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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation, February 2016

VOL. 112 NO. 2 February 01, 2016

Viewpoint

Wishing Sister Magazine Aviation Week A Happy 100th Anniversary

Jan 29, 2016

Perusing AvWeeks through 10 decades is quite a journey of discovery revealing the brilliance, ingenuity, doggedness, bravery, tragedies and breakthroughs that has delivered the aerospace industry to its place today.

Reader's Feedback

Reader's Feedback (February 2016)

Jan 27, 2016

BCA readers share their opinions on articles we published.

Intelligence

AirPooler and Flytenow Are No Longer Operating

Jan 27, 2016

Two web-based aircraft ride sharing services have been shot down by the FAA. The “Ubers of the air” are no longer, thanks to a decision by a Federal Appeals Court panel. The concept behind AirPooler and Flytenow was straightforward. Pilots would go to either website, list an upcoming flight’s date, origin and destination, along with the aircraft’s make and model and seats available. The passengers could peruse the site and sign up for a trip that matched their planned travels.

TAG Opens New Facilities At Farnborough Airport

Jan 27, 2016

TAG Farnborough Airport has added more space for passengers and crew at its terminal to meet growing demand. Air traffic grew 2% last year. That includes a 6% jump in the number of airliner-size business jets, which represents the highest growth in the category for the year, it said. Many of the airport carriers operate to and from the U.S., the Middle East and Asia. A new lounge accommodates up to 80 passengers. Crew facilities include a quiet lounge, a “snooze” room with flat beds, a zero gravity ergonomic chair and a complimentary gym and showers.

AMAC Gets BBJ Contracts

Jan 27, 2016

AMAC Aerospace has been awarded heavy base maintenance contacts for two Boeing Business Jets. A BBJ3 and a BBJ, both privately owned, will be entering the Basel, Switzerland, facility in early 2016. Last year, AMAC was selected for work on a head-of-state Airbus ACJ340-300.

China's EHang Unveils Passenger-Carrying Drone

Jan 27, 2016

EHang, a Chinese manufacturer, unveiled a drone on Jan. 6 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that it claims can fly a human passenger short-to-medium distances at low altitudes. The company’s EHang 184, which it describes as an autonomous aerial vehicle, includes four arms and eight propellers and takes off and lands vertically. It is built from composite materials, operates on electric power, and can be charged in 2-4 hr., according to EHang.

CarterCopter To Be At Sun ‘n Fun

Jan 27, 2016

Carter Aviation Technologies, plans to have its experimental CarterCopter at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in and Expo at Florida’s Lakeland-Linder Airport April 5-10. The Wichita Falls, Texas, company says it is conducting demonstrations for potential joint venture partners. It hopes to create three separate joint ventures to develop three categories of aircraft from less than 2,000 lb. to 7,000 lb. gross weight. The company says it is discussing larger aircraft with major aerospace companies.

Mitsui & Co. Acquire Stake in Quest Aircraft

Jan 27, 2016

Mitsui & Co. LTD, a large Japanese conglomerate involved in energy, machinery, chemicals, food, textile, logistics, finance, and other industries, has acquired an equity stake in Quest Aircraft Co., maker of the Kodiak single turboprop utility aircraft. Quest became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Setouchi Holdings, Inc., another Japanese conglomerate, in February 2015. The agreement between Setouchi and Mitsui was finalized on January 13.

Etihad Partners With Victor

Jan 27, 2016

Etihad Airways has formed a partnership with Victor, an on-demand operator, by which passengers can charter a Victor business jet to connect with their international Airbus A380 flights. Victor, which operates bases in California, New York and London, says it provides real-time availability, discloses transaction fees and specific operator and aircraft details without upfront commitments.

Flying Car Developer Terrafugia Wins FAA Contracts

Jan 27, 2016

Terrafugia, the Boston-based outfit developing a flying car, has been named a member of one of the four teams selected by the FAA to receive system engineering, research and mission analysis contracts. The team, which is being led by Mosaic ATM, also includes Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Virgin America, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and several other aerospace institutions and companies. It has been tasked with advising federal regulators on the future of air traffic management and aviation infrastructure.

AStar Goes to Fort Myers

Jan 27, 2016

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Myers, Florida, has added a new Airbus H125 AStar helicopter, which increases its AStar fleet from two to three helicopters.

First Legacy 450 Delivered

Jan 27, 2016

Embraer Executive Jets has begun deliveries of its mid-light Legacy 450 business jet. The first aircraft was delivered to Orlando-based LMG, which produces support corporate meetings, trade shows and other events.

Air Charter Owners Indicted In New Jersey

Jan 27, 2016

Air charter operators Judy Tull of Texas and Kay Ellison of Kentucky were indicted in December in U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey, on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud and wire fraud for their roles in an alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme. The two were co-owners of Southern Air & Tours, doing business as Myrtle Beach Direct Air & Tours, or Direct Air, a charter flight operation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

New York CEO Sentenced In Unapproved Aircraft Parts Investigation

Jan 27, 2016

Jeffrey Krantz, CEO of Harry Krantz of New York, was sentenced in U.S. District Court of Hartford, Connecticut, to three years of probation and a $100,000 fine and ordered not to be involved an buying or selling electronic parts for two years related to his role in the sale of unapproved aircraft parts. In July, Krantz pleaded guilty to wire fraud for supplying customers with falsely remarked microprocessor chips. Many of them were used in U.S. military and commercial helicopters.

Arrius 2R EASA Certified

Jan 29, 2016

Turbomeca’s Arrius 2R turboshaft — the first European engine to be fitted to a Bell-produced helicopter — has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The EASA certification, announced by Bell and Turbomeca on Dec. 16, is one of the final hurdles for the new Model 505 JetRanger X turbine-powered light helicopter currently undergoing flight testing. Certification of the helicopter is expected early in 2016.

GrandView Gets Phenom 300

Jan 27, 2016

GrandView Aviation, an executive helicopter and jet service in Baltimore, has added a 2015 Embraer 300 super light jet to its fleet. The aircraft carries up to nine passengers, reaches cruise speeds of 500 mph and has a range of up to 2,000 mi. Grandview plans to continue to grow its fleet with new aircraft.

Crystal Cruises Expands Fleet

Jan 27, 2016

Crystal Cruises in Los Angeles plans to expand Crystal Luxury Air’s fleet with the addition of two Airbus ACJ319 jets and a Bombardier Global Express XRS. Crystal’s aircraft includes a Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 787. The new aircraft will serve private charters and transport guests to Crystal destinations. Crystal private charter jet service begins in March.

Survey Reports On Operators’ Aircraft Plans

Jan 29, 2016

Business aviation operators responding to a survey reported plans to refurbish and buy new and used aircraft. JSfirm.com, a Texas-based aviation job website, released its first business aviation report from a survey of more than 300 Part 91 and 135 operators. The survey was conducted to gauge the health of the industry, it said. Of those responding, 57% reported an increase in flight hours last year; 35% said they planned to refurbish existing aircraft in the next two years and 47% said they planned to buy new or used aircraft, the survey said.

Citation CJ2+ Production Ends

Jan 27, 2016

“The Citation M2 and CJ3+ have fantastic mission capability and have proven to be a great fit for our customers in this space,” Textron Aviation spokeswoman Sarah Estes said. But the CJ2+ (Model 525A) is part of a “mixed model line,” Estes said. “We could build it if required for a customer mission.” The aircraft is no longer listed in the company’s product lineup on its website. The six-passenger CJ2, a derivative of the CitationJet, entered service in 2000, followed by the upgraded CJ2+, which entered service in 2005.

Associated Air Gets STC For CPDLC

Jan 27, 2016

Associated Air Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, has obtained an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a Controller Pilot Data Link Communication System on a Boeing Business Jet VIP model. The system is part of the requirements for the Future Air Navigation System, or FANS. The STC was completed at Associated Air’s Dallas Love Field repair station.

Blue Sky Forms Consulting Business

Jan 27, 2016

Blue Sky Innovations has formed a general-aviation consulting service to help general aviation business owners and investors expand into foreign markets. Early projects will focus on growth opportunities among the U.S., China and Brazil. Tim Archer serves as president and CEO. Clients include fixed base operators, manufacturers, maintenance, repair and overhaul firms, flight schools, airports, charter operators and others.

Europe’s Private Jet Travel Market

Jan 28, 2016

According to a Victor private jet travel industry report, the three largest private jet travel markets in Europe are: France, with 19.2% of the flights; Germany, with 15.4%; and the U.K. with 12.8%. May 23 was the busiest day for travel in 2015, with 2,221 flights related to the Monaco Grand Prix. The top three airports for high-season private jet travel included Nice, France, with 13,250 flights; Olbia, Italy, with 6,220 flights; and Ibiza, Spain, with 5,634 flights.

ExcelAire Flys To Havana

Jan 27, 2016

ExcelAire, based in Ronkonkoma, New York, has begun private jet charter service to Cuba. The charter firm has begun direct flights from 19 cities in the U.S. It completed its first trip to Cuba from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 21. U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba must comply with U.S. restrictions that require each visitor to obtain a visa/license, the company said.

West Star Gets CAAC Nod

Jan 27, 2016

West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, Colorado, has been approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), putting it in compliance with the China Civil Aviation Regulation, CCAR, Part 145 Maintenance Organization. West Star’s approval includes overhauling and repairing landing gear for business aircraft and services and ultrasonic, eddy current X-Ray, liquid penetrate and magnetic particle inspections.

Jan 29, 2016

Just weeks after the FAA set up its online system to register small UAVs, the agency has already signed up at least 181,000 aircraft. Administrator Michael Huerta is “encouraged” by the results but says this is just the beginning. “Our challenge is to make sure everyone is aware of the requirement and registers,” he says. In addition, the FAA has released an B4UFLY mobile application to let UAV pilots know about flight requirements and restrictions. The FAA expects to finalize rules for commercial, non-hobbyist operations of small UAVs by late spring.

Textron Buys Repair Company

Jan 27, 2016

Textron Aviation has signed an agreement to buy Able Engineering and Component Services and Able Aerospace for an undisclosed purchase price. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. “Textron is working closely with Able to ensure a seamless transition with customers and stakeholders over the coming weeks,” a Textron Aviation spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. “More information will be provided when the acquisition is completed.”

Smart Air Gets First Legacy 450

Jan 27, 2016

Embraer has delivered its first Legacy 450 mid-light business jet to Smart Air SA, in Europe. Smart Air, an aviation and advisory company, will manage the first European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-registered Legacy 450. The aircraft will be available for charter flights from Brussels. It will be operated by ASL, a business jet operator. The delivery took place in late December. It was scheduled to arrive in Belgium on Jan. 6, after departing from Embraer’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

Mi-38 Gets Russian Certification

Jan 27, 2016

Russian Helicopters has received type certification for the medium multirole Mi-38 transport helicopter. The aircraft was designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. The certification means the design complies with Russian and international aviation requirements, the company said. The Mi-38 will enter serial production and the Russian market in 2016. The helicopter’s two Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines were certified last year.

New Ports Of Entry Checklist From NBAA

Jan 29, 2016

National Business Aviation Association’s Domestic Operations Committee has created a customs checklist to help business aviation operators meet Customs and Border Protection requirements at U.S. ports of entry. The challenge was in addressing local policies and logistical requirements that vary among the ports of entry, said Ron Bojanski, Midwest Aviation/Kiewit Engineering Canadian operations manager who led the project.

Hindustan Aeronautics Plans To Develop New Helicopter Engine

Jan 29, 2016

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. plans to develop a new helicopter engine—the Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) 1200. The announcement follows the first test run of the 25-kN (5,620-lb.) thrust Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) 25. “The HTSE-1200 can be used for helicopters of 3.5-ton class in the single-engine configuration such as the Light Utility Helicopter and for 5 to 8 ton class in twin engine configuration such as the Advanced Light Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter,” said T.

Disappointing 2015 For Dassault Aviation

Jan 28, 2016

Dassault Aviation’s business jet unit saw reduced orders and deliveries in 2015, a disappointing year that was offset in part by new export contracts for the company’s Rafale combat jet. Dassault took in orders for only 45 new Falcon jets in 2015, just half of what the company recorded the previous year. In addition, an order for 20 Falcon Netjets was canceled last year, and Dassault fell short of its goal of delivering 66 business jets in 2015, instead recording just 55.

Finmeccanica Begins ‘One Company’ Initiative

Jan 28, 2016

Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate Finmeccanica has begun operations under its new corporate structure. Under CEO Mauro Moretti’s “One Company” initiative, launched Jan. 1, Finmeccanica-owned AgustaWestland, Alenia Aermacchi and Selex ES have now been absorbed into the larger Finmeccanica entity and will operate as divisions rather than separate companies. Under the initiative, AgustaWestland becomes Finmeccanica Helicopters while aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi becomes Finmeccanica Aeronautics.

Jet-A And Avgas Per Gallon Fuel Prices January 2016

Feb 01, 2016

Jet-A and Avgas Per Gallon Fuel Prices January 2016

TBM Delivers 55 Aircraft In 2015

Feb 01, 2016

Daher delivered 55 TBM 900s in 2015, which the company said was a 10% increase over the previous year, and the second best year since deliveries of the initial versions of the single engine turboprop began in 1991. Of last year’s total, 44 went to U.S. buyers and five to Brazilians. However, Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s airplane unit, said he expects this year to be a challenging one internationally. The TBM 900 is the current production TBM family, following the 850 and original 700.

Fast Five

Questions For Richard D. Hanson

Jan 27, 2016

Questions for Richard D. Hanson, Representative, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Academy of Model Aeronautics Muncie, Indiana.

Safety

The Risk of Laser Attacks on Pilots Is Real and Growing

Jan 15, 2016

Imagine executing a complex night approach to a major airport in highly congested airspace — lots of step-downs and a steep final segment — when suddenly an intensively bright light blasts the cockpit.

Laser Attacks: Busting the Bad Guys

Jan 29, 2016

The anti-lasing law has teeth — if law enforcement authorities can find and arrest the perpetrators. Here are some accounts of a handful of laser felons who were caught.

Going Blind: Zero/Zero Landings

Feb 11, 2016

As you begin maneuvering for the planned approach, the controller states that, due to a marine layer that has moved into the area, visibility has gone from the forecast 2 mi. to less than a quarter of a mile. You’ve come prepared. Thanks to the special onboard systems, this approach is authorized down to zero/zero conditions. It is flown completely by the autopilot.

Unqualified Nonpilot Crew Members Can Lead To Accidents

Jan 29, 2016

It was a grim undertaking as we three accident investigators with the U.S. Forest Service started combing through the twisted metal of a Bell-Soloy 47 strewn across the side of a steep mountain in Utah. The helicopter operator had been contracted by the Forest Service to disburse grass seed over hillsides that had been badly burned months earlier in the summer of 1996. To accomplish this, the operator used a specially designed seeding bucket suspended by cables beneath the turbine-powered helicopter.

How to Develop Helicopter-Centric IFR

Jan 29, 2016

When pilots are asked to perform a tough assignment, they should be provided the tools necessary to conduct the mission safely. Assigning a single pilot to a single-engine, VFR-only helicopter with insufficient weather information and without instrument system protection certainly seems contrary to that rule and, indeed, statistics show such circumstances make such operations among the highest risk sectors in civil aviation.

Getting Pilots The Right Tools

Jan 29, 2016

Officials from the helicopter industry and FAA will meet in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11-12, 2016, to discuss improving weather information availability, heliport standardization and IFR infrastructure. Despite some welcome new elements, gaping holes remain in the country’s weather information “grid.” There are many Non-Federal AWOSs that need to be added to the weather collection and information dissemination system.

About Multi- and Single-Engine Helicopter IFR

Jan 28, 2016

In aviation we’ve long recognized that “scud running” is immensely dangerous, and the protection of operating in the IFR system with an IFR-certified aircraft and IFR-proficient pilot can be an effective means to avoid CFIT-type accidents. In 1997, the FAA allowed passenger-carrying operations under FAR Part 135 for single-engine airplanes, justifying the rule change because it noted that the risk of CFIT far outweighed the risk of engine failure.

Factors That Helicopter Pilots Must Consider Before IFR Flights

Jan 29, 2016

Before launching into the IFR system, pilots need to familiarize themselves with the instrument requirements for their particular helicopter. Within the same make, model and series of helicopters, variations in the installed avionics may change the equipment needed or the level of augmentation for a particular operation. The complexity of the automatic flight control system (AFCS), autopilot and flight director in some helicopters requires formal pilot training to understand the unit’s operation, limitations, failure indications and reversionary modes.

Separating Unmanned Aerial Systems from Helicopters

Jan 29, 2016

Since helicopters generally operate at much lower altitudes than airplanes, the risk of collision with an unmanned aerial system (UAS) is much higher. In recent months the FAA has established an interim policy to speed up airspace authorizations for commercial UAS operators. Since March 23, 2015, the agency has granted authorization for flights at or below 200 ft. to any UAS operator with a Section 333 exemption (in simplest terms, someone using a UAS for commercial purposes).

DOM Notebook

Fuel System Maintenance: Key Issues to Consider

Feb 10, 2016

Fuel—having enough of it and assuring its steady flow to the engines—is so central to an aircraft’s operation that by many measures, the machine is designed around its fuel’s inflight storage and delivery.

Cause & Circumstance

Shifting Cargo, Exceeding Cargo Limit Lead to Crash

Jan 29, 2016

The first fatal general aviation accident investigation in which I participated involved load shift. It was summer 1968. A low-time pilot was earning “free time” from an FBO by running an errand to a neighboring airport. There he picked up two cases of oil, stacked them behind the pilots’ seats in the Cessna 150 and returned to his home airport. Turning base to final, the airplane stalled.

Accident Free: Are You Lucky or Truly Safe?

Crunch Time In The Cockpit Tests CRM

Jan 29, 2016

Four minutes after takeoff on Nov. 4, 2010, not long after retracting slats and flaps, Capt. Richard Champion de Crespigny and the crew of Qantas Flight 32, flying an ill-fated Airbus A380 from Singapore to Sydney, heard the two most startling sounds of their flying careers. One of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent engines had just suffered catastrophic failure.

Commentary: Point of Law

Illegal Charters Can Pose Problems For All Involved

Jan 28, 2016

The FAA is revising Advisory Circular AC 91-37A, Truth in Leasing, dated Jan. 16, 1978. Why? The regulation that the AC explains, FAR Part 91.23, has not changed.

On Duty

News Of Promotions, Appointments And Honors (February 2016)

Jan 27, 2016

News of promotions, appointments and honors involving professionals within the business aviation community

20/Twenty

Learjet 75 Offers Improvements On Model 45 Predecessor

Jan 29, 2016

The Learjet 75, Bombardier’s marketing name for the Learjet 45-456 and subsequent units, has been in production since November 2013 and it offers a package of improvements that make it a far more capable business airplane than the original Model 45 introduced in the mid-1990s. It offers true full-tanks, full-seats loading flexibility, substantially better runway performance, sportier climb performance, improved fuel efficiency, longer range and better reliability.

50 Years Ago

Business & Commercial Aviation News from February 1966

Jan 27, 2016

In February 1966, BCA reported that the Beech 18 was undergoing flight tests, a circular runway design was found to have great benefits for larger airports, and the Gulfstream II was in the mockup stage.

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Business & Commercial Aviation, February 2016

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Viewpoint

Reader's Feedback

Intelligence

Fast Five

Safety

DOM Notebook

Cause & Circumstance

Accident Free: Are You Lucky or Truly Safe?

Commentary: Point of Law

On Duty

20/Twenty

50 Years Ago