Under the newly launched Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) project, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to sponsor a prototype aircraft that could lead to both a supersonic business jet for the corporate operator and to a stealthy, long-range multi-purpose supersonic aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. A QSP prototype could be flying by the mid-2000s, testing a range of advanced aircraft technologies.
The DOT's investigative arm has strongly criticized the role of the RTCA -- a powerful, quasi-governmental non-profit group -- in formulating the FAA's plans to modernize the nation's ATC system. According to the DOT's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the practice of having senior FAA and industry officials serve on RTCA committees creates potential conflicts of interest, since such groups may, through their recommendations, control the flow of billions of dollars in federal allocations.
Sikorsky plans to incorporate a number of significant design changes into its new S-92 helicopter, in a bid to improve the aircraft's handling characteristics and utility. According to Tommy Thomason, Sikorsky's civil programs chief, search and rescue operators' need for a larger door drove the redesign, which will delay FAA certification from its original December 2001 timeframe until spring 2002.
Pilot union pressure has led the FAA to postpone plans to expand the use of Land and Hold Short (LAHSO) operations. Current LAHSO rules will remain in effect, the FAA says, until flight simulator modeling of aircraft performance under specific runway and weather conditions is complete. Six of the largest major airline pilot labor groups had urged their members to reject (LAHSO) clearances until the FAA addressed their safety concerns.
Photograph: Robert Johnson An offshoot of the proposed United Airlines-US Airways merger could be DC Air -- the first new entrant carrier to surface at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) in more than a decade. Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and US Airways board member Robert L. Johnson is behind the venture, which plans to serve 44 cities with 122 daily departures, using 37 aircraft and crews wet-leased from United and/or US Airways.
Passengers expect their business aircraft to have the comforts of home and utility of the office, which means that inflight Internet access and computer networking is becoming a necessity. Pentar Avionics' new JetLAN airborne network server offers users the ability to access e-mail, surf the Web and share files and printers in-flight. Designed exclusively for use in aircraft cabins, the JetLAN is built small but tough. And, with its removable hard drive, confidential documents can remain so. After test flying for a year, JetLAN is now ready for prime time.
JetOne, a start-up fractional operator of two used Cessna Citation IIs, has contracted with DaimlerChrysler Aviation (DCA) to manage its entire flight operation. The deal calls for DCA to provide complete aircraft management, including crews, maintenance and scheduling. Waterford, Mich.-based JetOne also has relocated its offices to DCA's headquarters at Oakland County International Airport (PTK) and says the Citations may be added to Automotive Air Charter's FAR Part 135 certificate at a later date.
The FAA has granted Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) authorization to Raytheon's Aircraft Charter and Management operation. The certification will allow Raytheon to offer FAR Part 135 charter service to points in Europe and beyond. The charter service operates 62 aircraft, including Hawkers, Beechjets, Learjets, a Citation and a Challenger. The fleet is based primarily in high-traffic areas along the U.S. east and west coasts, but also near Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta.
NASA Administrator Dan Goldin sees a future where small aircraft equipped with the latest technology cross the skies effortlessly, breaking the current ``hub-and-spoke mold'' while alleviating traffic on the nation's highways. Speaking before the House Subcommittee on Aviation in May, Goldin touted NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) as part of a comprehensive travel network that will one day stretch from the intercity to the interplanetary level.
Ernest Schweizer, cofounder of Schweizer Aircraft and one of the last surviving aircraft manufacturing pioneers, has died at 88. Ernie, his two brothers and some friends founded the Elmira, N.Y.-based company in 1939, which remains under family ownership and management. Schweizer Aircraft originally was known for manufacturing sailplanes and now also produces a line of piston- and turbine-powered light helicopters.
Bombardier plans to grow its Belfast, Northern Ireland-based work force by 1,200, or 20 percent, over the next two years as part of a production rate increase. The new employees will support component manufacture for the Canadair Regional Jet, Challenger 604 and Global Express programs. Parts for the CRJ Series 100/200 are already built at the Belfast plant. ``These new manufacturing responsibilities are a strong endorsement of our Northern Ireland operation and a clear expression of our confidence in our
In a previous article, we discussed the crew briefing and why it was essential (``Uniting a Flight Crew,'' April, page 76). But for the cockpit crew, the crew briefing is only the first briefing of many. One could easily argue that a highly effective crew conducts an almost continual briefing as the flight progresses from the chocks at Point A to the chocks at Point B, but this constant exchange of information and planning does not have a hard format or structure. It takes place as things occur.
Northop Grumman has sold its commercial aerostructures unit to the Carlyle Group, a global equity fund, for $1.2 billion. The division manufactures Gulfstream V wings and is the largest supplier of aircraft structures to Boeing. Northrop Grumman had announced plans to sell the division in April, saying it would allow it to concentrate on other core businesses and acquisitions. The new entity will retain its Dallas headquarters and will operate as Vought Aircraft Co. The Carlyle Group says no significant changes in the work force are anticipated.
Bell Helicopter's Model 407 light single helicopter is newly certified with an increase in takeoff and landing altitudes from 14,000 to 17,000 feet. The FAA also recently approved an increase in the helicopter's external gross weight to 6,000 pounds. Bell has delivered more than 400 Model 407s, including over 65 units in 1999.
Atlantic Aviation has opened the doors of its new $22.5 million relocated FBO at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The new facility consists of an 8,800-square-foot executive terminal, two tenant hangars and 18 acres of ramp space. The terminal offers a passenger and pilot's lounge, office cubicles with data ports, WSI weather, general business services and conference rooms. The two, 22,599-square-foot hangars are equipped with infrared heating and 28-foot hangar doors capable of accommodating an aircraft up to G-V size.
The first Galaxy business jet simulator is expected to be installed at FlightSafety International's new Dallas-Fort Worth training center in late July and FAA certified in October. Galaxy's Level D simulator will be the first at the new facility, which is designed to accommodate up to 16 simulators. FlightSafety is currently training Galaxy pilots in an aircraft supplied by the manufacturer. Galaxy Aerospace says that four Galaxies are in service and that it is delivering one new aircraft per month.
Free Flight Phase 1 -- New information exchange systems and automated controller tools, budgeted at $722 million for fiscal 1998 to 2004 for deployment at selected locations. The RTCA recommended the deployment sites, specific brand names of controller tools and a general project timeframe.
Brazil and Canada have agreed to seek a negotiated settlement of their ongoing dispute over the use of government subsidies in regional jet aircraft sales. Officials from the two sides held preliminary discussions in New York on May 23; the next meeting was scheduled for June 22 in Geneva as B/CA's July issue went to press. Canada, however, still wants the WTO's approval to retaliate against Brazil for its continued use of ProEx, an export financing package the Geneva-based trade body declared illegal in August 1999.
The Air Transport Association's (ATA) annual Engineering Maintenance and Materiel Forum will merge with Aviation Week&Space Technology's MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) conference and trade show in 2001. The ATA's Donald Collier says the combined show will provide ``an expanded learning experience'' as well as a productive networking opportunity. MRO 2001 is scheduled for April 3-5 in Dallas. For further information call (800) 240-7645 or visit www.aviationnow.com/conferences.
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive affecting Pilatus PC-12 aircraft equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. The AD requires crews to activate wing and tail deicing boots at the first sign of ice accumulation. The PC-12 is the latest in a series of aircraft -- most are twin turboprops and older business aircraft -- affected by a similar AD. The action stems from the fatal 1997 crash of a Comair Embraer Brasilia near Monroe, Mich., and other icing-related incidents.
American Eagle plans to become an all-jet carrier at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport by November 2. This summer, the AMR affiliate will introduce regional jets in five markets that now have only turboprop service, and expand jet service in six markets now served by turboprops and regional jets. American Eagle operates two types of Embraer regional jets: the 50-seat ERJ-145 and the 37-seat ERJ-135.
Edited by Paul RichfieldPaul Richfield, in Washington, D.C.
Airlines are gradually warming to the benefits of collecting and analyzing flight data, though the noise surrounding the issue is getting louder as other interested parties consider their position.
