Safe Flight Instrument Corp.'s Autopower automatic throttle system has been selected by Nextant for the 400XTi program. It will be a first in class, full-regime Automatic Throttle System and will provide IAS/Mach speed control from takeoff to landing phases of flight. The system provides increased safety by decreasing pilot workload allowing greater situational awareness. Stabilized speed target allows more consistent approaches. AutoPower increases range with studies showing a fuel savings average of 3%, according Safe Flight. Safe Flight Instrument Corp.
Dallas Airmotive's F1RST Support global field service team has completed its first removal of a Rolls-Royce BR710 engine. The work was completed the Bombardier Service Center in Dallas. The company recently signed a service agreement with Rolls-Royce to provide Mobile Repair Support services for the BR710 family of engines. The MRS agreement with Rolls-Royce CorporateCare provides Dallas Airmotive approval to support Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft that are on the program, as well as operators who are not.
The FAA is formally soliciting industry to provide it with samples of unleaded fuels for testing as possible replacements to the 100LL avgas. The agency wants to assess the viability of candidate fuels in terms of impact upon the existing piston-engine fleet, production and distribution infrastructure, environment and toxicology, and economic considerations.
Sherwin-William Aerospace Coatings introduced a new Chrome Hazard Free Epoxy Primer (CM0483790) that is a high-performance, two-component, corrosion inhibitive epoxy primer. It provides outstanding sandability and provides Skydrol resistance in addition to excellent adhesion to treated substrates. This is one of the most flexible of chrome hazard free primers introduced by the company. Submittted for AMS 3095 certification, the new primer meets all VOC regulations that require a 2.9 lb./gal. (350g/L) VOC primer in aircraft maintenance painting settings.
FlightSafety International and Gulfstream have expanded the Total Technical Training Program to include comprehensive aircraft Cabin Systems courses. The program is designed to improve troubleshooting skills and increase the operational knowledge of those who support and maintain Gulfstream aircraft. The Gulfstream G650 Cabin Systems and G450 and G550 Elite Cabin Systems courses are available at FlightSafety's Savannah Learning Center.
Sierra Industries has released their 2013-2014 catalog of products and services. It is organized by aircraft model and product category, including detailed information on aircraft performance, costs of operation and comparative information for a variety of competitive business aircraft. Expanded services include flat-rate inspection pages for aircraft ranging from the Citation CJ2/CJ3 through Beechcraft's King Air and Hawker 400/800 models.
Embraer Executive Jets, Melbourne, Fla., named Brenda K. Paauwe-Navori to the position of regional sale director responsible for the Western regional sales for its Large and Ultra-large Division.
According to a research report on Textron Inc. and issued in June by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Cessna Aircraft's backlog decreased 40% from a year earlier and Bell Helicopter's had fallen by 1%. Bell now comprises 65% of the conglomerate's total backlog while Cessna accounts for just 9%. Despite that, the researchers said, “The outlook for the business jet industry is positive, as fundamentals continue to stabilize, and 2013 may be an inflection point for Cessna.”
May 31 — About 1310 EDT, a Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., DA20-C1 (N176MA) was heavily damaged when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, N.J. The flight instructor was fatally injured and a passenger was seriously injured. It was VFR for the introductory instruction flight. The airplane was owned and operated by Best-in-Flight, a flight school based at LDJ. The airplane was “topped-off” with fuel the night before and was flown without incident for 2.6 hr. prior to the accident.
Eurocopter reports its X3 hybrid demonstrator reached a speed of 255 kt. (472 km/hr) in level flight on June 7, thus claiming an unofficial speed record for a helicopter. The speed mark was achieved at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. during a 40-minute flight over southern France near the Istres flight test center. The X3 configuration utilizes a pair of RTM 322 turboshaft FADEC-equipped engines to power a five-blade main rotor system with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.
Honeywell is partnering with Dubai-based Jetex to expand the global reach of its flight support services. Jetex will resell from Honeywell's Global Data Center Flight Support Services to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Jetex will provide international trip planning across multiple regions and after-trip concierge service to Honeywell customers. The agreement will enable end-to-end international flight services for operators globally. The joint services are expected to be available in the fourth quarter.
David C. Hook, Publisher (General Aviation Security Magazine San Antonio, Tex. )
After finishing the May 2013 BCA Purchase Planning Handbook, I wanted you to know that this particular edition is the one that stays in my library. New aircraft prices and capabilities are always useful bits of information to keep on hand. I enjoyed “Viewpoint,” as always, and wanted to let you know that you and your bullpen of excellent writers put out a top-notch magazine. I assure you that you are being read! Cheers from the Alamo.
Beechcraft Corp., in the throes of divesting the Premier and Hawker 4000 programs, insists that the Hawker 400 and 800 programs are not for sale. “There's some perception in the marketplace that we're not in the Hawker business,” Brian Howell, vice president sales and business development, Global Customer Support, acknowledged recently. “That perception couldn't be more false.” The company has built up a parts inventory and service network to support a fleet that includes nearly 2,000 “classic” Model 125 Hawkers and another 400 Beechjet/Hawker 400s.
Projet Aviation, Leesburg, Va., was awarded the Small Business “Ambassador” Award. The award celebrates a business or organization that promotes a positive image of Leesburg as a business location and tourist destination. Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was named a 2013 Gold Edison award winner in the Safety category for its synthetic vision on a head-up display, The product is currently incorporated in the company's Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system.
No one knows its true origins, but ever since aviation's early days there has been an artificial divide between maintenance technicians and pilots. Perhaps it's rooted in the mili–tary, where pilots were mostly officers and mechanics were enlisted men. Maybe it has to do with pilots putting life and limb at risk while the maintainers remain safely on the ground.
Gore Design Completions delivered an ACJ340-500 for a head-of-state client in mid-April. The interior includes a stateroom suite, six lavatories (two with a shower), a conference room with seating for nine, two VIP seating areas, staff seating and a medical room at the aft of the aircraft. This ACJ340 is the second delivery of 2013 for the San Antonio, Texas, facility, following a delivery of a BBJ3 in January.
During a Little Rock rally at Dassault Falcon Jet's complex, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe noted that some politicians in Washington had been “less than kind to the private aviation industry” in recent years even though it was auto executives who had traveled to the Capitol in business jets in search of federal bailouts that had spurred the finger pointing. “Instead of being mad at the auto industry,” Beebe said, “they got mad at the aviation industry that hadn't done a thing wrong.”
The long running and contentious contest over a (relatively) small Pentagon contract for a light attack aircraft for Afghanistan's Air Force has ended another round, with Beechcraft the loser. Again. Vying for the contract, potentially worth slightly less than $1 billion, is the Embraer Super Tucano and the Beechcraft AT-6, both single engine turboprops. The U.S. Air Force, which is overseeing the competition, initially chose the Embraer. However, a Beechcraft protest forced a second competition in which the Embraer was selected for a second time.
Aviation partners Inc., Blended winglets are now flying on more than 230 Dassault Falcons. The high-Mach winglets were first certified on the Falcon 2000 in May 2009, and are now FAA-approved for all Falcon 50, 900 and 2000 series aircraft. EASA STC approval of the winglets for the Falcon 50 is expected soon.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association continues to expand its commercial service offerings, this time in the financing arena, which has been a significant drag on growth in some market niches. The association hopes to provide its members greater access to financing for both new purchases and upgrades through its newly launched brokerage: AOPA Aviation Finance Company (AAF). AOPA has offered financial services to members for some time, but the new brokerage company will work with a range of lenders to provide a broader range of financing options.
Since the human brain is approximately 75% water, when the body becomes dehydrated, headaches, lightheadedness and fatigue are common symptoms. Dehydration results in increased tracking errors, slowed decision making, and decreased short-term memory.
FlightSafety International is expanding its Teterboro Falcon Jet Learning Center by 50%. Once construction is completed, the facility will accommodate up to eight full- flight simulators, plus emergency training accommodation that will include a pool and other specialized equipment. It will also feature advanced technology classrooms, aircraft cabin training facilities, and enhanced office areas. Construction is expected to be completed early in 2014.
Enstrom Helicopter Corp. is doubling the size of its facility in Menominee, Mich. The helicopter manufacturer last month held a groundbreaking for the project, which will add 77,000 sq. ft. to the current 85,000-sq.-ft. facility. The expansion will enable the installation of new paint, gel coat and sandblast booths for component parts, along with additional space in the manufacturing and flight line areas. The expansion will also include a second floor to house the engineering department, a new training center and space for other manufacturing capabilities.
Honeywell and Astro-Med have signed a long-term agreement to make the Astro-Med ToughWriter 5 cockpit printer available for Primus Epic and other Honeywell business aviation and regional air transport cockpits. The compact, 7.3-in.-deep printer is more than 5-lb. lighter than current non-Honeywell printers installed in Primus Epic cockpits.
