Robert E. Breiling President, Robert E. Breiling Associates Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. After piloting Banshees and S2Fs off carriers, Breiling flew for Pan Am until a furlough steered him into the insurance business, where he specialized in aviation analysis. He then helped fledgling SimuFlite take wing before founding his own aviation consultancy. His annual ``Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review'' is a reference standard.
First the buzz: COMDEX Atlanta 2002 will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in conjunction with Key3Media Group's NetWorld+ Interop event. COMDEX was last held in Atlanta in 1997. NetWorld+Interop has been held in Atlanta since 1994. The combination of COMDEX Atlanta 2002/ NetWorld+Interop Atlanta 2002 could make the Georgia capital the galactic center of the Internet, telecom and Info-Tech marketplace, at least briefly.
This could be big. About 60,000 attendees to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) hope to at last shape a concrete action plan that will pull the world's poor people out of impoverishment without inflicting lasting damage to the environment. Delegates, including some 100 heads of state, are expected to attend the gathering, whose deliberations could have far-reaching effects on trade, the environment and the global economy. It is for these reasons the summit is likely to attract a fair number of business and charter aircraft.
Nov. 21, 1978, in Bridgeport, Conn., was a raw, late-autumn day. The temperature was only in the upper 30s, a half-dozen degrees below normal, and the ground had been dusted with a half-inch of snow driven by a moderate northeast wind that foreshadowed the bitter winter storms to come.
Elsewhere in this issue we examine the business jet safety record for 2001. Obvious in the numbers is the good news that pilot/crew actions account for only about one-third of all jet accidents. That compares with pilot error rates of over 80 percent in most other general aviation segments. On the other hand, airframe and maintenance problems are filling the causal gap, accounting for ever larger percentages of mishaps.
Just about the time the August issue of B/CA arrives at your door, Jane Garvey will finish packing up her office, end her five years as FAA administrator and move back to Massachusetts to get on with the rest of her life. To say her departure will leave a void isn't close to adequate. The loss of her unique combination of skills, demeanor and leadership will be a major blow to the aviation community, which has enjoyed a harmonious and productive relationship with Mrs. Garvey during the past 58 months.
Flightcom has introduced its ANR headset. Weighing just over 17 ounces, the headset incorporates proprietary circuitry that provides an additional 14 to 18 dB of low-frequency noise attenuation above the passive model performance. The manufacturer claims one-inch-thick Confor foam ear seals completely enclose the ear, effectively blocking sound from intruding, and the washable polar-fleece head pad evenly distributes the pressure from the headband over the entire top surface of the pilot's head. Flightcom offers a three-year warranty. Price: $389
Garrett Metal Detectors says its new walk-through Magnascanner PD 6500 features an ultra-enhanced multi-coil detection field that pinpoints any metal object within 33 distinct areas of the archway, and thus anywhere on a body. Bright, easy-to-interpret LED pinpoint lights on the archway's exit side, together with green and red patron pacing lights on the archway's entrance side, help improve overall traffic throughput. In addition, 200 levels of sensitivity for each zone provide greater versatility and improve discrimination. Price: $5,000
LPS Laboratories has added NoSpark Electrical Cleaner to its line of aviation maintenance repair and overhaul products. According to the manufacturer, the formula offers effective cleaning without damage to plastic components. The chemical is a fast-evaporating, nonflammable cleaner that leaves no residue. In addition, it does not use HCFCs or other chlorinated solvents. Price: $23.25 LPS Laboratories P.O. Box 105052 4647 Hugh Howell Rd. Tucker, GA 30085 Phone: (800) 241-8334
RMS Technology is now offering users Flitesoft Express, a new flight-planning and moving map program that runs on Pocket PC computers, like the Compaq iPAQ. Flitesoft Express supports point-and-click routing on the chart, identifier entry on the Flight Log and compatibility with saved routes from the main Flitesoft program. Settings for both IFR and VFR provide instant access to two different styles of charts that operators can customize.
AMSTAT's Aviation Marketing and Prospecting Service (AMPS) program tracks information on owners and operators of corporate aircraft. Originally designed for the dealer/broker, AMPS can be used by flight departments. The software allows users to compile lists of like aircraft operators, as well as lists of owners and operators customized by make/model/serial number, hangar/executive contact, geographic location, and date of purchase or lease. Price: $300 per month (monthly updates); $600 per quarter (quarterly updates) AMSTAT Corp.
Avionics Innovations has released the DMP100, a self-contained MP3 audio player. Audio files are stored in a removable Compact Flash memory card prepared and installed by the user. The user can store up to 255 different audio tracks for playback on the cabin audio or intercom system. In addition, RS232 data from a GPS unit can be connected to the DMP100 to allow triggering of audio files based on geographical position. The unit provides a single pair of ground-referenced stereo line-level output signals. Price: $2,995 Avionics Innovations, Inc.
Bose Corp. has introduced its QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling headset for passengers. The headset features the same proprietary active noise-reduction technology that is incorporated into its flight crew headsets. The system suppresses unwanted high- and low- frequency noise with 17 dB of attenuation. In addition to noise reduction, passengers will also be able to use the headset to listen to inflight audio and to access audio from their own music, video or laptop sources.
A year had passed since we'd signed the contract. And now I sat, as patiently as possible, awaiting word that the FAA inspector had released the paperwork certifying that our new Gulfstream IV-SP indeed met all appropriate regulations. Delivery of the STC compliance paperwork was to have occurred the previous week, but the wheels of regulatory process turn slowly. Meanwhile, we waited.
FlightSafety's GV simulator in Savannah now has an FAA-certified Enhanced Vision System (EVS), and crews are now training with the system. The EVS projects infrared-derived exterior visual cues on the HUD. The image overlays the real-world view, which could be obscured by poor weather conditions. The HUD and the simulator visual system are integrated to present the same FAA Level D accuracy in simulated adverse conditions as in clear day and night scenes.
Greeley-Weld County Airport, Greeley, Colo.: Airport Manager Michael A. Reisman has been elected to fill one of two general aviation airport representative seats on the board of the Colorado Airport Operators Association. Reisman has been manager of the airport since 1996 and is a professionally accredited member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
Corporate Rotable&Supply, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has added Greg Chin to its quality/repair control group. His roles will include repair administration, vendor monitoring, expediting of customer property repair/overhaul and customer advocacy.
Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, Neb., has appointed Dave Schiver as the new Learjet Technical Representative. Schiver will ensure that technical issues are handled efficiently between Bombardier and Duncan Aviation, and he will provide technical information to Learjet operators and Duncan's Learjet airframe programs. He replaces Bill Schroeder, who has retired after 38 years in the aviation industry.
Jet Aviation, West Palm Beach, Fla., has named Walter Berchtold as vice president of refurbishment and completions. Berchtold has worked for Jet Aviation in various capacities for the past 16 years and has more than 20 years of experience in business aviation. In addition, James Harrison was named director of completions and maintenance sales. Harrison has been employed by the company for eight years and has over 21 years of corporate aviation experience.
Jet Aviation Basel, Switzerland, has appointed a new head of engineering. Jurg Bislin, who has more than 12 years of aviation industry experience, will supervise all engineering processes regarding the completions, refurbishment and modification of VIP aircraft.
Unison Industries, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., has named Bradley D. Mottier as its president. Mottier joined the company in 1980 and most recently served as executive vice president. The appointment is concurrent with General Electric Engine Services' acquisition of Unison.
Executive Fliteways, Inc., Ronkonkoma, N.Y., has recently hired several pilots. Ozzie Shamiyeh and Clayton Thomas both pilot Learjet 31As, Sean O'Connor flies a Raytheon King Air 90, Storm Cowan flies a Hawker 700/800, and Kenneth Hertz pilots a Learjet 60.
Cessna Aircraft Co., Wichita: Flight training supervisor Kirby Ortega was named the nation's top flight instructor for 2002 at the Aircraft Electronics Association Annual Convention and Trade Show in Palm Springs, Calif., on April 26. The award was bestowed by a panel of general aviation industry and FAA officials. Ortega, who has been flying with Cessna for 22 years, also won the Regional Flight Instructor Award just 11 days prior to receiving top flight instructor status.
College of Aeronautics, Flushing, N.Y.: Two transportation industry officials received honorary degrees at ceremonies held in May. Marion C. Blakey, chairman of the NTSB and keynote speaker at the college's 70th commencement exercise, received an honorary doctor of science degree for her contributions to the aviation and transportation-related industries. Donald S.
