Cessna has a high quality problem. They've delivered so many Citations during the past decade that their factory service centers are swamped with business. Operators report difficulties getting appointments. Warranty work often takes longer than expected. Some parts are in short supply. Accounting and billing technical errors are encountered.
Air Methods' Mercy Air Service subsidiary has acquired certain business assets of another air medical service operator in Las Vegas. The assets include a medical-configured Eurocopter BK-117 helicopter. The acquisition is expected to increase the volume of medical flight operations at Mercy's two current operating locations in the area and allow Mercy to expand to open a third location in the area.
Avionics Innovations has introduced a new line of inflight entertainment products. The AI-DVD/8 Disc features an AM/FM stereo receiver, DVD player and eight-disc CD changer and operates on 28 VDC. The system has an external audio input and external muting capability, and a split mode option that allows some passengers to view a DVD movie while others listen to a CD. The company also offers its AI-FPD flat-panel displays in six-, 10-, 12- and 15-inch sizes.
What follows is a list of scheduling software providers, details on their respective programs, user evaluations and comments, and costs. In addition, a list of miscellaneous scheduling services is provided at the end of this section. AviSource Software Overview: Designed from the user's perspective, AviSource is an online multipurpose flight scheduling and aviation management tool. The system is based on a visual iconic architecture, which makes it easier for the computer-challenged.
Q Many of the new RNAV (GPS) approaches have both LNAV and LNAV/VNAV minima. Which FMSes are eligible to fly the minima in the LNAV/VNAV column? A A large percentage of business aircraft are equipped to fly RNAV (GPS) approaches, but primarily due to issues related to the accuracy of vertical path guidance, some avionics systems cannot qualify for the new LNAV/VNAV minima. Many operators will find themselves restricted to the (often significantly higher) LNAV MDAs.
The safety record for U.S. business jet and turboprop operators was significantly worse in the first 11 months of 2001 versus the same period in 2000, according to Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. Overall, the fleet experienced 55 accidents -- 21 of them fatal -- versus 46 in 2000, of which 14 involved fatalities. The death toll rose from 40 to 68.
Flight Safety Foundation, Alexandria, Va., has named Capt. Sean Loutitt, First Officer Mark Cary and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Norman Wong of Kenn Borek Air as its 2001 Heroism Award winners.
Omegasonics has announced its new Omega line of ultrasonic parts cleaning systems, specifically for small to medium shops. The Omega systems use safe, non-toxic soaps and ultrasound to automatically degrease, clean and pre-finish parts and components. Omegasonics offers four models ranging from 1,000 watts ultrasound up to 4,000 watts ultrasound. In addition, the company offers a full line of tabletop ultrasonic cleaners. All of the systems meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Price: $349 to $9,995 Omegasonics
The latest version of Flitesoft flight-planning software from RMS Technologies incorporates new weather features, video help files, takeoff performance and access to free approach plates. Flightsoft's new weather features include radar in motion, temperature/dew point spread, isobars and wind symbols on the chart, graphic weather depictions on the flight profile view and a concise weather report averaging only one or two pages.
Whether you run a single-aircraft flight department that operates mostly domestically, or yours is a multi-aircraft flight department that flies internationally on a regular basis, having someone to assist coordinating company travel and the flight schedule can be an important asset.
Because as a pilot you spend extended periods at altitude and often fly into the blinding glare of the sun, it is important to protect your eyes from possible harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation. An array of high-quality products is available.
Raytheon Co., Lexington, Mass., has appointed Robert Horowitz as chief operating officer of Raytheon Aircraft Corp. A licensed A&P technician, Horowitz had been vice president of operations at Hughes Aircraft Corp.
Jay B. Lavine, M.D., diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Medical Examiners, says standard hard contact lenses provide a high quality of vision and even correct mild to moderate amounts of astigmatism. Tears form a nice, uniform layer over them, and they don't smudge easily. The main problem is that they are fairly impermeable to oxygen from the air.
ICAO will convene an extraordinary ``ministerial conference'' on aviation security on February 19 and 20. The high-level conference is a fallout of the recent 33rd Session of the ICAO Assembly that officers and staffers had hoped would generate an extremely strong statement of policy regarding civil aircraft as terror weapons. For whatever reason, this didn't happen and the assembly issued a somewhat ambiguous resolution regarding the ``misuse'' of civil aircraft.
A coalition of general aviation organizations -- the AOPA, GAMA, NBAA, Heli-copter Association Interna-tional and Experimental Aircraft Association -- has produced a set of security recommendations that it forwarded to John Magaw, the nominee for under secretary of transportation security. (See item on page 33.) The proposals address the requirements of the new Aviation and Transportation Security Act regarding improved general aviation security.
Safe Flight, White Plains, N.Y., has named Randall Greene as president and CEO, Joseph M. Wilson as vice president of operations and Joseph Gordon as vice president of engineering.
Bombardier officials plan to convert their Flexjet fractional aircraft business to an FAR Part 135 operation as soon as the necessary approvals can be obtained from the FAA. Robert Greenhill, president of Bombardier International, said the move is being made so Flexjet will be able to offer service to customers without regard to any new restrictions that may be imposed on general aviation operations.
Piedmont Hawthorne has been selected by the Miami-Dade Airport Administration to take over FBO operations at Opa-Locka Airport (OPF) in Miami. With this agreement, the total number of Piedmont Hawthorne locations rises to 36. The OPF facility features a 21,404-square-foot terminal with office space and 43,734 square feet of hangar/shop space. In addition, Dade County will fund a $3.5 million renovation that includes a new weather/flight planning room, conference room, pilot lounge, snooze room and aircraft tiedowns. Completion is expected in June.
Air marshals and some flight crews will opt for traditional firearms rather than the less-lethal electronic devices discussed in this article. One approach to making traditional firearms safer in the aviation environment is the development of the ``frangible bullet.''
Bombardier is planning for a sharp decline in its business jet deliveries. The company expects to have delivered 174 jets in the 12 months ending January 31, 2002, and expects to deliver just 137 new business jets in the fiscal year ending January 31, 2003.
