Sennheiser's Sound of Silence headset series is available in two models: the HMEC 300 and the HME 100, a passive-only version. The HMEC 300 is a closed-back unit with the company's NoiseGard active noise compensation system for reduced low-frequency noise. This headset has a headphone volume control and a noise-compensated, flexible boom microphone, allowing placement on the left or right side. Power source options are an onboard power supply with an installation socket or a separate battery pack.
AlliedSignal selected Unison Industries as the sole provider of overhaul and repair services for all ignition exciters used on AlliedSignal main propulsion and APU turbine gas engines.
The Global Express advanced aerodynamics are complemented by the 14,750-pound-thrust BR710 engines, having a four-to-one bypass ratio for excellent fuel efficiency and a low takeoff noise signature. Just as importantly, these engines have a cycle pressure ratio that's twice as high as that of the previous generation of heavy-iron turbofan engines, making possible excellent high-altitude cruise thrust output.
ARINC was awarded a five-year contract to help develop the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications program (CPDLC), which is designed to reduce air travel delays. The first system is set to go online at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center.
Eurocopter expects to announce in early 2000 the identity of the first U.S. customer for its new EC-155. For now, the company will only say that the aircraft will be operated in VIP configuration by a Northeast-based company. FAA certification of the EC-155 is imminent, and Eurocopter President Christian Gras says the company will push hard to crack the corporate market with the aircraft, which it says offers a more modern cabin and systems than the Sikorsky S-76 for about 10-percent less money ($7 million to $7.5 million, equipped).
Zephyr Aviation, an FBO on the Tacoma Narrows Airport that was converted from the former Davis Flight School, is ``spooling up'' to handle more business aviation traffic, according to Ted Dennis, general manager.
The Society of Automotive Engineers now offers full-text aerospace materials specifications (AMS) and aerospace standards (AS) for visitors to download at its Web site (www.sae.org).
The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre, a full-service FBO, is open for business and promises the ``smoothest and quickest way'' to enter or leave Hong Kong. Passengers are able to clear Customs and Immigration on site within two or three minutes, according to a spokeswoman for the Centre. In addition, she noted, ``Our Centre benefits from the know-how of a prominent FBO operator from the U.S. -- AMR Combs, now under Signature, which is one of the company's shareholders.''
DaimlerChrysler Aviation is reentering the charter business with an unlikely partner -- rival General Motors -- in a new company named Automotive Air Charter, Inc. Formerly known as Chrysler Pentastar Aviation, the automotive subsidiary was forced to give up its charter operations in November 1998 when Chrysler's merger with German automaker Daimler-Benz was consummated. FAA rules prohibit foreign ownership of FAR Part 135 certificate holders.
U.S. regional Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) will acquire seven additional ATR 72-210 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 19 of the type. While the deal awaits the execution of a lease agreement with manufacturer Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), deliveries are slated to begin in January 2000 and proceed through May. ASA recently revealed plans to replace its large Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia fleet with jets.
Fairchild Aerospace division Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH has been awarded a contract to update and refurbish a total of 26 Alpha Jets including 20 for the Thai Air Force and another six for the United Kingdom's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
Managers of Air BP FBOs worldwide will soon have a tailor-made version of Cornerstone Logic's FBO Manager software. The Windows-based package is designed to make it easier to quote charters, track aircraft, manage fuel supplies and create work orders. Before approaching the software company, Air BP says it assembled a panel of FBO managers to ``get some guidelines on what the product should do.''
For the duration of the NBAA Convention, Hill Aircraft at Fulton County Airport-Brown Field will give away Chevron memorabilia and gifts for every fuel purchase over 250 gallons. On October 14, the company will hold a drawing for 500 gratis gallons of fuel. The company plans to provide free transportation to the convention center for the duration of the show. To view convention-time prizes check out Hill's Web site at www.hillaircraft.com. To register for the drawing, call (404) 691-3330.
Initial flight tests of the Zoche ZO 01A diesel engine -- which can operate on JP4, JP5, JP8 or Jet A fuels -- was scheduled to begin on a Partenavia P68 this fall. The ZO 01A is rated at 150 hp and displaces 162.6 cubic inches. Fuel consump- tion is 5.72 gph at 75 percent power, according to company data.
Signature Flight Support (Orlando) -- The company made management changes at three locations: Jonathan Buff has been appointed general manager at the Albany, N.Y., facility. Richard Blaze is the new general manager for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, operation. Craig Teasdale was promoted to general manager of the Des Moines, Iowa, facility.
Most executives have no idea how expensive it is to use the airlines. Ask them how many passengers it takes to make a business aircraft economically effective compared to the airlines and their responses range from three or more to it cannot be done. Their estimates are much too conservative.
Northwest Airlines has begun demonstration flights on ``Polar 3,'' a route through Russian airspace that could trim an hour off the airline's current Detroit-Beijing service during the fall and winter months. The new route also could allow for the addition of up to 6,000 pounds of additional payload on a Boeing 747-400, the company says. Northwest has been instrumental in opening Russian airspace to commercial flights since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
Since we last looked closely at aviation weather sites on the Web (``Got The Wx?'', October 1995, page 76), the major providers of aviation weather have come a long way. Access is no longer a question of whether one wants to subscribe to a service that requires you to install a satellite dish to obtain the service, so the competitive playing field is a lot flatter.
The Citation X is not only the fastest Cessna business jet ever built, it's also the fastest business jet in production. The numbers are irrefutable for the 80 aircraft that are now in service.
A group called Friends of Meigs Field has proposed converting the embattled Chicago airport into a living museum, while protecting its ability to function as a working airport. For a second consecutive year, the group staffed a booth at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture to raise awareness of the continuing fight to save the airport from closure and, ultimately, demolition. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has opposed Meigs' continued operation, but agreed to allow the airport to remain open until 2002.
