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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation January 2015

VOL. 111 NO. 1 January 01, 2015

Operators Survey

Bombardier Challenger 605

Jan 05, 2015

Challenger 605 operators are pragmatic realists. They say there are other large-cabin aircraft with fine French bloodlines, plus sporty performers from Savannah and rugged heavyweights from Brazil, but no other business jet can top the Bombardier Challenger 605 for its blend of cost effectiveness, low operating costs and cabin comfort, plus dispatch reliability and everyday utility.

Publisher's Message

2015 Will Be a Good Year

Jan 01, 2015

Big things are happening at the Penton Business Aviation Network. As the clouds of the recession are finally lifting (no kidding this time), and once again business aviation is on the upturn, I must invoke the name of one of my favorite 1980s classics, “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades!” “B&CA is doing what?!”

Readers’ Feedback

Letters From Our Readers (January 2015)

Jan 01, 2015

‘FOB Only’ I liked your Viewpoint on TFRs (“Temporary Abuse,” October 2014). We all have to pay the price for someone to have a fundraiser!!? You left out the additional costs to fly to, land and take off from a gateway airport. The extra gas, landing fees, cycles on the gear, duty day issues.

Operations

Saying Yes to Portable Electronic Devices

Jan 02, 2015

Do you allow your passengers to use portable electronic devices (PEDs) below 10,000 ft.? Should you? Try these two scenarios on for size: Scenario One: You are about to depart on an FAR Part 91 trip with the person who signs your paycheck. “Mr. Big is working on a very important spreadsheet,” you hear from the cabin crew. “He insists we take off right away, but he will not be putting his computer away.”

PED Notes

Jan 01, 2015

A portable electronic device (PED) is a lightweight, electrically or battery-powered piece of equipment. These devices are typically consumer electronic devices capable of communications and data processing, such as a tablet, e-reader or handheld computer games. Please note that mobile phones are not considered PEDs in this context and thus may be used only when the boarding door is open and during taxi to the gate after landing.

NBAA Weighs In

Feb 01, 2015

While the National Business Aviation Association is almost always identified with issues affecting the operation of turbine-powered business aircraft, more than 1,000 of its member companies operate piston-engine light planes to support their business travel.

DOM Notebook

Maintenance Help Away From Home

Jan 01, 2015

They say that Murphy does not discriminate. Ask any maintenance manager and they will swear that he has a special affinity for airplanes. If there can be a worst-possible location for the aircraft to break down, that is where it will happen. It is bad enough to break down at home, at least you have some comfort knowing your staff and support structure is in place and you can pay your full attention to the problem. Now, put the airplane half a world away in a remote location and that same problem magnifies in complexity and aggravation by a factor of 10 (or more).

Need to Find a Part 145 Repair Station?

Jan 01, 2015

The National Air Transportation Association has a handy guide to help you find and negotiate with FAR Part 145 repair stations. To download it, visit www.nata.aero/data/files/part145_4x9.pdf Also, the NBAA website has an extensive list of service providers in its member directory. To see more, visit: http://data.nbaa.org/prodsvcs/directory/search.cfm

Cause & Circumstance

Oklahoma MU-2B Accident – A Mishandled Engine Out

Jan 02, 2015

N856JT, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, crashed into wooded terrain near Owasso, Oklahoma, on Nov. 10, 2013, about 1546 CST.Investigators collaborated on a meticulous analysis of this accident.

NTSB Renews Call for Recorders

Jan 01, 2015

In its report on the Inhofe MU-2-B accident, the NTSB points out that the airplane was not equipped, and was not required to be equipped, with any type of crash-resistant recorder.

Accidents in Brief

Jan 01, 2015

Selected Accidents and Incidents in November 2014. The following NTSB information is preliminary.

Safety

It’s Not About Breathing

Jan 15, 2015

I recently sat in a room full of aviation professionals and, unbelievably, heard the comment that “the so-called oxygen bottle is really compressed air, just like scuba divers use.” While I sat there with my mouth open, more than a few in the room nodded agreement. They may not be the only folks thinking this to be true.

Piloting

About Ol’ Blue Eyes, and Brown and Hazel

Jan 20, 2015

Visual cues are a pilot’s most-important sensory input. Since good eyesight is essential for safe operation of an aircraft, pilots must demonstrate adequate visual performance at every aeromedical exam.

The Dreaded Presbyopia

Jan 01, 2015

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped lens at the front of the eye. One of the most-common changes with age to the eye’s structure is the loss of flexibility in the cornea. In a young person, the eye’s lens is clear and pliable, which is important since it aids in focusing on objects of varying distance.

Laser Surgery

Jan 01, 2015

The surge of laser usage to correct vision problems has led to the creation of an entire industry. When used properly by credentialed specialists, this form of treatment can result in remarkable improvements to eyesight. However, LASIK and other forms of vision corrective surgery have potentially adverse effects that could be incompatible with flying duties. According to the FAA’s online “Pilot Medical Certification Questions and Answers,” these include: Corneal scarring or opacities;

Accident Free: Are You Lucky or Truly Safe?

How to Hire; When to Fire

Jan 01, 2015

Nothing has a greater impact on flight operations safety than hiring and retaining the best people. That’s why top-notch airlines, military organizations and business aircraft operations go to great efforts to evaluate personal integrity, professional attitude, willingness to embrace team effort and coolness under pressure during the hiring process. The objective, even in single-pilot aircraft operations, is to identify pilots who view themselves as team players as well as leaders.

Helicopter Update

Bell Counting on Next Gen Helicopters

Jan 01, 2015

While Bell Helicopter Textron is one of the world’s oldest and most famous rotary-wing manufacturers, it was not the first bought for mass production…

Management

Valuing the Gulfstream G550

Jan 01, 2015

What are the driving factors that affect the value of a business aircraft, such as the Gulfstream G550? Using a G550 with an in-service and Certificate of Airworthiness date of 2007, a microeconomic review shows what impacts value for this aircraft.

Fast Five

Questions for Steven Levesque

Dec 29, 2014

1. You have built a foundation for a chain now with five facilities. What are your long-term plans? Levesque: We started the year with two and added facilities in Chicago, Atlanta and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We would like to grow to 15 or 20 facilities. But we want to grow smartly and in the right way. We are not in a rush. We have looked at a lot more than we have attempted to acquire. 2. What do you look for in a potential acquisition?

Intelligence

Fokker Selected For 737-800 Head-Of-State Completion

Jan 01, 2015

Fokker Services, part of Fokker Technologies, has been selected by Boeing to carry out a green completion of a 737-800 for an undisclosed Asian head of state. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Fokker Services Netherlands in October 2015, with a scheduled redelivery in August 2016. The company is currently working on completion of a green ACJ319 for an undisclosed customer, for delivery in the first quarter of 2015. Its previous VIP conversions include Airbus A318, A319 and A320 aircraft, as well as Bombardier CRJ series and Fokker aircraft.

Vincent Tchengang to Head ACJC

Jan 01, 2015

Vincent Tchengang, formerly Airbus regional sales director covering airlines in Africa and the Indian Ocean, has joined the Airbus Corporate Jet Center (ACJC) as its new head of services sales. He will manage a team of sales directors dedicated to VIP services marketing worldwide.

Industry Groups Appeal Damaging Cuts

Jan 01, 2015

Piaggio’s latest version of the Avanti turboprop twin, the EVO, was awarded European certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Dec. 9. U.S. certification from the FAA is expected within the next few weeks as well as Indian certification as the first two Avanti EVO aircraft will be delivered to Indian customers. The EVO has a number of significant modifications that boost efficiency, reduce operating costs, provide greater levels of comfort for passengers, and reduce internal and external noise.

Honeywell Teams With Saudi Oger And GDC Technics

Jan 01, 2015

Honeywell Aerospace scored two firsts for the region at the recent Middle East Business Aviation show in Dubai when it signed up construction and management giant Saudi Oger as the launch customer in the region for its Boeing Business Jet avionics maintenance plan, and an unnamed launch customer for its BBJ 131-9B auxiliary power unit maintenance plan. It also appointed Arab-owned, U.S.-based GDC Technics to retrofit its JetWave satellite communications system in Airbus and Boeing VIP aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney Canada To Invest $1 Billion Over Next 4½ Years

Jan 01, 2015

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) will invest more than $1 billion in research and development over the next 4 1/2 years to develop the next generation of high-performance aircraft engines, the company announced in early December. The investment includes a $300 million repayable contribution from the government of Canada under the Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative program.

North American Flight Activity Sees 13-Month Growth

Jan 01, 2015

Signs of a recovery in the business aviation sector are reinforced by predictions of a 13-consecutive-month increase in flight activity when the December figures come in. Analysts at TRAQPak estimate there will be 1.4% growth in overall flight activity year over year in December, following a 3.7% increase in November vs. the same month a year earlier. TRAQPac is the intelligence data arm of Argus International. The results by operational category were positive across the board, with Part 135 reporting the largest growth, up 8.6%.

Boeing Business Jets Names Longridge New President

Jan 01, 2015

Boeing has named David Longridge as president of Boeing Business Jets following the promotion of Capt. Steve Taylor to chief pilot of Boeing’s Flight Services unit. Longridge, a 21-year veteran of Boeing, most recently served as sales director based in the U.K., leading the British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and TUI accounts. He was previously a sales director for BBJ when the group was founded in 1996. Taylor leaves BBJ on a high note. While at BBJ, the organization sold 28 jetliners to be outfitted as VIP aircraft.

Warning Sounded For Final 20 Seconds

Jan 01, 2015

Downloaded CVR and FDR preliminary information from an Embraer Phenom 100 that crashed 1 mi. short of the runway at the Montgomery County Airpark outside Washington, D.C. on Dec. 8 revealed that the aircraft’s automated stall warning system sounded continuously for the final 20 sec. of the flight, according to NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt. The accident killed the pilot and the two passengers on the jet as well as a woman and her two children in one of three houses struck by debris.

Turbomeca Marks Two Major Milestones

Jan 01, 2015

Two major milestones coincided within days of each other at Turbomeca, the French manufacturer of helicopter engines: the 40th anniversary of the first flight of its Arriel engine, and the entry into service of its latest engine, the Arrius 2B2 Plus. The Arrius B2B Plus entered service this month on an Airbus Helicopter EC135 T3 with Italian mountain rescue operator Aiut Alpin Dolomites.

RUAG Completes Europe’s First Falcon 2000 Pro Line 21 Upgrade

Jan 01, 2015

RUAG Aviation recently completed the first upgrade in Europe of a Falcon 2000 with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics replacing the aircraft’s Pro Line 4 cockpit. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA-approved upgrade is also available for the Falcon 2000EX. RUAG carried out the upgrade at its Lugano, Switzerland, facility during a 3C inspection, which was itself the first performed at that location.

Jet-A and Avgas Fuel Prices Table

Jan 01, 2015

First Next-Generation EC175 Delivered

Jan 01, 2015

Second Super Puma AS332 C1e Delivered to FAB

Jan 01, 2015

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian Air Force (FAB). At the end of 2013, the FAB purchased six of these light-medium helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public service missions throughout the country. The first helicopter was delivered in August of this year and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered between now and 2016.

Chinese Companies Add GA Capabilities

Jan 01, 2015

Chinese companies are steadily adding to their portfolio of Western general aviation manufacturers ahead of the anticipated boom that will follow the opening of low-level airspace there. Two little-known acquisitions came to light at last month’s Airshow China in Zhuhai:

Surf Air May Expand to Texas and Florida

Jan 01, 2015

Surf Air, the all-you-can-fly startup airline operating within California, hopes to launch similar operations in Texas and Florida within the next year, and wants to eventually begin near-hourly service between the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, executives said in interviews. The airline, run by former Frontier Airlines CEO Jeff Potter, placed a firm order in August for 15 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with 50 options. The first arrived last month, giving Surf Air a fleet of four aircraft, each with eight seats.

ExcelAire Expands Gulfstream Fleet

Jan 01, 2015

ExcelAire added another Gulfstream to its growing charter fleet, this one being a GIV-SP that can seat 18 passengers. Based at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in New York, ExcelAire operates a range of light, medium, super-midsize and heavy jets. It is the anchor charter and management company for Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, which is a growing chain of fixed-base operations.

Winner Aviation Becomes Avfuel Dealer

Jan 01, 2015

FBO Winner Aviation is expanding its offerings by joining the Avfuel Corp. dealer network. As a result, Avfuel-branded programs — including Avtrip rewards and jet fuel-savings program Avfuel Contract Fuel — will be made available at Winner’s Ohio base at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. Winner this is incorporating Avfuel’s training and systems. To celebrate the partnership, Winner Aviation will offer triple Avtrip points on qualifying services through year-end.

Signature Upgrading St. Maarten Facilities

Jan 01, 2015

Signature Flight Support has signed an agreement to lease part of a new general aviation terminal at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten, as the company moves to upgrade its facilities and build up its presence in the Caribbean. SXM became Signature’s first location in the Caribbean when the company acquired the Arrindell Aviation Services facilities there in 2011.

Gulfstream 650ER Enters Service

Jan 01, 2015

Hayes Replaces Chenevert at UTC

Jan 01, 2015

Louis Chenevert, the architect of the biggest aerospace and defense (A&D) acquisition ever and a driving force behind Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan (GTF) engine, has stepped down as chairman and CEO of United Technologies Corp. (UTC). Gregory J. Hayes, UTC’s chief financial officer, is replacing him as CEO. Edward A. Kangas, a member of UTC’s board, will become non-executive chairman. In an announcement before the stock market opened Nov.

Boeing: BBJ787s Have Battery Modification

Jan 01, 2015

Cessna’s Begins Deliveries in China

Jan 01, 2015

Cessna’s grand plans for China have been scaled back considerably from those outlined at signing ceremonies with AVIC two years ago. But progress has been made: the first Cessna Caravan utility aircraft has been delivered from one joint venture; the first two Citation XLS+ business jets delivered from a second JV, based at Zhuhai, to Zhongheng Air Lines. The XLS+ aircraft were built, completed and licensed in Wichita, then flown to Zhuhai.

Cessna’s Begins Deliveries in China

Jan 01, 2015

Rule Increases Limit On Simulated IFR Training

Jan 01, 2015

Drug Testing Violations Fine Proposed

Jan 01, 2015

FAA is proposing a $160,000 civil penalty against aviation spare parts, support services and inventory products provider Parker Aerospace of Irvine, California. The agency alleges the facility violated drug and alcohol testing regulations, hiring two people for safety-sensitive positions before conducting pre-employment drug tests and receiving results. FAA further claims the company transferred an employee into a safety-sensitive position before conducting drug tests and receiving results. Parker has until late December to respond to the allegations.

CAIGA’s AG300 Enters Test Flight Phase

Jan 01, 2015

Ryan Takes Helm At BendixKing

Jan 01, 2015

Honeywell has reached in-house to replace Kevin Gould as president of BendixKing. Justin Ryan, who has served as vice president for Honeywell’s…

Business Aviation Groups Welcome House Passage of Tax Increase Prevention Act

Jan 01, 2015

The U.S. House passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (H.R. 5771) on Dec. 3, renewing provisions to encourage capital investment. But the move only served to kick the can down the road, and not very far at that. Nevertheless, business aviation organizations see passage as a step forward. “NBAA applauds this action by the House to renew bonus depreciation and other tax incentives that encourage businesses to upgrade equipment and invest in assets such as aircraft,” National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen says.

Falcon 8X Rolls Out

Jan 01, 2015

Dassault rolled out its three-engine Falcon 8X on Dec. 17 at a special ceremony at its Bordeaux-Merignac production facility. The first flight will follow in the next few weeks. The 6,450-nm ultra-long-range jet is powered by improved Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307D engines, it will build on the strengths of the fast-selling Falcon 7X, adding 500 nm to that aircraft’s range and 3.5 ft. to its cabin length.

PAC Seating Wins BBJ787 Shipset Orders

Jan 01, 2015

PAC Seating Systems has been selected by San Antonio cabin completion specialist GDC Technics to provide all seating products for two wide-body BBJ787 programs. The two BBJ787 contracts mark the first time the Palm City, Florida-based company has received a multiple aircraft order. It is the third BBJ787 seating order for PAC, and the company also has a fresh seating contract for a Boeing Business Jet.

Dassault Falcon to Expand Maintenance Facility

Jan 01, 2015

Dassault Falcon Service plans to build a heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in southwestern France, adjacent to the Dassault Aviation manufacturing plant. The 7,200-sq.-meter facility will serve Falcon 7X, 8X and 5X large cabin aircraft. The six-bay facility is expected to open in mid-2016, in time to handle initial C Checks for the Falcon 7X, of which more than 230 are now in operation.

Canada Safety Board to Investigate Air Taxi Ops

Jan 01, 2015

Concerned that the air taxi sector accounted for 65% of all commercial aviation fatalities over the past 10 years, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is planning an in-depth “Safety Issues Investigation” on those operations. Announced last week by TSB Chairman Kathy Fox, the study is set to begin in early 2015, and will cover historical data and case studies in Canada as well as accidents and incidents in other countries.

Airbus Reducing Stake in Dassault Aviation

Jan 01, 2015

Airbus has started selling off its share of French combat aircraft and business jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The company sold 4% of its share in Dassault back to its majority holder GIMD (Groupement Industriel Marcel Dassault) after trading in Paris closed on Nov. 28. The deal raised €794 million ($987 million) with the share valued at €980 per share, roughly a 9.2% discount over the last trading price of the day, according to Dassault.

Second Cirrus SF50 Prototype Flies

Jan 01, 2015

Cirrus added a second conforming-prototype Vision SF50 personal jet to the flight test program as the company progresses toward certification and delivery in late 2015. The second prototype, C1, first flew on Nov. 25 from Duluth, Minnesota. The flight occurred as the company was in the final stages of adding a third aircraft to the flight test program. The initial proof-of-concept single-jet Vision SF250 flew in July 2008, but the program gained momentum after Caiga, the general aviation manufacturing subsidiary of China’s AVIC, acquired Cirrus in 2011.

LAX Nighttime Restrictions Petition Rejected at by FAA

Jan 01, 2015

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) may not restrict Stage 3 aircraft from departing to the east, or over the city, during overnight hours, FAA ruled. FAA, in a decision dated Nov. 7, denied the airport’s Part 161 application seeking permission to impose the restrictions. FAA found the restrictions would create undue hardship on airlines in the overnight hours and were not legal under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. According to the filing, FAA had concerns that LAX’s application was both unreasonable and arbitrary.

Rectrix Aviation Opens Massachusetts FBO

Jan 01, 2015

Rectrix Aviation opened a new flagship FBO at Hanscom Field Airport (KBED) in Bedford, Massachusetts. The opening culminates a two-year effort to develop the new facility that will also house the company’s headquarters. The new FBO includes 60,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and 20,000 sq. ft. of guest and office space, including a lobby, conference and meeting rooms, pilots’ lounge, snooze room and flight planning center.

Washington Watch

On Duty

News of promotions, appointments and honors involving professionals

Jan 01, 2015

Airways Aviation, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, appointed Ian Brookes to head of ground training for the company at Bournemouth Airport in England.

20/Twenty

Galaxy/Gulfstream G200

Jan 01, 2015

For as little as $5 million, you can buy a IAI Galaxy/Gulfstream G200. It’s the original super-midsize business jet, able to fly eight passengers 3,200 nm and land with NBAA IFR reserves. The aircraft has nearly GII cabin dimensions, albeit with a shallow dropped aisle, but it has close to midsize jet fuel consumption and direct operating costs.

Products & Services Previews

Jan 01, 2015

1. Flight Stream 110 and 210 Now Available

Market Sector

Business & Commercial Aviation January 2015

Operators Survey

Publisher's Message

Readers’ Feedback

Operations

DOM Notebook

Cause & Circumstance

Safety

Piloting

Accident Free: Are You Lucky or Truly Safe?

Helicopter Update

Management

Fast Five

Intelligence

Washington Watch

On Duty

20/Twenty

Products & Services Previews

B&CA 50 Years Ago

Market Sector

Share

Business & Commercial Aviation January 2015

Share

Operators Survey

Publisher's Message

Readers’ Feedback

Operations

DOM Notebook

Cause & Circumstance

Safety

Piloting

Accident Free: Are You Lucky or Truly Safe?

Helicopter Update

Management

Fast Five

Intelligence

Washington Watch

On Duty

20/Twenty

Products & Services Previews

B&CA 50 Years Ago