Avquotes.com recently added RVSM modifications to its online aviation maintenance and refurbishment quote system. The Greer, S.C. company said it currently has 13 service providers on its list with capabilities to perform RVSM modifications on 44 aircraft models. Domestic RVSM airspace is scheduled to go into effect in the U.S. and Canada next January 20. Avquotes said users should allow a minimum more

Mid-Canada Mod Center has obtained an STC for a complete cockpit upgrade of a Challenger 601-1A with gear from Universal Avionics. The Mississauga, Ontario avionics shop installed four Universal EFI-640 flat-panel flight displays, an MFD-640 multifunction display and terrain awareness and warning system, along with a UNS-1F FMS and handheld Universal Cockpit Display (UCD). The UCD in the Challenge more

Just about everything written so far about domestic RVSM seems to be focused on ways operators can comply with the upcoming requirements by next year’s January 20 deadline. But what about business aircraft operators who have no intention–at least not right away–of spending the thousands of dollars for equipment upgrades, Service Bulletins, aircraft skin mapping and DRVSM flight checks? If op more

Although the FAA warned business jet operators that there was no way it could extend a January 1 deadline for installation of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), the agency apparently did not make an effort to enforce the rule after hundreds failed to comply on time.
An FAA spokesman confirmed to AIN that although the agency was aware that around 600 business jets were not upgraded with more

If asked today for their views about automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), many pilots might respond that it was developed to meet the unique needs of single-engine commercial operators in remote areas such as Alaska, where only minimal ATC services were available. Alternatively, it was aimed at helping freighter pilots best position themselves in inbound traffic streams during “ru more

Sometimes the simplest ideas turn out to be the best ones. After initially targeting the Bendix/King KMD 250 multifunction display to owners of piston singles, Honeywell now believes the unit will turn out to be a popular addition in the cockpits of many turboprops and business jets. Operators have been installing the MFD as a backup to higher-end equipment, according to Honeywell, with the attrac more

Close to 100 Falcon 900s are the subject of an Airworthiness Directive requiring revisions to the “abnormal procedures” section of the airplane flight manual and an update of EFIS symbol generators.
The changes to the AFM, which are required to be completed this month, advise the crew to avoid the use of certain EFIS display modes on approach. The FAA said it developed the AD (2004-05-1 more

Canada’s largest aerospace company has apparently given up playing coy about its reliance on government support to compete in the large RJ arena. While calling for the federal government in Ottawa to help pay for the development of a new family of 100- to 125-seat jets, Bombardier president and CEO Paul Tellier threatened to build the airplane at the company’s Short Brothers division in Belfas more

United Airlines availed itself of more options to its imperiled code-share partnership with Atlantic Coast Airlines last month, when it recruited Indianapolis-based Chautauqua and Republic Airlines and Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Shuttle America to fly as United Express out of Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare Airports. Under the deal, Republic–established early last year as a non-union “alter more

Andre Dosé resigned his post as CEO of Swiss International Airlines last month amid a continuing investigation into the Nov. 21, 2001 crash of a Crossair Avro RJ100 near Basseldorf, Switzerland. Swiss chairman Pieter Bouw has replaced Dosé as CEO. Dosé left the company as Switzerland’s Bureau of Air Accident Investigation (BFU) prepared to launch a probe into accusations that negligence on more