Rockwell Collins launched the latest enhancements to its Flight Manager website, which is an integral part of the company's Ascent flight information solution. The new features include dynamic graphical flight tracking and an electronic Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) for FAR Part 91 operators. The flight tracker uses a Google Maps platform to provide Rockwell Collins data link subscribers with a worldwide view of their aircraft's position in flight, as well as the flight path of completed and upcoming flights.
Eurocopter's consolidated order intake in 2012 totaled 469 net bookings, representing a value of 5.4 billion euros and marking the company's third consecutive yearly increase since 2010. Sales were paced by the Ecureuil/Fennec/EC130 family with 249 orders and the EC135/EC145 families with 144. The Super Puma family remained strong last year, backed by significant bookings from the oil and gas sector — including a framework contract for 16 EC225s with the Milestone Aviation Group leasing company, and a first contract for the new AS332C1e from Starlite Aviation.
Since Embraer began certification flight trials of its new Legacy 500 midsize business jet on Nov. 27, the first test aircraft has accrued 32 hr. in 17 flights as of the end of January. Embraer says the aircraft is “behaving well” with systems, flight qualities and performance all as expected. The company added a second aircraft to the flight program in February with a third to follow soon after.
Duncan Aviation has partnered with Flightcraft to open an avionics installation and repair facility at Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Ore. Located on the international airport at 7777 N.E. Airport Way, the shop is the newest in Duncan Aviation's list of 30 facilities located throughout the United States.
The purpose of a business aircraft, by definition, is to move company personnel solely to further the interests of the company. On occasion, however, a dependent of one of the passengers will likely be invited to accompany that passenger. Whenever this happens, the company employee is deemed to have incurred personal use of the seat aboard the aircraft that is occupied by their family member.
Dubai's Empire Aviation Group has inagurated management services for private aircraft owners in India. The company in December assumed management responsibility for its first business jet, a Bombardier Challenger 300 based at HAL International Airport in Bengaluru. Empire also is in negotiations to manage three more aircraft and plans to have five aircraft under management in India by mid-2013.
Most FBOs should experience steady growth in business in the range of 4-6% in 2013, said John Enticknap a principal of Aviation Business Strategies Group (ABSG), at the 2013 NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference. “The FBO industry has not fully recovered from the economic downturn over the past several years,” Enticknap said. “Yes, 2012 was a better year than 2011, but there has been a modest shakeout of FBOs who had been operating marginally.
Pratt & Whitney engineers maintain that the United Technologies division bet the company on its geared turbofan (GTF) departure from conventional engine design because it promotes better optimization of shaft speeds and allows the fan to turn at lower rpm to reduce noise.
Aero Charter Inc., Chesterfield, Mo., has hired Peter Purcell to serve as King Air and Beechjet captain. Purcell has 14 yr. of aviation experience, including eight as a corporate pilot. Airports Council International-North America, Washington, named George Kelemen senior vice president of government and political affairs. He will be ACI-NA's chief lobbyist, managing the Government Affairs department.
The industry is watching Boeing's 787 tests to determing the future of lithium ion battery technology in the business aviation fleet. Such batteries offer very high energy density along with low weight, but the risk of overheating and even fire must be addressed if any business aviation aircraft can be certified with the batteries. One of the Boeing's two dedicated test 787s, ZA005, made the first electrical system check flight on Feb.
Sandeep R. Pillay (Deputy Chief Engineer Deccan Charters Private Ltd. Juhu Aerodrome Mumbai, India )
“Drain the Tank Sumps” (Cause & Circumstance, September 2012, page 57) was well received by everyone who read it here. I also circulated a picture of an actual fuel sample from a King Air B200 tank with it on my Facebook page. Check it out at www.facebook.com/GoodAircraftMaintenancePractices where I share information of use to my industry peers. It's being followed by aircraft maintainers as well as flight crews at several companies in India.
Daher-Socata announced Feb. 7 that the worldwide TBM 700 and TBM 850 fleet has passed the one million flight-hour milestone. With a total fleet of 620 high-speed, single-engine turboprops, the overall fleet flies an average of 120,000 hr. annually. Daher-Socata' claims its TBM 850 is the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at FL 260 (in ISA conditions).
Pres Henne, who led the design of the Collier Trophy-winning Gulfstream GV and G550 and oversaw development of the new G650, is set to retire from the business-jet manufacturer on March 31. Henne joined Gulfstream in 1994 from McDonnell Douglas (MDC), where he began his career in 1969. At MDC, Henne was responsible for the aerodynamic design of the C-17 wing, and was later vice president and general manager of the MD-90 program. At Gulfstream, he has overseen the introduction of six products and advances such as enhanced and synthetic vision displays.
Signature Flight Support appears to have won a competition to develop and operate a 29-acre FBO facility at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC). A selection committee will recommend Signature Flight Support be awarded a 50-yr. lease on the airport's west side for the development. With SJC airport staff's report to the Airport Competitiveness Committee Feb. 22, the proposal evaluation process is complete. The airport will present its recommendation to the San José City Council in early spring.
Dubai World Central (DWC) has signed an MOU with Aircraft Support Industries (ASI), the Australian firm that specializes in developing aircraft maintenance facilities, systems and equipment, to jointly provide clients with build-to-suit and related services in the design, development and construction of aircraft hangar and maintenance facilities at DWC's Aviation District.
AgustaWestland announced that the fourth prototype of the new generation light intermediate AW169 helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy Feb. 7. The company says the AW169 program is on schedule to achieve civil certification in 2014. The first three AW169 prototypes have flown more than 150 flight hours to date. The fourth prototype, built in just 71 days, is in production configuration.
Gulfstream obtained EASA certification for the G280 on Feb. 7, following U.S. FAA and Israel Civil Aviation Authority type certification Aug. 30. Gulfstream delivered the first G280 to a U.S.-based customer Nov. 13.
Sherwin-William Aerospace Coatings is now providing an extensive program for the aviation maintenance repair operation industry. The company provides a hands-on training experience that includes everything from applying new chrome and lead hazard free surface treatments and primer systems, to spraying the latest in technology-driven high-quality topcoats. Training will include work with SKYscapes, the new Sherwin-Williams basecoat/clearcoat polyurethane exterior paint system.
Eurocopter's (nee Aerospatiale's) AS350C/D AStar first entered the market in 1977 powered by a comparatively anemic and chronically sick Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, but the basic design elements, including its three-blade, Starflex main rotor system, wide cabin and smooth ride were there from the beginning. Less than one year after introduction, it was up–graded with the more powerful and considerably more reliable Turbomeca Arriel 1, and reborn as AS350B.
Zenith Jet's recently released 10-yr. forecast, says total business aircraft deliveries for the 2013-2022 forecast period are projected to be 9,400 units representing $253 billion in revenues based on 2012 pricing. The company made several interesting points: It sees the emergence of another high-end category above, but not replacing, the current Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) segment with its own distinct customer buying preferences and requirements.
For the first time, Embraer expects to deliver more executive jets than airline aircraft. Overall Embraer looks to deliver 195-215 aircraft this year, roughly matching the 205 deliveries for 2012 reported in January. But the company expects commercial aircraft deliveries to decline from the 106 delivered in 2012 to 90-95 aircraft, down 10-15%. However, the company says large executive jet deliveries could jump as much as 36% over the 22 recorded in 2012, falling in the range of 25-30 deliveries in 2013.
The Part 23 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), formed a year ago to draft recommendations to rewrite FAR Part 23 certification rules, has held its final meeting and the recommendations are 85-90% complete, says Greg Bowles, co-chair for the working group and director of engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The recommendations could be completed in either late winter or early spring, several months ahead of the intended schedule.
Lawmakers reintroduced bills in the U.S. House and Senate to establish flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Feb. 4 introduced a bill in the House, while Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) are pushing similar legislation in the Senate.
On Jan. 30, 2013, an F3 category tornado with 137- to 179-kt. winds ripped through Adairsville, Ga., leveling five dozen structures, damaging almost 100 others and killing one person. This 900-yd.-wide twister reportedly sustained average 140-kt. winds for more than 20 mi. before dissipating. It crossed Interstate 75, flung vehicles into the air and damaged or destroyed entire neighborhoods.
