Excellent update on what once was called the blood priority (i.e. nothing would change until some blood was spilled). Unfortunately, in addition to the issues cited in the article ("Tombstone Mentality," June, page 70), many flight organizations are not willing to adequately address proactive risk analysis.
Schubach Aviation placed a new Cessna Citation Bravo on its charter certificate. The eight-passenger Bravo joins a fleet that also includes two Bombardier Challenger 601s, four King Airs, five other Citations and five Hawkers. Founded in 1992, Schubach employs 66 workers at its base at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif.
Cessna Aircraft recently handed Rockwell Collins two pieces of good news, selecting its HGS-6000 Head Up Guidance System for the new Citation Columbus business jet and expanding entertainment options on the new Citation CJ4 business jet by adding Rockwell Collins' iPod docking solution to the Venue cabin management system. Cessna had previously selected Rockwell Collins' Pro Line Fusion cockpit to equip the Columbus.
Dallas Airmotive, a unit of BBA Aviation's Engine Repair and Overhaul division, has added 16 new engine models to its existing authorizations on Pratt & Whitney Canada engines -- eight new models of the PT6A, seven models of the PW100 and one PW500 model. "Dallas Airmotive has been a Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) for the PT6A since 1967," said BBA Aviation's president of ERO, Hugh McElroy, in a May 19 announcement at EBACE in Geneva.
FlightSafety International announced a new phased recurrent training program option designed specifically for customers who train at the company's London Farnborough and Paris-Le Bourget Training Centers. Pilots who select this option will attend phased recurrent training twice per year over a three-year period. Each phase includes two full flight simulator sessions and classroom instruction on aircraft systems, performance and incidents/service bulletins and CRM.
The news that Jerry Schlesinger passed away was more than sad; Jerry was 17 years younger than I am. I met Jerry and Mike Waterman in 1970 when I was thinking about starting an FBO. They were very impressive. Their facility at Westchester County Airport was a model for all FBOs. They knew the industry inside out and didn't mind sharing their knowledge, even with a novice in the industry. Jerry's quiet, laid-back manner belied a vast amount of knowledge. Those who took the time to listen to him could learn a lot.
FlightSafety International has introduced a "Green from the Beginning" campaign. The company says its customers' use of simulator training and technology reduces carbon emissions and saves energy while enhancing safety. While the aviation industry increasingly focuses on finding effective responses to growing international concerns about climate change, FlightSafety customers have been helping to reduce environmental impacts since the company was founded in 1951," said Bruce Whitman, FSI president and CEO.
Intelligence | 23 * VistaJet Buys Bombardier's Skyjet * NTSB Revives 14-Year-Old Turbocharger Recommendation * Jet Aviation, Airod Sign MOU to Team at Kuala Lumpur * Pilatus Delivers First PC-12 NG * CAE Buys Sabena Training Edited by James E. Swickard Commentary 9 | Viewpoint By William Garvey Long Live the King 18 | Business & Commercial Aviation 1958, a Year in Review 111 | Cause & Circumstance
After more than a decade of successfully operating on 100LL fuel by using reduced takeoff power settings, FAA officials determined in late December 2007 that the Howard 500 that is the subject of this report and owned by TP Universal Exports, Eagan, Minn., couldn't be flown on any fuel other than 115/145-octane avgas, as specified in the limitations section 1-12 of the original Howard Model 500 FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual.
Weighing in at 2,400 pounds each, the two PW R-2800 CB17 double-row radial engines are rated at 2,500 hp for takeoff up to 3,700 feet altitude, using 61.5 to 62.0 inches MAP, 2,800 rpm and ADI fluid injection, assuming 115/145 octane (purple) aviation gasoline is available. When (blue) 100LL fuel is used, manifold pressure must be reduced to 59.5 inches Hg on takeoff, in accordance with an FAA-approved supplement to the AFM. Maximum output, though, only drops to 2,400 hp, assuming ADI injection is used. Takeoff rated power is limited to five minutes.
I would like to comment on your very interesting summary of the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) investigation in the June Cause & Circumstance (page 77). At the end of the latest AAIB update are the words, "The analysis is concentrating on identifying abnormal combinations of parameters." Here I seriously wonder if we are not back into time-honored ground and what was drummed into me years ago: Accidents usually happen due to more than one thing going wrong at the very same moment, when defects previously dormant rear their ugly heads!
In April 2001, United Air Lines announced its surprising intention to develop a fractional ownership business jet division as an alternative air transport offering for its high-end travelers. The company said it planned on ordering some $4 billion-plus worth of Gulfstream 200s, IV-SPs, and Vs, as well as Falcon 50EXs, 2000s, 2000EXs and 900EXs. It also had a deal with Airbus whereby the UAL unit would operate as many as 15 Airbus Corporate Jets under FAR Part 121 charter rules.
The original Sabreliner, serial number 282-001, was completed on April 18, 1963, and was originally used as a demonstrator by Remmert-Werner, the St. Louis-based marketing arm of OEM North American Aviation. Today, the venerable Model 40, renamed Sabre One, continues flying up to 150 hours a year, serving as Sabreliner Corp.'s company airplane, as well as a test bed for possible product improvements.
Bombardier named CAE the authorized training provider for Learjet 40/40XR and 45/45XR aircraft in Europe. The authorization builds upon an agreement announced in June 2007 that designated CAE as Bombardier's authorized pilot and technical training provider for Global Express, Global 5000, Global Express XRS, and Challenger 300 aircraft. CAE will build and install new Learjet 40/40XR and Learjet 45/45XR aircraft full-flight simulators at its Burgess Hill Training Center in the United Kingdom. CAE also plans to add a Challenger 300 simulator in Europe in fall 2009.
*During testing on April 10, the Fairey Rotodyne transitioned from vertical to forward flight. The transition was made in straight and level steady flight. The big autogyro logged more than 80 flights since its first on Nov. 6. *New VFR cruising altitudes put aircraft on courses of zero to 179 degrees at odd thousands plus 500 feet; those at 180 to 359 degrees cruise at even thousands plus 500 feet. The rule, which applies to VFR aircraft below 29,000 feet, becomes effective Aug. 15.
In the June edition of its Business Jet Monthly, JPMorgan's Global Equity Research department declared, "The market for used business jets continues to cool from unsustainably high levels." Although strong orders recorded at the recent European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition "are indicative of a still healthy new market, the used [aircraft] data are beginning to look more and more like the data from [the year] 2000, particularly for heavy jets, when inventories rose off their lows but before pricing declined significantly.
Pilatus Aircraft delivered its first PC-12 NG. The aircraft features a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, a cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine that provides 15 percent more power than its original engine. The $3.8 million aircraft received both EASA and FAA certifications in March.
A recently issued amended STC will enable European operators of King Air 200GTs to modify their aircraft with performance-enhancing winglets from BLR Aerospace. The FAA granted an STC amendment to the Everett, Wash.-based company in April, and EASA approval was granted in May. Earlier, EASA had certificated BLR's King Air 200 and 300 winglets.
A half century ago, commercial jetliners were making their debut, but business aviation had yet to embrace turbine power. Big radial piston twins, mostly World War II-vintage transports, bombers, patrol planes and trainers converted for the carriage of executives, were then the mainstays of the business aviation fleet.
CAE, the big Canada-based simulator manufacturer and trainer, announced it has purchased Sabena Flight Academy, which includes its ab-initio training base in Mesa, Ariz., its 40-aircraft fleet that includes an Eclipse 500 and its six-simulator training center in Brussels, Belgium. Begun as a unit of Sabena Airlines, the Sabena training organization later became an independent entity. Its Belgium center's full flight simulators include an Avro RJ85/100; Airbus 320, 330 and 340; and Boeing 737 and 737NG. The two JAA- and JAR-approved bases employ some 135 people.
King Aerospace, Ardmore, Okla., announced that Richard (Rick) Penshorn is the company's new president and general manager. John Hartzler is the new chief operating officer and Lloyd Landburg is the new chief inspector.
-Agusta A109C, E and K2 helicopters - Inspect for swelling, deformation, bonding separation or cracks on each main-rotor blade with a certain tip cap installed. If any of these conditions are found, replace the main-rotor blade before further flight. -Bell 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP helicopters - Inspect each tail-rotor blade assembly at specified intervals and repair or replace, as applicable, unairworthy blades.
