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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation, January 2016

VOL. 112 NO. 1 January 01, 2016

Viewpoint

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Three Developments That Should Strengthen the Business Aviation Industry

Dec 28, 2015
It seems to me a kind of stubborn unease has infected many in the business aviation community. They see post-recession conditions of tepid growth in flight hours, slack sales in general, low fleet valuations and business consolidations as the new normal, and harbingers of a difficult future. Pardon my optimism, but considering events in just the past month, I come away with a different view, heartened by developments that should help strengthen the industry.

Intelligence

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HondaJet Gets FAA Certification

Dec 28, 2015
There was a roar of approval, streamers popping and some 2,000 workers, dignitaries and suppliers applauded when Michimasa Fujino announced to those gathered on Dec. 9 in the gleaming white hangar that the HA-420 HondaJet had been granted an FAA Type Certificate. Long in coming, Honda’s first-ever aircraft had up until that moment been flying under an Experimental certificate.
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Honeywell Acquires Satcom1

Dec 28, 2015
Honeywell acquired Copenhagen-based Satcom1 the leading provider of routing software that optimizes the inflight connectivity experience and is already an existing distribution partner for Honeywell’s JetWave terminals and Inmarsat’s GX Aviation program. The company, whose 2015 revenues were expected to be approximately $25 million, provides inflight airtime, satellite communications services and software for fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Honeywell says the acquisition will facilitate “a seamless experience with an all-in-one connectivity solution.”
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Specialized Challenger 605s

Dec 28, 2015
Bombardier recently delivered the first of two specialized Challenger 605’s to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. This multi-role aircraft can be used for search and rescue, VIP transportation, medical evacuation, as well as other special missions. The Challengers are replacements. Challengers are deployed in multi-role service in Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The model is also used as a head of state aircraft in several countries.
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Flexjet Orders AS2 SSBJs And Challengers 350s

Dec 28, 2015
Flexjet made headlines twice in a day at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention on Nov. 18 by placing orders for 20 Aerion AS2 supersonic business jets, and 20 Bombardier Challenger 350s.
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Astronautics Corp. New PaTIO Make A Hacker's Life Difficult

Dec 28, 2015
Astronautics Corp. of America is promoting a new architecture designed to prevent hacking of an aircraft’s data.
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Amazon Reveals Prototype Of Prime Air

Dec 28, 2015
Amazon has revealed the latest prototype of its Prime Air package-delivery small unmanned aircraft.
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Flying Doctor Service Launch Customer Max-Viz 1400 System

Dec 28, 2015
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is the launch customer of Astronics Max-Viz’s 1400 enhanced-vision system.
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Terrafugia To Test Flying-Car Models

Dec 28, 2015
Flying-car developer Terrafugia has received FAA authorization to fly three 1/10th-scale radio-control models of its next-generation TF-X.
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FAA New Rule: Register That UAS By Feb. 16, 2016

Dec 28, 2015
FAA’s new website for registering small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) was set to be up and running by Dec. 21.
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Windecker Eagle Better Than Ever

Dec 28, 2015
A Windecker Eagle, the first composite aircraft to be awarded a type certificate by the FAA, is flying again.
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Daher Delivers 100th TBM 900 Turboprop

Dec 28, 2015
Daher has delivered its 100th TBM 900 single-engine turboprop, a milestone that comes 20 months after the company unveiled the aircraft in 2014.
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West Star Aviation Expanding

Dec 28, 2015
West Star Aviation is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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AOPA Offers New Tools To Flying Clubs

Dec 28, 2015
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is offering free scheduling software and other tools to flying clubs available through its AOPA Flying Club Network.
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NBAA 2015 Draws 27,000 To Las Vegas

Dec 28, 2015
This year’s National Business Aviation Association’s convention was a “resounding success,” drawing 27,000 attendees, 1,100 exhibitors and 100 aircraft on display.
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Jet Singapore Completes Global Express Heavy Inspection

Dec 28, 2015
Jet Aviation Singapore delivered the first 8C (120-month) inspection undertaken in Asia on a Bombardier Global Express aircraft. Along with the inspection, it also completed a full interior refurbishment and repainted the exterior. The 10-year 8C inspection is the largest maintenance event for Global Express aircraft. It will begin a second 8C inspection for an undisclosed customer in January. (See Twenty/20 on page 65)
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China Gets First Embraer Phenom 100E

Dec 28, 2015
Embraer Executive Jets delivered the first Phenom 100E in China.
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Gulfstream Delivers G650ER To Qatar Airways

Dec 28, 2015
Gulfstream Aerospace delivered the first of up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft to Qatar Airways on Dec. 11.
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Senate To Review Pilot’s Bill Of Rights 2

Dec 28, 2015
On Dec. 9, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has passed S. 571, known as the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2.
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FlightSafety Adds Simulators For Cessna Training

Dec 28, 2015
FlightSafety International is adding to its Cessna Aircraft training programs as it redistributes some of the training to meet customer needs.
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NetJets Cancels Orders, Earnings Drop

Dec 28, 2015
Fractional-ownership giant NetJets recorded a 37% drop in earnings during the third quarter of 2015.
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European Business Aviation Activity Declines In November

Dec 28, 2015
Business aviation departures in Europe declined 2.5% in November, to 56,200 departures, when compared to a year ago, according to WINGX’s Business Aviation Monitor.
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StandardAero Completes First Legacy 650 ADS-B Installation

Dec 28, 2015
StandardAero recently completed its first certified ADS-B solution for an Embraer Legacy 650 aircraft at the company’s Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) MRO facility.
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Titan Aviation Gets A Legacy 650

Dec 28, 2015
Embraer Executive Jets announced an order for a new Legacy 650 to an undisclosed customer, based in the Middle East.
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Aviation Partners And FlexSys Team

Dec 28, 2015
Aviation Partners, Inc. is partnering with FlexSys to certify, commercialize wing-morphing adaptive control surfaces to potentially boost airfoil performance.
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Gulfstream Layoffs Not A Surprise, Analyst Says

Dec 28, 2015
The news that Gulfstream Aerospace is eliminating 1,100 jobs is not surprising, given the company’s desire to manage costs, an aviation analyst has said.
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Pentastar Aviation Launches New Website

Dec 28, 2015
Pentastar Aviation launched a rebranded website featuring a refreshed look and upgrade to responsive design technology.
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Zetta Jet Purchases Global 6000 With Options

Dec 28, 2015
Zetta Jet has purchased a Bombardier Global 6000 ultra-long-range aircraft with options for four additional Global 6000 business jets.
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New Droneport And Teaching Facility

Dec 28, 2015
The Aerodrome and its partner, the City of Boulder City, Nevada, announced in early December the world’s first commercial droneport and teaching facility in Boulder City.
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Gulfstream GV, GIV Approved For Cabin Connectivity Upgrade

Dec 28, 2015
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. said it has received approval from the FAA to install the Gogo Business Aviation UCS 5000 smart cabin system on Gulfstream GV and GIV aircraft.
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Global Jet Capital: GE Portfolio Acquisition 90% Complete

Dec 28, 2015
Global Jet Capital announced that it has completed approximately 90% of its acquisition of GE’s fixed-wing Corporate Aircraft financing portfolio in the Americas.
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Jet-A and Avgas Fuel Prices, December 2015

Dec 28, 2015
Jet-A and Avgas Per Gallon Fuel Prices December 2015
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Third-Class Medical Reform Bill Advances

Dec 28, 2015
A bill for third-class medical reform for pilots is gaining momentum. On Dec. 9, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has passed S. 571, known as the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2. It will now go to the full Senate for consideration. The bill has strong support in the Senate, with 70 co-sponsors, and in the House, where it has 151 co-sponsors, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Since it was introduced in the House and Senate in February, the bill has undergone some major modifications to address concerns by Congress and others.

Fast Five

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Fast Five: Questions for Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King

Dec 31, 2015
Doug King Chief Executive Officer, Epic Aircraft, Bend, Oregon

Management

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How Contract Pilots Fit in the Flight Department

Dec 28, 2015
Chronic pilot shortages now are a reality for many small and medium-size flight departments. Managers have pared back on staffing levels to comply with cost-cutting mandates. Moreover, full-time pilots aren’t available for duty full time. They have vacation days, periodic simulator training sessions, occasional sick days, parental leave time and perhaps even a few personal days off.
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Contract Flight Crews: Special Procedures to Mitigate Risks

Dec 28, 2015
“A flight department must screen temps as thoroughly as new hires,” says Drumgold. This starts with a close examination of a contract pilot’s records, licenses, certificates and logs. Then, it takes a one-on-one interview, investigation of references and plenty of immersion into the flight department’s culture. The vetting process needs to be thorough to assure that the contract pilot buys into your SOPs, SMS and risk mitigation protocols.

Operations

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The World Looks Different From the Left Seat

Dec 28, 2015
Moving to the left seat for the first time is a huge deal, and there are things you need to understand if you are to make the move gracefully.
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Understanding International Medevac

Dec 28, 2015
When television viewers saw news coverage of American medical professionals infected with Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever arriving in the U.S. for treatment, it’s doubtful many of them knew that the aircraft bringing them back from Africa were specially modified, commercially operated Gulfstream business jets.
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Protection from Contagion: Phoenix Air's Aeromedical Biological Containment System for Gulfstream III

Dec 31, 2015
Phoenix Air’s Aeromedical Biological Containment System (ABCS) is shown erected beside one of the operator’s Gulfstream III air ambulances. Note the “exoskeleton” fabricated from aluminum stock and the disposable isolation tent for patients suffering from dangerous communicable diseases that it supports. The system breaks down for storage and is designed to be assembled in the Gulfstream’s cabin and secured in the seat tracks.
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How Phoenix Air Entered the ‘Ebola Business’

Dec 28, 2015
Phoenix Air has a history of adapting business aircraft to unusual applications to service government contracts.
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How the FAA Is Regulating Small Drones

Dec 28, 2015
What finally galvanized the FAA and its Cabinet-level overseer, the Department of Transportation (DOT), into implementing meaningful regulation of civil drone operations were predictions by the UAS industry that between 700,000 and 1 million small drones would be purchased as 2015 holiday gifts in the U.S.
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FAA vs. Raphael Pirker

Dec 28, 2015
The subject of what constitutes a small drone commercial operation can’t be broached without relating the story of “FAA v. Raphael Pirker.”
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How to Start a Small UAS Commercial Operation the Right Way

Dec 28, 2015
“I wasn’t going to fly a toy and lose my ticket. I’ve been flying 35 years and have never gotten a violation and always followed the regs. Why would I jeopardize my livelihood?” Why, indeed? So reasoned Bob Howie, Gulfstream V captain at a Houston charter/management company, when he purchased a couple of DJI Phantom Pro 3 drones and contemplated starting a commercial operation. What attracted him to the small UASs that seem to have burgeoned overnight was a lifelong love affair with model aircraft.
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Knockin’ ’Em Down

Dec 28, 2015
Registration may identify some small drone operators, but it won’t keep those intent on mischief, terrorism or just plain stupidity from flying their UASs irresponsibly, illegally, or even malevolently.
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A Small Business Startup Based On Small Drones

Dec 28, 2015
Modesto, California, resident Tom Davis’s background includes 25 years as a scientific programmer during which he developed software apps and performed software engineering for high-speed computer systems. Having been raised on a farm in California’s Central Valley, he also was familiar with mechanized agriculture. And since his father had been an air traffic controller and flight instructor, this spawned an interest in aviation.
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And Now a Few Words From Your FAA

Dec 28, 2015
While BCA was refused an interview with an FAA small UAS manager, the administration did respond to a slate of questions.

DOM Notebook

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Recruiting Great Technicians

Dec 28, 2015
Aviation used to be a top career choice for young people, but airline consolidations and failures, the slowdown in business aviation, downsizing, outsourcing and budget pressures, among other things, have left many new job seekers with a negative impression of the aviation industry. While the call of the sky is powerful, the hard math of student loans and low starting pay in an uncertain job market has led many to apply their talents and pin their aspirations to other industries.

Cause & Circumstance

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Drug Use May Have Contributed to 2013 Premier I Accident

Dec 31, 2015
Toxicology testing detected methylone, a synthetic illicit stimulant with similar effects to cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, in the pilot’s blood. Given the level of methylone, it is likely the pilot was impaired at the time of the accident.

Accidents in Brief

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Accidents in Brief

Dec 28, 2015
Selected Accidents and Incidents in November 2015. The following NTSB information is preliminary.

Operators Survey

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Operators Survey: Bombardier Global 5000

Dec 28, 2015
Superior range, speed and cabin comfort are the main reasons why business aircraft operators were motivated to upgrade to the Bombardier Global 5000 from smaller, slower and shorter-range business aircraft. It simply delivers on those requirements.

Piloting

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Preparing for Descent During Low Workload Phases of Cruise Prevents Poor Performance

Jan 28, 2016
The low-drag design of modern business jets makes managing aircraft energy while descending from altitude a challenge. These aircraft tend to build up speed rapidly in a descent and don’t “go down and slow down” well. Such characteristics are especially problematic when ATC issues a late descent combined with an altitude or airspeed constraint.

20/Twenty

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Used Aircraft Report: Bombardier Global Express

Dec 28, 2015
Bombardier threw down the gauntlet in front of Gulfstream when it announced the Global Express in December 1993, officially launching the battle between Montreal and Savannah for King of the Heavy-Iron class.

Reader's Feedback

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Reader's Feedback (January 2016)

Dec 28, 2015
BCA readers share their opinions on articles we published.

Products & Services Previews

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Products & Services Previews

Dec 28, 2015
BCA shares the latest products and services for the business aviation industry.

On Duty

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News Of Promotions, Appointments And Honors (January 2016)

Dec 28, 2015
Appointments, promotions and honors in the business aviation community.

50 Years Ago

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Business & Commercial Aviation News from January 1966

Dec 28, 2015
In January 1966, the FAA was working on plan to set up complete backup emergency power for 100 key airports. Plus, the first production pressurized single-engine aircraft — Mooney Aircraft's Mark 22 "Mustang" — was scheduled to deliver in March 1967.