SIMUFLITE is now providing Citation Excel pilot training at its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport training center offering either 14-day initial training on a four-day recurrent package. SimuFlite's Citation Excel full flight simulator received FAA Level D certification in August. SimuFlite trains pilots on five Citation simulators: Citation II, Citation III/VI, Citation V, Citation Ultra/Bravo and the Citation Excel.
The final report by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center finds that even with wide and local area augmentations, "use of GPS still can be disrupted and transportation services thus im-paired." The final report, obtained by BA sister publication The DAILY, added that the "more serious consequences are very unlikely to occur and can be avoided by awareness, planning and supplementing GPS with a backup system or operational procedures when it is used in critical applications." The study stressed, however, that "public policy must ensure, primarily, that safety
Some general aviation flights operating under instrument flight rules were cleared to return to the air at 1600 EDT Friday, ending a four-day "ground-stop" on flights conducted under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is forming a Business Aviation Security Task Force to discuss and make recommendations about new security regulations governing Part 135 air taxi and charter operators and other segments of the business aviation community. Jim Christiansen, the former TAG Aviation executive who chaired the Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee, has agreed to chair the new group.
New Piper Aircraft received Federal Aviation Administration approval for operation of its Meridian single-turboprop aircraft into known icing conditions and has launched a retrofit program for aircraft to accommodate such flights. The certification comes a year after the aircraft, the PA46-500TP, first won type approval (BA, Oct. 2, 2000/149). At that time, New Piper said it would equip aircraft already delivered with placards prohibiting flight into known icing until FAA approved the operations.
ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES, LTD. Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-261-AD; Amendment 39-12418; AD 2001-17-27) - requires a one-time detailed visual and eddy current inspections for cracking of the drag brace on the nose landing gear, and replacement of the drag brace, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the nose landing gear. Effective date is Sept. 13, 2001. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before Sept. 28, 2001.
While most of the general and business aviation fleet was grounded last week until officials could appropriately address security concerns, the industry turned its resources to help relief efforts in New York and Washington, D.C.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-12424; AD 2001-17-32) - requires inspecting certain versions of the tail rotor pitch change spider assembly (spider assembly) for the proper rotational torque, axial play, and any brinelling of the bearing.
JET AVIATION BASEL modified the first GV to receive a JAA certificate in Europe. The modifications, which were made under Gulfstream's supervision, included structural changes to the aircraft's wings and pylons. Avionics and electrical system were also modified. The aircraft was to be registered in Italy and in order to meet JAA standards, software was updated and cockpit fuel displays were converted from U.S. standard measurement system to the metric system.
The National Business Aviation Association Wednesday reluctantly decided to scrap this week's 54th annual convention in New Orleans, La., bowing to the concerns of exhibitors, members and the uncertain timing of restoration of regular air traffic operations in the U.S. in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist airliner hijackings and murderous attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
Despite the current slowing of orders for business jets due to economic conditions, Honeywell Aerospace's 10th annual Business Aviation Outlook predicts a significant upward surge in business jet deliveries through 2006, part of a wave of sustained strong shipments that will total 8,900 units valued at over $136 billion for the period 2002-2011.
BBA AVIATION appointed Terry Scott president and chief executive officer of International Turbine Service, the supplier of new and serviceable turbine engines, engine parts and accessories. Scott previously was senior vice president of sales and marketing for BBA Aviation's Dallas Airmotive subsidiary. He began his business aviation career in 1972 with Airwork Corp. and joined Ryder Aviall in 1989 as director of the company's PW100 program. He was promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing 1994.
Honeywell unveiled two new services on its e-Engine internet site to facilitate engine financial transactions and to help in diagnosing and fixing engine problems.
AIR CELL has completed $12.8 million in financing, funded by Sycamore Venture Capital, GE Capital and Northwood Ventures. The new money will be used to finish enhancements to the company's cellular network and "to invest in the development of new products for new markets," said Todd Londa, Air Cell chief financial officer.
MALCOLM B. ARMSTRONG joined the Air Transport Association as senior vice president of aviation safety and operations. Armstrong has 31 years' experience in the U.S. Air Force, which included duty as a fighter pilot and a tour in aircraft maintenance. He retired from the service in 1995 as a three-star general and most recently was executive vice president of operations at Delta Air Lines.
TIMOTHY KNUTSON was named vice president of business development at Worthington Aviation in Eagan, Minnesota. Knutson was most recently director of service recovery at Northwest Airlines where he worked for more than 15 years.
QUICKTURN'S Citation I/II simulator was upgraded to provide training scenarios in daylight, twilight and nighttime conditions. The new system integrates Evans&Sutherland Liberty 200 image generator and two raster-only display monitors from DVI. Additionally, simulator sessions can now be customized with specific, actual airport settings.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION established a new International Operators Scholarship for people who are involved or would like to become involved in any aspect of international business aviation operations. ExxonMobil Aviation and Avitat are sponsoring the $5,000 scholarship, which will be awarded to one or more recipients in March 2002. The deadline to submit 2002 scholarship applications is Jan. 31, 2002.
UNITED BIZJET HOLDINGS, INC., the United Airlines affiliate, was supposed to unveil the name and marketing details of its new fractional ownership program at this week's convention, but was forced to delay the announcement due to last week's events and the decision to scrap the NBAA convention. The company, which has placed orders for nearly $4 billion worth of Falcon and Gulfstream business jets, is expected to proceed with its plans later this month or early in October.
CMC ELECTRONICS completed a series of development flight trials of its Infrared Enhanced Vision System (IR-EVS) that the company said confirmed performance of the system. The company conducted more than 30 approaches and ground movement operations in weather that included one-quarter-mile visibility and a 300-foot ceiling, fog, rain, mist and haze in both day- and nighttime operations.
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, reacting to last week's hijacking of four airliners, was among the first committees to schedule an aviation security hearing. The committee announced that it wold hold a hearing to examine federal aviation security standards Thursday (Sept. 20) in the Russell Senate Office Building.
MARJORIE K. DELONG was appointed director of marketing at SimuFlite. She will lead product development and marketing strategies. DeLong was most recently manager, marketing and sales in the Americas for GE Capital Aviation Training.
