The FADEC-equipped -3AP is one of Williams' most-advanced versions of the FJ44 turbofan family, producing 2,300 lb. of thrust for takeoff and weighing only 510 lb. Compared to earlier -3 engines, the -3AP incorporates many aerodynamic and durability improvements, plus it weighs 8% less and has 3% better specific fuel consumption. A fuel/oil heat exchanger eliminates the need for an anti-icing fuel additive.
The Senate approved two seeming contradictory amendments on air tours to the comprehensive highway reauthorization bill before passing the legislation in a 74-22 vote March 14. One of the amendments, authored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), has drawn strong opposition from industry groups because it gives the National Park Service (NPS) almost unchecked authority to regulate air tours over national parks, including the ability to shut them down altogether. The second amendment, sponsored by Sen.
Russian MRO provider Engineering LLC is buying Epic Aircraft, the Bend, Ore., producer of the Escape and Epic LT turboprop kit aircraft. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Epic Aircraft CEO Douglas King will retain his position under the new ownership, and Engineering LLC has assembled a board of industry executives to help manage the transition. The companies say the acquisition will position Epic for growth.
The loss of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 — a Boeing 737-800 that crashed into the Mediterranean Sea some 5 mi. southwest of the international airport at Beirut — was the topic of last month's Cause & Circumstance. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Works and Transport conducted the investigation with input from U.S., French and Ethiopian air safety agencies.
March 5 — About 1210 CST, a Sikorsky 269C (N1099N) operated by a private pilot received substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing near Staples, Texas. The personal flight was in VFR conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight's origin and destination are unknown. According to an initial pilot statement, he heard a “pop” sound and the helicopter yawed. He performed a forced landing and the helicopter hit the ground hard.
Look for increasing production of larger fixed-wing airplanes for business and utility into 1963, following last year's trend when 70% of the 6,778 airplanes produced were larger than three-place and 14% were twins. Most active general aviation aircraft throughout the Western world will continue to be American made. The big four manufacturers exported 1,581 aircraft worth $29.5 million during 1961, nearly $9 million more than their yearly average for the past five years.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has published a manual, Flight Safety and Volcanic Ash (Doc 9974), providing guidance on the handling of aircraft operations when there is forecast volcanic ash contamination. The manual was developed by the ICAO International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) that was established following the 2010 eruptions of the Eyjafjallajökul volcano in Iceland. ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin said, “[Eyjafjallajökul] forced us to align our guidance material with the latest technological and scientific developments.
The prototype Cessna Citation M2 made its first flight in early March. With Cessna engineering test pilot Peter Fisher at the controls, the flight lasted a little more than an hour and a half, and included tests of the avionics system, autopilot, aircraft systems and instrument approaches. The new light jet fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family. FAA FAR Part 23 certification is expected in the first half of 2013, with deliveries in the second half of 2013.
Senior management changes at Cessna continue following the appointment of Scott Ernest to head the company, replacing Jack Pelton, in late May, 2011. The latest: Tim White, senior vice president of sales in the Americas, and his wife, Dianne White, vice president of corporate communications, left Cessna in March.
Rockwell Collins is entering the piston electronic control unit (ECU) business with a new dual-channel ECU that will be on the BRP Powertrain's new Rotax 912 iS piston engine. The Austrian engine maker celebrated the launch of the new four-cylinder,100-hp engine at the BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) Powertrain factory in Gunskirchen, Austria. Designed for light sport aircraft (LSA), the 912 iS will provide up to 70% better fuel efficiency compared with other engines in the LSA market, BRP says.
James Coyne, who has led NATA since 1994, announced he plans to leave the charter operators and FBOs association at the end of this year. He told Aviation Week, “It's always hard to know [the right timing],” but that “it seemed to be the right time.” He said he would work with the board of directors on the transition process as it begins a search for a successor, which could take six to nine months.
Eurocopter, with a 35% market share of the Indian civilian and military helicopter sector, wants to explore new areas, such as aerial and utility work, as well as emergency medical services in India and increase its market share by 2015. The leading Indian emergency medical helicopter provider has designed the EC135 and EC145 for Helicopter Medical Emergency Service (HEMS) and Disaster Management (DM) applications. “We have already started work with Indian companies, institutions, hospitals. . . .
It has been more than two years, 786 days, to be precise, since our application for a simple, single-pilot FAR Part 135 air carrier certificate was filed with our local FSDO. While we were certainly not new to the bureaucracy and extended timelines that are trademarks of any FAA certification process, it was our reasonable expectation that within a year we would be close to certification.
Nav Canada announced its traffic figures for February 2012 measured in weighted charging units for en route, terminal and oceanic air navigation services, in comparison to the last fiscal year. The traffic in February 2012 increased by an average of 3.6% compared to the same month in 2011.
“Butte Pilatus” (Cause & Circumstance, January 2012) was right on; another winner. It should be read over and over by every instrument rated pilot. As it states so clearly, airborne radar is not for flying IN thunderstorms, it's a tool to be used for staying OUT of them.
Lufthansa Technical Training's web-based training program is now available. The English-language program is divided into 16 units and all the helicopter basics are taught over 55 hr. The WBT program contains many animated system diagrams designed to be interactive. Linked video sequences introduce participants to the basics of helicopter technology and maintenance. The learning content complies with EASA category CAT B1.3 (module 12). There are online demos at www.ltt.aero/de/access-to-demoversions. Lufthansa Technical Training www.ltt.aero/en
CAVU's EFB-Pro for the iPhone and iPad has been selected by the U.S. Air Force for its fleet of C21A (Lear Jet 35A) aircraft. The program allows the pilot to select the aircraft from a pull-down list and then toggle the appropriate configuration. All the weight and balance information is automatically set and integrated directly into the performance calculations. Although an internet connection is not required, if one is available, current weather integrated directly into the calculations by selected from the worldwide database of airports installed in the device.
Bell Helicopter unveiled its Model 525 Relentless at Heli Expo in Dallas. The largest helicopter ever developed by Bell, it bears a family resemblance to the Bell 429 but weighs in at more than 19,000 lb. Bell Helicopter President John Garrison says the company is “on a mission” to revitalize its commercial product line. A customer advisory panel helped Bell finalize the design. Equipped with the Garmin 5000 avionics system, the 525 has a BAE Systems-developed fly-by-wire flight control system.
As of Jan. 25, the four Gulfstream G650s in the flight-test program had accumulated more than 2,675 flight hours over 820 flights. The aircraft is expected to enter service the middle of this year. It received a provisional type certificate from the FAA on Nov. 18, 2011, with the full FAA type certificate expected mid-year. EASA has finished its initial evaluation of the aircraft in preparation for certification. The G650 has flown for more than 14 consecutive hours, with flight-test data confirming its ability to achieve 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85.
Embraer has delivered the 300th Phenom jet, the latest series of milestones, which include the assembly and first flight of the first aircraft from the company's year-old U.S. facility in Melbourne Fla. Embraer recently shifted global center of gravity for its business jets from Brazil to Melbourne, where it is creating 200 engineering and technical jobs. Fifty-percent of Phenom deliveries have been to North American customers, with Latin American operators accounting for another 30%.
Key Air, an aircraft management and charter operation based in Oxford, Conn., has received FAA authorization for use of the Apple iPad to access electronic charts in place of paper charts. Key Air previously had FAA authorization to use an electronic flight bag, and underwent a series of testing and authorizations to use the iPad. Key Air pilots will use the iPads during its commercial flight operations.
I enjoyed “Return of the Ramp Check” (Point of Law, February 2012). One thing, of which I'm sure you're aware, but was not mentioned in the article is the requirement to carry and present an FAA Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certification (if issued one). An Inspector will not ask for it during a ramp check (as he/she probably will not be aware of its existence); however, if the pilot does not present it to the Inspector during a ramp check, it will not be noted in the Inspector's report to the FAA.
Jettech received FAA supplemental type certification for installation of the Garmin G600 glass panel electronic flight instrument system on legacy Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft, including Models 500, 501, 550, 551 and S550. The installation will add features such as synthetic vision, terrain awareness, traffic collision avoidance systems, digital weather radar, satellite weather radar and lightning strike information.
