Aircraft Services Group says it will increase the price of Vision Safe's EVAS system from $9,195 to $10,950. The company also has added a new managed Falcon 2000 and hired three staffers to support the aircraft.
Alaska Central Express has agreed to a Fleet Management Program with Pratt&Whitney Canada. Under the terms of the 15-year, $21 million deal, P&WC will provide all engine service for the carrier's PT6A-65B-powered Beech 1900 fleet.
Bell Helicopter Textron and Air Methods Corp. have entered into a ``strategic alliance'' to develop new products. The first project planned for the two companies is development of an EMS interior and single-pilot IFR package for the Bell 427 light-twin helicopter. Air Methods, which operates aeromedical transportation services and develops technology for other companies in the EMS field, will be the preferred provider of the EMS-equipped 427. Bell claims more than 80 orders for the 427.
Snecma, the French engine manufacturer, is entering the helicopter engine business with its purchase of the Labinal Group, parent company of Turbomeca. Through vits CFM partnership with General Electric, Snecma manufactures the CFM56 engine -- powerplant for all Boeing 737 new-generation aircraft, U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircraft and various members of the Airbus family, including the A319, 320, 321 and 340. Turbomeca supplies engines for the entire Eurocopter line as well as the Sikorsky S-76C+. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
One effect of AIR-21, the aviation bill signed by President Clinton in April, is the loosening of traffic restrictions at four of the nation's busiest airports. Effective immediately, new service may be added at New York's Kennedy and La Guardia Airports, Chicago O'Hare and Reagan-National in Washington by carriers serving small communities with aircraft seating fewer than 71 passengers. General and business aviation operators will not benefit form the changes until the slot system is eliminated at O'Hare in 2002 and the New York-area airports in 2007.
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced structural and powerplant improvement plans for the MD Explorer, MD 600 and MD 500 series aircraft. The MD Explorer will receive the new Pratt&Whitney Canada 207E engines this summer. P&WC said the engine is rated at 710 shp at takeoff and 800 shp at the 2.5-minute one-engine inoperative (OEI) rating, offering increases of 11 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, over the PW206E engines currently in use. Maximum hover ceiling for the PW207E has not been determined; however, testing is underway.
Last year was a record year for general aviation, as total billings soared 35.1 percent over 1998, reaching $7.9 billion for the year, according to GAMA. The 1999 growth was more than 10 percent above the 1998 increase. Put into perspective, general aviation sales in 1999 were quadruple those of 1992. Last year also marked the first time in GAMA's history that both billings and shipments increased for five consecutive years.
Opening up Russia for general aviation is the theme of a new exposition and air show at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport on August 16-20. The Russian Business Aviation Association and AOPA-Russia are joining forces with the Russian government ``to open up new horizons for this until now underprivileged sector of aerial transport.'' The program includes a conference on key issues of general aviation development. For information call +7095-241 82 01, or e-mail [email protected]
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Paul Richfield CBAA Pushes for `Self-Regulation'
The Canadian Business Aircraft Association (CBAA) is edging closer to becoming the primary regulatory authority over Canada's business aviation community. Though initial costs to operators would be higher under the CBAA's purview (``self-regulation'' is the CBAA's term), the trade group sees offset in the form of additional operational flexibility and lower charges for individual certifications and approvals.
The FAA issued an advisory circular suggesting standards and procedures for the acquisition, use and storage of flares intended for use in aircraft emergencies. The advisory circular was issued because many operators had been using devices such as ``railroad or highway'' flares in aircraft, the agency said. FAR Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135 require the carriage of at least one flare for each life raft during extended overwater flights. Only U.S. Coast Guard approval number 160 series flares are authorized for use. For more information regarding flares, consult the U.S.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy Perry Bradley, in Oerias, Portugal
The first Falcon 2000 for the NetJets Europe fractional ownership program arrived in Portugal in mid-April, and is the first of two 2000s that will serve as core fleet aircraft. A total of three 2000s will be delivered to NetJets Europe this year with a fourth joining the fleet in January 2001. The first customer aircraft, which is already sold-out, will arrive in September, according to Bruce Huffman, vice president-international operations.
Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y., has begun using flight-tracking software to identify violators of local noise regulations. Many operators already had privacy concerns about the software, arguing that it could pose a security threat. The software is part of a new noise-monitoring system that has been in place at the noise-sensitive airport since November 1999. For some time, citizens who call HPN's noise-abatement office have been able to obtain the name of the aircraft operator that caused the disturbance, if it can be confirmed.
-- Vail Valley Jet Center wants operators to know that Colorado's Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) will remain open during its runway renovation project, scheduled from April 22 to June 23. During the construction, the parallel taxiway will be converted into an active runway, but with use limited to aircraft with approach speeds not exceeding 121 knots and wing spans less than 79 feet. Navaids will be out of service during the construction, but the tower will remain open.
Edited by Paul RichfieldBy David Esler, in New Orleans Customs Check
Customs may not be the most glamorous or interesting aspect of international operations, but it behooves flight crews to be conversant with customs regulations not only of the countries to which they're flying but those of the United States, as well. Your handling service, if you use one, or the embassies or consulates of the countries you fly to can provide guidelines on local customs and immigration regulations. For U.S. Customs policy, you'll want to consult two publications available to corporate and general aviation operators:
Boeing 717-200 aircraft were hit with an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) on April 1, requiring immediate inspections of the 14 delivered aircraft to check for anomalies in the integrated standby instrument system (ISIS) altitude display. Two reports of a loss of data on the captain's and first officer's primary flight display and ISIS altitude display triggered the action, the FAA says. Both flights landed safely. Boeing 717-200s are now in service with Air Tran, TWA and Olympic.
Turbomeca/Microturbo (Grand Prairie, Texas) -- Geneva Whalen rejoins the engine manufacturer as director of finance. James Loftin has been promoted to director of operations.
The FAA is teaming up with the American Society for Quality to conduct the Conference on Quality in Commercial Aviation. The conference is scheduled for March 25 to 28, 2001 in Dallas. More information is available from Helen Schneider at (254) 776-3550.
RTS Rework introduced a new FAA-approved pinion gear renewal repair for Bell 205, 212 and 412 helicopters. The repair facility also performs turboshaft gear and gear shaft inspection and repair process for Honeywell T53 gears and gearshafts.
In the early 1970s, people began to wonder why properly functioning aircraft flown by competent pilots were flying into the ground, usually in instrument weather conditions. Several studies later, it was agreed that a GPWS could help prevent such accidents, warning the crew of impending impact with terrain in time for them to climb or take other corrective action.
Miami-based Aviation Sales Co. has entered a standstill agreement with stockholder LJH Corp., limiting the amount of stock that LJH can acquire to 25 percent of the outstanding shares for the next five years.
Bombardier has contracted with BFGoodrich Aerospace to undertake Global Express interior and avionics completions at the company's Everett, Wash., facility. The manufacturer has a lengthy order backlog and has recently sought to expedite the completions process by subcontracting with outside completions facilities. There are currently 10 Global Express aircraft in service with more than 30 additional aircraft awaiting completion. BFGoodrich expects to complete five green aircraft this year.
Cessna expects to receive FAA certification of its Citation CJ2 this month and will begin customer deliveries of the jet in early 2001. The three aircraft in the CJ2 test program have amassed more than 1,000 flight hours. The manufacturer recently delivered the first Citation CJ1 to the Commercial Envelope Co. of Deer Park, N.Y. Both aircraft were introduced at the 1998 NBAA Convention.
