Stage III Technologies plans to begin FAA acoustic flight tests in March for its Gulfstream II and III Stage 3 hush kit ejector and associated hardware. ``Our team of scientists and engineers is quite confident that we have solved the noise problem and that we will pass the Stage 3 noise test in March,'' said Chairman Todd Stimmel. The company hopes to receive an STC before year-end. The hush kit would be the first Stage 3 assembly available for older model Gulfstreams. Dallas Airmotive has the exclusive marketing rights to the hush kits and will coordinate installations.
Stevens Aviation is constructing a 43,000-square-foot hangar and maintenance facility at Jefferson County Airport (BJC) in Denver. The $2.8 million project includes 9,400 square feet of shop and office space that also will serve as the FBO's maintenance and avionics operation. The project also calls for the construction of 26,250 square feet of additional hangar space earmarked for transient aircraft storage. Stevens expects to break ground on the site by March.
Aer Arann Express has won a bid to operate five of the six domestic airline routes the Irish government subsidizes to maintain air service to small communities. These Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes link Dublin with Kerry, Galway, Sligo, Knock and Donegal. Aer Arann Express plans to acquire three 50-seat ATR-42 turboprops to serve the Galway and Kerry routes; 36-seat Short Brothers 360 aircraft will fly the Dublin-Knock sector.
Ron Filler, 60, a test pilot under contract with S-Tec Corp. who had a 16-year career as an FAA certification test pilot, died January 8 from injuries sustained in the crash of a 1974 Bell 206 JetRanger, N152LA, earlier that day.
FlightStar's Bill Giannetti was named by the FAA as a pilot proficiency Examiner (PPE) for the Dassault Falcon 10. Giannetti is president and CEO of the Savoy, Ill.-based charter operator. A former FAA pilot examiner, he has been flying since 1974 and has more than 12,500 hours of flight experience.
Embraer has broken ground on a new factory in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The facility will serve as a site for final assembly of the manufacturer's corporate and military aircraft. Flight testing also is planned from the plant's planned 16,400-foot runway.
The FAA and industry are collaborating on a pilot program aimed at expediting STC approvals for avionics. The program, apparently still on the drawing board, would include creation of a Designee Managed Organization (DMO), which would move toward a ``one-stop shopping'' method for obtaining STC approvals, an FAA spokesman said. The DMO would increase use of designated engineering representatives -- a goal of both industry and the FAA -- in the product approval process.
Accidents involving U.S.-registered turbine-powered business aircraft were up slightly in 2000, according to Robert E. Breiling Associates, the Florida-based company that tracks mishaps worldwide for operators and the insurance industry. Some 51 accidents were recorded in 2000 compared with 48 in 1999. Sixteen of last year's accidents were fatal, involving the loss of 56 crewmembers and passengers. Fourteen 1999 accidents were fatal with 51 lives lost. These totals include business turbines used in all types of services.
While automotive and aircraft tires may appear similar, there are distinct differences in both design and performance. An automobile tire is designed for continuous use and maximum traction. Automotive tires typically operate at relatively low speeds and carry lighter loads, but operate continuously for hours on end. As a consequence, they must be designed to dissipate heat at the same rate it is generated.
In our society, alcoholic libations are a key ingredient in bringing people together socially and putting them at ease. They also are a significant source of harm to some imbibers, their loved ones and too often some innocents who just happened to be in the way. Alcohol. We love it; we hate it. As professionals we constantly hone our thinking and reading skills to evaluate information relating to the safety of flight. A review of the FAA's stance on alcohol, its role in flight safety and physiology, opposing viewpoints, and alcoholism is in order.
Elliott Aviation won FAA STC approval to install the Collins TCAS-4000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system in all King Air 200, 300 and 350 series turboprops. The Moline, Ill.-based FBO and aircraft modification firm said the TCAS-4000 is fully upgradable to future ``free flight'' configuration and is more reliable than first-generation Collins TCAS-94 units. The new STC approval covers dual directional antennas, dual TDR-94D Mode S transponders, dual TVI-920 displays and an optional MFD-85C multifunction display.
The Helicopter Association International, Alexan-dria, Va., has named the following technicians as award recipients: Doug Boody of Sikorsky for the Aviation Maintenance Tech-nician award; Karl Esben-shade of Rocky Mountain Helicopter for the Repair Specialist award; and Joseph Kuhn, director of maintenance at Maryland State Police, for the Helicopter Maintenance award.
Determining how much maintenance work to outsource and whether to hire a technician for in-house maintenance are critical concerns for small flight departments since the decisions can have significant impact on costs, safety and operations. ``Speaking from personal experience, in-house maintenance can and will save you money in the long run, over and above a salary package for a full-time maintenance technician,'' said Eric Petersen, director of maintenance at Idaho Forest Industries (IFI).
Schweizer Aircraft delivered two Model 333 turbine helicopters to the Houston Police Department Helicopter Patrol Division. Schweizer noted that the 333s are the first new aircraft in the department's fleet in more than seven years, with an average of 13,350 flight hours per helicopter on the existing fleet. The department, which will retire some of its 23-year-old, high-time aircraft, will continue operating three Model 300C helicopters for flight training and back-up patrol.
The U.K.'s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) opened its new Swanwick Center on December 19, 2000, though at least a year of work remains before the facility is fully operational. Located at Fareham in Hampshire, the $935 million facility is one of two new ATC centers NATS is developing in a bid to increase the capacity of airspace in and around the United Kingdom. The second, Scottish Center at Prestwick, Scotland, is slated to open in 2007/8.
The continuing robust fleet buys of regional jets have been a boon to FlightSafety International. The training company has already put 10 simulators for the Canadair RJ and another 10 for the Embraer ERJ 135/145 in operation and plans to install another 16 CRJs and eight more ERJs in its training centers in the years ahead. It also has committed to putting a Fairchild Dornier 728 simulator in service, and anticipates others will follow. The Level D simulators, valued at some $12 million each, are being built by FlightSafety's manufacturing division outside Tulsa.
West Star Aviation, at Walker Field Airport, Grand Junction, Colo., has opened a new paint hangar, which provides the capability to paint Falcon 900 or Challenger 604 size aircraft, the FBO says. The 25,000-square-foot hangar has two downdraft paint bays and one stripping bay, which feature a downdraft ventilation system and a water recovery and stripping system.
As with automotive tires, aircraft tires come in both radial and bias ply design. The outward appearance is somewhat different, but the real difference is internal, and it translates to major performance and cost differences.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is hoping to influence the new Bush Administration with its recently released list of ``America's 100 Most Needed Airports.'' NATA members selected the ``most vulnerable'' airports that, while not the largest are still ``crucial to a national aviation system.'' Association officials hope to visit most, if not all, of the embattled airports this year. These visits will include educational meetings with local chambers of commerce and residents on the importance of the role their airports play in the community.
The FAA has advised the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) to refrain from enforcing its ban on Stage 2 aircraft operations at the Naples, Fla., Municipal Airport until a federally mandated study of the action is complete. The Stage 2 ban was adopted November 16, 2000, though the FAA had not approved the NAA's FAR Part 161 study. The FAA acknowledged that the NAA had provided some additional information toward meeting the Part 161 requirement, but said the action fell short of ``complying with applicable requirements.''
ICOM America has introduced its latest handheld air-band communications transceiver called the IC-A23. Measuring 4.50 by 2.33 inches, the IC-A23 is 30-percent smaller than its predecessor and offers a larger keypad for easier operation. The transceiver features a voice recorder with playback function, ``TAG'' scanning and an nickel metal hydride battery with five watts of output power. Both the display and keypads are backlit and stay lit until you turn them off.
SkyWest Airlines, the St. George, Utah-based regional carrier, has placed firm orders for 64 new Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ200s), with options for 64 more. The $1.43 billion deal (firm orders only) raises SkyWest's total number of CRJ orders to 248, including 100 firm, 119 options, and 29 conditional orders. SkyWest already operates 16 CRJs and 91 Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops, and says the new CRJ orders will accommodate planned expansion of its code-sharing agreement with United Airlines.
Honeywell is now offering its new AZ-960 Advanced Air Data Computer (AADC) to provide Gulfstream II operators with the ability to fly in RVSM designated airspace. The AZ-960 is fully compatible with Honeywell's SP-50G and SPZ-800 autopilot systems and incorporates the latest in silicon sensor technology. Honeywell said the new AADC is smaller, lighter and more reliable and has a lower power requirement than existing AZ-244/844 ADCs.
Airport authorities at Akron Canton Regional Airport (CAK) in Akron, Ohio; Houston Southwest Airport (AXH) in Houston; and Westerly State Airport (WST) in Westerly, R.I., have started runway improvement programs. Akron Canton Regional Airport was approved for $3.7 million for its program, with initial funds allocated for the first of three phases. Construction will begin with the lengthening of Runway 1/19 to 7,000 feet; completion is expected by the end of this year.
