Associated Air Center secured an STC covering installation of Wi-Fi systems for the Satcom Direct Router (SDR) on Boeing 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -800, -900 and -900 ER series aircraft. The dual-band SDR can manage multiple satcom systems, including Swift64, SwiftBroadband, Ku band, Ka band and X band. The SDR also has a 3G cellular capability while the aircraft is on the ground. The system integrates with a number of existing platforms manufactured by Cobham, Thrane & Thrane, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins.
I have been a loyal reader of B&CA since joining Ford Motor Company’s Aviation Department in 1969. For years I bundled the issues and stored them in my attic. I wish that I had them today, those 45 years of corporate aviation history.
“Crossover speed” is a term that came to the fore after the loss of a USAir Boeing 737 on Sept. 8, 1994, near Aliquippa, Pa., while maneuvering to land at Pittsburgh International Airport. The NTSB determined probable cause of the accident to be a loss of control resulting from the movement of the rudder surface to its blowdown limit. The rudder most likely deflected in the opposite direction to that commanded by the pilot as a result of a jam in the main rudder power control unit. The aircraft was destroyed and all 132 people aboard perished.
FlightSafety International, La Guardia Airport, Flushing, N.Y., appointed Christopher Adams senior director, business development and marketing, government. He will pursue new business opportunities for government and military training services and flight simulation equipment worldwide. He joined the company in 1998 as marketing manager for FSI’s Wilmington, Del., facility.
Misuse of the rudder on American Airlines Flight 587 departing John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 12, 2001, killed all 260 people aboard the Airbus A300 and five people on the ground in Belle Harbor, N.Y. The NTSB noted the pilot applied four full alternating rudder inputs, and after the fourth input, aerodynamic forces on the vertical stabilizer were roughly twice its ultimate design load.
FBO Partners, LLC, Seattle, Wash., is a new FBO consulting firm founded by Douglas Wilson. The company will focus on real estate revenue optimization for fixed base operators through an emphasis on professional hangar and office subleasing. Wilson formerly was director of Business Development and Marketing for Galvin Flying Services. Visit www.fbopartners.com.
Pilots need to appreciate a rudder's power. When a pilot inputs full rudder unnecessarily, the very large yawing moments that result produce large sideslip angles and heavy structural loads on the aircraft.
Empire Aviation Group, Dubai, UAE, has announced the opening of a new aircraft sales office in Scottsdale, Ariz. The company hired Gary Wright to head the U.S. sales operations. Empire Aviation’s U.S. sales business is targeting 30 aircraft sales in its first year of operation.
Bombardier Aerospace, Dallas, announced that Diane De Souza, vice president of its Parts Services team will retire after 28 years with the company. She is succeeded by Bill Molloy was previously the director of Customer Services & Support for the CSeries aircraft. He has been with Bombardier for over 24 years.
AAR, Wood Dale, Ill., named Kathleen Cantillon global director of Communication and Reputation. Cantillon has more than 20 years of corporate communication and government relations experience. She has held positions with ASGK Public Strategies and Exelon.
Today, winglets are almost de rigueur for any self-respecting business aircraft, from turboprop Beechcraft King Airs to Boeing Business Jets. They boost ramp appeal and improve performance as well. And for more and more aircraft they are an aftermarket add-on. But Cessna’s straight-winged Series 525 CitationJets have been left without the stylish turned-up tips. Until now.
Embraer’s first go at a purpose-built business aircraft was well intentioned, having a spacious cabin for an entry level jet, 370+ KTAS cruise speeds, jetliner-inspired toughness and impressively low operating costs. More than 310 now are in service and more than half of the fleet is in the U.S.
Veteran test pilot Peter T. Reynolds, whose career spanned four decades, died in early April. Most famous for his many Learjet test programs, Reynolds started his career at the Wichita facility in 1973 by working on several wing modifications, including the Century III and Softflite handling improvement packages, the Longhorn wing with winglets and Delta Fin aft anhedral strake stability improvement system.
Teri Bristol, acting COO of FAA’s Air Traffic Organization since David Grizzle left the post in December, has been named by Administrator Michael Huerta as the permanent replacement. Bristol joined FAA in 1992 and has served in various air traffic-related management roles. She was most recently ATO’s deputy COO — a position she took over in September 2012.
Advanced Aircrew Academy received FAA FAASTeam (AFS-850) approval for their FAR Part 43 Review online training module for FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal credit. This approval adds to the company’s approved training status for WINGS pilot proficiency program, now expanding to online training modules being approved for IA Renewal. Advanced Aircrew Academy www.aircrewacademycom
Nextant Aerospace has added Love Field Airport-based Four Point Aero Services as an authorized service center. The Dallas, Texas facility is the 12th center in Nextant’s expanding global customer support network. Four Points is a full-service aircraft repair facility with over 25,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and a reputation for high-quality maintenance. Nextant Aerospace Cleveland, Ohio (216) 261-9000 www.nextantaerospace.com
