Avionics training
Sun Flight Publishing Inc. now offers a web site exclusively focused on avionics training for both pilots and technicians, www.SunFlightAvionics.com. The web site gathers avionics training products from the entire industry, allowing comparison-shopping from a single web location.
A pilot or technician can choose books, videos/DVDs, downloadable simulators, cockpit checklists, and computer-based training courses. Offering more than 100 avionics training products at discount prices, the online catalog provides full product descriptions and customer reviews. Free downloads include factory manuals, articles, and publications.
Rotax standardized training
The official factory-authorized information-education-support web site for ROTAX aircraft engines, www.Rotax-Owner.com, now offers global Rotax training and independent ROTAX maintenance technician programs (iRMT). These new factory programs are designed to establish a global standard for Rotax aircraft engine training resulting in a new class of independent ROTAX maintenance technicians to service ROTAX products worldwide. Each technician will receive a specific rating appropriate to the training that is successfully completed i.e.: service, maintenance, heavy maintenance, overhaul, etc. For more information visit www.Rotax-Owner.com.
Dallas Airmotive new turbine center
Dallas Airmotive plans to open a regional turbine center (RTC) in the Pittsburgh, PA, area by the end of January 2008. The RTC will be situated at Washington County Airport (AFJ), about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh International Airport.
The 5,300-square-foot facility will initially provide hot section inspection services for Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A and JT15D engines, fan repairs on JT15D, and power section repair on PT6A. The RTC will also offer field service support for aircraft operating these engine makes as well as the PW300 and PW500. RTC operations will be managed by Jason Chambers, a four-year veteran of Dallas Airmotive.
McKechnie acquires American Turbo
McKechnie Aerospace has acquired American Turbo Systems, the Tucson, AZ-based FAA certified repair station (#GV7R40J) for commercial and military APUs as well as a manufacturer of military ground carts. It will continue to operate as American Turbo Systems, becoming part of McKechnie Aerospace’s subsidiary Hartwell Corp.’s aftermarket support group. Hartwell, a leading latching system and component manufacturer, has been ramping up its traditional and nontraditional commercial aftermarket support activities the last three years.
Maintenance textbook available
Avotek Information Resources (Avotek) announces the publication of “Aircraft Powerplant Maintenance Second Edition.” This book is part of Avotek’s AMT series, consisting of four textbooks that cover the FAA curriculum requirements for A&P training. The volume covers the following topics: reciprocating engines, reciprocating engine systems, turbine engines, turbine engine systems, and propeller systems.
Hundreds of illustrations, color photographs, and charts make this an easy-to-understand learning tool for both the novice and the experienced professional. For more information visit www.avotekbooks.com.
Alliant receives STC for flight deck
Avidyne Corp. and S-TEC Corp. have received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA to retrofit the Alliant Integrated Flight Deck into Cessna Conquest II (441) twin-engine turboprop aircraft. The Alliant Integrated Flight Deck package includes dual-redundant Avidyne EXP5000 10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFDs), Avidyne EX500 multi-function display (MFD), the S-TEC IntelliFlight 2100 digital autopilot, Mid-Continent 2-inch standby instruments, and interfaces to most popular traffic, terrain, lightning, radar, and radar altimeter systems. The Conquest II is the third model that combines Avidyne’s Envision series of retrofit integrated flight deck products and S-TEC’s IntelliFlight 2100 Digital Flight Control System, joining Beechcraft’s King Air 90 and 200-series airplanes.
STC for Lord shimmy damper
LORD Corp.’s proprietary shimmy damper recently achieved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) #SA00609DE for all models of the Hawker Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron. The nose wheel shimmy damper replaces the original equipment shimmy damper on the Bonanza and Baron aircraft. Utilizing LORD Corp.’s patented Surface-Effect technology, the damper — sporting the same form, fit, and function as the original Beech Aircraft damper — provides consistent damping without maintenance or the use of hydraulic fluid. Since the damper contains no fluid, it cannot leak and will last eight to 10 years without service.
The shimmy damper minimizes downtime and reduces maintenance costs leading to cost savings and lower vibration levels.
EASA approval on DART float systems
DART Helicopter Services’ subsidiary Apical Industries Inc. has received EASA approval of its Pop-Out/Emergency Float Systems for Robinson R44, R44 II model helicopters. Transport Canada and FAA approvals were previously received.
The systems provide a lightweight and easy-to-install solution for R44 Raven operators who routinely or even occasionally fly over water, and want the added security of having pop-out floats installed. The Apical system is also suitable for installation on R44 Clipper helicopters. The kits are composed of two fwd. floats and two aft. floats, engineered to be mounted on float or standard skidtubes, and a single composite wrapped inflation reservoir.
Each float is constructed of lightweight urethane-coated nylon fabric and includes inlet check valves and combination manual topping/pressure relief valves.
New people at Duncan Aviation
Duncan Aviation announces several additions to its staff. Alan Monk has been appointed to the Battle Creek Airframe Service Sales Team. Monk’s primary responsibility will be airframe service sales for the Hawker product line, with a secondary focus on Gulfstream service sales. Cary Loubert has been named Bombardier Tech Rep at Duncan’s Battle Creek, MI, facility. In this capacity, Loubert will provide customer technical service support as well as troubleshooting in support of the Learjet and Challenger airframes. Brad Homeyer has accepted the position of Airframe Service Sales Rep.
Homeyer will assist Bombardier operators in planning for maintenance events and provide quotes for these workscopes. His primary emphasis will be on the Challenger aircraft.
Duncan Aviation services include major and minor airframe inspections and maintenance, engine services, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit systems in addition to full paint and interior services and aircraft sales and acquisitions.
Seeking GA Award winners names
Each year, the General Aviation awards program has recognized aviation professionals for their contributions. Ironically, there is no single place where all the names are displayed, and where all national recipients are publicly recognized. Currently, the Experimental Aircraft Association is considering erecting such a display. However, the GA Awards Committee is missing the names of several past national-level recipients. If you have any information that may assist in identifying the National CFIs of the Year for 1968-1971 and 1973-1975, as well as the National AMTs of the Year for 1974 through 1976, contact GA Awards Committee chairperson JoAnn Hill in Colorado at (303) 485-8136 or [email protected]
CD Aviation Services receives Diamond
CD Aviation Services of Missouri, Inc. (CDAS) has been awarded the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Diamond Certificate of Excellence in recognition of participation in and dedication to continuing aviation maintenance training. One hundred percent of eligible CDAS employees participated in the AMT Awards Program in 2007 and each were presented with individual awards including five Phase IV Ruby awards for Don Carr, Darren Thoreson, Ed Martinez, Bill Dorgan, and Mark Ballinger, and one Phase I Bronze award for Rick Gibbs.
