Richard B. ``Dick'' Weeghman, an aviation writer and editor of long standing, passed away Oct. 13 near his home in Sarasota, Fla. He was 75. After graduating from Yale, Weeghman flew F-86s in the U.S. Air Force. He was an associate editor at Flying magazine, editor-in-chief at Air Progress, and later at The Aviation Consumer. After retiring to Florida, he was active in the Angel Network. His survivors include Diane, his wife of 40 years; two daughters; and three grandchildren.
``If we wait for congestion to return before designing, creating a transition plan for, and building the next-generation system, we will pay a heavy price,'' said John Hayhurst, president of Boeing Air Traffic Management, at the Aero Club of Washington on Oct. 2. A network-enabled approach to the air system would provide a strong and flexible platform for system transformation, he asserted. Such an approach would provide a common suite of information to system users.
The Franklin Institute's new Franklin Air Show aviation exhibit opened Oct. 18. The 5,000-square-foot permanent exhibit immerses visitors in the simulated environment of an actual air show and introduce them to the history, science and technology of powered flight. The Franklin Air Show contains more than 20 interactive devices in three environments -- an aircraft hangar, a midway and a pilot training facility.
IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, the NTSB has repeatedly urged pilots to do a better job of self-monitoring for the effects of fatigue and the side effects of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed medications. Routine business stress can lead to fatigue and minor health problems. When we reach for OTC or prescribed medications to deal with those stress/fatigue-induced aches and pains, the situation can snowball. One of the accidents we've looked at for its operational lessons was the loss of the College of the Ozarks' Cessna Citation 525.
French officials from the equivalent of the U.S. DOT's Inspector General's Office traveled to the NBAA annual meeting and convention and attended a presentation, on Oct. 10, on fractional ownership that was described as a ``primer'' on this category of operation. The French officials then met in Washington on Oct. 14 with officials from the NATA, GAMA and NetJets to explore the regulatory issues surrounding fractional operations. NATA president James Coyne reported that the discussions were extremely positive. As with the United Kingdom.
Gulfstream's G100 (Astra SPX) dedicated to AOG support flew its 200th mission recently. The G100 flies critical components and technicians to the field to resolve AOG situations for Gulfstream customers. Gulfstream Aerospace inaugurated its GAPS (Gulfstream Airborne Product Support) program in May 2002. Using the dedicated aircraft for service missions routinely reduces the amount of AOG time for customers, sometimes by days, Gulfstream officials say.
Long Island, N.Y., MacArthur (ISP)-based Eastway Aviation added two factory-new Citation Excels and a Citation Bravo to its charter fleet. Joe Turosky has joined Eastway as Citation Program manager. Eastway's client relations manager Dan Tew told B/CA that all three aircraft are now on certificate and available for charter. Eastway has also opened a second base with leased hangar and office at the Robinson Aviation FBO in New Haven, Conn. (HVN). For more information, call (631) 737-9911.
The NBAA will conduct a series of one-day seminars to explain Subpart K's critical components, and its impact on international operations, aircraft registration, finance and taxes. The registration fee is $495 for NBAA members, $695 for nonmembers. For further information go to web.nbaa.org/public/cs/subpartk. So far, seminars are scheduled for: -- Dec. 5 in White Plains, N.Y. -- Jan. 20, 2004, in Van Nuys, Calif. -- Feb. 20, 2004, in Dallas
Banyan Air Service, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hired Lenny Baldwin as turbine maintenance service manager. Baldwin has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining Banyan, Baldwin was a project supervisor for Bombardier.
Elliott Aviation and Honeywell will offer an RVSM-compliant equipment package for the Beechjet 400 and Mitsubishi Diamond 1 and 1A jets. The RVSM system includes Honeywell's AZ-252 air data computer, AM-250 barometric altimeter, BA-250 barometric altimeter display and AL/VN-800 altitude alert controller. Elliott will sell the RVSM modification separately or as part of a package that could include the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, traffic alert and collision avoidance system and cockpit display.
On Oct. 9, Shelley A. Longmuir formally assumed the responsibilities of president and CEO of the NBAA, and Robert P. Warren took on the role of the association's executive vice president, Chief operating officer and corporate secretary. Adding those titles resulted from a change in the bylaws adopted by the association's board of directors during the NBAA Convention.
It was a typical August morning in southeastern Connecticut. Pulling back my window shade around 6 a.m. revealed some low clouds hovering somewhere above the treetops, but the promise of the day was that the fog and low clouds would burn off, giving way to morning sunshine. Although just a few miles away the morning sun was already shining, at Groton-New London Airport (GON), those lingering low clouds would shortly be the undoing of two pilots then on a final approach.
Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, Neb., recently completed three new appointments. Bob Finke was named sales associate at Duncan's Parts and Services division, AVPAC. He will manage the new propeller overhaul exchange program and serve as Duncan's new propeller tech representative. The new manager of Duncan's Chicago satellite facility is Dan Wilder, a 30-year aviation industry veteran who has been with Duncan for the past three years. Additionally, Steve Morgan was named team leader for the company's Fort Lauderdale Rapid Response team.
The venerable Learjet 35, even when sitting on the ramp after all these years, still appears to be one of the sleekest, fastest light business jets ever built. Its husky-looking Honeywell TFE731 turbofans give it an even more powerful appearance than the original Learjet 20-series airplanes. The manufacturer sold more than 700 Model 35 and 36 aircraft during a decade production run between 1974 and 1993, and close to 675 of those remain in service. The Learjet legacy dates back to 1963 when William P.
Can you remember going to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and seeing the Wright Flyer hanging from the ceiling? Did you wish you could touch it? How about owning a piece of it? Well, Aviation Relic Prints is offering you the next best thing -- framed prints containing a 4-inch-square swatch of the original wing fabric, from one of seven famous aircraft, including the Wright Vin Fiz. Each print comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the deputy-director of the Smithsonian.
Walter Extra personally flew the prototype Extra 500 turboprop the 5,500 miles from Germany to the NBAA Convention in Orlando for static display. He flew the trip in nine trouble-free legs. Powered by a Rolls-Royce 250, the high wing design is based on the six-place piston-powered Extra 400. European certification of the 500 is expected in first quarter 2004, followed by U.S. certification.
Falcon Insurance appointed Bob Mackey vice president of its new branch in Oshkosh, Wis. Mackey has more than 20 years of experience in the aviation insurance industry. In this role, he will manage insurance programs for organizations such as the Experimental Aircraft Association, the International Aerobatic Club and the National Association of Flight Instructors.
A Piaggio Avanti set a new speed record en route to the NBAA Convention, Oct. 5, flying 426 mph (374 knots) from Chicago's Midway Airport (MDW) to Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), establishing the standard for Class C-1.E aircraft (6,614 to 13,228 pounds) over the course. The 854- nm flight took two hours, 18 minutes and 12 seconds. The flight was crewed by Piaggio America chief pilot Arthur St. Clair and copiloted by Piaggio America President and CEO Tom Appleton.
FlightSafety International's Teterboro learning center won FAA approval to provide FAR Part 91 and Part 135 training for cabin-related emergencies as part of its flight attendant training programs. The Teterboro center offers cabin emergency, initial and recurrent classes for flight attendants. FlightSafety says the safety-related courses are also suitable for pilots, maintenance technicians and frequent flyers.
Keystone Helicopter has a new five-year contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to provide completion services for the VIP version of the S-92 helicopter. The non-exclusive agreement covers design, certification and installation of custom interiors, as well as exterior paint. Keystone CEO Steve Townes said the first VIP S-92 under the contract is scheduled to be completed in December 2004 for one of Sikorsky's Northeast corporate customers. Keystone will perform the work at its West Chester, Pa., facility.
The General Accounting Office (GAO) commented on the DOT Inspector General's comparison of operational error rates at contract-staffed control towers versus FAA-staffed towers (Intelligence, October, page 20). Reported error rates are lower at contract towers than at FAA towers. Many people translated this into a comparison of relative safety between the two. But it's not that simple, says the GAO.
CAE SimuFlite has added maintenance training programs for Falcon 900EX, Falcon 2000 and Gulfstream V aircraft and unveiled its new Maintenance Leadership Program (MLP) at October's NBAA convention in Orlando.
The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered an Airbus Corporate Jetliner for the transport of government officials. Due for delivery in July 2004, this is the first ACJ to be based in the Asia Pacific region. The aircraft will be fitted with four additional underfloor fuel tanks giving it one-stop range to either North America or Europe carrying 30 passengers and baggage.
Dassault Falcon Jet reports that certification and delivery of the first EASy-equipped Falcon 900s is expected this month. First deliveries of EASy-equipped Falcon 2000EX business jets are now anticipated for first quarter 2004.
Nearly four years after creating the Fractional Ownership Advisory Rulemaking Committee (FOARC), the FAA has published final rules that define and regulate fractional ownership under new Subpart K of FAR Part 91. Additionally, the agency has published major changes to FAR Part 135 that also stemmed from the recommendations of the committee. One of the most important aspects of the new rules is publication of the definition of ``fractional ownership program,'' a phrase that has been embraced by providers of a variety of services over the years.
