AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot--Vol. 2, Issue 40

SCHWEIZER 333 RECEIVES TYPE CERTIFICATION
Schweizer Aircraft announced on Wednesday that it has received FAA type certification for its model 333 turbine-powered helicopter. The 333 features a unique rotor system, designed and developed by Schweizer, which is an upgrade to the system found on the 330SP helicopter. The 333 provides more useful load, speed, and hover performance compared to its predecessor. At an hourly operating cost of $133 an hour, the 333 also costs less to operate than the 330SP. The first commercial 333 was delivered to Dick Wales of Waco, Texas. The second delivery will occur later this month. The base price is $595,000. Schweizer is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. For more information, see the Schweizer Web site.

SANDEL TO DEMO IMPROVED TAWS
Sandel Avionics will demonstrate new technology next week that allows terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) to be more compact, lighter, less expensive, easier to use, and faster to install. Sandel will provide the demonstration at the National Business Aviation Association convention in New Orleans. The FAA recently mandated that TAWS systems be installed in most turbine aircraft by 2005. Many commercial operators expressed concern about the cost of the units and aircraft downtime required for TAWS installations. Sandel already claims 90 percent of the market in the general aviation electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS) category with its popular 3-inch ColorMap horizontal situation indicator. More information will be posted to AOPA Online next week.

FAA TO CUT WAITING PERIOD FOR CFI CHECKRIDES
Acting on a recommendation from the General Aviation Coalition, the FAA has promised that first-time flight instructor candidates will be able to schedule a checkride within two weeks of the request. The GA Coalition, chaired by AOPA President Phil Boyer, met with FAA Administrator Jane Garvey in early September about improving the process. "With the increasing shortage of flight instructors, we're pleased that the FAA has reacted so quickly to resolve this problem," said Boyer. "The coalition told Administrator Garvey that some new flight instructors had to wait months to schedule a practical test with an FAA inspector. That was hurting general aviation." For more, see AOPA Online.

BOEING COMPLETES JEPPESEN PURCHASE
Jeppesen Sanderson Inc. and Boeing announced Wednesday the completion of Jeppesen's sale to Boeing. Jeppesen is now part of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group (BCAG) under the leadership of Alan Mulally. Horst Bergmann, Jeppesen's president and CEO, will report to John Hayhurst, vice president and general manager of business development, and former manager of the Boeing 737 product line. Boeing expects to keep the Jeppesen name and all of the company's present business units intact. Jeppesen officials said last week that they expect to retain the Jeppesen name, perhaps tagged with, "A Boeing company." Downplaying the Boeing name is most likely an important step in helping Jeppesen maintain good international customer relations with companies such as Airbus that compete directly with Boeing. For more information, see the Web site.

FAA INTENDS TO INCREASE SAFETY BELT USE
The FAA recently issued a policy statement with the intent of increasing aviation safety by encouraging the installation of shoulder harnesses in aircraft that were not originally equipped with such devices. The statement clarifies that in certain instances shoulder harness installation may be considered, in FAA terminology, a minor change. Minor changes may be signed off in the aircraft logbook by an A&P mechanic who conducts the installation. In such cases, a field approval or supplemental type certificate would not be necessary before returning the aircraft to service. The FAA said that the installation of shoulder harnesses in the front seats of aircraft manufactured before July 19, 1978, and in the rear seats of aircraft manufactured before December 13, 1986–and that do not require drilling or welding–may be considered minor changes. For a copy of the new policy, see AOPA Online.

FAA APPROVES EYESIGHT PROCEDURE FOR PILOTS
The FAA has approved micro-thin prescription inserts called Intacs to correct nearsightedness for pilots. KeraVision Inc., maker of Intacs, said the procedure is approved for all aviation medical classes. Intacs mark the first nonlaser option for correcting nearsightedness or myopia to be approved by the FAA. The product was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year for correcting 1 to 3 diopters of myopia. The maintenance-free plastic inserts can be removed and changed as patients age and their vision changes. For more, see the Web site.

For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.