Corporate aircraft flights between the Untied States and Canada are facing greater surveillance and inconvenience as both countries struggle to get their aviation systems back to some sense of normalcy following September 11. Both the Canadian CANPASS and U.S. GATE Customs pre-clearance systems for corporate aircraft and their passengers were suspended, at least temporarily, after the attack, so flights had to land at designated ports of entry for clearance before continuing on to their final destinations.
A preliminary count of new fixed-wing turbine business aircraft retail sales shows 461 jets and 161 turboprops -- a total of 622 units -- were delivered through most of September 2001 to the world market.
Learjet 45 was originally delivered with -20R engines flat-rated at 3,500 lbf for takeoff up ISA+16C, with 3,650 lbf thrust available for APR. After approximately 100 engines were delivered, Bombardier and Honeywell introduced the -20AR, an upgraded version with more-robust hot-section parts that improve durability.
The deadline for applying for Women in Aviation International scholarships is December 17. Scholarships range from primary flight training through business jet and airliner type ratings, flight attendant and dispatcher training, maintenance training and engineering studies. Scholarships are open to any active WIAI member, male or female. Detailed program and application information is available from WIAI at (386) 226-7996 or at www.wiai.org.
Princeton Airport has opened the first new runway in New Jersey in 30 years. The 3,500-by-75-foot runway project began eight years ago. It is equipped with REIL, PAPI and variable intensity runway lights. It replaces an older runway that will be converted to a full-length parallel taxiway.
Honeywell has developed OmniView Plus, a 14.1-inch active matrix LCD with a 160-degree-wide viewing angle and 1,400-by-1,050-pixel resolution. The new flat-panel display will be used in Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated avionics systems, on board the Dassault Falcon 900EX and Gulfstream VSP business jets. Developed in a partnership with Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp., the display uses Honeywell's OmniView Plus technology and Chi Mei's version of multi-domain vertically aligned active matrix LCD (AMLCD) technology. Price: Call manufacturer
REGA, a swiss air ambulance operator, has ordered three Bombardier Challenger 604s with aeromedical interiors. All of the aircraft will be equipped with two intensive care stations and life support equipment. Two of the completed aircraft are due for delivery in June 2002, while the third is expected next November. The aircraft will also include two galleys and a crew rest area that can be converted into additional seating, if necessary. REGA previously owned a Challenger 601-3A configured for similar work.
Just seven months after becoming president of Bombardier's Business Aircraft division, Pierre Beaudoin has been named president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace. The son of Bombardier Board Chairman Laurent Beaudoin, the younger Beaudoin was for five years president and COO of the Canadian's manufacturing giant's Recreational Products division.
Edited by David RimmerBy David Rimmer Fractional `Leases' Offered
Providing what it calls ``a quality alternative to the aging fleets and service and security compromises of charter and block charter card schemes,'' a New York investment group has created its own approach to fractional aircraft ownership.
Shuttle America, which plans to emerge from bankruptcy this month, has become a US Airways Express carrier. The Hartford, Conn.-based regional will operate six daily roundtrips from Hanscom Field in Boston, to Trenton/Mercer County Airport in New Jersey and inaugurate five daily roundtrips from Bedford, Mass., to the US Airways hub at Philadelphia International Airport. Trenton is a new market in the US Airways system. Shuttle America discontinued service to Buffalo, N.Y. -- its only other remaining destination -- in mid-October.
The pilot of a Beech King Air escaped with minor injuries after an early October hijacking attempt at a rural New Mexico airport. Operating on an aeromedical flight for Seven Bar Flying Service under contract to the University of New Mexico Hospital, the aircraft was awaiting the return of flight paramedics with a patient at Deming Municipal Airport (DMN). A masked man put a knife to the neck of the sole pilot and commanded her to fly to an unknown destination.
Nav Canada Shortfall Leads to Cuts, Rate Increase Nav Canada will end its temporary rate reduction for users and mount a cost-cutting campaign to deal with a possible U.S.$92.5 million revenue shortfall during the fiscal year September 1, 2001to August 31, 2002. The temporary rate reduction will be eliminated and will result in a service charge increase averaging six percent starting January 1, 2002.
Edited by David RimmerBy Fred George in San Diego Bombardier Introduces Global 5000 Global Express, Jr. promises 4,800 nm at 0.85 Mach
Many of the specifications and performance figures that follow are B/CA estimates based upon preliminary and incomplete Bombardier data. Global 5000 B/CA Estimated Specifications and Performance B/CA Equipped Price $32,950,000 Characteristics Seating 3+13/19 Wing Loading 86.1 Power Loading 2.98 Noise (EPNdB): TO/Sideline/APR 82.4/88.6/89.8 Dimensions
The BoltMike III, from StressTel, ultrasonically measures tension and clamp load of threaded fasteners, such as those used on engine pylons and wheel assemblies. The 2.5-pound instrument has a large, high-resolution VGA LCD display to verify signal and optimize probe placement. The BoltMike III runs up to 40 hours on five AA batteries and its Windows-based software allows the operator to download measurements, create reports and upload test parameters.
TAG air crews can accomplish part of their recurrent training with Web access to online modules from Jeppesen. TAG crews can log on from home or on the road to accomplish interactive, self-paced training that can cut their FAR Part 135 recurrent training classroom time to two days instead of four. TAG is Jeppesen's lead customer for customized computer-based training programs.
Execair, a division of the Menzies Aviation Group, has opened a new business aviation center at Cardiff International Airport in Wales. This is the eighth European facility that Execair has acquired and the first facility dedicated to business aviation.
Many airports around the country have seen such a dramatic decline in business since the September 11 attacks that FBOs and other service providers have either laid off employees or shut down completely. Freeway Airport, in Mitchellville, Md., is one of many FBOs that have cut expenses to the bone, laying off 25 out of 31 employees. The airport, operating under Washington, D.C.'s Class B airspace, has already lost approximately $150,000 in revenue following the terrorist action and saw a drastic reduction in traffic.
Flightcom Corp. is now offering its Denali headsets in helicopter configuration. The helicopter version of the Denali is available in passive and ANR versions and comes in either ``J3 yellow'' or graphite blue. The headsets are configured with four-conductor coiled com- munication cables and have a 30-day ``Fly 'em&Try 'em'' guarantee. Price: $165 to $605 Flightcom 7340 S.W. Durham Rd. Portland, Ore. 97224 Phone: (503) 684-8229 Fax: (503) 620-2949 www.flight-com.com
The NBAA has decided not to pursue its appeal of a U.S. District Court decision upholding a proposed ban on the operation of Stage 2 business jets at the Naples, Fla., Municipal Airport. The ban, which is to go into effect in March 2002, remains the subject of administrative review by the FAA under separate statutory standards and the conditions of the federal grant agreements.
Few aspects of operating the Learjet 45 have caused more heartburn than lack of spare parts. Operators told B/CA they've been stranded for two to three days or longer while awaiting AOG spares. Bombardier officials don't mince words in owning up to the problem. ``A year ago, our same-day, AOG fill rate was 45 percent,'' said Spare Parts Director Christian Bergeron.
The Primus 1000 avionics suite, the first four-tube configuration in a business aircraft to include EICAS, was one of the most advanced digital avionics systems when the Learjet 45 was introduced.
Canada's Standard Aero is now a GE CF34-3/8 service provider under an agreement with GE Engine Services. The arrangement provides Standard Aero full support for the engine overhaul process plus access to GE spare parts and component overhaul services. Standard will also be authorized to perform GE warranty repairs. Standard will begin work immediately on a new facility in Winnipeg that will ultimately total as much as 120,000 square feet and include an engine test cell and ``comprehensive'' component restoration capability.
