E-A-R Specialty Composites' HT Fiber fiberglass complies with the new FAR Part 25.856, which requires all Part 25 registered aircraft of 19 or more passengers to have additional fuselage burn-through protection to protect occupants during a ground fire. HT Fiber fiberglass is a one-to-one replacement for the standard aircraft insulation system. It meets the requirement of ASTM C-800-94 Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Blanket Insulation (Aircraft Type) and is available in all standard densities of 0.42 pcf, 0.50 pcf and 0.60 pcf.
According to aircraft resale pundits, the market for previously owned Raytheon Beechjet 400s and 400As has been strengthening in recent months, as the light jet continues to attract customers because of its speed and relatively large cabin. Despite increases in sales activity and value, prices have only appreciated modestly. Mike Trivisinno of the Capital Jet Group in McLean, Va., said, ``During the last 12 to 15 months we thought the aircraft were undervalued . . . compared to alternatives.''
Following the Reason Foundation's briefing, the AOPA noted that Poole's first report, released in 1993, ``suggested charging GA fees like $9.27 for a weather briefing, $4.65 for contacting a tower, and $9.27 for an IFR flight plan. The AOPA soundly criticized that.
Garrett/Piedmont Hawthorne/Associated announced that Jeff Bosque, a 30-year industry veteran, was appointed president, succeeding Rick Penshorn, who resigned in April for personal reasons. Bosque has been with Associated Air Center for 14 years, serving as vice president of sales and marketing before being named president. He was responsible for several infrastructure upgrades at Associated Air Center to improve productivity and initiated a ``sports team'' concept to increase sales. As president, Bosque will oversee all Associated Air Center operations and services.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp., White Plains, N.Y., appointed Roberto Pino to the position of manager, commercial aircraft programs. Pino will initially focus on Safe Flight's automatic throttle (AutoPower) programs for the CRJ 200, 700 and 900 regional airlines.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is now offering a Tip-to-Tail hourly maintenance program to Piaggio P180 Avanti and Avanti II aircraft operators. The new program covers both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and includes virtually every component, assembly and system on the aircraft. According to JSSI President and CEO John (Rick) Haskins, the new agreement between JSSI and Piaggio includes the cost of labor, as well as periodic inspections required to maintain each component, including removal and installations.
The Rockwell Collins AHS-1000 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) has been approved for installation on the Learjet 31, 35, 35A, 36 and 36A. The primary function of the AHS-1000, which is designed to replace previous-generation analog and iron-gyro systems, is to provide measurements of aircraft pitch, roll and heading angles for use by the flight deck displays, flight control systems, FMSes and other avionics.
Gulfstream Aerospace's long-range Gulfstream V received a type certificate from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. Gulfstream began work to obtain the approval after receiving an order from the Japan Coast Guard for two special mission GV aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered earlier this year, and the second aircraft is slated for delivery shortly. ``Historically, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau has granted validation on a case-by-case basis to operators of GV aircraft,'' said Gulfstream President Bryan Moss.
The GE Honda Aero Engines joint venture recently completed component and engine core tests to validate several new enhancements to the performance of its HF118 turbofan engine for light business aircraft. The HF118 family of commercial turbofan engines range in thrust from 1,000 to 3,500 pounds. The initial HF118 engine will be rated in the 1,700-pound-thrust class. The HF118 is being designed to operate in service for 5,000 hours before the first major overhaul with no interim hot-section inspections.
Duncan Aviation has installed a Max-Viz EVS-1000 enhanced vision system in a Gulfstream G-IVSP. An authorized Max-Viz dealer, Duncan worked with the Max-Viz certification team to develop the supplemental type certificate for the installation. The EVS-1000 uses uncooled, long-wave infrared sensors to gather data about runways, terrain and potential obstacles and displays images on a video-capable display system in the cockpit to help pilots operate in conditions such as haze, smoke, snow and rain.
Selected accidents and incidents in April 2005 The following NTSB information is preliminary, subject to change and may contain errors. Apr. 2 -- Teterboro Airport (TEB), Teterboro, N.J. A Bombardier CL600-2A12 encountered windshear during landing on Runway 19. The airplane suffered damage to the right wing tip, right outboard flap jackscrew cover and the pressure bulkhead in the vicinity of the nose gearbox. The two certificated airline transport pilots and two passengers were not injured.
Cessna Aircraft is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Cessna Caravan with a demonstration tour that includes locations in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa and Europe. Since the model was introduced in 1985, the Caravan fleet has accumulated more than 8 million flight hours and operates in 68 countries. Cessna has delivered more than 1,500 Caravans.
Bombardier announced a family of Challenger corporate shuttle jets derived from its CRJ series regional jets. The Bombardier Challenger 850, 870 and 890 are derived from the CRJ200, CRJ700 and CRJ900, respectively. Bombardier said it is launching its new Corporate Shuttle Solutions to meet the needs of both existing shuttle operators and a new generation of potential users. Bombardier research shows that a sizeable and aging worldwide fleet of corporate shuttle aircraft is due for replacement in the near future.
Docherty Aviation, LLC, Northfield, Ill.: Industry veteran Brendon Docherty recently established a full-service aircraft acquisition and brokerage firm that specializes in turbine aircraft transactions and needs analyses. Docherty (well known for his work with the AlliedSignal TCAS development program) and his team have more than a decade ofclose involvement with the fractional jetmarketplace.
Boeing Business Jets is closing in on the 100th order for the B737 variant since the program was launched in 1996. Boeing has orders and commitments for 97 of the ultra-large-cabin, long-range BBJs, including six within the past six months. ``The interest and orders for the BBJ continue to grow,'' said BBJ President Steven Hill. ``We're confident that the record sales pace will continue and that we will achieve 100 orders before the end of this year,'' he said during a press conference at the EBACE conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
The American Society of Engineering Education Southeastern Section (ASEE-SS) awarded first place to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's team of 14 computer and software engineering undergraduate students in the multidisciplinary category of the ASEE-SE conference design competition in April.
NTSB wants the FAA to improve data collection for air charter and fractional ownership operations, and while NATA endorses the intent it is challenging the proposed methodology. The association said the FAA's Operations Specification Subsystem, which includes the number of Part 135 operators and the number and type of aircraft operated, could yield much of the data sought, but the agency has chosen, for whatever reason, not to use it.
Lufthansa Technik, Hamburg, Germany, named Dr. Burkhard Andrich to succeed Dr. Gerald Kurbler, who retired early, as senior vice president of the company's Engine Services and Aircraft Maintenance divisions. Holger Dietsch is the successor of Dr. Andrich as senior vice president of Aircraft Maintenance. Prior to his promotion, Dietsch was vice president engineering of Aircraft Maintenance.
JetCorp., Chesterfield, Mo., appointed Michael O'Leary to the position of avionics sales manager. He will be directly responsible for leading JetCorp's avionics sales initiatives.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp. is working with Raytheon Aircraft Services to certify the former's AutoPower automatic throttle system, on the Hawker 800XP. RAS Vice President Skip Madsen said a letter of intent has been signed and that RAS will obtain an STC for the AutoPower installation with the first customer delivery planned in ``about twelve months.'' AutoPower provides airspeed/Mach control through servo-driven thrust settings. Safe Flight says its AutoPower systems and components have been installed on more than 9,000 airline, corporate and military aircraft.
Climb aboard Raytheon Premier I, and you might think you've just entered a midsize jet, albeit one with a short cabin. Premier I's thin-wall composite fuselage cross section rivals that of Citation XLS. The forward club section of this cabin provides a productive work environment for four folks. The rear two seats, though, are occasional use only.
Klein Tools' Aviation Snips have been designed with offset blades to keep the users hands away from sheet metal, and the flowed metal away from the blades.. The snips also feature heavy-gauge steel handles for extra strength, textured comfort grips and curved handle for easier gripping, and forged heat-treated cutting blades. The snips come in a variety of cutting styles: offset left, offset right, offset straight and bulldog notch cut. Price: $25.74 Klein Tools, Inc. P.O. Box 599033 Chicago, IL 60659
