The Month In Business Aviation: September 2020
September 30, 2020
'Light Snowfall' Can Hurt Anti-Ice Efforts More Than Pilots Realize
Modern deicing and anti-icing methods have proven effective when properly applied and the limitations of the fluids are observed. However, the duration of that protection can be degraded by meteorological conditions including freezing rain, ice pellets and hail, heavy snow, high wind velocity, fast-dropping air temperatures or any time when freezing precipitation with high water content is present.

Sleepy Little Airports, Ready To Accommodate All
As shell-shocked airlines cut back on service, eliminating flights, personnel and destinations, as inquiries to charter operators and demands on flight departments steadily increase, and as alternate aviators—those proponents of electric, hybrid, multirotor, urban and autonomous flight—consider where to alight, the collective focus turns again and again to that underused but plentiful infrastructure asset: the general aviation airport.

Learjet 31A: Sporty Performance, Compact Interior, Short Range
Learjet Corp. created the Model 31 in the mid-1980s by mating the Learjet 35A fuselage to the Learjet 55 “long-horn” wing. The result was a light jet that few competitors could rival for climb performance, high-altitude cruise speed or overall fuel efficiency.

Proper Checklist Design Is Key To Safe Landings
When I think back to my last several unstable approaches — I’ve had a few over the years — there are usually a few reasons behind each. Chances are they resulted from actions by other aircraft, instructions by ATC, sudden weather changes, or conduct internal to my aircraft — in other words, me.

Committed To Stop: Go Around Or Ride It Out?
The lack of accurate, timely information about the amount and nature of runway contamination has been a factor in too many accidents. Knowing if the pavement is wet, slushy or icy makes a big difference in a pilot’s decision to land.

Why Inflight Connectivity Antennas Are Playing Catch-Up
Inflight connectivity has revolutionized the passenger experience, but it continues to have issues with undependable internet connections and content delivery. As higher-capacity satellite networks come on-stream, however, that could change.

Sounding Board: Five Minutes With Mooney International CEO Jonny Pollack
Jonny Pollack is CEO of Mooney International, which was recently sold to U.S. Financial, a Wyoming-based financial group. U.S. Financial bought the majority share from Soaring America, part of the Meijing Group in China, which purchased the company in 2013.

Bye Details Plans For Higher-Performing Electric Aircraft
Bye Aerospace is looking to advances in battery technology for future six- and nine-seat all-electric aircraft it plans will follow the two- and four-seat eFlyer 2 and 4 now in development.

Pandemic Offers Opportunity To Rethink Bizav, EBAA Experts Say
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought considerable challenges, but it can also provide businesses with an opportunity to reassess.

Textron Aviation Machinists To Vote On 'Historic' Labor Contract
When Machinists union members at Textron Aviation cast their vote on a new labor contract Sept. 19, they will be voting on an agreement they call historic.
From how light snowfall can hurt anti-ice efforts more than you may realise to why a proper checklist design is key to a safe landing. Take a look at our roundup of the biggest stories in September.