Universal Avionics selected Duncan Avionics in Lincoln, Neb., as the first and so far the only authorized service center in the United States for its equipment.
Michael H. Grossmann, president, Castle Aviation Inc., North Canton, Ohio Theo Staub president and COO, Jet Aviation Holdings, Inc., Teterboro, N.J. Reed W. Pigman, Jr., president and owner, Texas Jet, Inc., Fort Worth
Avidyne added airborne weather radar display capability to the FlightMax Entegra EX5000, when interfaced with the RDR 2000 digital radar. The EX5000 is a 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, multi-function display (MFD) designed for stand-alone applications or as part of Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck suite. Avidyne claims it is the first to add radar display capability on an integrated flight display for light aircraft.
Cessna's CJ2+ flew for the first time April 2 for two hours and six minutes. The conforming CJ2+ prototype took off from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport and was tested for basic stability, flap and landing gear extension and retraction, controllability, trim actuation, engine operating characteristics and basic autopilot operation. The model was unveiled at the 2004 NBAA convention. Powered by Williams FJ44-3A-24 engines, the CJ2+ will offer better thrust-specific fuel consumption and will be equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite.
There would be no passenger comments -- good or bad -- about this flight because there were no passengers. Rather, the two pilots were alone aboard the Pinnacle Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 for the evening repositioning hop from Little Rock to Minneapolis on the night of Oct. 14, 2004. The 610-nm trip was to be uneventful, and it was -- at first. But as the crew made its way north at a lofty FL 410, the aircraft's service ceiling, something went wrong.
A AC -- Advisory circular ACARS -- Airline communications addressing and reporting system ACAS -- Aircraft collision avoidance system ADC -- Air data computer ADI -- Attitude direction indicator ADS -- Air data system ADS-B -- Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast AES -- Aircraft earth station AFCS -- Automatic flight control system AFIS -- Automated flight information system (Honeywell) AHRS -- Attitude-heading reference system
Tim Brady, Ph.D., dean of the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, received the 2005 Excellence in Pilot Training Award from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA).
MARK, A FRIEND WHO ran a small Midwestern flight operation, was tied up in the sale of a Hawker that had been succeeded by a Challenger. Since he was half of the total pilots in his flight department and the sale was imminent, he had to stay put, and so he needed a favor. He was scheduled to begin a three-day trip the next day. Would I be willing to take it? A friend in need; I agreed.
Sporty's new LED Seatbelt Light is designed to not harm your night vision. The light clips onto your seatbelt shoulder strap for hands-free use and can be adjusted with a pushbutton choice of 2 or 4 LEDs. Direct the beam onto your lap to illuminate charts, checklists, timers or anything else. The recessed lighting design allows you to illuminate just the area that you want without lighting up the rest of the cockpit. The light uses three AAA batteries (not included). Price: $9.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop Clermont County/Sporty's Airport
House Aviation Subcommittee members, holding a hearing on the state of the FAA's Air Traffic Organization, used the opportunity to vent their frustration about the continuing ban on general aviation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) said he was ``totally befuddled'' by the continuing ban and said, ``It just doesn't make sense.'' The ban does just as much disservice to the federal government as it does to the aviation community, Ehlers said. Other committee members echoed those sentiments, including D.C. Del.
A recent EPA decision to require an elaborate secondary containment system to protect against spills from parked refueling vehicles is raising concerns that some airports and operators may choose to get out of the fueling business.
Their sales folders thick with purchase orders, helicopter manufacturers have their fingers crossed, hoping this is the start of long-awaited good times, last enjoyed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. That's when more than 4,400 new civilian helicopters were delivered over a four-year period. With oil prices reaching all-time highs, with most existing offshore and EMS helicopters long in the tooth, and with the introduction of new, more capable, more durable and more maintainable airframes, helicopter buyers are rushing to update their fleets.
Infinity Aviation Group, White Plains, N.Y., a full-service charter, sales, management and maintenance company, hired Ron Muller as head of its new charter sales office at Westchester County Airport.
Pentastar Aviation's Avionics Department received its second Training Excellence Award from the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) at a ceremony held in Dallas in April.
Rockwell Collins was awarded a 10-year contract by NetJets Europe, a subsidiary of NetJets Services, Inc., to provide forward exchange-based avionics maintenance, repair and technical support for its fleet of Hawker 400XP aircraft. Rockwell Collins Aviation Services' facility in Reading, U.K. will provide 24/7 service.
Meggitt/S-TEC, Mineral Wells, Texas, named 30-year aerospace veteran Michael McMillan president of the company. McMillan is responsible for leading Meggitt/S-TEC's strategic direction in all key areas including design, manufacturing and sales for the legacy as well as advanced flight control systems.
The spring 2005 edition of the Aircraft Bluebook's Marketline newsletter recently proclaimed: ``There is no doubt about it. The used aircraft market is in full comeback mode.'' The quarterly publication noted that several factors had combined to bolster sales of previously owned airplanes in late 2004 and into the first quarter of this year: -- The prevailing view was that the outcome of the U.S. presidential election was a win for American business. And ``when business wins, general aviation wins.''
