Embraer Executive Jets' ultra-large Lineage 1000 business aircraft received its Type Certificate from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), also known by its Russian acronym MAK. Certification paves the way for Russian customers to register and operate the type in Russia. The Lineage 1000 is Embraer Executive Jets' largest executive aircraft in a family of seven business aircraft models. The aircraft also can accommodate 19 passengers in five distinct private zones.
The email chimes and there it is, notification of another planned international trip. Some of the destinations provided are familiar, while others are not. You pull out your checklist and mentally tap into the international knowledge base you've assembled from experience. For some, that base may be modest, and for others perhaps a bit dated. Regardless, the trip will launch and the tips that follow are intended to help ensure it proceeds seamlessly and on schedule.
Fractional operator Avantair has restructured some of its financing arrangements and raised $2.8 million in new capital through the issuance of senior secured convertible notes as the company makes strides toward its goal of reaching profitability next year. The financing restructuring and new capital come as the Clearwater, Fla., company continues to regain its footing after grounding its fleet for several weeks in late October and early November 2012. Avantair began returning its Piaggio Avanti aircraft to service in November following comprehensive inspections.
When certified in early 2013, the final performance specifications for the Falcon 2000S will be substantially better than initially projected, the company said. An 18 month test program that lasted 350 flight hours over 150 flights demonstrated better than expected low speed performance, in particular. Landing distance at typical landing weight has been reduced to 2,315 feet (705 m), from 2,600 ft. (792 m); approach speed, to 107 kt.; and balanced field length, to 4,325 ft. (1,318 m).
Sporty's Flight Gear Headset case is a compact pilot bag designed to store a headset, IPad, transceiver and more. Measuring 6 in. by 11.1 in. and 11 in. high overall, the case has a padded external transceiver pocket with Sporty's patented slit flap to accommodate the antenna, plus an internal pocket for an iPad. The case has a 6-yr. warranty. Price: 37.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop
When President Barack Obama on Nov. 27 signed into law a bill that prohibits U.S. operators from participating in the EU's emissions trading system (ETS), environmental groups were quick to object. But industry officials say the action allows the issue to be decided by the ICAO, which is weighing its own plan for global market-based measures to combat greenhouse gas emissions. “With passage of this measure, the U.S.
While it's bad enough to discover someone is using your ID and credit when you're at home, it's far worse to make that discovery while you're off on a trip, a long way from home.
KingAirNation is a social platform designed to connect anyone involved with the King Air aircraft, as well as provide information and articles related to the aircraft and services. Visit KingAirNation.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
A U.S. bankruptcy court cleared Hawker Beechcraft to sell off its remaining inventory of Hawker 4000 business jets. The approval, Dec. 11, by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, comes after the court earlier had rejected Hawker Beechcraft's request to expedite the inventory sale without meeting certain notice requirements under bankruptcy rules.
AIA is also optimistic about the prospects for the U.S. civil rotorcraft market. U.S. civil helicopter shipments are forecast to increase to 1,154 units this year and experience a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% between 2012 and 2014.
Raisbeck Engineering and Hartzell Propeller have developed and certified the first swept-blade propellers incorporating swept-wing aerodynamics, similar to those on the Airbus A400M and Lockheed Martin C-130J, in a civilian application, specifically for the Beechcraft King Air 200 family. The Raisbeck/Hartzell 96 in., 4-blade, Swept Turbofan Power Props will be available Mar. 1 as a stand-alone installation or as part of the Raisbeck Epic Performance package for Beechcraft King Air 200/B200/B200GT aircraft. The standard King Air 200 props have a 93-in. diameter.
The FCC is urging the FAA to ease rules governing the inflight use of portable electronic devices (PEDs). The agencies share jurisdiction when it comes to PEDs. The FAA regulates their use before takeoff, while the FCC assumes oversight during flight. The FAA, however, has taken the lead on a six-month study examining current aircraft operator policies and procedures regarding PEDs. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski expresses support for the review in a letter to FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta.
Hangar8 is expanding its charter and management business with the acquisition of International JetClub for 1.1 million pounds (U.K.) ($1.76 million) and the issue of 500,000 ordinary shares. The acquisition increases Hangar8's managed fleet from 40 to 50 aircraft, including four helicopters. Nearly half of the fleet are large-cabin, long-range jets.
Aveo Engineering has received a TSO for their Ultra Galactica series of 2 and 3 functions wingtip light and the Red Baron anti-collision beacon. These lights are available for installation on most aircraft. The wingtip lights combine red or green navigation, strobe and rear white position lights. The Ultra Embedded version removes the rear position light function in anticipation of being installed under a recessed wingtip lens. The Red Baron is suitable for fuselage or vertical stabilizer mounting.
MedAire released its newest Aircraft First Air Kit and Aircraft First Aid Rx. Key updates to the Aircraft First Aid Kit 1.0 include medications to address motion sickness, oral rehydration salts to address dehydration and a digital wrist blood pressure cuff to improve diagnostic accuracy in flight. The kit meets or exceeds FAR Parts 91, 121, 135, EU-OPS 1.745, Canada AOHS and HKCAD AN101E requirements. The Aircraft First Aid Kit Rx includes the enhancements listed above, as well as a bronchodilator and ondansetron to address nausea and vomiting.
Landmark Aviation will acquire First Aviation Services at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, marking a return to the acquisition trail a little more than month after it came under new ownership. The acquisition was expected to close by year-end 2012. Landmark did not reveal terms of the agreement, but a spokeswoman says purchase details likely will be revealed once the acquisition closes. The acquisition will give Landmark a major base at the nation's busiest general aviation airport. First Aviation has 120,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 480,000 sq. ft.
Embraer Executive Jets' first made-in-the-USA Phenom 300 rolled out and made its first flight Dec. 5. The aircraft entered the production line in September and the flight marked the anniversary of the maiden flight of the first Phenom 100 to be produced in the U.S. Delivery of the light Phenom 300 is scheduled to go to the Embraer Executive Jets' Melbourne-based flight department which will use it as a flight demonstrator aircraft. “This is a major milestone for our facility,” said Phil Krull, Managing Director of Embraer's 23-month-old U.S.-based production facility.
Kenneth E. Gazzola (President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.)
Beautiful tribute to Al Ueltschi (“The Alabama Bet,” December 2012, page 9). He was a man for all seasons and as colorful as they make them, [the source of] so many great memories and stories never to be forgotten. President FlightLogix LLC McLean, Va.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy believes FAA has significantly understated the costs associated with its proposed changes in the Part 145 rewrite and is suggesting that the agency conduct a supplemental regulatory analysis that includes less costly alternatives. The SBA Office of Advocacy hosted a meeting in December on FAA's Part 145 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), that expressed industry groups' concerns that FAA's proposal omits a number of costs in its cost-benefit analysis.
Online registration is now open for the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., Mar. 4-7, 2014. Attendees and exhibitors can register, book housing and request exhibit space at the association's website: www.rotor.org.
Piper Aircraft is pledging to maintain an employment base of at least 650 workers under an amended agreement with the state of Florida that will enable the company to keep incentive money it received as part of its original contract with the state. Piper in 2008 agreed to keep the company in Vero Beach, Fla., after the Florida had provided an incentive package of up to $32 million based on certain investment and workforce guarantees that included the creation of new jobs and maintaining the workforce. Piper had received an initial payment of $6.6 million from the state.
Embraer completed the first flight of its Legacy 500 midsize business jet Nov. 27, but program delays have pushed the anticipated entry into service into 2014. The business jet, Embraer's first to have a complete fly-by-wire system, took off from the company's facility at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil and flew for 1 hr. and 45 min. The aircraft was tested for handling and performance characteristics. The aircraft cleared a broader flight envelope than typical for a first flight because Embraer conducted extensive simulation and ground testing prior to the first flight.
Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., has expanded its EU-ETS Emissions Reporting Portal to provide easy access for business aviation operators purchasing carbon credits. “To minimize confusion dealing with new, complicated processes and procedures, we've selected a carbon brokerage firm and provided easy access to its trading platform via our reporting portal and extended our 24/7 support to include consultation for trading and submitting emission allowances to member states,” according to Adam Hartley, supervisor, Global Regulatory Services at Universal.
The fourth MV-22 to be assigned to the Presidential Support Squadron awaits attachment of the tail empennage (painted the iconic dark green of the squadron) on the Bell V-22 assembly plant production floor in Amarillo, Texas, Dec. 1. The first MV-22 is on schedule to be delivered to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), the Marine squadron that provides executive level logistics and passenger support to the president, in early 2013. The MV-22s will replace the CH-46Es currently operating with the squadron.
Avinode introduced their completely new aircraft pricing and performance engines in the Avinode Marketplace in the fall, with new pricing profiles that were scheduled to be in place at the end of 2012. With 200,000 requests per month flowing through Avinode, delivering accurate pricing is essential for the ongoing success of the online charter marketplace, according to Dr. Oliver King, managing director.
