Among the initiatives are repainting and doubling the size of runway hold-short lines and outlining them in black to improve contrast. Also on the list is improved pilot testing and evaluation, with more questions on surface operations added to FAA knowledge tests. All check flights (checkrides, flight reviews, etc.) will include evaluations of pilot knowledge of airport signs, lighting, and markings.
Other initiatives include a new advisory circular on airport surface operations, a review of pilot/controller communications phraseology, teamwork and memory-enhancement training for tower controllers, and more education for foreign pilots.
Jeppesen, NASA At Work On Synthetic Vision
Jeppesen and NASA are working under a new three-year agreement to develop synthetic vision databases for NASA research programs.
The intent of the synthetic vision initiatives is to reduce aviation accidents caused by hazardous weather and terrain, spatial disorientation, and other similar causes by giving the pilot better situational information in the cockpit. The system will include a multifunction display, navigation sensors, and databases for terrain and airspace.
Eventually, Jeppesen hopes to be able to display a three dimensional picture of the aircraft flight path relative to terrain, weather, obstacles, and other traffic.
Goldin Defends NASA Role In Aviation
NASA Ad-ministrator Dan Goldin celebrated advances in general aviation during his visit to EAA Air Venture 2000 in late July.
Many of the glass cockpits on display at the air show, especially those in Lancair aircraft, benefited from NASA research efforts, Goldin said. He added that Congress chopped funding for the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) because there was an attack on all new projects. He is hopeful that the funding can be restored and said many in Congress do not understand NASA's role versus that of the FAA.
"The FAA doesn't have the capacity to invent," Goldin said. The SATS program would reduce air traffic congestion by bringing largely automated small aircraft to smaller communities.
Teledyne Continental said that its new diesel aircraft engine, developed with NASA funding, is expected to fly soon. The French company, SMA, has completed the Snecma-Renault SR305 diesel engine and flew it on July 16 in a Cessna 182 operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The first engines will be sold next year to a small number of customers for field testing.
Another diesel engine by Delta Hawk could be delivered for nonaeronautical uses by the end of the year. The engines will eventually be used in aviation but are also expected to be utilized in drilling, hovercraft, compressors, and other applications. The 200-hp engine will cost $19,000.
Alton K. Marsh
Sky West, College To Name Flight Training Centers
Sky West Airlines and Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, have formed a partnership to designate 100 flight schools around the country as Sky West Pilot Career Centers.
Students may take all courses for the college's four-year degree over the Internet and train at the nearest pilot center. The school already has named 26 "mom and pop" FBOs as Sky West training centers, said Aviation Science Department official Marc R. Williams.
To enter the program, students must first pass aptitude and psychological tests. As their training progresses, a resume is kept on the Internet and is updated. When the college degree is completed, the student has the opportunity to become a Sky West pilot. Flight schools that plan to participate must have 1990-model aircraft or newer, or must be able to upgrade their fleet of trainer aircraft within a year. They are then eligible for special insurance rates from USAIG.
Flight schools interested in joining the program should contact Marc R. Williams, 800 West University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058; telephone 801/368-6335 or 801/764-7781; or e-mail ( [email protected] ).
A. K. Marsh
FAA To Provide Datalink Weather
For the first time, general aviation aircraft will be able to get cockpit displays of digital weather graphics and text through a service sponsored by the FAA.
The agency's Flight Information Service Data Link (FISDL) became operational in late July. FISDL will provide basic text weather information directly to general aviation pilots. While pilots will have to purchase special avionics to use the system, there will be no charge for the service itself. Graphical products, such as Nexrad maps, and other text products, such as special-use airspace and notices to airmen, will be available through a subscription service.
The FISDL service will provide nationwide coverage. FISDL is a government-industry partnership with Arnav Systems and Honeywell International, both of which will act as service providers for the FAA's information. Under five-year agreements signed in 1999, both Arnav and Honeywell Bendix/ King will receive two nationwide datalink frequencies for the broadcast of basic aviation weather reports as well as additional information they provide by subscription.
The Arnav system is available now, while the Honeywell Bendix/King system is scheduled to come online sometime in the fall.
A .K Marsh
Jeppesen Launches New Training Program
Jeppesen has launched a new training program for professionals interested in flight planning and maintenance systems. The classes are part of the new Jeppesen Academy. The classes are designed to teach customers how to quickly begin using Jeppesen's flight information products and services. The monthly classes last from one to five days each and take place at Jeppesen's facilities in Denver and London. Details are available on the company's Web site ( www.jeppesen.com ).
Maule Produces Airplanes For CAP
Maule Air of Moultrie, Georgia, has begun production on an order for 15 glider-tow and multiuse MT-7-235 nosewheel aircraft for the Civil Air Patrol. Deliveries are to begin this year. Overall, Maule is having a good year with backorders for 100 aircraft. The company hopes to deliver 80 of the aircraft this year. In other news, Maule has developed a new Web site ( www.mauleairinc.com ).
A. K. Marsh
BF Goodrich To Offer Integrated Instrument System
BFGoodrich is developing a self-contained primary instrument system that integrates all flight avionics and display equipment for general aviation and business aircraft.
The SmartDeck system includes flight, navigation, weather, lightning detection, traffic and terrain avoidance, and engine monitoring functions. It will replace stand-alone instruments now purchased separately. A working prototype uses a highway-in-the-sky display in which navigation is accomplished by flying through a series of boxes on the screen. Small towers indicate airports, shadowed areas indicate controlled airspace near airports, and intersections are depicted by triangles.
Full development should require another two years. Company officials said that they have no price estimates, but one official said it would cost little more than comparable systems found in Cessna 182s. The flexible architecture will allow information to be presented in a conventional display or with synthetic vision using highway-in-the-sky overlay depictions. The SmartDeck is designed to fulfill aviation's "free flight" vision, making instrument flying more intuitive.
Caravan Of Women Lands In Oshkosh
In an effort to promote women in aviation, a first-ever caravan of women pilots flew to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2000 in late July.
Realizing that only about 6 percent of pilots are women, the "Women with Wings to Oshkosh" caravan sought to improve the numbers by raising awareness. Judy Dixon and Kathie Richey, both Piper Pacer pilots from Oregon, started the movement after discovering that women have too few role models in aviation.
Fifteen airplanes participated in the caravan, and the pilots ranged from CFIs to students. The group plans to do it again next year. Pictured are, from left to right, Richey, flight leader Abbie Friddell, Dixon, and Mary Corrington. For more information, see the Web site ( www.ccountry.net/~chicks ).
School News
UAA Launches Web Service For Job-Seekers
In an effort to connect aviation college graduates to companies that are looking for qualified employees, the University Aviation Association has launched a new Web site service.
The service lists job openings at no charge to UAA corporate members but there is a small subscription fee for other aviation companies. Students and faculty members of the 120 UAA member schools can access the information and contact the companies through the UAA Web site (http://uaa.auburn.edu).
UAA member schools offer degree programs in the following areas: professional pilot, aviation maintenance management, avionics/electronics management, computer sci- ence, and aviation studies.
Along the same lines, UAA's annual fall conference will take place on October 25 through 28 in Mesa, Arizona. The theme is "Aviation's Future Begins with Today's College Students." There will be sessions on attracting women to aviation, internship opportunities, and maintaining motivation in aviation. For more information, contact Charlotte DeWeese at 334/844-2434 or e-mail ( [email protected] ).
Winners Announced In Aviation Design Contest
Recognizing college teams for innovative designs in aviation, the FAA and NASA announced the winners of the 1999-2000 National General Aviation Design Competition.
Now in its sixth year, the competition calls for individuals and teams from engineering schools to help rebuild the general aviation sector.
The first-place award went to a 28-student team from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and its collaborating partner, Loughborough University in England. The Virginia Tech team developed the Pegasus, an aerial car that could be used for air and ground travel. The team members won $3,000 while another $5,000 went to the school.
Second-place honors went to a seven-student team from Purdue University. The team developed the Silairus 490, a six-passenger, piston engine aircraft with amphibious cap-abilities. Besides the $2,000 prize, team members also took home another $3,000 award. The team won the "Best Use of Air Force-Developed Technology Award" for incorporating an air cushion landing system into its design.
A 10-member team from Pennsylvania State University took third place for designing the Alnighter, a single-engine composite airplane. The team shared a $1,000 prize. Penn State has had the distinction of placing each year in the competition.
And the "Best Retrofit Design Award" went to a four-student team from the University of Oklahoma. The team developed a multimode tuned exhaust system that reduces noise and improves performance. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation sponsored the $500 award.
Guidelines will soon be available for next year's competition. For more information, call 757/865-0726 or e-mail ( [email protected] ).
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