BFGoodrich received an unprecedented two Technology Innovation Awards at Aviation Week's annual Aerospace Expo 2000 in Long Beach, Calif. The aerospace giant was cited for its Inflatabelt passenger restraint system and IceHawk ice detection system. The Inflatabelt is similar to an automobile airbag, except that it is entirely self-contained and doesn't require a seat or any other structure in front of it. IceHawk uses infrared light to detect ice, slush or other contaminants on aircraft surfaces.
Sino Swearingen was making final preparation for the first flight of its new SJ30-2 business jet as B/CA went to press. The initial flight was scheduled to take place a week before Thanksgiving and would begin the test pilots' introduction to aircraft handling characteristics. Further flights are planned this year to expand the flight-test envelope. The manufacturer is currently searching for a chief test pilot and a test pilot to join the flight test program, which is expected to add three test aircraft in second quarter 2001.
Bell/Agusta Aerospace (BAAC) says it will build a commercial tiltrotor training center adjacent to its Alliance Airport headquarters in Fort Worth. The proposed 82,000-square-foot facility will contain two full-motion flight simulators, procedures trainers and classrooms for BA609 customers. BAAC expects as many as 300 student pilots to begin training in 2001. Construction of four prototypes is underway in Texas, with the first flight planned for next August and certification anticipated in 2003. Bell/Agusta claims 80 orders for the BA609.
United Airlines' regional partners may now fly as many as 300 50-seat regional jets, up from the previous limit of 65 RJs. The change stems from a new collective bargaining agreement with United's 10,500 pilots, who negotiated raises of up to 28.5 percent. Mainline widebody captains can make up to $260,000 annually under their new contract; United Express RJ captains top out at around one-third of that figure.
The FAA will conduct a lottery to determine which carriers can use the additional slots permitted under AIR-21 at New York City's La Guardia Airport. Controversy had surrounded the granting of additional flights, given the New York airport's dismal flight delay record. According to FAA statistics, La Guardia delays have increased 41 percent in the past year -- to more than 9,000 in September alone -- and make up more than one-fifth of the delays system-wide.
There's more to business aviation's continued success in 2000 than a strong economy and new airplanes. Business aviation has become a major industry because of the tens of thousands of men and women who are committed to safety, service and innovation. B/CA's editors and contributors have been covering this industry's best and brightest for more than 42 years. We are fortunate to have close ties to people at all levels of our business, and recognize that each year certain individuals contribute unselfishly to the greater good.
Adam Aircraft was scheduled to move into a new 50,000-square-foot research and development and manufacturing facility for the proposed M-309 twin-turboprop on December 1. The Englewood, Colo., manufacturer says the M-309's proof-of-concept aircraft is still flying and will be relocated to the new facility while development of the aircraft progresses.
Columbia Air, Groton, Conn., has appointed Donald Giroux as chief pilot for its air carrier, FAR Part 135 certificate. Previously a chief pilot in New Haven, Conn., Giroux operates out of Columbia's North American location at Groton-New London Airport.
Britain's Civil Aviation Authority could force airlines to increase aircraft legroom following the death of a passenger after a 20-hour flight from Sydney to London. Reports said the 28-year-old female died of ``economy class syndrome,'' a blood clot that forms in a vein due to cramped conditions. CAA regulations set a minimum seat pitch of 26 inches, though U.S. airlines typically offer 31 to 34 inches between seats.
General aviation sales continued at record levels in the third quarter, according to GAMA figures. Third quarter activity included $2 billion in sales and a 16-year high of 684 aircraft deliveries. Among the business aircraft delivered were two Boeing Business Jets, 70 Cessna Citations and 22 Caravans, 17 Gulfstreams, 31 Learjets, 24 Raytheon jets and 34 King Airs, and 15 New Piper Malibu Mirages.
The safety of flight is based primarily on an air crew that is healthy and relatively unimpaired by the conditions of flight. Pilots achieve this by meeting medical expectations of the FAA and its flight doctors, along with periodic training in flight physiology.
The FAA has proposed a $2.5 million civil penalty against one of the largest aircraft hose suppliers, for allegedly failing to report thousands of minor product design changes. It is alleged that Parkin-Hannifin's Dallas-based Stratoflex division made 16,770 unreported design and/or nomenclature changes to various aircraft hoses over a 12-year period, and continued to ignore the FAA's reporting requirements after learning it was under investigation.
N.S. ``Mike'' Waterman Jr., founder of training giant SimuFlite Training International, died in Dallas on November 8 after a brief illness. A native of Washington, D.C., Waterman graduated from Loomis Chaffe school in 1961, and Yale University in 1965. He began graduate work at Columbia University, but left to enter the Air National Guard. Waterman subsequently worked in the plastics business in Florida, and then joined International Aviation Industries in White Plains, N.Y., serving as its president until the early 1970s.
Bombardier test pilot Eric Fiore, the sole survivor in the October crash of a Challenger 604, remains hospitalized in a Wichita hospital, recovering from burns over 80 percent of his body. The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the accident, which killed experimental test pilot Bryan Irelan and flight test engineer David Riggs. Fiore is said to be making slow progress in his recovery from the devastating injuries and remains in critical condition.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has signed a cooperation agreement with TsAGI (Tsentralny Aerogidrodynamic- hesky Institut), Russia's renowned aerodynamics research center. For now, the deal is likely to revolve around Embraer's use of TsAGI's equipment and facilities, including its computerized aerodynamic and aeroelastic laboratories. Last June, Embraer rented one of TsAGI's 60 wind tunnels to help fine-tune the ERJ-170/190 regional jet design.
The Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) is creating a new award to honor helicopter professionals whose work ``has been vital to the development and evolution of the helicopter industry.'' Inductees into the HFI Heritage Hall of Fame will be announced at the foundation's Heritage Celebration on February 12, 2001 at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, Calif.
Photograph: An Air Vegas Beech 99 over the Grand Canyon Air Vegas Determined resistance from air tour operators has led a federal appeals court to postpone by one month the implementation of new Grand Canyon air tour routes the FAA has had in the works for several years. An FAA team was dispatched to Arizona in mid-November to review the new routes, which aim to lessen the noise impact of commercial sightseeing operations, mainly in the canyon's busy eastern gorge. Due to go in effect on December 1, the changes were deferred until the end of that month.
Fairchild Dornier, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, has named Clayton Callihan as director of advertising, reporting to Robert Strangarone, vice president of corporate communications.
Aviation Week and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) have created a new professional forum to help aviation professionals address operational and management challenges in their organizations. Dubbed Aircraft 2001, Technology, Integration and Operations Forum, the inaugural program is scheduled to take place in November at Aviation Week's Aerospace Expo 2001 in Los Angeles.
Duncan Aviation celebrated the opening of its new modifications, service and completions facility in Lincoln, Neb., with an educational conference in early November. The new facility includes almost 60,000 square feet of hangar space and 63,000 square feet of shop space .
Dawood's allegations about air quality are countered by Russell Rayman, M.D., of the Aerospace Medical Association. Board-certified in aerospace medicine, Rayman spent 25 years as a medical specialist in the U.S. Air Force and also worked for NASA for three years as a researcher. The Aerospace Medical Association was founded in 1929 and currently lists 3,300 members who are physicians, flight nurses and research scientists engaged in military and civil aerospace medicine.
BFGoodrich Aerospace has introduced its Skywatch HP traffic advisory system featuring a 20-mile surveillance range and a 15-mile display range. The increased power of the system adds an effective closure rate of 1,200 knots, allowing aircraft traveling at speeds of up to 600 knots to effectively track each other from a greater distance. Skywatch also has enhanced its output options such as an ARINC 429 EFIS output and ADS-B for Free Flight air traffic management requirements.
Windsor Airmotive Asia has received approval by Pratt&Whitney to repair PW4000 high-pressure compressor inner rear cases. The Windsor Airmotive division, a business unit of Barnes Aerospace, performs non-destructive testing and welded repairs for turbine engines.
CharterHub, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has appointed Karen Millon as vice president of professional services and Thomas Bechard as vice president of customer service.
