ATM ModernizationSafety in Avionics: Blocked Radio Transmissions Blocked radio transmissions represent a significant safety hazard, and they have contributed to at least two fatal airline accidents. A remedy has been available for years, but it has yet to be…
ATM ModernizationIndustry Scan Airlines Select Avionics Air transport carriers recently selected avionics systems to update their existing aircraft or install in aircraft on order. Here are some examples: Continental Airlines plans to retrofit 208 of…
Business & GAUAVionics in the U.S.: Part I A quick look at unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in operation or development reveals their amazing variety. In wingspan, they range from six inches (15 cm) to 247 feet (75 meters). In flight…
ATM ModernizationAvionics Systems Design: Gratuitous Technology These days, technology seems to race along unfettered by either logic or utility–not to mention quality and support–in a ceaseless quest for "new-ness" and market position. This condition expresses itself in weird…
Business & GAEditor's Note: Pilots Not Needed Pardon this rather seditious inquiry, but on how many missions do we really need pilots? They probably are needed on most missions–for now. But that may change soon. At the flight line…
Business & GAFMS Set for CNS/ATM Universal Avionics Systems Corp. in late June received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its first "Super FMS" flight management system, using the manufacturer’s King Air 350 aircraft. The Tucson, Ariz.-based manufacturer…
ATM ModernizationFeedback Connector Care I just read Capt. Edward R. Hanson Jr.’s Product Focus article on connectors in the July issue (page 45) and would like to offer some observations. I view connectors as…
Business & GAThe Ultimate in Cabin Completions Every field has its "ultimate." In automobiles, Rolls-Royce offers the ultimate in luxury. Mount Everest is the ultimate challenge for mountain climbers. The ultimate in executive air travel would be converted widebodies…
CommercialHow Northwest Saves Millions with its EIDS At Northwest Airlines’ maintenance facilities in Minneapolis, Minn., engine maintenance crews save the airline millions of dollars, thanks to a state-of-the-art engine instrument display system (EIDS). Developed by Spirent Systems Wichita Inc.,…
CommercialACARS on the Net For decades, major U.S. carriers have used the ARINC Inc. Airborne Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), a two-way VHF data link, to exchange operational messages with pilots on the tarmac and…