Cessna is releasing a series of service bulletins for the installation of Astronics Corporation's Max-Viz-600 enhanced vision system (EVS) on newer model Cessna 172 Skyhawk, 182 Skylane or 206 Stationair single-piston aircraft. The bulletins provide the factory provisions for retrofit of the systems on the aircraft. The retrofit has received both FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency approval. The Max-Viz systems are also offered as optional equipment on new Skyhawks, Skylanes and Stationairs.
Chinese interests continue to build up their aerospace portfolios with the purchase of light helicopter manufacturer Enstrom. The Michigan-based helicopter manufacturer, which has been producing helicopters since the late 1950s, was acquired by the Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. (CQHIC). Enstrom hopes the move will enable it to expand its reach into China as well as permit the company to invest in its plant at Menominee to meet current and expected future demands. “This is a major step in moving Enstrom to a new level,” Enstrom President Jerry Mullins says.
U.K. air accident investigators have widened their search into the root cause of gearbox failures that forced the crews of two Eurocopter EC225 helicopters to ditch into the North Sea last year. In late 2012, investigators from the U.K. Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) linked their probes into two controlled ditchings of EC225s — one operated by Bond Offshore in May and a second operated by CHC Scotia in October. The rest of the North Sea EC225 fleet was grounded in the U.K. and Norway following the incidents.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S. registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record. The number of U.S. business jet accidents increased by five in 2012 to 19 accidents. Of those, five were fatal and involved 21 deaths.
Eurocopter is taking over the aerospace activities of French automotive chassis builder Hueliez. The deal was signed on Dec. 21 and became effective this month. It plans to integrate Heuliez into Societe HAS (Helicoptère Aerostructure Services) — a wholly owned subsidiary of the European helicopter manufacturer, which is owned by EADS. The work will continue at Heuliez's facilities at Cerizay near Nantes, securing 49 jobs.
December 2012 flight activity sees a slowdown over the holidays. Argus TRAQPak data shows that December 2012 flight activity levels decreased from November, finishing the month down 6.9% overall. The results by operational category saw very slight rise in fractional flight activity, up 0.1%. Part 91 and Part 135 flight activity finished the month down 11.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Aircraft category results were down across the board. Reviewing year- over-year activity (December 2012 vs. December 2011), TRAQPak data indicates an overall decrease of 2.0%.
Air medical services specialist Air Methods is expanding its scope with its acquisition of Las Vegas operator Sundance Helicopters for $44 million in cash. Sundance becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Methods, and not only adds air tours to the Air Methods portfolio, but also a range of helicopter services supporting firefighting, natural resource agency operations, vertical lifts, aerial photography/motion pictures, newsgathering and aerial surveying.
While business aviation struggles to regain its footing following the economic downturn, Gulfstream is rapidly expanding. The manufacturer in late 2010 committed to hiring 1,000 employees at its Savannah, Ga., campus over the next 7 yr. Within the following two years, Gulfstream not only met that seven-year goal, it exceeded it by 70% — hiring more than 1,695 workers in Savannah alone. But Gulfstream isn't finished. The company signed a 12-yr. lease on a 70,000-sq.-ft.
More than one airline recommends that captains relinquish flying duties when faced with unexpected circumstances in order to promote optimum crew coordination and to minimize the potential for misunderstandings and errors. Anticipating that unforeseen emergencies can occur for which there are no published procedures, air carrier training departments often recommend guidelines for assignments of responsibilities.
Captains have been flying Boeing jetliners since the first Model 707 was delivered in 1958. The Seattle-based airframe manufacturer has built 15,000 commercial jets, close to three-quarters of the world's commercial jet fleet. The first prop-liner pilots who made the transition to the new generation of jet transports faced many challenges, including adapting to a class of aircraft that flew at nearly double the speed and twice as high as the Douglas DC-7s and Lockheed Constellations they were succeeding.
Bombardier still plans to begin delivery of the Learjet 85, its largest and first mostly composite Learjet, by year-end, but first flight has not yet occurred. Bombardier is hoping the new aircraft will hit the market as it turns up for lighter aircraft.
I read with interest your “Viewpoint” about Al Ueltschi, particularly because a number of years ago I had the pleasure of meeting him and transacting some business. My experience reinforced the image you paint of him.
What is the accepted generic label for a private aircraft? There are many terms associated with aircraft that are not used for commercial purposes. Your magazine has, I think, used them all: “business jet,” “bizjet,” “executive jet,” “private jet,” “private plane,” etc. Wikipedia says the generic is “bizjet.” However, I have recently discovered that “bizjet” is a registered trademark even though there are many websites that use it in their titles.
Universal Avionics is opening a satellite office in Singapore this year. The Asia Pacific office will support Universal's customer base throughout the region, including Thailand, Japan and Australia , where the company says numerous flight deck retrofit projects are in the works. The office will include both local sales and support representatives.
Constant Aviation, which expanded into the Beechjet landing gear overhaul business last summer, has found demand for the service so strong that it is relocating the services from Birmingham Ala., to a larger facility near its Cleveland headquarters. The sister company of Flight Options and Nextant Aerospace, Constant in July announced the opening of a new landing gear repair and overhaul shop at its Birmingham service center.
A primary advantage of a helicopter — its ability to land at places other than airports — is also its greatest nemesis. There are gotcha's galore: thin unseen wires around a landing zone; a skid-grabbing snow crust veiled by a layer of powder; a brown cloud suddenly blotting out all visual references just as you begin a low hover above a worksite.
The FAA, bowing to broad industry opposition, will rescind its interpretation of a rule governing rest for airline mechanics, reverting to a more flexible view that both management and unions have long considered acceptable. The agency delivered the news in a Dec. 26 letter to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), which spearheaded the challenge to an FAA interpretation made nearly three years ago.
Just a quick note to mention I very much enjoyed “The Colorful Mr. Coyne” (Washington Watch, December 2012, page 70). Our company has been around since 1946 (we rebranded from Bridgeford Flying Services in 2011) and while I have not been around that long (although close), I can say my aviation experience spans a few decades back to the days when the DuPont family owned Atlantic Aviation. However that is a story over a glass of Napa wine perhaps someday.
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) has found that repair station executives are bullish on 2013 business prospects, with more than half the respondents to a recent AEA survey expecting revenue improvement in 2013. The survey generated 180 responses, the association says. Big-picture takeaways include a more bullish outlook than last year's survey, and a range of services driving the growth. AEA's survey results show that 56% of respondents expect business to increase in 2013, compared to 49% responding to last year's survey on 2012 prospects.
Ametek is building up its MRO base in Miami with the acquisition of Aero Components International (ACI) and Avtech Avionics. ACI expands Ametek's reach in the Miami market for repair and overhaul of hydraulic, pneumatic, power generation and heat exchanger components. Avtech provides repair capabilities for new and legacy avionics. Both are located near Ametek's MRO operation in Miami.
Waterford, Mich.-based Pentastar Aviation has acquired Aviation Interior Solutions, also of Waterford, to strengthen its interoir refurbishment and completion offerings. At the same time Pentastar's Oxford, Conn. facility has recieved Part 145 Satellite Repair Station certification. The company also said it would exit its Van Nuys, Calif. FBO and service facillity to focus on its Eastern U.S. customers.
Dear Colleagues, It's easy for me to accept the new role of Associate Publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation since BCA is the best brand with the best team in the business. Add to that my experience working with BCA for 16 years and my pleasure to be immersed in such a vibrant community — and there's no effort to the transition at all.
