BroadBand Pro is a multi-mode bird repeller with four types of sound: distress cries that indicate danger to pigeons, starlings and gulls; predator cries of falcons and hawks; general harassments; and ultrasonic waves. One unit covers up to 3,600 square feet, with directional speakers and a separate control box for installation flexibility. Powered by 110 vAC, each unit includes four speakers with 100-foot cords and three visual scares for a multi-sensory assault: iridescent holographic ribbon, terror eyes holographic image and a realistic owl decoy.
President Bush nominated Ellen Engleman Conners for a second term as NTSB chairman, ending speculation about changes in the agency's leadership. Mark Rosenker was acting NTSB chairman while Conners awaited Senate confirmation. Rosenker has also been nominated for a second term, through 2010, and the administration announced that it intends to designate him vice chairman for two years. Conners' edgy relationships with other board members came to light in 2004 after newspaper reports cited a letter sent to her by three board members questioning some of her policies.
An inexpensive alternative to calipers, Pi Tape is used to measure true diameters of round and out-of-round forms quickly, precisely and economically. This simple instrument provides a low-tech alternative to large calipers. Acting much like any measuring tape, the markings are expressed in the resultant diameter. Pi Tape gages are available in either inches or millimeters. Standard tapes marked in inches read to 0.001 inch with an accuracy of 0.001 inch up to 144 inches.
The general aviation accident rate dipped to a historic low of 6.22 per 100,000 hours in 2004, according to figures released by the NTSB. The agency released preliminary accident statistics for last year, reporting a decline in the total number of U.S. civil aviation accidents from 1,864 in 2003 to 1,715 in 2004. Fatalities overall decreased from 695 to 635. General aviation operators were involved in 1,614 accidents in 2004, down from 1,741 in 2003. Fatal accidents dropped from 352 to 312.
Jet Aviation will open a new maintenance and FBO facility at So Paulo Viracopos/Campinas International Airport by late 2006 to serve Brazil's ``Silicone Valley.'' Over the next few years the airport is expected to invest $60 million in its infrastructure, aiming to become the airport of choice for the business aviation community. The new facility will emulate its newly constructed maintenance and FBO facility in Dubai, scheduled to open shortly.
Cessna Aircraft announced that it received certification for the Citation Sovereign business jet from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) April 14. This certification enables the Citation Sovereign to be certified and registered within all 25 European countries adhering to EASA regulations and 10 European countries following JAA regulations. This type certificate is Cessna's first EASA certification and will enable Citation Sovereign operators to obtain European registrations.
A Texas judge signed a $96 million judgment against Textron Lycoming, affirming an earlier jury verdict. The judgment, signed by Judge Jerry Sandel of the 278th Judicial District Court in Anderson, Texas, includes $86.3 million in punitive damages. The case centered around engine crankshaft failures in aircraft built by Cessna, Piper and other manufacturers. Interstate Southwest Ltd., of Navasota, Texas, which said it built the crankshafts to Textron Lycoming's design, brought the suit.
Raytheon Aircraft redesignated its Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron lines the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58, to reflect the newly upgraded Garmin G1000 integrated avionics package. Raytheon, which announced plans in August to incorporate the Garmin glass cockpits into Bonanzas and Barons, expects FAA certification for the G36 and G58 later this year.
CitationShares fractional ownership program introduced a jet card that permits individuals and businesses to purchase flight time in 20-hour increments. Most jet card programs require a minimum purchase of 25 hours. Pricing for the 20-hour Vector JetCard begins at $75,995, which the company claims makes it ``the most accessible and affordable jet card option in the industry.'' CitationShares is co-owned by Cessna Aircraft and TAG Aviation.
The National Air Transportation Association has appealed to the FAA for more time to give commercial and fractional aircraft operators a reasonable chance to comply with a directive to audit training centers, saying many operators are just now finding out about the mandate. The FAA issued a notice to principal operations inspectors on Feb. 18 calling for air carriers and fractional ownership aircraft operators to audit training centers within 90 days to verify that they comply with approved training programs.
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary as a separate, independent agency, the NTSB has published ``NTSB: Lessons Learned and Lives Saved,'' an examination of the safety improvements that have resulted from over three decades of transportation accident investigations. The publication surveys safety measures inspired by NTSB recommendations in all modes of transportation -- aviation, railroad, highway, marine, pipeline and hazardous materials. ``We firmly believe that out of tragedy, good must come,'' said Board Chairman Ellen Engelman Conners.
Between the time we go to press on this issue and publish the next, expect significant developments in three major areas of industry concern: DCA access, TSA reorganization and FAA funding, as noted in the following items.
IT WAS ONE OF THOSE ACCIDENTS that immediately caught the attention of the aviation community. A Business Jet Services Gulfstream III (N85VT) crashed three miles short of Houston Hobby Airport near the ILS Runway 04 centerline killing all on board -- two pilots and a flight attendant. The mission was an early morning IMC ferry flight from Dallas to Houston to pick up former President George Bush and his party for an overnight visit to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The date was Nov. 22, 2004.
Pilots can learn the Avidyne FlightMax Entegra integrated flight display with host Richard Collins without leaving the ground. With a focus on real-world use and practical applications, Collins explains the features of this system and how pilots can maximize their capabilities. Learn how the Entegra integrates dual Garmin GNS 430 GPS receivers, an S-TEC 55X autopilot and a BFGoodrich Skywatch traffic system. The program runs approximately 34 minutes. Price: $24.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop Clermont County/Sporty's Airport
Sometimes you just have to go out and see the lay of the land. ``We use approximately half a dozen sources of nav data, some government, some private sources, some from satellite images,'' Jeppesen's Greg Bowlin told B&CA. ``And there are times when we have to go about and do our own surveying on the ground, as with our Airport Moving Map product, part of our Electronic Flight Bag.''
Avionics maker Honeywell Aerospace and Duncan Aviation, the Lincoln, Neb.-based aviation sales and support company, are teaming to certify Honeywell's Epic CDS/R displays in the Dassault Falcon 900B. The new large-format displays will enable operators of the trijet to access emerging technologies being delivered on new aircraft, as well as use graphical weather, en route maps and approach charts.
San Antonio-based Jet Aviation Engineering Services, which holds multiple STCs for the installation of the Bendix/King Integrated Hazard Avoidance System (IHAS) 8000 in Cessna Citation 500, 550, S550 and 560 series aircraft, is offering the STC for purchase. As an option, Jet Aviation offers a complete turnkey solution, with installation provided by Jet Aviation Dallas or any other Jet Aviation Cessna service center.
Jet Aviation (Teterboro, N.J.) -- Anthony Kioussis was named a company vice president and was appointed to head the company's aircraft sales division in the United States, which has offices in Dallas, Palm Beach, Fla., and Teterboro, N.J. Kioussis' experience in aviation sales and marketing includes a 10-year stint with British Aerospace, Inc., where he served in several key management positions.
The Citation Ultra, when we first flew it in 1994, instantly became our favorite narrow-body Cessna business jet. Its overall takeoff performance was the best of any jet aircraft we'd yet flown. Departing at MTOW, it could climb directly to FL 450 in 28 minutes, averaging better than 3,000 fpm until reaching the low 30s. Most operators now flight plan using a block speed of 400 KTAS and, when needed, the Ultra will fly five passengers 1,596 nm and land with NBAA IFR reserves, according to B&CA's May 1994 Purchase Planning Handbook.
Carlos Dardano is a flying legend, and he deserves no less a title. The Taca Airlines captain was in command of the Elf Salvador national airline's brand-new Boeing 737-300 on a May 24, 1988, flight from Belize to New Orleans when he made aviation history. On that rainy afternoon he became the first -- and to date, only -- pilot to land a commercial jetliner off-airport without any injury to the passengers and crew, and even more amazingly, without any damage to the aircraft.
Premier Aircraft and Honeywell have completed the specialized nozzle and nacelle development required for Premier's Falcon 50-4 performance upgrade program. Integration tests of the existing nacelle and new engine nozzle were conducted recently at Honeywell's powerplant facilities in Phoenix.
The FAA has provided a Web site for those seeking FAR Part 145 approval (www.faa.gov/fsdo/atl/n145toc.htm). In typical FAA fashion, the site provides a lot of information but does not necessarily answer all of your questions. While an Advisory Circular (AC145-9) helps clarify things, there is no substitute for face-to-face discussion with your local inspector. Before you head off for your local FSDO, read Part 145 and the Inspector's Handbook No. 8300.10, Vol. 2., Chapters 161 through 165.
