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February 2001
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New Terrain Awareness Warning System for Gulfstream G-III aircrafts
Oakland, Calif, Feb. 9, 2001--The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has authorized KaiserAir, Inc., a full-service aviation management company and fixed-base operator at Oakland International Airport, to install the Universal Technical Standard Ordered Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) in all Gulfstream G-III aircraft.
KaiserAir is one of the few maintenance centers in the nation to have earned the supplemental-type certificate from the FAA to install the new state-of-the-art safety system, which will be required in all chartered turbine-powered aircraft by 2005 under new FAA rule FAR135.154. KaiserAir also is in the process of submitting an application to be allowed to install the system in Gulfstream G-IV aircraft.
TAWS is designed to provide pilots with increased situational awareness in any weather conditions day or night by giving them detailed visual renderings of their locations in relation to mountains and other terrain that may be a danger to their aircraft.
The system uses a computer connected to various technical components inside the aircraft, including global positioning systems and flight path intent information, and cross-references that information with a database of worldwide terrain maps in order to create the visual images. It includes warning devices designed to alert pilots if they fly too close to potential terrain-based aviation hazards.
The Terrain Awareness and Warning System eventually will replace the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPS) currently used on most aircraft.
"This system essentially becomes the pilot's eyes, especially in inclement conditions," said Andrew Fitzgerald, KaiserAir's vice president of maintenance. "GPS doesn't give pilots the depth of warning and presentation that TAWS does. TAWS will reduce the possibility of accidents associated with controlled flight into terrain and so will be safer."
The TAWS system was certified by the FAA toward the end of 2000. KaiserAir this week received notification that its rigorous application for TAWS installations in Gulfstream G-IIIs was approved, said Sandy Waters, Vice President of KaiserAir.
KaiserAir specializes in the operation and maintenance of Gulfstream, Hawker, Cessna Citation and other business jet aircraft. Thirty-three of Fortune Magazine's Top 50 corporations make KaiserAir's Executive Terminal their home when they conduct business in the San Francisco area.
Web site www.kaiserair.com
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