By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Gulfstream and BAE Systems set out to reintroduce the intuitiveness of mechanically coupled flight controls by integrating electronically coupled sidesticks on the G500 and G600 business jets, set for certification this year and next year, respectively. Gulfstream G500 and G600 business jets will be the first commercial FBW aircraft with active sidesticks in service. For that achievement Gulfstream and BAE Systems were awarded the Aviation Week 2017 Technology Laureate during a gala in Washington.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
The Global 7000/8000 program's second flight test vehicle flew for the first time March 4, and Bombardier says the 7000 is on track to enter into service in the second half of 2018.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
A coalition of aviation groups, including the American Association of Airport Executives and U.S. Contract Tower Association, has written leaders of the U.S. Senate and House appropriations committees to request that the FAA appropriations bill continue the contract towers program.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Gulfstream Aerospace's second G600 flight-test aircraft flew for the first time Feb. 24, joining the manufacturer's flight-test program. The flight lasted 4 hr. 26 min. The first G600 aircraft had its first flight Dec .17 from Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. Since then, the aircraft has flown more than 150 hr. The aircraft is undergoing flutter testing, and is expanding the flight envelope.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Northrop Grumman is proposing that the Gulfstream G550 serve as the platform for the U.S. Air Force's next Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-Stars).
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
More than 115 mayors from all 50 U.S. states have sent a letter to Congress saying they are concerned about the impact that privatization of air traffic control would have on communities around the country, especially in rural regions. By contrast, large commercial airlines are supporting the idea, which is being advocated by some legislators.
These are disruptive times. New technologies are challenging and changing the ways we communicate, conduct business and socialize. Nothing is immune to the new economy, and the vanguard for general aviation change may reside in the charter segment as FAR 135 operators embrace the “shared economy” movement.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Airbus Helicopters Inc. saluted the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet of HH/MH-65 Dolphin patrol and search and rescue helicopters as they recently passed 1.5 million flight hours. “This is an enormous accomplishment for the U.S. Coast Guard, and for Airbus,” said Chris Emerson, president of Airbus Helicopters Inc. “We are proud of the great work the men and women of the Coast Guard perform with these aircraft. They have saved countless lives and guarded our nation’s borders and ports.”
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Bombardier Business Aircraft has established five new line maintenance stations in Europe to support customers of Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Pratt & Whitney Canada is working on a new 2,000-shp-class helicopter engine that could be ready for market by year-end. According to P&WC President John Saabas the company identified a gap in its product range between the 1,750-shp PT6C-67C/E and the 2,300-shp PW100 family of engines, and the new engine is likely to be a further development of the PT6C core. He says the engine would be ready to launch by year’s end, but is waiting for a launch application.
Wheels Up was named by Aviation Week Network editors as the 2017 winner of the Laureate for Business Aviation. Founded four years ago with the promise to “democratize” travel by business aviation, the once disruptive start-up has grown into an operation with about 4,000 members. Membership is even available through Costco stores. Membership growth has come faster than anticipated expected -- up 72% from 2015 to 2016.
Learjet 70 and 75, the marketing names for the upgraded Learjet 40 and 45, are far more capable than the original models that entered service 20 years ago.
Duncan Aviation completed a redesign of the Android version of its AOG Services app, which makes it easy for operators to find the nearest Duncan Aviation location to their current position.
FlightSafety International now offers FAA-approved Part 142 night-vision-goggle (NVG) initial training for the Airbus Helicopters H135, Bell 212 and Bell 412EP using Level D qualified simulators.
AirMed International has opened a Beechjet 400 base at Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport to serve air medical transportation and organ procurement and recovery flight.
CSI Aviation, a New Mexico-based, international air charter services and logistics company, has expanded its operating certificate to give the company the capability to provide flight services worldwide.
AirFlyte is now operating as Rectrix MRO Inc. The rebranding stems from the 2013 acquisition of AirFlyte by Rectrix and specifically markets the company for its maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Textron Aviation has launched a new platform for its technical publications called 1View. There, customers can access maintenance manuals, flight documents and service information for Beechcraft, Cessna Aircraft and Hawker aircraft.
Jetliner manufacturers believe there’s merit in minimalism. They’re wary of distractions that could impede or derail pilot performance in high-stress situations. They’re also loathe to bury control of systems in multiple layers of submenus.
Today’s instruments enable pilots to better visualize their environment, but can also suffer subtle failures and lure the unprepared into hazardous situations.
