I would like to express ICAO's gratitude to BCA, and especially David Esler, for the recent “NOTAMs in Transition” (January 2013, page 24) for which he had interviewed our technical officer in this area, Mike Hohm. I don't think I've ever seen anyone capture the topic as well as Esler did and I was particularly impressed with how he took a very technical and challenging subject and presented it in a clear, interesting way. It was heartening to see Hohm's insights and contributions on behalf of our organization given their due in such a well-written piece.
Beechcraft's venerable King Air fleet has surpassed 60 million flight hours. More than 7,000 of the twin turboprops are operated in 127 countries worldwide, and are flown by all U.S. military branches. Beechcraft has seen a strengthening market for its turboprops, delivering 85 of its King Air 350is, 250s and C90GTxs in 2012.
Bombardier Aerospace is extending the basic warranty on its Challenger 605 aircraft from three years or 3,000 hr. to five years or 5,000 hr. The new warranty is standard on all aircraft delivered beginning this month. The basic warranty covers systems and components coverage. The primary structure warranty remains at 10 years or 10,000 hr., the engine warranty is still five years or 2,500 hr. and the avionics warranty remains unchanged at five years with no hour limitations.
Robert E. Breiling Associates has released the 2012 Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review providing a comprehensive guide to business aviation safety and an in-depth analysis of turbine business aircraft accidents and incidents in 2012 involving the world fleet. For more information, or to order, visit the Breiling Associates website.
Growing demand for convenient alternatives to Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports has turned Chicago-Romeoville (KLOT) into a bona fide reliever, as the FBO there doubles the size of its corporate aircraft storage and maintenance facility this month.
After reading “Analysis: Gulfstream G650” (April 2013, page 24), I'm amazed General Dynamics and Gulfstream did not go with millimeter design and manufacture for the aircraft. More than 38 years have gone by since the U.S. auto industry changed to millimeter design and manufacture. It worked for them and led to some significant savings in inventory. Why Gulfstream would stick with an archaic, hard-to-work-with measurement system that 96% of the planet does not use seems shortsighted.
The FAA on April 9 streamlined the medical certification process for pilots with certain medical conditions that previously required special issuance authorizations. Now an AME can issue a normal duration medical certificate at the time of examination if the pilot provides adequate documentation showing good control of the condition. Details are posted on the AOPA website.
NBAA submitted comments opposing the FCC's renewed call to prohibit the manufacture, sale, importation or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs. In a Jan. 30 proposed rule, the FCC again provided notice of its desire to prohibit the use of ELTs that transmit only on 121.5 MHz, favoring instead the use of ELTs that transmit on 406 MHz. NBAA advocated that operators be able to use installed 121.5 MHz ELTs until the end of the equipment's useful life and be able to make the decision to upgrade their aircraft's ELT when it makes sense for the operator to do so.
Crane Aerospace & Electronics has received an STC for Crane's SmartStem Wireless Tire Pressure System for Learjet 40 and 45 aircraft. To fit an aircraft with SmartStem technology, the existing tire inflation valve stem is replaced with a SmartStem tire pressure sensor, which, in addition to serving as the inflation valve, contains special electronics.
The NTSB is seeking a ban on “non-operational” use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) for pilots while flying under FAR Part 135 and 91 Subpart K. The recommendation was one of nine the safety board issued following its investigation of the Aug. 26, 2011 crash of an Air Methods Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter that was on an emergency medical services (EMS) mission.
Integrated avionics suites are proliferating like rabbits. The groundbreakers — Honeywell's Primus, Rockwell Collins' Pro Line and Universal Avionics UNS series helped to spawn Garmin's string of popular “G-000” series.
Your comments in “Ambulatory Care” (Viewpoint, March 2013, page 7) about people still being the same while technology flies are apropos. We all worry about the delicate balance pilots seek between wanting to please the boss and stretching the hours beyond normal endurance. Unfortunately, none of us came equipped with “alertness and reaction time” meters. But wouldn't that be great?
Alison Price On Air, London, appointed Jamie Cairns head chef. He will work with Managing Director Daniel Hulme to support the increasing business activity at the inflight dining provider.
Universal Avionics completed the required testing to successfully approve its Radio Control Unit (RCU) for helicopter installation. The RCU is a mature product, and has been installed in 28 fixed-wing aircraft platforms. The unit is approved for helicopter-specific vibration profiles that include the Sikorsky S-76A, S-76C, S-61L, S-61N, UH-60L; Bell 212, 412, 412EP, 412CF; Eurocopter EC145, Dauphin NI, N3 and AS332 helicopters.
A Saab Remote Tower (r-TWR ) system under testing for Avinor, Norway's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), at Værøy Heliport has passed its Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) milestone under SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) test and validation trials. The r-TWR system provides Avinor Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) officers at the Bodø Remote Tower Center (RTC) with high-resolution video of daily helicopter operations at Værøy. Saab's r-TWR system uses video, audio and other sensors to provide a continual, comprehensive view out of an air traffic tower.
Shadin Avionics announced the installation of their AIS Fuel Flow system on the Bell Helicopter 412 EPI. The 412 EPI installation includes the new Shadin AIS Fuel Flow signal converter, which allows fuel flow and additional fuel information to be display on a glass display rather than on a separate indicator. The installation package also includes Shadin's fuel flow transducer for the upgraded Pratt & Whitney PT6T engines.
The Obama administration's fiscal 2014 budget plan halves its previously proposed cuts to federal grants for airport improvements by narrowing the reduction's impact primarily to large hub airports. But the administration also wants to impose a new cost on airports, and it still is counting on an unlikely increase in the airport passenger facility charge (PFC) to help offset the reduction in grant money.
Jet Aviation Hong Kong has received FAA approval to perform line and base maintenance on Gulfstream G650 aircraft. Jet Aviation Hong Kong is the latest Jet Aviation facility authorized to provide maintenance, alterations and repair services for the new ultra-long-range, ultra-high-speed business jet. The Hong Kong maintenance facility also supports Gulfstream 400/450/500/550 aircraft.
AOPA Online reports a record 223 members of Congress have stepped up to mount an attack against aviation user fees. The House members sent a letter to President Barack Obama April 5 stating that user fees are the “wrong approach,” the association said. The letter preceded the April 10 release of the Obama administration 2014 budget, which indeed contained a $100 per flight fee for many operations in controlled airspace. But with the level of opposition in congress, user fees are unlikely to be in a final budget.
Continental Motors is extending the TBO of its Gold Standard factory-produced engines manufactured after February this year by as much as 400 hr. the company announced April 9. In 2012, Continental Motors introduced its Gold Standard factory rebuilt and new engines. The company says most engines, s.n. 1006000 and higher incorporate improvements in technology and manufacturing processes that have allowed a 200-hr. increase over the existing TBO. Aircraft owners that fly 40 hr. per month will receive a TBO extension up to 400 hr.
