Blackhawk Modifications Inc., is expected to receive an STC for its upgrade package XP42A for Cessna 208 Caravans by year-end. The XP42A Upgrade Package includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 shp, and a new wide-chord, 100-in. diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller. Also included: new composite cowling and high-efficiency inlet duct, new 40% larger oil cooler, the existing engine mount with a modified horse collar, new engine hose kit, new Blackhawk Hawkeye DigiLog engine gauges and new Frakes exhaust stacks.
Blackhawk Composites Inc., a producer of composite aerospace and commercial components and a sister company of Blackhawk Modifications Inc., has earned ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C certification for its manufacturing and quality management systems. The company specializes in rapid prototyping and low-cost, high-quality production.
Business aviation is playing a key role in helping with the economic recovery in Europe, a new study finds, saying that each passenger flown on a business aviation flight generates the same gross domestic product as nine business passengers on a scheduled flight. The European Business Aviation Association retained Oxford Economics to conduct the study to determine the value of business aviation in Europe. The study finds that contrary to popular belief, business jets and turboprops in Europe are primarily used for business purposes rather than by wealthy individuals.
The embarrassing thing about international procedures is what a tiny percentage business aviation represents in terms of flights [about 6%] but what a large percentage we are in terms of operational errors,” lamented Nat Iyengar, captain and safety officer for a major corporate flight department. “Most of that comes down to bad procedures,” Iyengar continued. “We are too casual about the crossings due to the automation of our airplanes.” By “operational errors,” Iyengar was referring to:
Algae.Tec Ltd. and Lufthansa have signed a collaboration agreement to construct a large-scale algae-to-aviation biofuels production facility. The site will be in Europe, adjacent to an industrial CO2 source. Lufthansa will arrange 100% funding for the project. Algae.Tec will manage the project and receive license fees and profits from the project. Lufthansa has committed to a long-term offtake of at least 50% of the crude oil produced at an agreed price.
Embraer's new Legacy 500 is undergoing final validation tests of the fly-by-wire flight control system of the midsize business jet, and is hoping to finally obtain clearance for the aircraft's first flight within weeks. Software issues with the fly-by-wire system have pushed back first flight by almost a year. But the system is fully installed, and executives are optimistic that those issues are well behind them. Once it resolved the fly-by-wire issues, Embraer had hoped to have the first prototype flying by the end of September—but that schedule has slipped.
DART Helicopter Services has expanded its office in Hawkesbury, Ontario, consolidating all Canadian divisions under one roof. Before the construction of the new office, the sales, marketing, customer support, engineering, accounting and manufacturing teams were not co-located. The 9,500-sq.-ft. office expansion allows the functions to come under one roof next to the manufacturing facility.
Rockwell Collins' new GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR) enables operators to take advantage of evolving RNP/RNAV and ADS-B capabilities. It fulfills the requirements for aircraft navigation position source, Category III ILS, Category I Global Positioning Landing System (GLS) and accessing RNP/RNAV airspace (down to RNP Authorization Required 0.1). It also meets the GPS position and availability requirements for ADS-B Out mandates.
John and Martha King will receive the prestigious Frank G. Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education “. . . for their passion and dedication in making aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots worldwide by combining elegant technology with clear, fun teaching featuring courseware that simplifies complex concepts for students.”
A new FAA order provides guidance for Aircraft Certification Service personnel to accomplish certain agency responsibilities. HAI Rotor News reports that new guidelines include the evaluation and approval of production activities of manufacturers and their suppliers producing products or articles in accordance with Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The guidance details procedures for the evaluation and issuance of Production Certificates, Parts Manufacturer Approval and Technical Standard Order authorization.
Cessna has opened two Citation Service Centers — one in Valencia, Spain, and its first in the U.K, at Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster Sheffield. The 100,400-sq.-ft. Valencia facility is located at Valencia Airport (LEVC) in eastern Spain, convenient to Citation customers across Western Europe and North Africa. The newly acquired 50,000-sq.-ft. U.K. facility, rebranded as the Doncaster Citation Service Center, was previously known as Kinch Aviation Services. The business has operated for 15 years and has been a Cessna authorized service facility for the past four years.
While the business aviation community has struggled in one of the deepest, most prolonged downturns in the industry's history, its membership has become truly global. As the traditional North American market collapsed in 2008, business jet makers set their sites on new, developing economies. By 2010, 60% of Gulfstream's orders came from international customers, and this year Cessna reached accords to build business jets in China.
Bombardier Aerospace announced September 28 that it has received orders for a total of eight Global business jets from an undisclosed customer. The firm orders are for four Global 6000 and four Global 8000 aircraft. The customer had asked to remain unidentified. The transaction is valued at approximately $500 million based on the 2012 list price for typically equipped aircraft.
Eclipse Aerospace announced an anti-skid braking system (ABS) as a new option for the Eclipse twin-engine very light jet. The new ABS is available as an option on new production Eclipse 550 jets and will be offered as a retrofit to the existing fleet. In-aircraft testing is complete with certification and availability expected within six months. ABS allows for maximum braking energy and skid control without the need for a conventional hydraulic system, which is unique to the Eclipse Jet.
Sikorsky has delivered the first two of 16 S-92 offshore-support helicopters to the U.K.'s Bond Aviation Group. Once completed at Sikorsky's Coatesville, Penn. commercial helicopter facility, the aircraft will be delivered in January to new Bond subsidiary Norsk Helikopterservice in Stavanger, Norway. The first two S-92s are being delivered four months earlier than planned when the 16-aircraft order was signed in December 2011, to help Bond compete as a third player in the Norwegian North Sea market, says Richard Mintern, CEO for the U.K., Northern Europe and Australia.
Aerospace Education Corporation hosted its 4th Biennial Aviation and Aerospace Career Fair on October 4th and 5th at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY. The goal of the event was to educate middle and high school students about careers in aviation and aerospace and was attended by almost 2,500 people, who were able to meet with 30 exhibitors, speak with the pilots and technicians at over 10 aircraft on static display and listen to a presentation by NASA Astronaut Daniel Burbank about his time in space.
A few years back, I received a call from a man who wanted to compare his department with ours. I've found such “benchmarking” exercises to be a great way to share good ideas and hear what's working for others. Organizations such as the NBAA, manufacturers' websites and the Chief Pilots' Roundtable provide invaluable help in running flight organizations through that technique, disseminating information that's applicable to both administrative and technical operations. I looked forward to what I could glean from this man's large operation.
American Eurocopter has delivered its 200th AS350 helicopter manufactured in the U.S. The AS350 B3e, was delivered to the Texas Department of Public Safety in April and entered service Sept. 20. Globally, there are more than 3,300 AS350 helicopters operating in all markets and missions. The first AS350 helicopter in the U.S. was delivered in 1978, and there are now 783 AStars in the U.S.
Is the operational error problem a result of too much reliance by flight crews on cockpit automation? BCA received two points of view on one of aviation's more controversial subjects these days. “What we find in our contacts with the international operations community,” Dave Maloy, navigation resource specialist at the FAA's Eastern Region, reported, “is that the technology has led to complacency. 'Why do we have to do these crosschecks any more, since the technology is so good at protecting us?' crews ask us.
Piper Aircraft and Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) announced that beginning Dec. 5, 2012, access to all Piper maintenance publications and regulatory documents will be available exclusively through the ATP Aviation Hub Online Service and ATP's NavigatorV Desktop Platform. The advantages for Piper operators include learning one software platform, daily revision updates to all content and eliminating the cost of installing and managing software.
As BCA was going to press, a pilot we know with considerable oceanic crossing experience in his logbook offered the following general checklist for keeping your operation gross navigation error (GNE) free. Pay attention to these points, and you have a pretty good chance of staying out of trouble.
Piper Aircraft and Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) announced that beginning Dec. 5, 2012, access to all Piper maintenance publications and regulatory documents will be available exclusively through the ATP Aviation Hub Online Service and ATP's NavigatorV Desktop Platform. Piper says ATP's single integrated solution offers several advantages for users including learning one simple software platform for publication access, daily revision updates to all content, and eliminating the cost of installing and managing software.
Ascension Air, Atlanta, announced that Jamail Larkins, president and CEO, was reappointed by the FAA as honorary ambasssador for Aviation and Space Education. Banyan Air Service, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., announced that George Tucker is the director of the Banyan Pilot Shop, responsible for the shop and banyanpilotshop.com.
Jet Source announced the addition of an Embraer Phenom 100 corporate jet to its charter fleet, based at the Jet Source FBO at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ) in Carlsbad, Calif. “The Phenom 100 is proving itself to be . . . ideally suited for those quick trips to San Francisco, Phoenix or more exotic locations like Cabo San Lucas in Mexico,” says Ian Ewing, vice president of business development for Jet Source.
