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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation, August 2015

Viewpoint

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Saluting the Generation that Created Business Aviation

Aug 03, 2015
While we’re unlikely to see another tidal wave of vets eager to acquire wings, there is an undeniable, widespread enthusiasm for flight, albeit of another kind.

Reader's Feedback

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Readers’ Feedback (August 2015)

Jul 28, 2015
Challenger Love My least favorite part of the Bombardier Challenger 604, an aircraft I have been flying for 13 years, is the fuel system, which is seemingly an impossible mystery to crack. You are never really sure just how much fuel is in the tanks. The 20,000 lb. the book says you can carry is a pipe dream at best because it never takes it all — sometimes coming up over 1,500 lb. short, thus forcing you to replan your tech stop at the last minute.

Fast Five

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Questions for Michael J. Silvestro

Aug 01, 2015
Michael J. Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet and Flight Options, discusses how the two organizations have been integrating since the acquisition of Flexjet as well as the plans for new aircraft on order.

Operations Planning Guide

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How to Use the Operating Costs Guide

Aug 01, 2015
Aircraft operating costs are presented in a format that separates the data into seven separate areas: Mission Costs, Variable Costs, Fixed Annual Costs, Periodic Costs, Personnel Costs, Training Costs and Facilities Costs. Aircraft Category
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About Aviation Research Group/U.S.

Aug 01, 2015
Aviation Research Group/U.S. is a specialized aviation services company whose mission is to provide the aviation marketplace with data and information necessary to make informed decisions and manage risk. We provide software and business management solutions, including AVMOSYS business management software, TRAQPak, CHEQ and ARMOR SMS. TRAQPak provides market intelligence data and research services as well as expert aviation consulting. Subsidiaries include ARGUS PROS, a provider of on-site safety audits and PRISM, a leader in Safety Management Systems (SMS) and certification services.

Cause & Circumstance

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Cause & Circumstance: Negative Torque Sensing vs. Autofeather

Aug 12, 2015
Several factors could have led to the Bearskin Lake Air Service Flight 311 accident in 2013, including crew confusion over the engines’ negative torque sensing systems.
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Power Loss Recognition

Aug 01, 2015
On twin-engine propeller-driven aircraft where both engines turn counter-clockwise, such as the Fairchild Metro SA227, the right engine is considered critical. (In twins with clockwise-turning props, the left engine is critical.) The down-going propeller blade has a larger angle of attack than the up-going blade and produces more thrust. For engines that turn counter-clockwise, the down-going blade is farther from the aircraft centerline for the left engine than for the right engine.
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Asymmetrical Thrust

Aug 01, 2015
On twin-engine propeller-driven aircraft where both engines turn counter-clockwise, such as the Fairchild Metro SA227, the right engine is considered critical. (In twins with clockwise-turning props, the left engine is critical.) The down-going propeller blade has a larger angle of attack than the up-going blade and produces more thrust. For engines that turn counter-clockwise, the down-going blade is farther from the aircraft centerline for the left engine than for the right engine.
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Accidents in Brief (August 2015)

Aug 01, 2015
June 29 — About 1944 Hawaiian standard time, a Short Bros. SD3-60 (N221LM) sustained minor damage following a gear up landing at the Kalaeloa Airport [John Rogers Field] (JRK) Kapolei, Hawaii. The airplane was registered to and operated by Trans Executive Airlines of Hawaii Inc. The ATP-rated pilot and the Commercial-rated pilot, the only occupants of the airplane, were not injured. It was VFR but an IFR flight plan was filed for the flight check flight that originated from Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii at about 1850.

Safety

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Wind Shear: Has It Been Tamed?

Aug 01, 2015
Years ago, pilots were a bit self-deluding when it came to wind shear. Many didn’t even recognize it as a problem and chalked up the occasional loss of an airplane to pilots who didn’t quite have what it takes. However, that changed on June 24, 1975, when wind shear brought down Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, a Boeing 727, during an approach to New York’s JFK International Airport. Six crew and 106 passengers were killed.

Technology

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What's Next For Enhanced Vision Systems?

Aug 19, 2015
In our business of flying, “The Perfect” is very much still the enemy of “The Good,” especially when it comes to attaining dependable, economically feasible and broadly available all-weather operations equipage.

DOM Notebook

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Hangar Safety — Protecting Your Technicians

Aug 01, 2015
When maintenance managers gather and the talk turns to their work woes, the subject of rules and regulations inevitably comes to the fore. It seems as though technicians spend more effort complying with precautions than turning wrenches.
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Need Safety and Compliance Help?

Aug 01, 2015
The NBAA has a great resource for hangar safety compliance that includes OSHA checklists and guidance for developing an effective safety program. In addition to safety resources, the NBAA has guidance for developing a procedures manual and implementing effective management programs. To learn more visit http://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/hangar/

20/Twenty

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Gulfstream G150 Positioned For Long Life In Fleet

Aug 01, 2015
The G150 is one of the fastest and most cost-effective mid-light business aircraft that is capable of flying non-stop between most coastal cities in the U.S.

Products & Services Previews

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Products & Services Previews (August 2015)

Aug 01, 2015
1. CMD’s AML STC Paves Way for ADS-B Aircraft

B&CA 50 Years Ago

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August 1965 News

Aug 01, 2015
Learjet’s new turbine engine development “plans” are not much more than thought radiations from Bill Lear’s fertile mind. The company has no such program for study, research or building a mock-up or model of a jet engine. Utility, flexibility and ease, of control make the Hiller SL4 one of the best all-around vehicles in the small reciprocating engine helicopter field. Vision from the front-centered seat is excellent in all directions.

Intelligence

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Bell Helicopter’s Model 525 Relentless Lifts Off

Aug 01, 2015
Bell Helicopter’s all new Model 525 Relentless is flying.
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Jim Holahan, Former B&CA Editor in Chief, Dies At 94

Aug 01, 2015
Jim Holahan, the founding editor of Aviation Convention News and the monthly Aviation International News, and a former editor in chief of this publication, has gone west.
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Isle of Man Aircraft Registry Is Staffing Up

Jul 28, 2015
The fast growing Isle of Man aircraft registry is staffing up to face the implementation of new European safety regulations and to handle increasing applications from business jet operators.
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Jet Aviation Geneva Receives DGCA Approvals

Aug 01, 2015
Jet Aviation Geneva has received CAR-145 approval from the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India to provide base-maintenance services to Indian-registered Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft.
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Plane Perfect Forms Partnership With Maule Air

Aug 01, 2015
Plane Perfect, an aircraft detail supply company, has formed a partnership with Maule Air to provide cleaning products to the aircraft manufacturer.
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Spirit AeroSystems Celebrating 10th Anniversary

Aug 01, 2015
Spirit AeroSystems Marks 10 Years As A Company
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Bombardier Safety Standdown Oct. 6-8 in Wichita

Aug 01, 2015
Bombardier Business Aircraft’s 19th annual Safety Standdown USA, scheduled for Oct. 6-8 in Wichita, will focus on pilot distractions and practical applications of attention control techniques. Distractions are among the most serious threats to aviation safety, according to the NTSB. Accordingly, the program is intended to help aviation professionals recognize sources of distractions and ways to disconnect from them to avoid problems.
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Corporate Angel Network Flies 48,000th Cancer Patient

Aug 01, 2015
Corporate Angel Network has arranged its 48,000th cancer patient flight, with a flight on June 11. The patient was a 48-year-old with colon cancer. Patient James Etherton was accompanied by his wife, Tammy. Blue Beacon International donated its Cessna Citation for the flight, which flew them from their home in Mechnicsburg, Illinois, to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Etherton needs to fly to New York for treatment once a month. Blue Beacon has participated in the Corporate Cancer Network since 1992.
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One Aviation Markets Eclipse 500 “Special Edition”

Aug 01, 2015
One Aviation, the newly formed company that combined Eclipse Aerospace with Kestrel Aircraft, is marketing an Eclipse 500 “Special Edition” that includes the features and available options of a new production Eclipse 550. The Eclipse SE carries a base price of $2.195 million and is a factory-renewed Eclipse 500 that includes a dual Avio Integrated Flight Management System, anti-skid brakes, pilot-side Standby Display Unit, PPG glass windshields, new interior and two-tone paint scheme.
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Airbus’s Electric-powered E-fan Demonstrator Crosses English Channel

Aug 01, 2015
Airbus’s electric-powered E-fan demonstrator aircraft made a successful — and heavily promoted — crossing of the English Channel on July 10, but the company’s expectation of being the first to make the passage on electric power alone was snuffed by an enterprising French aviator.
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South Carolina Tax Exemption For Aircraft Maintenance Approved

Aug 01, 2015
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently signed a bill removing a 6% sales tax on maintenance performed on general aviation aircraft in the Palmetto state. The tax exemption takes effect on Jan. 1, 2016. There are 37 certified repair stations in the state, but many had been losing out on work as operators took their aircraft to Georgia, Florida or Arkansas to avoid the tax, supporters said. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association backed the bill. In the doing, South Carolina became the 21st state to pass such an exemption.
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Global 7000 and 8000 Program Undergo A Strategic Review

Aug 01, 2015
Bombardier Aerospace says the Global 7000 and 8000 programs are undergoing a strategic review, raising questions about the development schedule for the long-range business jets. “Following the arrival of new leadership in our organization — namely Alain Bellemare as president and CEO, Bombardier Inc. and David Coleal as president, Bombardier Business Aircraft — we are conducting a full review of all aspects of the program, including its schedule,” the company said.
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Magnum Aviation, Sun Air Jets Now Signature Select Members

Aug 01, 2015
Magnum Aviation, Sun Air Jets Now Signature Select Members
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New Law Eases Aircraft Noise In East Hampton, New York

Aug 01, 2015
A recent court decision in the battle over aircraft noise in East Hampton, New York, left neither side particularly happy. In late June, Judge Joanne Seybert of U.S. District Court in Central Islip issued an injunction a town law limiting summer takeoffs and landings at East Hampton Airport to one a week.
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Rockwell Collins Adds Updates to ARINCDirect

Aug 01, 2015
Rockwell Collins has announced a series of updates to its ARINCDirect Flight Operations System, including the ability to integrate with new tools and the launch of a new vendor alliance charter management program. The FOS release features a more intuitive, mobile-friendly, touchscreen user interface for tablets and smartphones. It also provides access to flight-risk assessment and fatigue-risk-management tools through the Pulsar Infomatics Aviation Fatigue Meter suite and the SAFE tool developed by Fatigue Risk Management Science Limited.
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Duncan’s Doing Drones

Aug 01, 2015
In July, the Lincoln, Nebraska-headquartered business aviation maintenance and modification company reported joining the Robotic Skies network to service “the emerging commercial unmanned aircraft fleet.” “Duncan Aviation has always been in the forefront of new industry trends,” said Don Fiedler, the company’s Business Development for Avionics and Instruments, adding, “We see a promising and growing future for unmanned aircraft systems.” With service centers located throughout North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and
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Elliott FAA STC For Gogo Products On Phenom 300s

Aug 01, 2015
Elliott Aviation, based in Moline, Illinois, has gained FAA supplemental type certificate for the activation and use of all Gogo Business Aviation Wi-Fi products in Embraer’s Phenom 300. The STC also allows for operation of Gogo’s UCS 5000, an all-in-one smart router and media server. The service includes the Gogo Vision cabin entertainment system. Gogo Vision is an on-demand, inflight entertainment system for business aviation to provide movies, TV episodes, news, weather, flight progress and other information. Elliott is an authorized Phenom 100 and 300 service center.
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Spare Parts For Meyers/Aero Commander 200

Aug 01, 2015
If you happen to operate a Meyers/Aero Commander 200 — unlikely, since fewer than 130 were built during its production run from 1959 to 1967 — there’s been an encouraging development. GlobalParts.aero, an Augusta, Kansas, parts manufacturer, has acquired the type certificate for the four-place single piston aircraft from its owner in Texas and plans to support the fleet with spare parts. “This opportunity came out of nowhere,” GlobalParts Vice President Malissa Nesmith said.
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VistaJet Increases In-service Business Jet Fleet

Aug 01, 2015
VistaJet has increased its in-service business-jet fleet to 50 aircraft. All are Bombardier business jets. The milestone will be achieved in June when VistaJet takes delivery of a Global 6000 ultra-long-range aircraft, the company said. The growing fleet reflects VistaJet’s increasing global expansion, said Thomas Flohr, VistaJet founder and chairman.
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Cirrus Delivers 6,000th Aircraft

Aug 01, 2015
Sixteen years after delivering its first production aircraft, Duluth, Minnesota-based Cirrus Aircraft is celebrating its 6,000th customer delivery of a new Cirrus aircraft “Our customers, partners and employees are rightfully proud of this amazing accomplishment,” said Dale Klapmeier, cofounder and CEO of Cirrus Aircraft.
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Sales Of Used Business Jets And Business Turboprops Down

Aug 01, 2015
The number of used business jets and business turboprops sold globally fell in May, when compared to the same time a year ago, according to JetNet. The total number of used business jets sold in North America in May totaled 170, down from 183 in May 2014. That’s still up from May 2013, however, when 149 used business jets were sold. While the number of light and medium-size jets sold fell in May, the number of heavy jets sold rose to 55 from 48 in May 2014.
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Swift Fuels Unleaded 94 Avgas Certified By FAA

Aug 01, 2015
There’s a new unleaded fuel that will soon be available to the light, piston aircraft fleet. Swift Fuels LLC says its Unleaded 94 MON avgas (for “motor-octane-number”) is already FAA certified and meets ASTM standards. The fuel is tailored for lower-octane piston engines, and does not replace the 100LL avgas used in high performance aircraft. The company says it is working with certain avgas producers and distributors to supply the fuel to select regions of the U.S. and Canada.
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Thales Introduces New Head Mount Display For Business Aircraft

Aug 01, 2015
Thales is taking the helmet out of the helmet-mounted display and bringing Top Gun technology to the business jet world. Less than three years after acquiring an innovative line of helmet-mounted displays (HMD) from U.S. helmet-maker Gentex, Thales is offering the same technology for applications ranging from civil helicopters and business jets to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, including an a entirely new head-worn display called TopMax. The basic Scorpion combat HMD is already flying on U.S.
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Colombia Types Challenger 300, 350

Aug 01, 2015
Bombardier Aerospace has received type certification for the Challenger 300 and Challenger 350 business jets from the Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aviacon Civil (UAEAC) of Colombia, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, the company said. The Challenger portfolio is gaining strong momentum in Latin America, company officials said. And Colombia is a growing market in the region.
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Embraer Predicts Jet Deliveries For The Next 20 Years

Aug 01, 2015
In its recent market outlook, Embraer predicts deliveries of 6,350 jets in the 70-to-130 seat category over the next 20 years.
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New East Coast Member Only Flights

Aug 01, 2015
It’s worked on the Pacific coast, so why not on the Atlantic coast as well? That’s the thinking of the team that founded Surf Air, the growing commercial operation that provides scheduled PC-12 service among various California business aviation airports to its members.
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Boeing Business Jets Launches BBJ MAX 9

Aug 01, 2015
Boeing Business Jets has launched its BBJ MAX 9 large cabin, ultra-long-range business aircraft with an order from an undisclosed European customer. It’s the fifth firm order for a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) MAX aircraft. Boeing has previously booked four orders for the BBJ MAX 8 model. The first order was announced in 2014. “We are thrilled to announce that the BBJ MAX 9 program is officially launched with our first BBJ MAX 9 order,” Boeing Business Jets President David Longridge said.
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FreeFlight ADS-B Gains FAA STC

Aug 01, 2015
Texas-based FreeFlight Systems has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate and Approved Model List certification for its ADS-B systems,which are ready for shipping and installation. The systems are approved for installation in more than 400 light general-aviation aircraft. The RANGR Lite systems are available as an ADS-B Out only system for $1,995, and as an ADS-B In/Out system for $3,695. The price includes built-in WAAS/GPS, ADS-B and GPS antennas, an install kit, control head and/or Wi-Fi module if needed.
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MAC Air Breaks Ground For New FBO

Aug 01, 2015
Portland, Maine-based MAC Air Group broke ground at Portland International Jetport for a new 43,000- sq.-ft., full-service operation.