The latest from Ledtronics is a line of ultra-bright light-emitting diodes to replace industry-standard T-3-1/4 bayonet-based incandescent lamps. Both the B321 and BF321 series have an MTBF of about 100,000 hours. They illumine brightly, use less energy and generate no heat. Price: $4.50 to $11 per lamp for a quantity of 100. Ledtronics, Inc., 4009 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance, Calif. 90505. (310) 534-1505; fax: (310) 534-1424.
Did you know that pilots in the United Kingdom do not have a blood alcohol content (BAC) rule as do pilots in the United States? While the FAA has set a 0.04 percent limit--over which a pilot is considered in violation--the United Kingdom only expects the limit of drinking (or drug taking) to be any extent at which the capacity to act as a crewmember would be impaired, and leaves that determination up to the pilot. However, U.K. aviation officials are considering changing the rule to add a BAC of 0.02 percent, but the rulemaking process has not started.
Five years ago, SimCom opened the doors at its Orlando training center, offering a unique product: relatively inexpensive simulator-type training. That first year, some 54 pilots underwent the SimCom experience. This year, SimCom will train over 2,500 pilots at two centers--the original Orlando facility and a second operation at Scottsdale, Ariz.
Fortunately, inflight fire is relatively rare, but when it occurs, immediate action is necessary. There is simply no time to waste. Federal Express cargo aircraft are equipped with smoke detection equipment, and the company's crews are probably more sensitive then most pilots to fire hazards, yet the story of FedEx Flight 1406 points out that escaping an onboard fire can challenge the skills and knowledge of even the best-trained crews.
NASA researchers have developed a computer networking tool called Darwin that could save aircraft manufacturers and the government time and money by shortening the aircraft design and test process by up to 25 percent. ``Our purpose is to get results and data out of NASA wind tunnels faster,'' said David Korsmeyer, deputy project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center.
The business aviation community celebrates, this month, the 50th anniversary of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and, in doing so, also celebrates a remarkable 50 years of business aviation development.
London's Heathrow Airport has installed a lighted aiming point for helicopter landings. New procedures will be in place shortly to allow helicopters to approach and depart from Heathrow to the south of Runways 08R/26L at all times except in the worst visibility, without requiring a valuable runway slot. Formerly, helicopter operators had to reserve slots at Heathrow to use the landing point at night or in bad weather.
If you've been looking for a shot at a new job, today's employment market for corporate pilots may hold promise for you. However, despite the fact that many departments are having to look harder for the right person, expectations are not being lowered. To compete successfully, you've got to work hard to make yourself the right candidate for the job. The best way to find a new position continues to be by word of mouth. About 63 percent of jobs are found through personal contacts, according to Jet Professionals, Inc. of Shelton, Conn.
Alliance Engines of Maryville, Tenn. will become the sole heavy-maintenance center for Allison Engine Co.'s AE3007 engine following Alliance's purchase by Standard Aero of Canada. The early-August sale is the second ownership changeover since K-C Aviation and Duncan Aviation founded Alliance in 1994. Then it was cast as an independent shop that would cut downtime and cost by offering significantly more repairs than OEM-authorized facilities. Alliance's main focus has been AlliedSignal APUs and the TFE731/TPE331 engines, and Standard said that service will continue.
Stringent forthcoming JAA regulations banning single and light-twin helicopter operations from elevated sites may be loosened. The Paris-based Groupement Francaise de l'Helicopter says there is ``a fairly good probability'' that the JAA will accept recommendations to certificate those helicopters to land on elevated sites (higher than 10 feet above the surface) in uncongested areas, as long as third parties are not put at risk. The catch?
British Aerospace Asset Management-Turboprops has a lot of airplanes on its hands--some 86 19-passenger Jetstream 31s and 32s that are parked and looking for new homes, to be exact. Not to worry, says Dewi Rowlands, AMT's new vice president-sales. The long-time former BAe executive is enthusiastic about the task, as is his team of 10 ``used-car salesmen'' who are working from 120 to 140 prospects worldwide at any given time. He predicts the inventory will be down to 60 by the end of this year and less than 40 by the end of 1998.
Jet Support Services, Inc., the Chicago-based independent provider of engine power-by-the-hour programs, is expanding its list of services to include three new levels of coverage that come at a reduced cost compared to the company's all-up program.
Under the FAA Contract Tower program, Kissimmee Airport's control tower now is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Robinson-VanVuren and Associates of Oklahoma City employs the controllers.
Neill Osborne, director of operations for Air Logistics of New Iberia, La., now is chairman of the HAI and of the International Federation of Helicopter Associations.
Landing fees, including those for general aviation customers at AMR Combs, have been lowered approximately 10 percent at Denver International Airport. Operations based at the airport pay $2.63 per 1,000 pounds of an aircraft's certificated maximum takeoff weight, while non-based operators pay $3.16 per 1,000 pounds of MTOW. ``DEN's continued financial success is allowing us to steadily reduce the fees that our tenants pay to operate here,'' said Jim DeLong, aviation manager for the City of Denver.
This year's NBAA convention static display is being co-hosted by Signature Flight Support and Dallas Airmotive at Love Field from September 23-25. The display will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, will host visitors each day until 6 p.m. and will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday
Aviation Supplies&Academics has introduced pocketsize QuickCheck cards for pilots who fly more than one aircraft or fly their aircraft at an unfamiliar airport. Facts that the operator lists for ready reference on the 2.75-by-3.75-inch cards include aircraft V-speeds, weight and balance limitations, and airport information. Common radio frequencies and light-gun signals are given. Price: $4.95 per pack of five (order number ASA-QC-1). Aviation Supplies&Academics, 7005 132nd Pl. SE, Newcastle, Wash. 98059. (206) 235-1500; fax: (206) 235-0128.
These staff changes and promotions have been made at this FBO chain: Bruce Van Allen, former senior vice president of operations, has been promoted to executive vice president and COO. Blake Fish and Chuck Bobbitt have been appointed vice presidents of operations, sharing responsibility within Signature's network of facilities.
The cost of the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) has escalated from an estimated $475 million for the original contract won by Wilcox to over $1 billion. According to the FAA, the contract cost inflated to $957 million after the FAA award was taken from Wilcox and given to Hughes. The kill costs of the Wilcox contract are estimated at $75 million. Then, an increase of $65 million was needed to satisfy recommendations from the Gore Commission, said the FAA (June, page 15).
