In 1990, Congress adopted sweeping noise legislation that called for the phaseout of Stage 2 airliners by Dec. 31, 1999. The business aviation community strongly objected to any similarly timed phaseout for business jets, because hushkits either weren't available for many models and a number of the aircraft were still too young to put out to pasture. Objectors also argued that aircraft weighing less than 75,000 lb. were inherently quieter than their larger counterparts.
While the FAA refused to provide an executive-level employee for BCA to interview on unmanned aircraft integration, its Public Affairs office invited us to submit questions. Here are the FAA's responses to some of those queries: BCA: Does the FAA have any idea how many UASes, both civil and military, are being operated right now in the NAS? How many COAs has the FAA awarded to operators?
The founders of Marquis Jet have struck a potential $1.4 billion deal with Beechcraft to launch new “private membership” venture, Wheels Up, which will be anchored around a fleet of King Air 350i's. The agreement includes firm orders and maintenance for 35 aircraft, with options for up to 70 more. Deliveries will begin this year with the remaining firm orders to be delivered at a rate of 1-1.5 per month, running through 2015. The options would then continue over the next few years.
LightSquared, Inc., may be going down, but not without a fight. The now bankrupt company had planned to use radio spectrum to create a wireless data network spanning the U.S., and was given a preliminary go-ahead by the federal government to do so. However, the GPS industry strongly objected, arguing that transmissions from the new network would interfere with existing GPS equipment used in aviation and a host of other industries and ultimately succeeded in stopping LightSquared after the latter had invested heavily in the project.
Pilatus has teamed with Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science Co. to produce components and assemble PC-12 and PC-6 Porter single-engine turboprops in Chongqing, China, with China the intended market. The facility opened in August. Pilatus, which has initially committed to supplying 50 aircraft, notes that only civilian aircraft will be assembled at the facility, and the company has no plans to build components or assemble its PC-7 MkII, PC-9M and PC-21 military trainers there.
Yes, a picture can be worth a thousand words, and until recently, an aviator had to create a mental image of destination weather using charts and obscure abbreviations to make the final Go/No-Go decision. However, thanks to the Internet, it is now possible for a flight crew to actually see the current conditions at a wide variety of locations, including mountain passes, highways, runways and even FBO ramps.
Turbine business aircraft are so reliable, passengers are so predict–able and ATC services are so dependable that it's easy to slip into a cozy cocoon within which you're completely isolated from possible weather, mechanical, operational or physiological contingencies. In reality, though, “what if” contingencies pop up with alarming regularity. Some result in fatal consequences.
Transporting disabled passengers carries extra responsibilities and planning. Dealing with an emergency will likely require alternate procedures that should be clearly defined and reviewed before flight by the crew and the passenger (or accompanying assistant, if one is present). In a cabin depressurization, for example, how will the disabled passenger be fitted with an oxygen mask? In the event of a crash that damages the primary exit, how will the passenger be assisted in deplaning? For more on crash survival, see “Get Out! Get Out! (BCA, June 2013, page 26).
During the past decade, Cessna and Honeywell have struggled to grow Sovereign's Primus Epic avionics suite into a mature system. Block point upgrades have been slow in coming and much needed improvements have been released in dribs and drabs. The Phase II package, available as SB680-34-03, improves autopilot performance during approach, removes a CAS warning message when the APU is operated in flight and makes changes to the flight data recorder interface to certain flight control position sensors needed for JAR/EASA certification.
To no one's surprise, Richard Santulli is a major force in aviation once again. Before founding NetJets, the former Goldman Sachs wunderkind had begun RTS Helicopter Services, a leasing operation that grew to become among the largest such organizations in the world. RTS wound down as Santulli turned his focus to NetJets, but after severing relations with the fractional operation in 2009, the following year he founded Milestone Aviation Group.
Jet Aviation and Sao Paulo-based C-Fly Aviation have signed a strategic alliance agreement by which C-Fly will exclusively provide Jet Aviation Flight Services referral on charter and aircraft management in Brazil. C-Fly currently manages 16 aircraft and provides a wide range of consulting services to corporate and individual clients. Jet Aviation manages over 250 aircraft worldwide.
Avantair's future is looking grim. Some creditors of the Piaggio P-180 fractional operator, grounded since June, have filed an involuntary petition for its liquidation. The company had until mid-August to respond. Avantair faces repossession of its 56 aircraft from lessors, Midsouth Services and Clear Aircraft, and lawsuits from fractional owners claiming the company “did not adequately service participants” who suffered because of the operator's failure to identify an elevator problem, maintain a sufficient number of aircraft or pilots.
The National Weather Service has a good “go to” website for access to weather cameras. For my locality it brings up SLC as the regional center (www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc). When I click on the “Weather Cameras” link on the left side of the screen I get an abundance of choices of weather cameras and viewing directions; some are “looped” or animated. (It is useful to watch the trend over the last 30 min.) Also, pilots might find the Weather Underground website useful since it lists an extraordinary number of weather collection stations (www.wunderground.com).
Dear BCA readers, customers and friends: You've probably heard the exciting news that Aviation Week has been purchased by Penton Media, becoming one of Penton's flagship industry brands with a high-quality comprehensive portfolio of B2B Media, Events and Data/Analytics serving the growing global aviation, aerospace and defense marketplace. We join forces with Penton Aviation's top brands in commercial and business aviation, while maintaining our core strength with deep technology expertise across the full breadth of the industry.
August 4 — About 1155 EDT, a Beechcraft A36 (N1831W) was destroyed when it hit trees and terrain near Alma, Ga. VFR conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The Bonanza departed Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (FHB), Fernandina Beach, Fla., around 1115, with the intended destination of Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field (LZU), Lawrenceville, Ga. Witnesses reported hearing a “low flying” airplane and soon after, the sound of impact.
Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announced that is board of directors elected company President Kelly Ortberg to the additional role of CEO. He succeeds Clay Jones who retired as CEO after nearly 34 years with the company. Jones will continue as non-executive chairman.
The General Aviation Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives has topped the 200 member mark, or almost half the 435-seat chamber. The advocacy group is composed of both Republican and Democratic members of Congress and as Craig Fuller, president of the Aircraft and Pilots Association noted, “This level of bipartisan agreement is nearly unheard of in the modern political climate, and it is a true testament to the importance of general aviation.”
The FAA has issued its first type certifications for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The milestone event occurred July 19 when the agency presented restricted category papers under FAR 21.25 for the Insitu ScanEagle and AeroVironment Puma AE. A Boeing subsidiary, Insitu is based in Bingen, Wash. Headquartered in Monrovia, Calif., AeroVironment was founded by the late Dr. Paul MacCready, the father of human-powered flight.
West Coast Aviation Services, Santa Ana, Calif., has selected Anton Pint, formerly an FAA accountable manager, as the new Part 135 director of maintenance for West Coast Charters. Alfredo Garcia, formerly sales manager is the new general manager for West Coast Aircraft Maintenance.
FAA is proposing issuing an Airworthiness Directive requiring repetitive inspections and eventual replacement of cylinders made by Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 aircraft engines. Total cost of compliance could reach $82.6 million. The agency says the proposal, issued Aug. 12, stems from numerous reports of cylinder head-to-barrel separations, and cracked and leaking aluminum heads. ECi, objects, saying premature top overhauls could result in engine failure.
Flexjet is reporting a 96% growth of new fractional and jet card sales when comparing January to June 2013 to the same period in 2012. Fractional shares increased 112% and new jet card sales grew at 68% for the first six months of this year. The company is celebrating its 18th anniversary having taken delivery of over 225 Bombardier aircraft since its inception.
The Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture rapidly is becoming the U.S. national airshow, with a broad-spectrum demographic that includes a large, but low-profile group of turbine aircraft owners and pilots. Stéphane Mayer, Daher-Socata CEO, says 70 TBM700/850 operators were at Oshkosh this year.
