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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation, December 2015

VOL. 111 NO. 12 December 01, 2015

Viewpoint

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Nav Canada and FAA Reauthorization

Nov 27, 2015
My bride’s family has owned a cottage in Ontario’s Muskoka Lakes region for about a century. Her great, great grandfather built it by hand, and we pretty much visited every summer when the kids were growing up. Our time on the lake was special, always, even when it rained for an entire week.

Intelligence

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Flying Colours Earns ADS-B Out STC For Challenger 604/605

Nov 19, 2015
Flying Colours Corp. has been issued a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for ADS-B Out for Bombardier Challenger 600-2B16 (604 and 605) airframes. The first aircraft to be fitted with the system, a Bombardier Challenger 605, was completed in September. A second installation is underway on a Bombardier Challenger 300. The STC will be submitted for validation by Transport Canada and Europe’s European Aviation Safety Agency this year.
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Dassault Breaks Ground On Maintenance Facility

Nov 19, 2015
Dassault Falcon Service has begun work on a new maintenance facility in Bordeaux-Merignac in order to expand its Falcon overhaul capability. The hangar will cover 7,200 sq. meters and will be able to accommodate up to six Falcon 7X, 8X or 5X aircraft. It will complement the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. The new facility is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2016, in time to handle the ramp-up in C checks on Falcon 7X aircraft.
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UAV Registration Is Coming

Nov 19, 2015
The U.S. Transportation Department plans to finalize what will likely be an emergency rule by mid-December requiring owners past, present and future of recreational UAVs to register the devices with the FAA. The rule will be based in large part on the work of a new task force of government and industry participants that was to provide the FAA recommendations for procedures and policies for a national registration database by Nov. 20. The action comes in advance of the holiday season in which the FAA says there could be a million new UAVs given as gifts.
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Talon Air Opens at Republic Airport

Nov 19, 2015
Talon Air has completed its new FBO complex at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York, on Long Island. The complex extends Talon Air’s existing services and adds additional amenities, including conference rooms, lounges, a flight planning center, helicopter transfer service and a FAA-approved Part 145 Maintenance Service Center. It features two 29,976 sq. ft. hangars, 35,3436 sq. ft. of guest and office space, maintenance facilities and more than 3 acres of ramp space. It also includes a 90,000-gal. fuel farm with two 30,000-gal.
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Aerion Begins Search For Final Assembly Site

Nov 19, 2015
Aerion has begun the search for a site for final assembly and testing of its $120 million AS2 supersonic jet. Last month, it hired a large site-selection firm to aid in finding a location. One place it will consider will be sites near the ocean or coastline. Since the jet will fly faster than the speed of sound, it will be advantageous to be near the ocean or coast for flight-testing, said Aerion Co-Chairman Brian Barents. Shipment of large assemblies will require a deep seaport, he said. Barents has said that it is looking to the U.S. to produce the jet.
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Meridian Jet Center Earns G200 Rating

Nov 19, 2015
Meridian Jet Center, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization to repair and inspect the Gulfstream G200. The rating also includes the legacy manufacturer and model, formerly known as Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Galaxy. “The addition of this popular Gulfstream model allows us to better serve both new and existing customers. Our highly trained technicians now have the ability to support our customers with a wider range of offerings.
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Jetcraft: Avionics Revenue To Reach $7 Billion

Nov 27, 2015
Avionics manufacturers Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and Garmin are expected to collectively achieve $7 billion in revenue during the 10 years from 2015 to 2024, according to a new forecast by Jetcraft. Honeywell is expected to maintain the top sales position with a 42% revenue share followed by Rockwell Collins at 39% and Garmin at 16%.
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Mitch Snyder Named Bell Helicopter President, CEO

Nov 25, 2015
Bell Helicopter has named Mitch Snyder president and CEO, replacing John Garrison, who is joining Terex Corp. as president and CEO. Most recently, Snyder, who joined Bell in 2004, served as executive vice president of Bell’s military business organization. At Bell, Snyder has held several leadership positions within the company, including as vice president and program director for the V-22 Osprey program, where he was responsible for Bell’s commitments for the design, development, production and sustainment of the V-22.
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Ortberg Appointed Chairman Of The Board Of Rockwell Collins

Nov 27, 2015
Rockwell Collins CEO and President Kelly Ortberg was elected to the additional role of Chairman of the Board. Ortberg was appointed president of Rockwell Collins in September 2012 and was elected CEO in July 2013. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed the acquisition of ARINC, won a number of key commercial and government programs, effectively managed through the challenges of sequestration, and ultimately, returned to growth after several years of challenging market dynamics.
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Utility Air Selects Sales Rep In Pacific Region

Nov 19, 2015
Setouchi Trading Asia Pacific named Sydney, Australia-based Utility Air as its exclusive Kodiak sales representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the South Pacific Islands. “I am proud that Utility Air has been selected to distribute the Kodiak in the Pacific,” said Stephen Pembro, Managing Director of Utility Air.
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Jetex Flight Support Expands Into Toluca

Nov 25, 2015
Jetex Flight Support has entered into an agreement with EOLO for EOLO’s FBO to become a co-branded facility. As part of the agreement, the FBO located in Toluca, Mexico will start operating as Jetex-EOLO, adding to Jetex’s worldwide network of FBOs. Toluca is the most important airport in Mexico for business aviation with Mexico being the second largest market in Latin America. At the FBO, clients will be offered Jetex’s full range of services.
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Emirates Selects Cirrus SR22 As Training Aircraft

Nov 25, 2015
Emirates Airlines, the world’s largest international carrier, has selected the Cirrus SR22 as the primary training aircraft for its flight academy. The carrier has signed for a fleet of 22 aircraft, which will be based at Al Maktoum International-Dubai World Central Airport in support of the Emirates’ National Cadet Pilot Program.
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Airbus Helicopters H120 Flies Burning Jet-A

Nov 25, 2015
Airbus Helicopters recently flew a model H120 powered by a high-compression diesel engine burning Jet-A in place of the model’s standard Turbomeca Arrius turboshaft. The goal of the project is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of light rotorcraft. The 30-minute flight occurred Nov. 6 at Marignane, France, under Europe’s Clean Sky research program. The aircraft’s a 4.6-liter V8 was developed by TEOS, a French race car powertrain specialist, and Austro Engine.
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Startup XTI Aircraft Files With SEC

Nov 25, 2015
After garnering almost $14 million in pledges from thousands of individuals through a crowdfunding campaign, startup XTI Aircraft has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to convert the expressions of interest in its unique aircraft into investments. XTI hopes to develop the TriFan 600, a six-place vertical-takeoff-and-landing business aircraft with two tilting ducted fans in the wing and a third fan in the rear fuselage for lift and control. The company launched its crowdfunding campaign in August.
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Penton Aviation Acquires MRO Network

Nov 25, 2015
Penton’s Aviation Week Network, the parent of Business & Commercial Aviation, has acquired MRO Network, a London-based event and information services provider focused on the fast-growing aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market. MRO Network's Airline Purchasing & Maintenance (AP&M) Expo specializes in second, third and fourth-tier aftermarket suppliers, complementing Aviation Week's MRO Europe event, which engages first and second-tier providers.
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Gulfstream Opens Dubai Distribution Center

Nov 25, 2015
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.'s distribution center near Al Maktoum International Airport in United Arab Emirates (UAE) will cover approximately 6,000 square feet/557 square meters.
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JSSI Tip-to-Tail Coverage For Dassault Falcon 7X

Nov 25, 2015
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the leading provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, has announced its exclusive Tip-to-Tail® Program coverage for the Dassault Falcon 7X that includes coverage of the Airframe, Honeywell APU, and the three Pratt & Whitney PW307A Engines. Falcon 7X operators may also choose a stand-alone JSSI Engine or APU Program to fit their specific needs.
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Sandel Avionics Debuts Avilon Flight Deck For King Airs

Nov 25, 2015
Sandel Avionics, Inc., has introduced Sandel Avilon, a retrofit flight deck for King Air aircraft. Avilon is intended to redefine how modern cockpit avionics are designed, built, sold and installed. “From the company’s inception, Sandel has a history of introducing groundbreaking technologies that defy industry conventions,” said Gerry Block, president and CEO of Sandel.
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Astronics Corp. Introduces AeroShield Low Drag Radome

Nov 25, 2015
Astronics Corp. through its wholly owned subsidiaries Astronics AeroSat and Armstrong Aerospace, debuted its new VVIP aircraft connectivity system components at the NBAA Convention in November. The AeroShield low-drag radome and composite adapter plate technology combination provide significant benefits to VVIP aircraft operators installing connectivity systems to include reduced drag, simplified installations and lower weight.
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Beijing General Aviation Co.’s New Production Facility For P750

Nov 25, 2015
Beijing General Aviation Co. has begun construction of a 46,000-sq.-meter production facility for its P750 single-engine turboprop aircraft. The plant, located in the Changzhou National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone’s Aviation Industrial Park, is expected to be capable of building 70 aircraft per year. The company says the aircraft is aimed at addressing the growing aviation market in China. It is a multipurpose design that can take off and land in short distances and operate in unimproved airstrips.
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Embraer Delivers 300th Phenom 300

Nov 25, 2015
Embraer Executive Jets has delivered its 300th Phenom 300 light business jet to an undisclosed U.S. customer at the company’s Melbourne, Florida, complex. The Phenom 300, which was first delivered six years ago, is in operation in 28 countries and has accumulated more than 250,000 flight hours. The aircraft has a 57% market share in the light business jet category, the company said.
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Pelton Gets EAA CEO Role

Nov 25, 2015
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Board of Directors has made Jack Pelton, the EAA Chairman and de facto CEO, the full time boss by officially adding the CEO title and responsibilities to his position. The former Cessna CEO has led EAA since October 2012. The CEO is a paid position, although Pelton will continue as EAA’s volunteer chairman of the Board while he is CEO. He will maintain residences in Oshkosh and his hometown of Wichita, Kansas.
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Challenger 650 Deliveries By Year-end

Nov 27, 2015
The Bombardier Challenger 650 has been awarded certification by Transport Canada (TC) and customer deliveries will begin before year end. “This latest milestone is terrific news and starts a new chapter in our Challenger family story,” said Paul Sislian, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
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Air Medical Group Orders Bell 206L-4s

Nov 27, 2015
Bell Helicopter has signed a deal with Air Medical Group Holdings for the sale of eight Bell 206L-4 helicopters to be used in emergency medical services. It will be operated by Air Evac Lifeteam, an O’Fallon, Missouri-based subsidiary. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2016. Air Evac Lifeteam operates more than 130 Bell 206Ls in its fleet.
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Snecma Silvercrest Engine Problems Delay Certification

Nov 27, 2015
Continued technical troubles with the Silvercrest engine in development at Safran’s Snecma motors division will further delay certification of the new powerplant by 12-18 months, and Dassault is not happy. The engine problems mean the planemaker will not begin test flight of its new Falcon 5X business jet this year. “We have written to our partners and told them to slow production,” says Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.
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UAE To Purchase AW609 Tiltrotors

Nov 27, 2015
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to purchase up to six AgustaWestland AW609 commercial tiltrotors for search and rescue (SAR) missions. In the agreement, which was being negotiated in November, the UAE military would help to define the aircraft’s SAR configuration. The value of the contract was not announced. The government said the aircraft had been selected because of its ability to fly faster and higher and responds faster to incidents around the country.
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Doc’s Friends Receives Wichita Aero Club’s 2015 Annual Trophy

Nov 27, 2015
Doc’s Friends is the 2015 recipient of the Wichita Aero Club’s annual trophy. The organization is restoring a vintage Wichita-built B-29 Superfortress to flying condition. Volunteers have spent 18 years transforming a 65-year-old “pile of parts” into an impressive aircraft, the selection committee said. The trophy is a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, maintained, flew and sacrificed to produce thousands of B-29s for the defense and freedom of the country. The award will be presented Jan. 23 in Wichita.
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Bombardier Opens Global 7000 Assembly Facility In Toronto

Nov 27, 2015
Bombardier opened its high-tech Global 7000 assembly facility in Toronto to press scrutiny Nov. 3, inviting on board inspection of its first flight test vehicle, but sharing little information about the flight test schedule, the order book or the follow on Global 8000. David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, said the company, whose liquidity has come into question, had “enough resources and capital to get the program done” and that the 7000 would enter service in the second half of 2018.
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Number of Used Business Jets on Market Up 2%

Nov 27, 2015
The number of used business jets for sale rose 2% year-over-year, the first monthly increase since January 2010, according to a new report from the Jefferies Group. Inventory as a percent of the active fleet, however, is flat year-over-year. The survey found that 1,943 used business aircraft are on the market, or 9.4% of the total active fleet. The number is up from 1,915 in September and higher than the year’s low in January, when 1,817 aircraft were up for sale, according to the report.

Fast Five

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BCA Fast Five With James D. Raisbeck

Nov 27, 2015
The founder of Raisbeck Engineering discusses how the former Air Force mechanic grew his company into the leading provider of business aircraft modifications.

Operations

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Inflight Broadband Data Rates Rise, Costs Fall

Nov 27, 2015
Manage the background processes and optimize the data flow.
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Global Advance Of ADS-B

Dec 11, 2015
In the not-too-distant future, it will be possible to fly anywhere over the planet in an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast environment affording benefits equally to flight crews, operators and air traffic controllers.
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ADS-B ASIA

Nov 27, 2015
ADS-B is already established as the standard in Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Special Report

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BCA’s 2015 Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Report

Dec 08, 2015
The chatter within the inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) industry is increasingly about the “passenger experience” — broadly meaning the gestalt of interaction between the passenger and the flight, from booking, to the terminal experience, to the cabin environment.

Cause & Circumstance

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Piper Malibu in 2013 Accident Broke up in Flight

Nov 25, 2015
The NTSB determined the probable cause of a December 2013 Piper Malibu accident was “the pilot’s inflight loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while operating in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limitations and a subsequent inflight breakup."
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Spatial Disorientation Resources

Nov 25, 2015
Once again the NTSB urges pilots to do homework on spatial disorientation — especially those sources listed below. Full details can be found in the Agency’s AC library at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars.

Accidents in Brief

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Accidents in Brief

Nov 25, 2015
Selected accidents and incidents in October 2015. The following NTSB information is preliminary.

DOM Notebook

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How to Keep Your Aircraft Clean

Nov 27, 2015
From the lavatory to the cockpit windows to the paint, keeping your aircraft clean is a tough but important job. These tips will help your maintenance team make the most of good old-fashioned elbow grease and attention to detail.

Safety

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Recognizing and Preventing Slow-Onset Hypoxia

Nov 27, 2015
Slow-onset hypoxia is a looming threat that has killed many times. Fortunately there are preventative measures and in an airplane with more than one pilot, the cure is quick and easy.

Point of Law

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Pilots Should Know When It Is OK To Drink A Beer

Nov 27, 2015
To comply with the FAA’s “prospective rest” requirement, the FAR Part 135 on-demand charter industry needs to adopt and accept some common-sense standards. First, a pilot who isn’t accustomed to flying “on the backside of the clock” (between midnight and sunrise) shouldn’t start without easing into it first. Second, a pilot has to know when it is OK to drink a beer.

Products & Services Previews

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Products & Services Previews

Nov 25, 2015
1. Sierra Improves Citation Entry Step Designed with improvements in functionality and appearance over the original factory step, the SkyStep improves safety and utility at a competitive price. Some features include: enclosed back and sides; three evenly spaced steps instead of two; first step is closer to the ground; pneumatic cylinders softly deploy the door. The SkyStep is applicable to a wide variety of classic Citation aircraft. Price: $15,500 installed Sierra Industries Uvalde, Texas

20/Twenty

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Used Aircraft Report: Hawker 900XP

Nov 27, 2015
When Hawker Beechcraft fit 4,750-lb.-thrust Honeywell TFE731-50 turbofans to it, the firm put pep into the step of the Duchess de Havilland. The Hawker 900XP was the 19th, best and final iteration of the stately, but matronly 1960 de Havilland DH 125, the original midsize business jet. Produced from 2008 to 2012, 184 units were built.

On Duty

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News of promotions, appointments (December 2015)

Nov 27, 2015
Appointments, promotions and honors in the business aviation community.

Reader's Feedback

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Reader's Feedback (December 2015)

Nov 25, 2015
Three In a Row for Ross I’ve been involved in aviation for 40 years, both as a chief pilot for a corporate flight department in Canada, and as owner and operator of a Piper Aerostar 601P. I anxiously look forward to each and every issue of BCA magazine. Great magazine.

BCA 50 Years Ago

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December 1965 News

Nov 27, 2015
Beech King Air production is evidently going along at a fast clip — 100 per year. Some 78 have been delivered, Beech announced. Scuttlebutt is that the company is planning on new model King Air with larger PT6 engines.