Most corporate-jet operators will likely be able to comply with the requirements to operate to a 180-minute ETOPS threshold, according to the JAA. The requirements, scheduled to be finalized by year-end, are expected to follow dispatch, maintenance and operations procedures currently being used by most international flight departments. ETOPS thresholds initially will apply to twin-engine, JAA-registered business jets that have fewer than 19 seats and are being operated as commercial flights. Jets that don't meet the JAA requirements will face a 120-minute threshold.
Raytheon Aircraft Services says it has resolved problems over environmental and other issues that had put a hold on the company's plans to open up Atlantic City International Airport's second FBO this year (July 1996, page 24). In mid July, Raytheon broke ground for the facility, which it now hopes to open in early 1998.
A presentation on the costs, equipment and operational requirements, and deadlines surrounding compliance with forthcoming JAA legislation and JAR-OPS 1 rules was one of the most informative--and intense--of a series of 10 seminars held during the spring's European Business Air Show at London's Standsted Airport. JAR-OPS 1 is scheduled to be implemented in April 1998 with compliance extended for up to one year for some countries. Minimally, its rules will be applicable to aircraft registered in countries that become a signatory to the JAA.
Sales of new business-turbine aircraft last year fell only 16 short of matching 1995's total, after leading 1995 levels by four units at mid-year 1996. Now, 1997 is teasing us with hints of growth. After starting strong and faltering for a couple of months, new aircraft sales at mid 1997 were within single-digit range of 1996 and running ahead of 1996 in jet sales, thanks to a particularly strong quarter for international sales.
Operators of nearly 4,500 turboprop aircraft will be required to amend their approved flight manuals prohibiting beta power settings in flight, if a set of proposed ADs is adopted. The FAA says that intentional or inadvertent engine operations in the beta range can lead to engine overspeed or loss of aircraft control. In recent years, nine incidents and five accidents have been related to beta operation in flight, according to the agency.
The lobbying organization of 18 business aircraft operators in Mumbai, India has regrouped to convince India's Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to relax restrictions on business jet travel inside the country. The Aircraft Operators and Allied Services Association, which has been dormant for many years, also will look into grievances about ``inordinate delays'' in getting some fly-over clearances, and will oppose the DGCA requirement for business aircraft to carry an engineer on board.
Photograph: A spin cycle at Texas Air Aces (bottom) and the Aerobatics School of Las Vegas (top). Because pilots normally don't get to do rolls and loops in their business aircraft--or even steep-angled maneuvers--lest they make their passengers uncomfortable, practicing unusual attitudes, including spins, is routinely reserved for simulators. But is that enough? Although there is a renewed emphasis on ``unusual attitude training'' by providers of simulator training, some pilots want to supplement simulation.
Tridair Helicopters of Costa Mesa, Calif. is suing Bell Helicopter for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. The companies are fighting over whether agreements reached in 1992 and 1993 extend to the new Bell 407 single and 427 light twin. Tridair claims Bell is using proprietary designs and technology on the 407 and also plans similar use on the 427. Tridair is the developer of a twin-engine conversion for Bell LongRangers, and once agreed to license its design to Bell for its TwinRanger, manufactured in 1995 and 1996 (May 1992, page 20).
This aviation parts distributor promoted three staff members to the newly created positions of senior managing directors of sales: Richard Teza is responsible for sales in the eastern United States and Canada; Patrick Manning heads the international sales team; and Cris Gross leads the company's western U.S. and Latin American sales effort.
By Linda L. Martin Aviation fueling experts hold forth on what's happening now and what the future will bring--from the refinery to the fuel truck.
Right now, general aviation fuel sales is not a large growth area for the major oil companies. Yet one oil analyst predicts that jet fuel demand will increase in the long term at a faster rate than overall petroleum demand--in response to increasing passenger miles (which includes the business aviation segment) and cargo miles. How will prices be affected?
Challenger 600 aircraft came furnished with a Sperry SPZ-650 analog flight guidance system, including dual electromechanical ADIs and HSIs, a single analog air data computer, a Primus 400 weather radar and a dual-channel SPZ-650 autopilot. The package also featured Collins Pro Line 1 comm/nav/ident radios, a Collins radio altimeter (dual displays), dual Aeronetics RMIs and a two-inch JET standby attitude indicator.
Micro-Poxy, an anti-corrosion clearcoat and gunk resistor is now available from U.S. Technological Research. Available in eight-ounce cans or gallons, the formula can be applied by hand with ordinary polishers, or sprayed on all areas of the airframe and exterior surfaces, such as propellers. Micro-Poxy cannot be penetrated by acid rain, salt spray or other corrosives, ac-cording to its manufacturer. Suggested retail price: $25 to $30 per can (sold in cases of six). U.S. Technological Research, 1285 Stone Dr., San Marcos, Calif. 92069.
St. Louis-based Avtec Corp. will add the Sabreliner 70 and 80 series to a life-extension program it previously developed for Sabreliner 40s and 60s (January, page 22). The program, primarily one of inspections for corrosion or other damage, extends the life of the business jet initially from 10,000 hours to 15,000 hours. Subsequent inspections can extend the aircraft's life to 17,000 and 19,000 hours, respectively.
Kansas City Aviation Center filed suit against Avfuel Corp. over contaminated avgas in its underground storage tank at Johnson County Airport in Olathe, Kan. (June, page 20). KCAC tore down the engines in about 90 percent of the 123 aircraft fueled from the tank, and so far says it has found no fuel-related damage. Testing revealed more than 200 gallons of what KCAC says appeared to be Jet A commingled with some 9,000 gallons of 100LL. At issue is the source of the contamination and who will pay for the engine work.
Priester Aviation is introducing shared leasing. Starting with a Falcon 10, the Wheeling, Ill. firm's Shared Aircraft Program offers a one-third lease interest at $15,000 per month for 36 months. The lease allows up to 200 hours of use annually at $950 an hour. The monthly fixed fee is $12,850. Operations are conducted under FAR Part 135.
The ICAO Council will bring together directors general of civil aviation of all its 185 member countries for an international conference in Montreal on November 10-12 to discuss safety and security issues and the ICAO Safety Oversight Program. The Council proposes an expansion of the program and would like to adopt safety oversight audits.
The House Subcommittee on Aviation has not yet scheduled a hearing on H.R. 664, the so-called ``Airplane Emergency Locator Act'' that would extend the requirement for ELTs to jets. Representative Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) introduced the bill in connection with the search for a Learjet 35A missing after an attempted landing at Lebanon Airport, N.H.
Alan Nitchman was promoted to vice president of operations and is responsible for all operational aspects of the four Elliott FBO facilities. Warren Tanner was moved up to the new position of director of special projects. Martin G. Grier joined the company as vice president and general manager of the Moline facility.
Comments are due September 2 on a proposed transport-category type certification basis for a civil version of the Bell GH205A Huey being developed by Garlick Helicopters. Since the mid 1990s, the Hamilton, Mont. firm has been attempting to receive a TC that will permit upgraded surplus Hueys to be removed from their current restricted category. Among other limits, that category forbids them from carrying passengers or operating under FAR Part 135.
By Arnold Lewis Consolidation of regional airframers is still very much up in the air as manufacturers jockey for position and markets while the edges of one consortium begin to fray.
Orders for up to 117 regional jets worth roughly $2.7 billion failed to stifle some dissenting opinions at the 1997 Paris Air Show in June. While the orders firmly placed Brazilian manufacturer Embraer back on the map and gave Bombardier a launch customer for the 70-seat Canadair Regional Jet Series 700, they also raised anew the trade controversy between Canada and Brazil.
