Business & Commercial Aviation

Checking It Twice Your “Checklists and Callouts” (March 2015, page 40) is the best-written summary of operational best practices I’ve ever read. I’m printing it and giving it to my pilots. It explains the philosophy I’ve advocated during my entire career in corporate aviation, a segment of our industry that often has many opposing and far-flung ideas of how to do things right. As your article so clearly articulates, we do things right by doing the right things. K. L. Gregory, AvManager, RWBP Inc.

​The first production-conforming aircraft, dubbed P1, is coming together at Cirrus’ facilities in Duluth, Minnesota, where the pressure vessel built at the company’s Grand Forks, North Dakota, facility and shipped to Duluth is being bonded to the tail and other components. Meanwhile, three conforming prototypes — C0, C1 and C2 — are taking part in the FAA certification program and have accumulated more than 400 hr. flight time. A fourth aircraft, a proof-of-concept model called V1, is also flyable.

The real challenge to modernizing the ATC system in the U.S. isn’t the ADS-B infrastructure but the equipage of the system users, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Chairman and Hartzell Propeller President Joe Brown said at the GAMA State of the Industry presentation earlier this year.

The Pilatus PC-24 took off on its maiden flight on May 11 from Buochs Airport. Just under 1,800 Pilatus staff, all of whom are directly or indirectly involved in the PC-24 project, were there to applaud the business jet as it taxied for takeoff. Prototype P01, (HB-VXA), flew across central Switzerland for a total of 55 min. The twin-engine business jet took off from Runway 7 in just under 600 meters and climbed to 10,000 ft. (approximately 3000 meters) in about 3 min. where the two pilots completed a series of planned tests.

The Pilatus PC-24 took off on its maiden flight on May 11 from Buochs Airport. Just under 1,800 Pilatus staff, all of whom are directly or indirectly involved in the PC-24 project, were there to applaud the business jet as it taxied for takeoff. Prototype P01, (HB-VXA), flew across central Switzerland for a total of 55 min. The twin-engine business jet took off from Runway 7 in just under 600 meters and climbed to 10,000 ft. (approximately 3000 meters) in about 3 min. where the two pilots completed a series of planned tests.

​The first production-conforming aircraft, dubbed P1, is coming together at Cirrus’ facilities in Duluth, Minnesota, where the pressure vessel built at the company’s Grand Forks, North Dakota, facility and shipped to Duluth is being bonded to the tail and other components. Meanwhile, three conforming prototypes — C0, C1 and C2 — are taking part in the FAA certification program and have accumulated more than 400 hr. flight time. A fourth aircraft, a proof-of-concept model called V1, is also flyable.

Most maintenance technicians appreciate the value of monotony. We enjoy a day with no surprises. Unfortunately, those are far and few between. Over time, as we become familiar with both our aircraft and its OEM support network, we gain confidence in knowing what to do, and where to find help when problems arise. That assurance helps one cope with the inevitable crises that are sure to come.

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the utility version of its EC145 twin-engine light helicopter. The EC145, previously known as the EC145e, is essentially a civil version of the UH‑72 Lakota Light Utility Helicopter being delivered to the U.S. Army, but equipped for single-pilot day and night operations.

Embraer plans to move all Phenom light jet assembly to its Melbourne, Florida, facility from its plant in Brazil over the next year, the company said. The ramp up of Melbourne production will occur gradually throughout 2015 and will be completed in 2016. About 300 employees now work at Embraer’s customer center, production and customer support at the site. The move is needed as Embraer begins assembly of the prototypes of its new commercial jets, the E2 airliners.

Cirrus Aircraft is expanding its “Vision Center” in Knoxville, Tennessee, after a site search that included 15 states and 30 airport locations, the company said.

Looking to learn more about your new aircraft? The NBAA Maintenance Committee is a good place to begin your search. Its members comprise dedicated maintenance managers who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise on business aircraft through the subcommittees dedicated to specific aircraft models. You can ask them questions, seek advice and gain valuable insight about your aircraft. In addition, you can subscribe to the various model Air Mail information email groups. To learn more, visit the NBAA’s website:

Mooney International revealed its new M10 design to the U.S. market with a full-scale mockup at Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida. The M10 J and T model aircraft were unveiled in November at the Zhuhai Airshow. Mooney is in its final construction phase of a proof-of-concept flight-test aircraft scheduled to fly later this year. This follows the preliminary type certification board meeting between Mooney and the Los Angeles FAA-ACO in February.

Jet-A and Avgas Per Gallon Fuel Prices May 2015

The FAA has proposed a $150,000 civil penalty against Ameriflight, based in Burbank, California, for allegedly operating a Beech BE-99 when it was not in compliance with FAA regulations. The FAA alleges that the pilot noted in the aircraft’s maintenance log on Jan. 8, 2010, that water was leaking through a gap in the windshield above the copilot’s visor. The same day, a mechanic “patch sealed” the windshield by applying sealant over the gap , and the company returned the aircraft to service.

On Aug. 18, 2014, Gulfstream issued a reminder to all Gulfstream flight crews of the importance of proper preflight checks of the flight control systems. This letter circulated as the company and NTSB investigators explored the potential failure modes of the GIV gust lock system. The notice — in part — follows:

Shell Aviation has expanded its refueling network in Germany and is now the exclusive supplier at Saarbrucken Airport in Germany. Shell will provide Jet A1 and Avgas 100LL, and implement its Aviation Center of Excellence program, which focuses on efficient operations and high safety standards, using state-of-the-art equipment and marketing support through the Shell brand. Customers will have access to electronic invoicing and dedicated account managers.

Editor’s Note: While our regular readers might think they’re seeing double, that’s not the case. The business jet specification and performance tables that follow may at first appear to be a repeat of those published last month in our May Purchase Planning Handbook, but they are not. We received quite a few changes, additions, revisions and corrections within the category after the publication deadline. Naturally, we determined to update the digital tables immediately.

Com panies involved in newsgathering, agriculture and rail transport have partnered with the FAA in the hope of extending operations of small unmanned aircraft beyond the limits outlined in proposed rules unveiled in January. CNN, PrecisionHawk and BNSF Railway have committed significant resources to the FAA’s Pathfinder program, Administrator Michael Huerta announced in Atlanta on May 6 at the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s Unmanned Systems 2015 convention.

The information below includes items from the GIV Airplane Flight Manual and the NTSB investigators’ comments. Gust Lock The Before Starting Engines checklist contained within the AFM, Section 2 — Normal Procedures included the item: (70) Gust Lock — AS REQUIRED The Starting Engines checklist included the item: (4) Gust Lock — OFF

Rapidly growing Luxaviation Group, a driving force behind the consolidation of business-aircraft management in Europe, will become the world’s second-largest operator of business jets following the acquisition of Swiss-based ExecuJet Aviation Group.

Teterboro Airport in New Jersey was the most popular business aviation airport among U.S., Canada and Mexico airports in March, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic for May. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport in Florida, Dallas Love Field and Opa-Locka Executive Airport in Miami rounded out the top five. Around the world, the most popular business aviation airport was Teterboro, followed by William P.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has selected GKN Aerospace to produce the wing skins for its G500 and G600 ultra-long-range business jets. In a long-term contract, GKN Aerospace will produce the upper and lower wing skins for development and production aircraft at its Wellington, Kansas, advanced machines structures facility. The skins will be constructed in a single piece, which eliminates the fasteners and joints, and lowers weight and required maintenance, GKN said.

This excerpt from the CVR recording seems to demonstrate that power-up and acceleration was normal until 80 kt. and V1. At that point, comments are heard about “. . . lock is on,” and “can’t stop.” The FDR shows no indication of a stop-to-stop control check anytime from engine start to takeoff roll.

Aero Kinetics, based in Fort Worth, announced a partnership with FreeFlight Systems to integrate its ADS-B avionics into Aero Kinetics unmanned aircraft systems for commercial use in the National Airspace System. FreeFlight has designed a lightweight, low-power ADS-B unit, which will be an integral part of Aero Kinetic’s development of unmanned aircraft. The technology will communicate with manned aircraft and ground control stations.

​Jota Aviation, a U.K. charter company at London Southend Airport, has had a successful first six months with its BAE 146-200 jet aircraft, the company reports. Since it joined the fleet in October, the aircraft has made up to eight daily flights out of the London airport to various U.K. and European destinations. Jota Aviation is looking at expanding its fleet with further additions, it said. The next step is to offer the market a 50-plus seat version of the BAE 146.