The Antonov Design Bureau has rolled out its prototype AN-148-100. The 68- to 80-seat regional jet resembles a twin-engine BAe 146 or an enlarged 328Jet. The first aircraft will be joined by a second this month. The aim of the Ukrainian company is to gain Russian AP-25 certification after completing a 600-hour flight-test program by mid-2006. The aircraft is designed to meet FAR Part 25 and EASA Part 25 certification. Although the AN-148 has no official launch customer, the company claims that it holds letters of intent from several airlines for around 100 aircraft.
The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) has elected James E. Markel, the CEO of Apex Aviation Corp., as chairman for 2005. The vote was taken during NARA's annual meeting, which was held in conjunction with the recent NBAA Convention in Las Vegas.
WE WERE GATHERED in the family room, watching the blank white states turn red, mostly, in what NBC's exiting Tom Brokaw rightly described as the best reality TV program ever. After Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky declared for President Bush and Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont proclaimed John Kerry their man, some telepundit mentioned the Washington, D.C., vote in a kind of verbal footnote.
Proposed Rules -- Dassault Falcon 10 airplanes -- Temporarily amend the airplane flight manual to provide flight crew procedures on how to use the main landing gear during touchdown to avoid a three-point landing. Also, perform repetitive inspections of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the nose landing gear for cracks and take corrective actions, if necessary. -- Garmin GTX 33 and 330 Mode S transponders -- Install software upgrade Version 3.03 or 3.06.
An old line guaranteed to elicit groans and hoots at any assembly of aviation people. As with many federal agencies, the FAA has been likened to a kind of regimented oaf, a dolt on steroids with an insatiable appetite for government forms, and money. But in it also rests the power to deny aviation people and companies that which they most desire: access to the airways. And thus it poses a terrible, constant threat as well. Here to help? Ha! Please just go back to Washington or wherever, and leave me alone.
When tower controllers receive runway braking action reports that include the terms ``poor'' or ``nil,'' or whenever weather conditions are conducive to deteriorating or rapidly changing runway braking conditions, the tower will include on the ATIS broadcast the statement, ``Braking Action Advisories are in effect.''
The NBAA has hired Lisa Piccione as its new senior vice president, government affairs, to replace Pete West, who recently resigned (Intelligence, October, page 18). West had joined the association from Delta Air Lines in 1987 and was named senior vice president, government affairs, in 1998. Piccione's background complements the lobbying skills and background of new NBAA President Ed Bolen. Piccione held senior lobbyist positions at Delta and at the Airports Council International-North America. She also served as a top aide to several members of Congress, including Rep.
NetJets Services has selected Rockwell Collins to provide avionics maintenance repair and technical support on its fleet of Gulfstream G200 and Raytheon Hawker 400XP aircraft. Under two separate 10-year agreements, Collins Aviation Services will provide NetJets with forward exchange avionics support on the fractional operator's aircraft, including maintenance, component repairs, reliability upgrades, equipment removal and refit coverage. Collins Aviation Services provides repair and overhaul services for avionics equipment at 80 facilities around the globe.
A retired U.S. Coast Guard captain and search and rescue expert, NTSB Board Member Richard Healing knows a thing or two about the risks involved in lifesaving helicopter operations. Concerned about the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) safety record, he is following a study of recent accidents to identify trends and, possibly, issue recommendations. He spoke with B/CA about that project and its genesis.
McGregor, Texas-based Blackhawk Modifications, which offers engine upgrades for the Beech King Air and Cessna Conquest, signed an agreement with ARC Corp. to be the exclusive marketing and distribution agent for ARC's Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 engine modification for the Piper Cheyenne I and II. The reengined Cheyennes will be marketed as the Blackhawk Cheyenne IXP and IIXP, respectively.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey is likely to continue to serve during the Bush administration. The question is where. She seems enthusiastic about continuing to head the FAA, saying that running the agency ``is a terrific job'' and that she would be ``delighted'' to continue in that post during President Bush's second term. Blakey is two years into her five-year term as head of the FAA.
Enhanced Flight Group (EFG) of Lexington, Ken., has a new type of ground power unit (GPU) for piston and light turbine aircraft. The 978 Series GPUs, weighing about 22 pounds, are designed as alternatives to large, expensive start carts, battery chargers and other transformer/rectifier-based power systems for engine/battery power.
It is conservatively estimated that the business aircraft industry incurs $1 billion in aircraft damage per year as a result of ground accidents. Yes, that was ``billion,'' with a ``b.'' That figure is inexact because it includes both direct costs and indirect costs, the hard-to-determine latter being three to four times greater than direct losses.
Honeywell announced three new certifications for its N1 DEEC upgrade to the TFE731 in October, completing its coverage of the entire commercial fleet of 9,000 TFE engines. The latest certifications cover the Learjet 55, Sabreliner 65 and JetStar. The N1 DEEC is a set-and-forget, digital electronic engine control that is a virtual plug-and-play exchange for the aircraft's existing analog electrical controls.
Dr. Ira Blumen of the University of Chicago Hospital and the University of Chicago Aeronautical Network (UCAN) was awarded the Jim Charlson Award for contributions to aviation and aviation safety on Oct. 25 at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Cincinnati. The award is sponsored by the Association of Air Medical Services and American Eurocopter. Dr.
The Salina Airport Authority has contracted with Jeppesen to analyze airspace and instrument approach procedures for Salina Municipal Airport (SLN), a popular cross-country business jet fuel stop in Kansas. SLN is planning for increased business jet utilization in the future and wants to position itself as ``America's Fuel Stop.'' Already more than 7,000 business jets purchase more than 4.4 million gallons of jet fuel each year during stopovers at the airport's FBOs.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated the presidential inauguration, scheduled for Jan. 20, 2005, as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). The NSSE includes the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, the inaugural parade, the official reviewing stand on Pennsylvania Ave., and the inaugural balls. The U.S. Secret Service will be the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan.
Smiths Group is buying Integrated Aerospace Inc., a privately owned, California-based supplier of specialty landing gear systems, for $110 million. Smiths expects to complete the acquisition later this month, pending regulatory approvals. Integrated Aerospace manufactures landing gear for small aircraft, including U.S. military helicopters, fighter aircraft, business jets and unmanned aerial vehicles. The company also makes external fuel tanks for fighters and helicopters.
Rockwell Collins received FAA approval for paperless flight operations on a Challenger 601 equipped with the company's dual Integrated Flight Information System. The system is integrated with the Challenger 601's Pro Line 21 retrofit avionics system.
Here's the dilemma: Blakey, a proven performer in the FAA job, has been mentioned as a possible successor to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta if he were to leave the Cabinet. And there's no indication she would not be fully up to the job. But Mineta's spokesmen say he still enjoys running the DOT. On the plus side, he's a Democrat and a former congressman who has transcended party politics in the execution of his job, acknowledged by all to have the best of intentions. And he's been active across the transportation spectrum, not just in the aviation sector.
Enterprise Jet Center has broken ground for a new $7.5 million, 300,000-square-foot facility on a 16-acre site at Houston Hobby Airport. Scheduled to open in spring 2005, the new facility will feature a 9,750-square-foot canopy deep enough for Gulfstream V or Global Express aircraft. It will also be able to handle the fuselage and wingspan of a Boeing 737 up to the tail. The canopy will lead into a 28,500-square-foot terminal office building featuring a two-story atrium lobby with airport views.
Aviation Technology Group (ATG), developer of the fighter-like Javelin, has appointed Horst Bergmann, former Jeppesen president and CEO, as its full-time Executive Vice Chairman, the number two position in the company. In addition to sitting on the ATG board, Bergmann will oversee marketing, sales, risk management, legal affairs and human resources. For information go to www.avtechgroup.com.
Rolls-Royce said that the market for business jets is on the upturn, and predicted stronger deliveries beginning in 2005. The company projects more than 500 aircraft deliveries for 2004, on par with 2003 levels. Revealed in the company's latest business jet forecast, covering the 2004 to 2023 market, the industry is in the beginning of a stronger market for business aircraft as virtually all of the key market driver indicators have turned positive and are trending up, said Ian Aitken, president, Corporate and Regional Aircraft for Rolls-Royce.
Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot is being promoted by its publisher as a ``plain English guide to everything essential for every pilot.'' The 394-page book covers a multitude of subjects from Airspace to Zulu time. The text format uses varied font, bold and underlining effects designed to highlight key concepts for ready reference. The graphics include simple diagrams with dialog balloons providing added detail. The purpose of the book is to make understandable often indecipherable, bureaucratese-laden regulations. Price: $59.95
