AMSAFE Virgin Protection
AMSAFE Aviation (Booth 4673) has signed up the first major airline for its passenger seatbelt airbag system, the AMSAFE Aviation Inflatable Restraint. Virgin Atlantic has adopted the second-generation AAIR 1.5 design for its Airbus A340-600s, which entered revenue service in August. Virgin has installed 18 AAIRs on selected seats aboard its A340s. The AMSAFE system is the only seatbelt airbag certified for use on commercial aircraft.

Iridium & AIRSAT to Mesh
Honeywell is adopting the Iridium satellite phone service to work with Honeywell's own AIRSAT satellite communication system. An AIU-100 Aircraft Integration Unit, that converts Iridium's digital voice signal to standard analog audio, allows for multiple handsets or headsets to be fitted (including hands-free wireless equipment). A connection can be provided to users in the main passenger cabin and on the flight deck via Honeywell's AIRSAT telephone dialer unit, the TDU-100.

Primus Epic for Your PC
Honeywell and Aerosim (Booth 3131) say they'll jointly develop new PC-based training software for the Primus Epic avionics suite. The system permits flight crews to practice Primus Epic procedures on a PC, rather than more expensive full-flight simulators. Fea- tures and functionality of the software are expected to mirror what flight crews experience in flight. Honeywell vp Adrian Paull lauds the authenticity of the planned software: "hese new training tools will deliver unprecedented fidelity in flight simulation," he said.

Embry-Riddle for the USAF
The U.S. Air Force has tapped Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Booth 3677) to provide 50 hours of introductory flight training to future USAF student pilots, with the goal of their obtaining FAA private pilot licenses. The $14.5 million flight indoctrination program will be conducted at the USAF Academy airport near Colorado Springs, Colo.

New DeCrane Seating Seat
The Wisconsin-based DeCrane Aircraft Seating has opened a dedicated design office to focus on the firm's new 16g products and improvements to existing models. The new facility, located at DeCrane's Peshtigo base, will be a home for future aircraft seat design, planning and styling away from the day-to-day disruption of manufacturing pressures, the company says.

Avionics for Eagle Citations
Garrett Aviation (Booth 633) has unveiled an RVSM option on the reengined Citation FJ44 Eagle II it's offering in collaboration with Sierra Industries (Booth 4943). The RVSM package adds new digital avionics and display units to the existing systems, via an analog-digital interface. Sierra and Garrett are offering the Sierra-developed Eagle wing modification and the Williams FJ44-2A engine for Citation 500/501SP aircraft.

Nordam Tech Pubs On Line
Nordam's nacelle/thrust reverser has an Internet-based technical publication ordering system, the NorTech Technical Information Service. NorTech allows customers to review the company's publications list, categorized by OEM and aircraft model, and order required documents on line. The NorTech service also has secure, password-protected area to allow authorized users to access all the documentation that deals with Nordam's nacelle and thrust reverser systems. The NorTech site is being demonstrated at Booth 5873.

Sino Swearingen de Mexico
Sino Swearingen (Booth 2384) has named Sino Swearingen de Mexico as its authorized SJ30-2 sales and service representative for Mexico. The new company has ordered two SJ30-2 jets, for delivery in 2005 and 2006. Sino Swearingen de Mexico is an affiliate of the SAE/OAG Group, a leading supplier of aviation services, based in Toluca.

Satcom, Schmatcom - HF
Honeywell has introduced an all-new high-frequency long-range radio, the HF-1050. The new radio, to be available in the first quarter of next year, can be upgraded to match current and future datalink standards and is claimed to weigh 20% less than competing products. It includes a 350-channel, non-volatile memory.

Sparaco Gets Lyman Honor
Pierre Sparaco, European Bureau Chief for Show News sister publication Aviation Week & Space Technology, has been named 2002 recipient of the prestigious Lauren "Deac" Lyman Award. Presented by the Society of Aerospace Communicators and the Aerospace Industries Association, the award recognizes Sparaco for "notable contributions in aerospace communications" over a career than spans 40 years. In addition to his work at Aviation Week, Sparaco has written eight books and previously wrote for Air Revue and Aviation Magazine.

Air U Expands in Orlando
Embry-Riddle is opening a new classroom site at Lockheed Martin's Commercial Flight Training Center near Orlando International Airport, expanding the facility inaugurated in 1998. Simplifying university attendance for Osceola and Southwest Orange County, the class will open with Human Factors in Aviation Safety-a credit towards an Aviation Safety Certificate. Recently highlighted safety issues are expected to stimulate demand, says director Kim Nelson. Degree and masters' courses are also available.

TAC Buys Krystal Aviation
TAC Air, Texarkana-based owner of nine FBO facilities throughout the U.S., has agreed to buy Krystal Aviation. While Krystal intends to concentrate on its restaurant business, TAC Air plans to incorporate Krystal Aviation's Chattanooga facility into its own operation. The former Krystal Aviation FBO includes eight hangars with 120,000 square feet of space, as well as 44,000 square feet of office space, and two fuel storage sites.

Inside the PW600 Engine
Attendees wanting a closer look at some of the inner workings of Pratt & Whitney Canada's new PW600 family of engines engine should visit Booth 626 on the convention floor. On display is a model of the complete control system for the PW600 engine, which exhibitor Woodward Governor is developing in conjunction with Hispano-Suiza, Auxitrol and Sofrance. Rockford, Ill.-based Woodward has developed prototypes of the system, which is now undergoing preliminary testing.

Nordam Servicing Embraers
Nordam Europe Ltd. has been named an authorized service center for Embraer Aviation International. NEL is now cleared to work on selected airframe structural components, including flight control surfaces and engine nacelles, in an agreement that was reached in June 2002 and disclosed this month. The British NEL operation, based in Cardiff, Wales, can now offer AOG support and customer service to Embraer 24 hours day, seven days a week.

Less of World Now TV-Free
Honeywell has received certification for its AIS-2000 multi-regional satellite television receiver, making the company's OneView satellite TV service available outside the U.S. The AIS-2000 is compatible with direct broadcast standards used in most of Canada and Europe, and can be expanded with later development to operate with other satellite systems in service worldwide.

LHT Majors in Big Bizjets
Lufthansa Technik is restructuring at Hamburg to meet the needs of corporate jet aviation. Handling aircraft from Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ upwards, the company reports that more than half of its annual 85 maintenance events are ordered by VIP customers. Of 40 aircraft now being serviced by Lufthansa Technik, more then 30 are owned by governments, including Mideast states and Germany.

Nordam Builds for Falcon 7X
Dassault has selected Nordam to design, manufacture and support the center engine s-duct and air inlet for the new Falcon 7X business jet. Nordam parts will be integrated into the Falcon 7X's rear fuselage, by Latecoere. Production of the first s-duct and air inlet is expected to begin in Tulsa in 2003. "Our Latecoere program will accelerate opportunities to extend our product lines and capabilities," said Nordam vp Tom Villani.

Stay Awake with AMP
Alertness Solutions (Booth 605) has launched AvAlert, a computer-based training package to help corporate aircraft operators deal with fatigue and improve alertness. The AvAlert CD-ROM includes training tools and multi-media presentations to allow a flight department to develop an Alertness Management Program (AMP) tailored to its needs. Alertness Solutions president and chief scientist Mark Rosekind conducted a 1997 NASA study of fatigue hazards in corporate operations showing that three-quarters of respondents reported having "nodded off" in flight.

Gulfstream Selects FlightViz
SimAuthor's data visualization software has been chosen by Gulfstream to enhance its flight test, maintenance and safety programs. Helping the company's technical and non-technical personnel to visualize and understand dynamic events, the Windows-based system creates a fully interactive, animated picture of actual flight or simulator data in three dimensions, along with actual runways, surrounding terrain and navigational aids, all synchronized with other displays.

Avoid Those Pesky CFITs!
ElectronicFlight Solutions (Booth 1228) has added a new module to its CompleteLearning line of computer-based aviation training products, dedicated to the use of Honeywell's enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS). The terrain-awareness module addresses the low-cost Bendix/King KGP650 EGPWS and its use with common display systems from Honeywell and Avidyne. GPWS inventor Don Bateman, chief engineer with Honeywell's flight safety systems unit, said he's "very impressed" with the training package.

Safe Flight's N1 Milestones
Safe Flight Instrument (Booth 1053) says interest remains high in both its N1 Computer and AutoPower System for Bombardier Challenger 604s. The White Plains, N.Y.-based company recently delivered the 400th N1 for installation on a CitationJet II. The N1 helps reduce engine repair costs and extend engine life with accurate displays of N1 thrust settings for takeoff, climb, cruise and go-around. Other N1-capable aircraft include the entire Cessna CJ line as well as the Bravo, Citation V, Ultra, Encore, Excel, Beechjet 400A, and Falcon 20 and 50. Orders for AutoPower now total 120.

Westwind I RVSM Program
Garrett Aviation Services (Booth 633) is planning to offer a RVSM compliance program for Westwind series aircraft. The new program is the latest in a series of RVSM modifications designed by Garrett for such older business jets as the Gulfstream II, II-B, Citation 500 series, Falcon 10/100, Falcon 20 and Falcon 50. The Westwind package employs Innovative Solutions & Support avionics-including two Air Data Display/Altimeters, an air data sensor and a two-inch standby altimeter. Garrett has not yet finalized the test flying schedule for the Westwind program.

Pentastar's Rolls-Royce Nod
Pentastar Aviation has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce Canada Ltd. for maintenance and overhaul services, and in-field support for Rolls-Royce Spey, Tay and BR710 jet engines. Work will be undertaken at Pentastar's Oakland County International Airport facility in Waterford, Mich. The agreement continues a 10-year working relationship already established at Waterford by Chrysler Pentastar, later DaimlerChrysler Aviation. Last year the business was bought by Edsel B. Ford II and its Pentastar name was reinstated.

BCA for SJ30-2 in France
Business and Commuter Aircraft (BCA) has been named an authorized SJ30-2 agent in France and more than two dozen French-speaking countries in the Middle East and Africa. Based at Lyon-Bron Airport, BCA specializes in aircraft sales and maintenance, principally on Beechcraft turboprops, Cessna Citations and piston aircraft. BCA is to acquire as many as five SJ-30s, with the first scheduled for delivery in 2005 and subsequent deliveries through 2006.

Training Software Launched
ElectronicFlight Solutions (Booth 1228) is unveiling a new suite of interactive training software for corporate pilots and flight departments. The CompleteLearning Avionics/Cockpit Automation Training Library includes modules on autopilot, GPS navigation, traffic, terrain and weather awareness technologies from such manufacturers as Honeywell, Garmin, Collins and Goodrich. Study can be either instructor-led or self-paced using stand-alone PCs or company intranets. Demonstrations are available at Booth 1228 on the convention floor.

A Drop of the Real Stuff
Passengers on Bombardier's latest Global 5000 will have Goodrich to thank for their cool, clear drinking water on board the new jets. Bombardier hopes to build 200 Global 500s over the next 10 years; all of them will carry a potable water system from Goodrich-which also supplies similar equipment for Bombardier's CRJ 700 and CRJ 900 regional jets.

U.S. Gov't Promotes Trade
The U.S. Department of Commerce has developed an online newsletter to inform U.S. aerospace and defense firms of foreign trade opportunities. Updated on a monthly basis, the new Aerospace & Defense e-Market Express Bulletin furnishes market research, trade leads and a listing of worldwide trade opportunities. Information is available online at www.oceac.com/buyusa/ame/index.htm

'Hip' New Threads for TSA
The Transportation Security Administration is planning to garb its personnel in spiffy new uniforms. The agency has issued an RFI to help it with "an acquisition strategy" for new uniforms to go into service in October 2003. TSA wants a design "that communicates TSA's positioning of secure modes of transportation without inconvenience." The new screener outfits should "evoke a style that is crisp, garners respect, and motivates pride to work for TSA. It should be distinctive, professional and hip, yet grounded in a traditional style."

MxManager Gets 2nd Update
Conklin & de Decker (Booth 3719) released the second upgrade of its MxManager maintenance management software program, which incorporates dozens of changes suggested by customers, on August 22. The software helps maintenance managers track work progress, purchasing, inventory, and work orders, and analyze costs.

Boost for Collins Services
Rockwell Collins (Booth 3275) reports 30% growth in its Collins Avionics Service Program over the past year. CASP is a full by-the-hour program that covers maintenance, repairs and reliability upgrades. The operator gets a single invoice based on forecast operating hours, and discounts are available for heavy users.

Flexible-Cost Price Software
Conklin & de Decker (Booth 3719) now offers an updated, lower-cost version of its Microsoft Excel-based Life Cycle Cost analysis software, which includes individually selectable models for specific aircraft. Price for one aircraft model is $200, with data for each additional model costing from $100 up to the maximum program price of $695.

New Clay Lacy FBO at KBFI
Aviation Partners (Static 35) and Clay Lacy (Booth 1463) are teaming up to open a new FBO at Seattle's Boeing-King Field in the facility formerly owned by Flight Center, capitalizing on Lacy's 35 years of experience at Van Nuys. The full-service FBO will have 70,000 square feet of hangar space.

Artex Shows a New Dongle
Artex Aircraft Supplies' new model DGL1 dongle enables 24-bit address (long message protocol) to be programmed into a compatible emergency locator transmitter. It comes attached to an ELT top cover that remains in the aircraft and re-programs a new ELT when it's attached in the host aircraft, allowing operators to conveniently transfer ELTs between aircraft. Visit Artex at Booth 3613 here.

ATP Says Read All About It
Aircraft Technical Publishers (Booth 5278) is promoting a new international regulatory library that enables easy access to all required aviation maintenance regulations from the FAA, ICAO and JAA. Nearly 13,000 document pages of JARs, regulation from the ICAO, and U.S. Aviation Regulatory information are included. The library is available on DVD and CD-ROM for an annual subscription of $1,895 (domestic) or $2,275 (international).