Galaxy holds gala grand opening
Galaxy Aerospace opened the doors of its $12 million, 165,000-square-foot headquarters on September 25 at the Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.
The complex houses Galaxy's corporate and marketing offices, as well as a 30,000-square-foot factory service facility and an equally sized completion center in which Galaxy installs custom interiors in the new super-midsize Galaxy and the Astra SPX business jets. Astras and Galaxies are manufactured in Israel by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). The facility will also perform maintenance and modifications on the existing fleet of IAI Westwind and Astra business jets. Most important, Galaxy told reporters that it intends to reverse the industry reputation of IAI as giving marginal support to the IAI line of bizjets. So far this year, the Fort Worth facility has serviced more than 125 customer aircraft.
Galaxy intends to produce 12 Astra SPXs a year through 2001. Eight Galaxies will roll out in 1999, with production ramping up to 18 in 2000 and 24 in 2001. Pilots will be trained at a new FlightSafety International facility under construction at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Most of the Galaxy principals are former Learjet executives who launched the project at the end of January 1997. The company rolled out the Galaxy business jet in September of that year, flew it before the end of the year, and certified the $18.3 million jet before 1998 ended. "We came to Texas two years ago with just 35 people and some big dreams," said President and CEO Brian Barents. "Today, we have one of the finest facilities in our industry and more than 200 outstanding professionals dedicated to serving our customers." For more information, contact Galaxy at 817/837-3700, or visit the Web site ( www.galaxyaerospace.com).
Dago Red takes Unlimited Class at Reno
Bruce Lockwood, flying a modified P-51 Mustang called Dago Red, took the gold in the Unlimited Class at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, in September. This is the second year in a row that Lockwood has piloted Dago Red to victory at Reno. On the final day, Dago Red averaged 472.3 mph on the closed-course race.
Nick Macy, flying Six Cat, won the AT-6/SNJ Class while Jon Sharp, flying Nemesis, took the gold in the Formula Class One segment. David Rose won the Biplane Class in a Rose Peregrine called Rags, and Dave Morss won the Sport Class in his Lancair IV.
The Reno races unfortunately met with tragedy when Gary Levitz was killed in an apparent in-flight breakup of his Miss Ashley II racer. The airplane crashed in a Lemon Valley residential area, causing minor injuries to one person on the ground.
For more information and details about race results, see the Web site ( www.airrace.org).
Mooney Aircraft names Christian E. Dopp CEO
Mooney Aircraft President Christian E. Dopp will assume the title and responsibilities of chief executive officer on October 1 from his father, Mooney Chairman Paul S. Dopp. The company credits the younger Dopp with a turnaround at Mooney over the past 18 months. Retired Air Force Gen. Ron Fogleman, vice chairman of Mooney's board of directors, expressed the board's satisfaction, saying: "We're pleased with the progress made within such a brief period and are highly confident that Mooney, under Chris' demonstrated leadership, will achieve its goal of creating one of the most profitable and dynamic companies in the global general aviation industry." Paul Dopp will continue as Mooney chairman while focusing on strategic opportunities for Mooney's parent company, AVAQ Mooney Inc.
LoPresti Speed Merchants of Vero Beach, Florida, has designed a new replacement cowl for the Grumman Tiger. The new Tiger cowling is expected to boost cruise speed and improve cooling. Company owner Roy LoPresti was involved in the design of the Tiger back in 1973 but admitted that "the basic [research and development] of the Tiger was done in about three months without any computers. Today, we have 26 more years of experience. We can now make any airplane go faster." A price for the cowling has not yet been determined. For more information, contact LoPresti at 561/562-4757, or visit the Web site ( www.flyfast-lopresti.com).
Purdue University forms links with airlines
Purdue University has established links with two airlines that could lead to jobs for the school's graduates.
An internship agreement was reached with Ryan International Airlines to train and offer possible employment to graduates of Purdue's Professional Flight Technology program. During the past four years, more than 80 graduates have been trained under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and put on the line, starting out as Boeing 727 flight engineers.
Based on seniority and flight proficiency, graduates of the first two classes have been offered upgrades to either first officer or captain. Ryan International Airlines, based in Wichita, is primarily involved in freight operations, but also carries passengers.
Purdue also has established a program with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) to provide employment opportunities for graduates. Purdue will assist ASA in the selection, training, and education of potential new hires from a pool of graduates.
Purdue has similar agreements with regional airlines American Eagle, Chautauqua, Piedmont, and PSA.
Executive Jet has opened the first phase of its new $25 million operational headquarters at Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio. The facility includes an additional 45,000 square feet of support space and comes a little more than a year after Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of Executive Jet; Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.; and Richard Smith, executive vice president of the Executive Jet Columbus facility, took part in groundbreaking ceremonies.
Breitling Orbiter 3 gondola on display at NASM
The pressurized capsule of the first balloon to circumnavigate the Earth without landing will be on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The bright orange gondola of the Breitling Orbiter 3 will be on display in the Milestones of Flight gallery with the likes of the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo 11 command module. Filled with emotion, copilot Bertrand Piccard said at a dedication ceremony at the museum, "The flight of Orbiter 3 ends today with the landing of the capsule in Washington." A portion of the balloon's envelope may also become part of the display at the Air and Space Museum. So that the capsule would not be dragged or lifted away after landing, the envelope was torn apart on March 21 upon touchdown in the Egyptian desert. Other pieces of the envelope will likely be on display at various museums around the world.
At the event, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) President Eilif Ness presented copilots Piccard and Brian Jones (see " Pilots: Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones," July Pilot) with three aviation world records for ballooning: shortest time around the world, longest distance traveled, and longest duration.
Piccard and Jones also took the opportunity to announce the formal launch of the Winds of Hope Foundation, whose prime goal is to highlight forms of suffering that have been all but forgotten or ignored by the media and the general public, especially those affecting children. Every year on March 21, the anniversary of the balloon's landing, Winds of Hope will award a prize to the developer of a selected project to encourage them to pursue their cause. The foundation was started with the $1 million prize awarded by Anheuser-Busch to the first successful circumnavigation of the world in a balloon (see " Pilot Briefing," June Pilot).
Group Genesis, located in Lithuania, has received Lithuanian approval for the new Genesis 2 high-performance standard-class glider. For more information, visit the Web site ( www.groupgenesis.com).
Noted Beech test pilot dies at 61
Ralph M. "Bud" Francis, the longtime Beech test pilot who most recently was chief test pilot for Sino-Swearingen Aircraft, died in San Antonio, Texas, after an extended illness.
Francis had an active role in the flight test and development of some of the most popular general aviation airplanes, including the Beech Bonanza, Baron, Duke, Queen Air, King Air, Starship, Beechjet, and Model 99 and 1900 Airliners. Francis held airline transport pilot and flight instructor certificates and had accumulated more than 10,000 hours of flight time. "He was known and respected throughout the general aviation industry as a thorough and careful test pilot with a knack for developing well-balanced aircraft with outstanding handling qualities," said a Sino-Swearingen official.
After 32 years at Beech (later Raytheon), Francis joined Sino-Swearingen in July 1997 and was involved in the development and certification program of the SJ30-2 business jet. "We were fortunate to have Bud Francis on our team at a critical time in the SJ30-2's development," said Sino-Swearingen President and CEO Jack Braly. "Bud's input had a significant impact on our program. His legacy will live on in our airplane."
Another noted test pilot, Ronnie Harker, most recently of Taupo, New Zealand, died recently at the age of 90. Harker was largely responsible for the installation of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in the North American P-51 Mustang. P-51s, developed in 1941, were powered by an Allison engine that lacked the punch to give the Mustang the speed and range for which it became famous in World War II as an escort fighter. After the Merlin installation in the P-51, U.S. bombers were able to resume daylight bombing raids without losing a staggering number of B-17s to Luftwaffe fighters. Harker was given a last flight in a P-51 in 1997.
UPS Avionics gets ADS-B contract
UPS Aviation Technologies has a $3.9 million contract to equip 150 small commercial aircraft in and around the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta area of Alaska with ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast) systems. The FAA will also purchase a ground station from the company to create a link to air traffic controllers in Anchorage.
With the equipment, pilots will be able to see on a screen in the cockpit graphical depictions of other aircraft, terrain obstructions, weather, and special-use airspace. The equipment will be distributed under the Capstone Program, designed to allow the FAA to evaluate the technology. ADS-B allows aircraft to broadcast GPS-derived position information that can be received by other aircraft and air traffic controllers on the ground. This allows controllers to provide flight services to aircraft that are not visible on conventional radar. In addition, a UAT (universal access transceiver) datalink will allow aircraft to receive information on weather, traffic, runway conditions, and airspace restrictions.
The contract calls for an integrated suite of cockpit equipment that includes the Apollo GX 60 GPS with moving map, an Apollo MX 20 multifunction cockpit display, and a UAT datalink radio.
GA plays key role in Bahamas hurricane
Some of the first reports on conditions in the Bahamas - after a mangling from Hurricane Floyd - came by ham radio and from general aviation pilots. Florida GA pilots flew to the island to survey damage and report back.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pilot Kurt Williams flew to Treasure Cay on Abaco Island in his Piper Aerostar to check on his vacation home (minor roof and interior water damage) and delivered cases of food, gallons of fresh water, and camping supplies to the islanders. He made a second delivery of supplies the day after his first flight and noted two dozen GA aircraft on the ramp at the Treasure Cay International Airport, all delivering needed emergency items.
Williams personally observed 20 sunken boats, as well as downed power lines and utility poles, and wooden-frame houses that had literally been blown apart.
If you are interested in the status of the recovery on Abaco Island, watch the community bulletin board ( www.oii.net).
Airshow performer Julie Clark has returned to the show circuit following a three-and-one-half-month layoff caused by an airworthiness directive on all Beech T-34 aircraft. She uses a Mopar-sponsored T-34 in her American Aerobatics act. Following an in-flight breakup of a T-34 used by an air combat simulation company in Atlanta, the AD limits T-34s to 152 knots and 2.5 positive and zero negative Gs. During the inspection, which was watched closely by the FAA, the NTSB, the U.S. Air Force, and Raytheon Aircraft, Clark's airplane was disassembled for testing and X-rays were made of both wings. This was not a simple process and consumed months of time to establish findings that would satisfy questions regarding the structural integrity of the entire T-34 fleet. The resulting AD calls for recurring inspections every 50 hours. Clark had to fight through two levels of the FAA for the return of her aircraft to the airshow circuit.
Raytheon ups Premier, Horizon production rates
Raytheon Aircraft Company announced that it is ratcheting up the production rates of two yet-to-be-certified business jets, the Premier I and the Hawker Horizon, to keep pace with orders.
Premier production will be boosted 25 percent to 60 units per year, and Horizon production will go up 50 percent to 36 units a year. More than 200 Premiers and 150 Horizons are on order. Raytheon says that the factory's addition of two new Cincinnati Milacron Viper fiber-placement tools allow for increased production rates of each airplane's composite fuselage.
Raytheon is currently flying four Premier Is. It is a large-cabin light jet that is expected to cruise at 461 knots yet still be able to utilize runways as short as 3,000 feet. Two Williams-Rolls FJ44-2A engines power the Premier, which is expected to win single-pilot certification by the end of the year.
The Horizon will be Raytheon's entry into the new super-midsize category of business jets. It boasts a guaranteed NBAA IFR range of 3,100 nm at Mach 0.82. Certification and deliveries of the Horizon are expected in 2001. For more information, visit the Raytheon Web site ( www.raytheonaircraft.com).
Raytheon Aircraft names replacement for Art Wegner
Raytheon Company has named Hansel E. Tookes II to replace Raytheon Aircraft Chairman and CEO Art Wegner when Wegner retires in a year.
For now, Tookes is president and chief operating officer and reports to Wegner. Since 1996, Tookes, 51, has been president of Pratt & Whitney's Large Military Engines group based in West Palm Beach, Florida. He joined United Technologies in 1980 and held increasingly responsible leadership positions at its Norden Systems and Hamilton Standard divisions.
He has a master's degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida (1971) and a bachelor's degree in physics from Florida State University (1969). He completed the advanced management program at Harvard University.
Tookes was a naval aviator flying P-3 Orions and was also a pilot for United Airlines. Tookes will become CEO in six months and will become chairman of the company when Wegner retires.
Canadian Snowbirds an endangered species?
Grass-roots efforts are mounting to save the Canadian Forces Snowbirds military flight demonstration team from extinction when the group's Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft are taken out of service in 2002. Performances of the nine-aircraft team could end at the close of the 2001 airshow season.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien thought that the Canadian Air Force was bluffing as a ploy to avoid budget cuts until he saw the option papers. The options include finding another government department to fund the team, finding corporate sponsors to fund the team, disbanding the team, changing aircraft to the CF-18, or using NATO flight-training aircraft already in use; the final option is to continue operation of the Tutors.
The International Council of Air Shows has called on its members to write letters to Canadian leaders to save the team.
Cessna Aircraft Company says that it is going to add 14-inch wingtip extensions to the Citation Encore business jet to improve climb, cruise, and runway performance. Fairings will be added to the main landing gear to reduce drag and cabin noise levels. The improvements, developed as a result of the flight-test and certification program, have moved FAA type certification to the second quarter of 2000, to be followed by customer deliveries in the fourth quarter. The aircraft also features trailing-link landing gear and heated leading-edge deicing.
Aviat Aircraft has completed initial flight testing of the 110 Special and expects the side-by-side two-seater to enter production this winter. The aircraft is based on the Monocoupe 110 Special, a high-wing tailwheel airplane that dominated national air races between 1930 and 1935. It is expected to cruise at 160 knots behind a Lycoming AEIO-360-A1B6 200-horsepower engine. For information, call 307/886-3151, or visit the Web site ( www.aviataircraft.com).
DC-3 to carry message of sacrifice
A refurbished Douglas DC-3 will leave the United States for Sydney, Australia, next July on the first of several trips intended to teach young people about the sacrifices made by military veterans. The airplane will be displayed at each stop, with special events scheduled for schoolchildren and veterans. Work on the Pacific Dove, which is scheduled to visit 20 countries during 2000 and eventually will circle the globe, is already under way in Houma, Louisiana.
"The purpose of the project is to promote appreciation of military veterans and to include the children of the world in an educational event, so that they will better understand the many sacrifices necessary to preserve world peace," explained Steven Groeneveld, president of Pacific Dove Enterprises. Groeneveld conceived the idea for a massive thank you to veterans in 1969. Funds for the project are being raised through the sale of ambassador kits, available for $20 each by calling 800/971-1369. Groeneveld said that many kits are being purchased as gifts for veterans. For more information about the project, write Pacific Dove Enterprises, 188 Trace Loop, Mandeville, Louisiana 70448, or visit the Web site ( www.pacificdove.com). - Michael P. Collins
Four new models of very light aircraft designed by Aeroprakt Ltd. in eastern Europe will soon arrive at Spectrum Aircraft, the U.S. sales office in Sebring, Florida. One of them, the A-22 Valor, was displayed at EAA AirVenture '99 in Oshkosh. Future plans call for Part 23 certification of the kitbuilt aircraft. For information call 941/314-9788, or e-mail [email protected].
Glass Goose amphibious aircraft kits have entered production at the Quikkit Division of Rainbow Flyers in Dallas, Texas. The aircraft offers a 42-inch-wide cockpit with two-place side-by-side seating, and is powered by a 160-horsepower Lycoming O-320 engine. The biwing design uses sponsons on the lower part of the fuselage that also contribute 15 square feet of wing area. The company says that the aircraft has a 900-pound useful load and carries 70 gallons of fuel for a 1,000-nm range at 135 kt. The gear can be lowered in the water to taxi onto a beach. For information, visit the Web site ( www.glassgoose.com), or call 214/349-0462; e-mail [email protected].
Squawk Sheet
Propellers overhauled by Santa Monica Propeller Service Inc. between January 1997 and March 1999 are targeted in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin issued by the FAA. According to the bulletin, "An audit of the facility revealed that certain blade-face alignment, chord-wise, and thickness inspections were not properly accomplished in accordance with the manufacturer's propeller-overhaul manual procedures." Since there have been no propeller failures, an airworthiness directive has not yet been issued, but the FAA feels that this is a "significant safety issue." Owners and operators are requested to check maintenance records to determine if their propellers are affected by the SAIB and report any problems with propellers to the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion Branch, ACE-118C, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Planes, Illinois 60018; telephone 847/294-7132.
AD 99-19-01 adds the Continental GTSIO-520 engine to the applicability list of the recent Continental crankshaft AD. The AD also clarifies that any 470-, 520-, and 550-series engine in which a replacement crankshaft was installed during 1998 is also subject to the requirements of the AD.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 98-SW-33 revises an existing airworthiness directive applicable to several models of Aircraft Belts Inc. seat-restraint systems installed on Beech, Cessna, Piper, Lockheed, Learjet, Bell, Eurocopter, Dassault Aviation, and Gulfstream aircraft. The proposed action, which affects 12,278 seat-restraint systems, allows the owner/operator of the aircraft to determine whether the locking mechanism is engaging properly and, if necessary, determine whether the replacement of the buckle half is required.
Cessna 172Rs equipped with an elevator-friction-reducing modification kit are affected by a new airworthiness directive (99-18-14) that requires an inspection to determine if the control yoke pivot bolt is contacting the aileron control cable. If the clearance is unacceptable, a shorter pivot bolt must replace the existing one and any damaged aileron cable must be replaced.
Links to the full text of these proposals and rulemakings can be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links/links9911.shtml).
AOPA has received reports of 100LL fuel contamination at the Chico (California) Municipal Airport. Avgas sold by Pacific Flight Services between August 31 and September 20 was contaminated with Jet-A, and the FBO is feverishly trying to track down those who bought the tainted fuel. The oil company that supplied the fuel is currently testing samples to determine the extent of contamination. The degree of contamination is believed to be less than 10 percent. If you received fuel from Pacific Flight Services between August 31 and September 20, you are strongly urged not to fly your aircraft and to call the FBO at 530/893-6727. In addition, those pilots are advised to call their insurance providers. For more information, call AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800/872-2672.
Sierra to add FJ44-2s to Citations
Sierra Industries Inc., of Uvalde, Texas, announced a new modification package aimed at 500-series Cessna Citations already fitted out with Sierra's Eagle package of airfoil upgrades. The modification will replace those airplanes' standard-issue Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with Williams FJ44-2 powerplants.
Dubbed the Sierra FJ44 Eagle II modification, Sierra claims that speeds of "over 400 knots" will be attainable, along with a maximum range of more than 2,000 nm, and an initial rate of climb of 4,000 fpm. That's 50 kt faster than that of a JT-15D-powered Eagle, and 300 more miles' worth of range. Final details are pending, but a company official says that the mod is expected to cost about $1.5 million.
For more information, call Sierra at 830/278-4381, or visit the Web site ( www.sijet.com). - Thomas A. Horne
Textron Financial agrees to purchase Green Tree Financial divisions
Textron Financial Corporation, based in Providence, Rhode Island, was to purchase Green Tree Financial Corporation's aircraft and franchise commercial finance divisions. The transaction was to be completed in the third quarter of 1999.
Chuck McGuire, vice president and division manager for TFC's Aerospace Finance Division, said, "As an aviation lending company for almost 40 years, we have financed everything from Bell helicopters to most makes and models of fixed-wing aircraft, including aviation-related machinery and equipment. The addition of Green Tree to the team will result in the combined entity being one of the largest premier lenders in general aviation."
Textron owns Bell Helicopter Textron, Cessna Aircraft Company, Textron Lycoming, and McCauley Propeller Systems. Textron is a $10 billion company with operations in aircraft, automobiles, industry, and finance.
AOPA's General Aviation Calendar for 2000 is now available from Sporty's Pilot Shop. The $10.95 calendar features popular general aviation aircraft from AOPA Pilot's extensive library of photos.
To order, call 800/SPORTYS.
AOPA members in the news
Rick Savage, AOPA 597088, of El Dorado Hills, California, has exceeded 10,000 military flight hours while flying for the U.S. Coast Guard. It is unusual for military pilots to log that many hours. Many of his hours were logged during search-and-rescue missions in Alaska and throughout the Pacific Rim. In 1993, he rescued more than 40 Haitian refugees by dropping life rafts and food from a Lockheed C-130. He has also flown helicopters, plucking sick or injured people from vessels in distress at night and in bad weather.
Tom Gilmore, AOPA 463789, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, was designated a Master CFI by the National Association of Flight Instructors. Gilmore is one of 90 CFIs out of a total of 78,000 to earn the distinction, which recognizes expertise that is above and beyond the standards mandated by the industry and government. Gilmore has been an AOPA member since 1972.
Anthony Turiano, AOPA 786192, of Davie, Florida, a controller at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, was awarded the Controller of the Year Award from the Air Traffic Control Association. Turiano holds ATP, CFI, and A&P certificates.
Tom Farrier, AOPA 1302644, of Alexandria, Virginia, was elected to the U.S. Air Force Safety Hall of Fame for his more than 13 years of investigative and management excellence.
Nina Anderson, AOPA 1359483, has released a video titled Human Factors and Pilot Error, which is available through ATN Publishing at 888/628-8731 or 860/824-5301. The video examines the impact that diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors have in contributing to pilot-error accidents.
Dale Hemman, AOPA 085193, and his wife have established a Web site for their national pilot-training and CFI referral company, called Aviation Trainers and Consultants. Visit the site at www.avtrainers.com.
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