The FAA has released new Operational Check Flight/Functional Check Flight policy and guidance. These are the check flights following maintenance operations on an aircraft. The NBAA has a copy of the document on its Web site at www.nbaa.org/maint/FSAW02-12.pdf.
Fay Gillis Wells, who was a pilot, journalist and a founder of the Ninety-Nines, died of pneumonia at the age of 94 on Dec. 2, 2002. Wells served as a foreign correspondent for various newspapers; a demo pilot and saleswoman for the Curtiss Flying Service; the first female member of the Caterpillar Club; and a charter member of the Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots. She last landed an airplane on her 92nd birthday.
The NBAA reports that East Coast SWAP routes (deep-water routes) are proving to be very effective in north/south and south/north operations by reducing delays during severe weather. The following airports are currently available for departure and arrivals during SWAP: Teterboro N.J. (TEB) and Westchester County N.Y. (HPN) in the north and Florida's Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA) and West Palm Beach (PBI). Additional airports may be available upon request.
The heart is essentially a four-chambered pump that issues blood throughout the body. To function properly, the chambers must contract in the correct sequence, and the valves must open and close accurately. Under normal circumstances, electrical impulses trigger the contractions in the proper sequence. When something upsets these electrical signals, the chambers no longer contract properly and the heart is said to be in ventricular fibrillation (VF). Although the heart is still active, it is no longer pumping blood.
Lycoming announced it has received final FAA certification for the production of new crankshafts to replace those affected by Service Bulletins 550, 552 and 553. The crankshafts are already in limited production on a risk-release basis that allows production to begin prior to certification. Some 15 Lycoming Authorized Repair Facilities around the world, including Lycoming's factory and service center, have begun installing replacement crankshafts in 20 to 30 engines a day as production crankshafts become available.
A central theme running through recurrent pilot training involves dealing with emergencies. At least once a year, we train, practice and hone our skills and knowledge of managing emergency situations. We know how to abort a takeoff, troubleshoot an electrical system failure, or deal with a failed engine. But what if a knock comes on the cockpit door, and a distressed passenger says his partner just keeled over in the cabin? That's probably not a scenario you've rehearsed, and you might not find much of use on your emergency checklist.
Kit Darby Founder, Owner and President of Aviation Information Resources (AIR), Inc., Atlanta An airline pilot and one-time executive with the Future Airline Pilots Association, Darby left FAPA to start AIR in 1989. Today the company provides information to those seeking airline careers through publications, testing, seminars and counseling. Darby is a B757/767 United Airlines captain with 20,000-plus flying hours. 1 The job market for professional pilots -- active or awful? Darby: Yes and no.
Some operators are holding short of permanently installing EFB systems in their aircraft until Advisory Circular 120-76 dealing with electronic flight bag (EFB) installations is rewritten or revised, and are advising others to do likewise until the situation is clarified. (``Gulfstream's Electronic Flight Bag,'' by Fred George, March 2002, page 50, illustrates the issues.)
Sabreliner Corp., (St. Louis, welcomes back Mike Coate, who has recently been appointed vice president, corporate aviation sales with responsibility for Midcoast Aviation, Sabreliner and Premier Turbines. Jack Vaughn has been named vice president, corporate aviation marketing and corporate communications. Ann L. Hein has been promoted to director, corporate aviation marketing and employee communications. Donald Burke Jr. has been promoted to director, government and international business.
As we go to press, Raytheon may take over the Flight Options fractional ownership program in which it holds a minority equity position. Raytheon Travel Air combined its fractional program with Flight Options' in March 2002. Flight Options had a 50.1 percent stake in the combined venture while Raytheon held a 49.9 percent share. But in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Raytheon said Flight Options had been seeking additional equity financing, but had not been successful.
Ecliptic, Inc.'s RocketCam imaging system will provide onboard video of the commemorative flight of Utah State University's full-scale modern replica of the Wright brothers' historic aircraft, the Wright Flyer. RocketCam is the imaging system that provided the onboard video televised live from NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis in October 2002, as well as the real-time images transmitted from the debut of Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket in August and Boeing's Delta IV rocket in November.
Now more than ever, it's important to check NOTAMs. As we went to press, the following NOTAMs applied to aircraft without GPS navigation or GPS updating of the FMS. Always check current NOTAMs prior to departure. (Emphasis below added by B/CA.) A0175/02 -- LAS WYLDD one departure, IDALE one departure, MINEY one departure, STAVV one departure, AACES one departure public RNAV departure procedures and STAR for /E, /F, /G, /R aircraft. (1) RNAV departures and STARs.
For those performing maintenance on fuel systems or just wanting to play it safe, UltraTech has created ``Ultra-Containment Berms'' to capture any accidental spills. Using Copolymer-2000, the berm is chemical-resistant, rugged and can be rolled up for compact storage. In addition, the sidewalls quickly lower, allowing operators to easily tow in or tow out equipment. Available in sizes ranging from four-by-six inches on up, the berms have the ability to hold 179 to 7,405 gallons. Call for pricing UltraTech International, Inc. 11542 Davis Creek Ct.
CSI Aviation Services, Inc. (aka Charter Services), Albuquerque, has hired retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ralph E. ``Chip'' Parker as executive vice president.
Former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey officially joined APCO Worldwide as executive vice president and chair of the firm's transportation practice on Jan. 9. Founded in 1984, Washington, D.C.-based APCO is an international public affairs and communications company. Garvey will provide ``senior strategic counsel to APCO clients,'' covering areas from government relations to policy and communications advice.
Two years ago, the AOPA requested that the FAA provide GPS-equipped pilots with the capability to fly charted GPS routes through Class B airspace and to fly at lower altitudes along airways where ground-based navigation equipment limits minimum altitudes. A current proposed rule change would effectively give the FAA the authority to begin publishing such routes. They would be available to pilots using GPS flying IFR or VFR with appropriate clearances when necessary.
The TSA received more than 100 comments on the ``95K'' rule, many expressing concerns about its applicability as well as the practicality of meeting the requirements. While aimed at large airliner aircraft, the rule also captured Global Express business jets, many of which weigh more than 95,000 pounds. ``The rule unjustly singles out the Global Express and its operators while other manufacturers' aircraft are not affected due to slightly lower than 95,000 pounds maximum takeoff weight [MTOW],'' commented one Global Express operator.
Boeing, which has amassed a treasure trove of aviation photography, has teamed with Getty Images to launch a Web site where you can view and purchase high-quality contemporary and historical aviation and aerospace-related photographic prints.
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) founder Charles ``Chuck'' Peacock died on Dec. 17, 2002, after a lengthy illness. He started the AEA in 1956 to improve communication and cooperation between avionics shops and manufacturers. The AEA currently represents more than 1,100 companies worldwide.
The U.S. House in January adopted a rules package for the 108th Congress that sets up a select committee to oversee the new Homeland Security Department. It was not clear at press time what jurisdiction, if any, the new committee would take from the Transportation Committee, which has, up until now, had oversight responsibility for the TSA. Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), chairman of Rules, said the intent was to ``maintain jurisdiction'' and do ``everything possible to keep the expertise that is out there'' on Transportation. Rep.
Goodrich Corp. has reorganized into three business segments: Airframe Systems, Engine Systems and Electronic Systems. Goodrich said the structure is designed to enhance the company's alignment and communications with its global customer base and to streamline the organization.
CMC Electronics Inc., Montreal, Canada, has appointed Mario Larose to the newly created position of vice president of the company's custom electronics business unit. In addition, Larose oversees the design-to-spec operations, which primarily involve display panels and hybrid microcircuits for aerospace and defense OEM customers.
After only five years in business, Britain's Eastern Airways is about to become a major regional airline player. This is a result of British Airways CitiExpress pulling out of 21 routes and the cessation of its operations at Cardiff (Wales) and Leeds Bradford Airport in the north of England. Eastern is due to double in size by March as it takes over six CitiExpress routes. CitiExpress, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, plans to operate regional jets exclusively by 2005.
The FAA is expanding the implementation of public RNAV departure procedure (DP) and standard terminal arrival (STAR). These procedures demand strict pilot awareness and adherence to the RNAV procedure course centerline in order to provide increased safety and efficiency. If unable to comply with the requirements of an RNAV DP or STAR, pilots shall advise air traffic control as soon as possible. See 14 CFR 91.187 and the Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-3-3, regarding malfunction reports.
