The Autoscope from Lenox Instrument Co. is a portable, battery-operated borescope that includes a nine-inch long, 5/16-inch diameter steel probe to troubleshoot engines. This diagnostic tool also has a high-resolution 3x-magnification precision optical-lens system, a high- in- tensity, quartz halogen light and a stainless-steel battery pack with three standard C batteries. Price: $895. Lenox Instrument Co., 265 Andrews Rd., Scottsville Industrial Park, Trevose, Pa. 19047. (215) 322-9990; fax: (215) 322-6126.
Northwest Airlines exercised its option for 24 additional Avro RJ85s to be operated by Airlink carrier Mesaba. Deliveries of the original order of 12 began in April, and deliveries of the second batch will begin in May 1998 and continue for 48 months.
Even as the FAA is extolling the virtues of Raytheon's Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS), the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which will have to work with the new ATC software and hardware, wants the FAA to change the STARS design. NATCA contends that the design is unsuitable, and its development is hampering attempts to fix problems with current air traffic control computers (November 1996, page 17).
McDonnell Douglas, the FAA and the Air Transport Association have developed a ``Turbulence Education and Training Aid'' to give pilots and flight attendants a heightened awareness of weather conditions that can cause turbulence, pointers on how to avoid it and ways to minimize risk in unavoidable encounters. The package consists of a 26-minute video and an illustrated manual. Copies of the program can be ordered from the National Technical Information Service. Phone: (703) 487-4650.
General aviation airfields are the intended beneficiaries of a revised priority system for receiving funds, as the result of revisions to certain procedures in the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. Among other changes, the revamped system will give greater priority to ``proposals submitted by small airports,'' the agency said. The revised system concentrates on ``full program'' development as opposed to individual projects.
Michel Dansereau has been appointed this wheel and brake company's marketing director for sales in the Americas and Japan. Dansereau will be based in Seattle.
Preliminary figures for August 1997 are so weak that they can mean one of only two things: Either the market took a serious, unexpected downturn in late summer, or the paperwork pipeline does not accurately reflect the month's sales. Most likely the latter reason is why only 13 transactions were recorded when researchers at Aviation Data Services closed out their preliminary accounting. That total includes four new turbojets sold in the U.S. market and one sold internationally. No new turboprop sales were recorded.
International Aviation Composites will move from Irving, Texas to Alliance Airport in Fort Worth in February 1998. The company repairs composite rotor blades of helicopters built by Aerospatiale, Bell, Boeing/McDonnell Douglas, Eurocopter, Schweizer and Sikorsky.
The NBAA is researching the impact on business jets of the FAR Part 36, Stage 1 phaseout schedule. Stage 1 business jets under 75,000 pounds may operate indefinitely within the United States, but as the phaseout of all Stage 2 jets of more than 75,000 pounds continues toward a December 31, 1999 deadline, the NBAA is concerned that Stage 1 jets under 75,000 pounds might become the next target for phaseout.
Euresas (European Center for the Aerospace and Aviation Industries, based in Blagnac, France) is hosting a conference on Asset Management for Regional and Business Aircraft on October 22-24 in Toulouse.
After New York City unceremoniously evicted National Helicopter as operator of the 34th Street Heliport in late summer, Johnson Controls took over as the operator. Johnson assumed control following a federal judge's ruling on National Helicopter's bankruptcy petition, which had delayed eviction proceedings. Upon the denial of National Helicopter's bankruptcy plea, Johnson was at the ready (September, page 28).
Delta Connection Atlantic Southeast Airlines launches its Canadair Regional Jet operations on November 1 from the Atlanta hub to Cleveland and on to New York's JFK International. The Cleveland-JFK segments will replace Delta Connection Business Express, which wanted to pull its Saab 340s out of the market.
Chicago city officials are working with the FAA to develop a GPS approach for Meigs Field. The move is good news for the still embattled airport, especially after the July 19 mid-air that killed seven people (September, page 26). However, the approach is not expected to be operational before spring 1998.
General aviation user groups want New York legislators to drop a proposal requiring state approval to extend runway lengths beyond 5,000 feet. The AOPA and the National Air Transportation Association said separately that the requirement would subject runway expansions to the ``whims of politics'' and undermine the authority of local governments.
Keith Houk, former vice president of the US Airways Express division, has been named president and CEO of wholly owned US Airways subsidiary Allegheny Airlines. Most recently the 25-year regional-airline veteran was vice president-special projects for the parent company.
Piper will re-enter the turbine market with the Malibu Meridian, a turboprop version of its Malibu single-engine recip. Piper floated the idea of a turbine Malibu in 1987 and flew a prototype a year later (December 1988, page 26). The Piper Cheyenne turboprop series ended production in 1994. Meanwhile, Rocket Engineering in Spokane, Wash. is nearing an STC of a turboprop conversion of the Malibu (December 1996, page 48).
Houston-based AR Group formed AirFuel International to take over and expand the functions formerly operated by Air Routing International (Canada). Under the AirFuel name, the AR Group offers worldwide fuel discounts, a 24-hour emergency hot line and credit card services.
AirMobile has joined the Esso Aviation Associate group of FBOs. Based at St. Catherine/Niagara District Airport, the facility offers heated hangar space, passenger lounge, crew snooze room and shower, flight planning room, aircraft cleaning, maintenance, oxygen, courtesy shuttles, rental cars, catering and Customs clearance. (905) 685-4336.
PATS, Inc. is developing a jet-fueled, rotary-engine-powered APU for smaller business jets and twin turboprops that literally will be half the weight (about 150 pounds) and half the cost (about $150,000) of current APUs. Several months of development are still on tap before the Columbia, Md. company receives certification of APU installation kits.
The aircraft of all regional airlines serving Los Angeles International Airport will relocate to separate terminals from their existing locations. The move is said to improve air traffic movement at the airport and reduce delays. The impacted carriers will be American Eagle, SkyWest and Trans States. United Express carrier Mesa and its WestAir subsidiary already are located in a remote terminal.
On December 1, the FAA will begin accepting applications for up to five airports to be selected to participate in a pilot program to convert their ownership from government to private industry. Private companies generally have access to more funding sources than government, but federal rules have restricted the ability of governments to sell or lease their airports. This program is intended to determine if such restrictions should be withdrawn.
