabin safety training on Falcon 20s, 200s and 2000s. Mott, a PPE and FAA-designated pilot examiner, offers training for initial qualification, refresher training, FAR Part 61.58 PIC checks, copilot SIC training and checks, ATP qualification training and custom training as requested.
BMW Rolls-Royce says initial tests of an experimental cleaner-burning combustion chamber inside a BR700 core engine has resulted in a ``significant reduction'' in toxic emissions. The BR700 powers the Global Express and the Gulfstream V. According to the engine builder, tests results showed a decrease of nitrogen oxide to 50 percent of regulation. Carbon monoxide was reduced to 20 percent of the limit. Emissions of unburned hydrocarbons stayed below three percent of regulation stipulated limits.
