BFGoodrich of Grand Rapids, Mich. received its first STC for the interface of its Stormscope WX-500 weather avoidance system sensor with a moving map display manufacturer. The STC applies to the availability of the sensor's interface with the Eventide Argus moving-map display.
Pilots of the CJ1 and CJ2 will work behind an array of Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 EFIS displays. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa company also provides the CJs' dual attitude heading reference systems (AHRS); digital, dual-channel, automatic flight control system (AFCS); a single, solid-state, digital air-data computer; and the RTA-800 solid-state, stabilized, x-band color weather radar. Allied- Signal (Bendix/King) manufactures the CJs' panel-mount CNI-5000 VHF navigation and communication radios--comms have 8.33 kHz spacing--transponder, marker and ADF.
The IntelliJet Touchscreen Cabin Management System from Pacific Systems lets passengers become their own entertainment programmer. They can choose music by artist, category or genre, make video selections, or they can opt for the sights that the externally mounted Puritan Bennett cameras are seeing below. ``VIP'' touchscreen locations can control cabin environment functions such as lighting, temperature and window shades. Pentium-processor-based PCs run the cabin-control software. First application: Gulfstream V. Price: About $8,000 per seat location.
Yet another well-meaning, but ill-directed bill would allow law-enforcement officials to order aircraft to land without requiring those officials to prove reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct. The bill (S.1259), intended to stem the flow of illegal drugs, also would subject a pilot to five years in prison for not heeding the order. Congress has rejected several previous attempts to pass ``order-to-land'' legislation.
A former Dassault employee who hijacked a Falcon 20 in France and took 15 hostages surrendered at Marseille. On October 2, the aircraft was on a routine flight-ferrying employees between Dassault's corporate offices near Paris and a company facility in Istres, when the hijacker forced it to land at Marseille-Marignane Airport, according to wire-service reports. The hijacker said he was armed with a shotgun and grenades. He released 10 hostages unharmed, but continued to hold the remaining five.
Chrysler Pentastar Aviation (Waterford, Mich.)--Stephen A. Taylor has joined this FBO and corporate charter provider as director of sales, marketing and customer satisfaction.
Aircraft Window Repairs (Torrance, Calif.)--The company has made two appointments: Ryan E. Cupery as general manager and Bob Alvarez as quality assurance manager.
Embraer has contracted Grand Aviation in Dallas to remarket pre-owned Embraer Brasilia EMB-120s to corporate operators. The company purchased three of the aircraft for use in transporting NASCAR racing teams .
Somehow, somewhere, the FAA conceived the idea that the only way to increase safety and lower the accident rate in general aviation was to regulate. Hence, by issuing more strangulating dicta the FAA would be performing a singular service for mankind in general and the vast segment of general aviation in particular. It doesn't matter that anyone who has extracted their living in aviation for more than six months can competently dispute the fact. The AOPA, NATA, NBAA and others must keep their loins constantly girded against continuing encroachment by the feds.
General aviation trade associations are urging Congress to pass legislation that would speed up the NTSB certificate review process when the FAA uses its emergency authority to revoke an airman's or operator's certificate. The bill (H.R. 1846) would give pilots and operators the option of requesting a hearing before the NTSB within 48 hours of the revocation. The Safety Board would then have five days to decide if the emergency order was justified.
Airports and aircraft operators are ever more on the hot seat as communities raise questions and express concerns to airport managers about safety, noise abatement, environmental impact and ecological hazards. Don't pass up opportunities to advocate for your airport as a good neighbor--both in media interviews and by accepting speaking engagements in the community. And help is available to polish your approach as a speaker. Bob Hager, of Creative Force, a Teterboro, N.J.
Illustration: Graph: ALLIED SIGNAL BUSINESS JET DELIVERIES FORECAST 1999-2009 Data Source: AlliedSignal AlliedSignal's annual Business Aviation Market Outlook projects continuing strong demand for new business aircraft with deliveries topping 6,500 units valued at nearly $78 billion for the period of 1999 to 2009.
By year-end, the JAA is expected to issue for full public comment its proposed extended range, twin-engine operations (ETOPS) threshold that initially will apply to JAA-registered business jets with fewer than 19 seats and operated as commercial flights. The JAA's Operations Committee (and U.S. corporate jet interests) strongly support a 180-minute threshold, but certain European authorities, including France and its aerospace industry, believe a 120-minute threshold is appropriate.
Photograph: The Sovereign's cabin will be large when compared with traditional midsize cabins, with room for double-club seating, plus a forward side-facing bench. A new-technology `traditional' midsize business jet Today's traditional midsize business jet fleet comprises over 1,700 units--respected and dependable aircraft such as the Citation III and its derivatives, the Hawker 800s, assorted Falcons 20, various Sabreliners, the Learjet 55/60s and others.
At the pull of a pin, Air Technical Industries' Model WTT-2 detachable drive unit will become a source of propulsion or a tow for mobile equipment or cargo. The unit, battery-powered by a 24-volt operating system, has a 6,000-pound capacity. With its fingertip controls, the WTT-2 can pull luggage from an aircraft and restock and retrieve parts with ``precise positioning.'' Pricing starts at $7,258, depending upon options and user needs. Air Technical Industries, 7501 Clover Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060. (440) 951-5191; fax: (440) 953-9237.
While fractional ownership may be an idea whose time has come, it's no secret that it strikes fear into the hearts of many corporate flight department managers. So why is it, then, that a growing number of flight departments are buying shares in fractionally owned business aircraft to supplement their in-house machinery?
Going through performance reviews with pilots is a tough assignment, most flight department managers acknowledge. There are similarities in this group of professionals since ``pilots are skilled technicians, and they do repetitive labor,'' said Jeff Lee, aviation director for IBM's Flight Operations, based in White Plains, N.Y., yet their goals have to be personalized and somehow distinct from those of their peers.
National Association of State Aviation Officials urged congressional leaders to increase the state apportionment of AIP funds from 18.5 percent to 20 percent, a minor but ``desperately needed'' increase, said NASAO .
An FAR Part 150 noise-compatibility program for Florida's Naples Municipal Airport has been sent to the FAA for consideration. The FAA is scheduled to approve or disapprove the submission by March 2, 1999. Comments from users and others can be submitted. For further information, contact Tommy Pickering at the FAA in Orlando. Phone: (407) 812-6331.
David Collogan from The Weekly of Business Aviation
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the NBAA both strongly endorse continued regulation of fractional aircraft ownership programs under FAR Part 91, stating that the programs have operated safely for years under those FARs. The FAA has been meeting with various business and general aviation trade groups in recent months to solicit their comments on how shared ownership programs should be regulated. The agency is expected to make its decision by year-end or early 1999.
Aircraft painting companies and other aviation users of methylene chloride were given substantially more time to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules aimed at lowering exposure rates to the caustic chemical (June, page 20). For employers with fewer than 50 employees, OSHA delayed until October 22, 2001 the date to install engineering and respirator controls that limit exposure. For companies with 50 or more employees, the new compliance date is October 22, 2000.
